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Central Guale homes to be lit by Christmas

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and Solomon Power sign an agreement to allow work on pole lines go ahead at Tina Hydro River Project

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 141 houses in Central Guadalcanal are expecting light for the first time this Christmas.

The Tina River Hydro Project is delivering electricity after the signing of a collaboration agreement between Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and state owned enterprise Solomon Power today.

The signing has given a green light for a 111 Kilowatts high voltage (HV) extension and 415 vaults low voltage (LV) distribution networks, thanks to Community Benefit Sharing Project.

This will see the construction of a HV extension and LV distribution network running along nine kilometres of road from Black Post leading up to the Tina Community in the Bahomea region.

ANN City Power Solution, a local company is contracted to complete the $7.6 million project within a span of three months.

Operation Manager, Noel Bako said the company will engage people in the community to dig holes and put-up poles.

Bako said 144 High Voltage wooden poles and 143 Low Voltage galvanized poles will be put up and spread out for about 8 kilometers.

Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia was the excited man yesterday.

“Two years ago, I stood with so many questions in mind, witnessing the launch of the Community Benefit Sharing Project (CBSP) with communities around Tina.

“Now I can testify to the realization and accomplishment of the launch,” he said.

Tovosia said through this partnership between CBSP and Solomon Islands Electricity Authority trading as Solomon Power, the Government will again be enabled to bear witness to another important infrastructure project for the people of Malango in Central Guadalcanal.

Further to that, he encouraged the chief, local leaders and local communities around Malango and Bahomea to be visionary, organized, reasonable and appreciative and supportive to your leader in Parliament and Provide to better harness the productive benefits of the project.

Guadalcanal Province Premier Francis Sade has congratulated both parties for the milestone.

“It is not too often we witness such another important undertaking in the energy sector, especially for clean and renewable energy in the country.

“Therefore, my Government for Inclusive Change and Sustainable Development is not only humble, but also thrilled to be part of this mammoth development since 2019,” he said.

About 70 percent of the population living in the city are tipped to access cheaper electricity when the 15MW dam at the cost of US$240.8 million project is completed in 2025.

At the moment these same people are struggling with the higher cost of electricity provided by Solomon Power to their households.

Premier Sade said the positive developments, direct and indirect, to not only the people of Solomon Islands, but the indigenous people of Guadalcanal, mostly in the Central Guadalcanal area which aligns with this sustainable development.

“For instance, the opportunities range from, but not limited to employment opportunities, communities’ initiatives, small micro finance programmes, education opportunities, and conservation and preservation opportunities especially in the catchment areas.

“Needless to mention, the spill of effects of this TRHDP would also propel the several policy objectives 2019-2023 strategy of Guadalcanal Province,” he said.

However, Minister of Communication and Aviation, Peter Shanel Agovaka, who is also a landowner of the project site, said all is not well.

Agovaka said all landowners must benefit from the project and not those that signed the acquisition process.

He said there is a need for working together to support landowners who are left out.

“We need to unite together so that nobody is left behind.

“Everyone should be inclusive,” he added.

The significant model about the Tina Hydro Project is a combination of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement involving the Solomon Islands Government and six financiers.

They are:

1. Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD): $15m (approved January 2017);

2. World Bank: $34m (approved August 2017);

3. Government of Australia: $13m (approved June 2017)

4. Green Climate Fund (GCF): $86m (approved April 2017);

5. Korea-EX-IM Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF): $32m (approved August 2017)

6. Asian Development Bank (ADB): $30m (approved 26 September 2019).

The Tina Hydro Limited (THL) was established to develop, finance, construct and operate the 15 MW hydropower plant.

Contracted to THL, Hyundai Engineering Co (HEC) is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group and one of the largest Engineering construction companies in Korea.

The power purchase agreement (PPA) which has a term of 30 years is the legal contract for the purchase of power from Tina Hydro Limited which will operate the Power Station for 30 years.

‘Suidani to meet pre-departure requirements before any return’

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Premier of Malaita province Daniel Suidani

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MALAITA Premier Daniel Suidani needs to complete three pre-departure tests and must test negative on covid-19 before he can come home.

He is currently in Brisbane, Australia.

Suidani has been away from the country since April. He had travelled to Brisbane seeking medical assistance.

He later travelled to Taipei, Taiwan to undergo an urgent Head CT/MRI scan diagnosis and treatment on his brain.

After a successful treatment, Suidani returned to Brisbane in July where he remains today.

Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui said it is a legal issue and not political.

Kabui said Suidani has so far taken two tests; the final one next week.

He said if all tests are negative, then the Oversight Committee would allow him to return.

However, Kabui said this will depend on the availability of flights as well.

He said currently the Solomon Islands consular in Brisbane is helping him to meet the legal requirements.

Attorney General, John Muria Junior explained that Australia is a high-risk country so the Premier must take three pre-departure tests.

Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers said Australia is not an easy country to get certificate but the Consular is helping him to get it.

Suidani is accompanied on the trip by his political advisor, Celsius Talifiliu.

Vaccine coverage for public service and state-owned enterprises

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Oversight Committee and Ministry of Public Service is being advised to conduct an assessment on the vaccination coverage for the public service and state-owned enterprises in areas where vaccination has been rolled out.

This follows the mandatory vaccination memo agreed to by Cabinet during its sitting on Friday, July 30, 2021. 

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his national address this week said the assessment will be carried out in areas where vaccination has been rolled out including “Honiara, Guadalcanal province, Choiseul province, Western province, and Malaita Outer Islands, up to August 31 and advice Cabinet by September 16 on these results.

“The Cabinet will deliberate on this report and its recommendations at its meeting on 16th September 2021. Cabinet will then decide on the best way forward to ensure we still achieve maximum vaccination for employees of the Central and Provincial Governments, State-Owned Enterprises, and Frontline Agencies.

“So, until the Cabinet has this detailed information and decides on the best way forward, the Government will allow, on an exceptional basis, those public servants that had not yet been vaccinated to continue to go to work,” Sogavare said.

He said by taking this decision, the Government is not going back on its word.

“Rather it is taking time to conduct a detailed analysis of the situation, to make an informed decision on the best way forward that will ensure we will still achieve maximum immunisation not only for employees of the Central and Provincial Governments, State-Owned Enterprises, and Frontline Agencies but for all eligible citizens in the country.

“I will advise you all on the next steps as soon as the Oversight Committee provides its report and recommendation to Cabinet and the Cabinet has deliberated on it,” Sogavare said.

Australia continues to support education in the country

Written by
Samie Waikori
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APTC's Abigail Chung introducing the Australian High Commissioner H.E Dr Lachlan Strahan to the principals of APSD and Afutara RTC upon his arrival at the APSD school yesterday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

AUSTRALIAN High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency, Dr Lachlan Strahan says education in Solomon Islands is one of many sectors Australia is supporting for the development of the country.

Strahan said this as he delivered a hilux and 40 laptops plus accessories to APSD and Afutara vocational schools at APSD School in the suburb of Auki town yesterday.

He said as part of their support towards the education sector of Solomon Islands, they assist the national government to keep schools in the country open this year.  

“Our education activity in Solomon Islands starts at the elementary level.

“We have for instances just provided grants to make sure every elementary school in Solomon Islands remain open this year,” Strahan said.

He said Australia came in to support because government budget doesn’t have enough funds to keep all the schools open.

“So Australia has stepped forth especially during this covid time to make sure that we provide funding for pikinini (children) can go to school.

“We also provide funding for secondary schools, for tertiary education and scholarship, and some Solomon Islanders went to Australia to study in our universities,” Strahan said.

Australia assures commitment to Bina Harbor

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Australian High Commissioner, H.E Dr Strahan Lachlan delivering his speech on Malaita.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Australia is sticking with the Bina Harbour project.

High Commissioner Dr Lachlan Strahan made the reassurance yesterday during a handover of a hilux and 40 laptops along with their accessories to the Afutara and APSD technical institutes.

Dr Strahan said on Tuesday this week his team visited Bina Harbour – the site of the national project which has taken many years to materialise.

He said a lot of work needs to be done to make that project become a reality.

Strahan adds that if the project kicks off it will create hundreds of job not just in the Tuna factory, but in many other businesses which would be associated with the factory.

“To be very frank, many know in Solomon Islands today there is not enough jobs.

“More has to be done in the productive sectors of the economy to create more jobs, and primarily this is the job of the private sectors.”

Strahan said because in the end, companies here have to generate more economic activity which will create more jobs.

He said that would create a circle where people will have more jobs and in turn creates more economic activity. And that leads to more people being employed,

However, Strahan said government has a role to play; they must create a right framework to allow the private sectors to create jobs for everyone especially for young people.

“So I must say that over the coming years I see a major challenge for the country is to expand the formal economy.

“Formal economy is where people have proper jobs, wage and condition.

“So it’s important that over the coming years many different partners to do everything we can to make the private economy work better and expand,” he said.

Strahan said Australia, New Zealand, the United State are very committed to working with the national and the provincial governments to make this critical game changing nation building project of Bina harbor works.

He said this is the kind of project all of you need to work because it will create jobs in substantial numbers.

“I can reassure you that Australia will continue to support Solomon Islands in the education, infrastructure sectors and in the economy.

“So that in the end it will give you people skills but ultimately and hopefully will give you jobs.”

Djokovic’s case adjourned pending appeal

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Robson Djokovic has again adjourned to October 6 pending his appeal before the Court of Appeal.

Djokovic’s case was mentioned before Deputy Chief Ricky Iomea yesterday and prosecution sought another 28-day adjournment awaiting the outcome of appeal, as the case before the Magistrate’s court will depend very much on the outcome of his appeal at the High Court.

His appearance in court was also excused.

Djokovic is facing three counts under the Electoral Act 2018 and the political party integrity act.

Police charged him with one count of obtaining registration by false pretense Contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code, count two Fraudulent Voting Contrary to Section 120 (c) of the Electoral Act 2018 and Prohibition of a non-citizen from membership of a Political Party Contrary to section 41 (1) of the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014.

Djokovic is alleged to be the holder of an Australian Passport, a member of ‘Our Party’ that has been registered under the Political Parties integrity Act, and a registered voter of South Choiseul Constituency in the 2019 National General Election (NGE).

Hellen Naqu of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown yesterday.

Prosecution confirm investigation into case of Temotu Nende CDO complete

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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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

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Press Release
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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

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Press Release
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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.

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Press Release
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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

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