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Mayor holds back on Sore

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City Mayor Wilson Mamae

MAYOR of Honiara City Council, Wilson Mamae has delayed his move to remove Clerk Rence Sore over the weekend.

One councillor told Island Sun that the Mayor was asked by councillors to remove Sore because of his involvement in the controversial fire extinguishers and land sale at Ranadi to a logging company.

“Sore’s involvements in all these issues have paint the bad pictures to the Executive.

“As such citizens in the city are questioning their councillors why they continue to hang on with the leadership of the Mayor,” the councillor said.

The councillor, who wished not to be named, said the Mayor needs to come and explain his reasons for not sacking the Clerk.

“We want to know the reasons why the Mayor still holds on to the Clerk.

“Is it because he is afraid of sacking the clerk who might release some confidential information?” the councillor asked.

The Mayor is currently facing a motion of no confidence on Monday 29th March.

Earlier, the Mayor said he is confident to defeat the motion.

In the meantime, a city resident is calling on the Mayor to explain the $800,000 the Council supposed to receive from the Malaysian logging company for the transfer of its land at Ranadi.

The city resident, who wished not to be named, said from information, there is no money received by the Treasury division at the Council.

As such, the resident asked the Mayor to come out and explain the whereabouts of the $800,000.

Western Assembly to talk $26m today

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Provincial assembly meeting at Imagination Island, Gizo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province’s Appropriation Ordinance – 2022 which is estimated to around $26,436,622 will go into Third Reading when Assembly meeting resumes today.

Members will spend time debating and discussing the estimate budget before going to vote.

In his speech during the second reading, Finance Minister of Western Province, Christian Burly Mesepitu said the 2021/2022 Financial Year budget has gone through all the required and respective participatory planning and budgetary committees and processes as per part-2 of the Financial Management Ordinance (FMO).

He adds that Ward Development Committee were also part of the planning and budgeting process.

Mesepitu said the formulation of the 2021/2022 budget estimates was tough given the strict the budget guidelines set by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.

But, he said, his team managed to put together the estimate budget and at the same time satisfied the required guidelines.

Mesepitu said Western Province will appropriate a budget of $26,436,622 of which the Recurrent Revenue estimates is $20,61,857 and Capital Revenue estimate is $5,817,765.

He adds that Local Revenue for 2021-2022 is estimated using FY 2019 – 2020 actuals as baseline with only 10 percent allowable variances rate to forecast revenue as per the Budget Guideline.

Mesepitu said there has been a reduction worth $2,137,358,00 in Fixed Service Grant due to change in the formula (30 percent basic allocation and 70 percent performance based) for FSG distribution and major cuts on national government supports towards provincial governments.

He said major focus of the province’s Recurrent Expenditure will be on productive Sector mainly Agriculture and Fisheries so as Ward Development Committee capacity development and maximise local revenue collection.

In his opening speech, Premier David Gina said national government’s decision on budget cut has boycotted his province’s development aspirations.

“Similarly to other provincial government, Western Province too is set to have its fixed service grant and provincial capacity development fund (PCDF) slashed this year.

“For your information advise received from the Ministry of Provincial Government during the budgetary planning period articulated the need to forego our remaining SBD2.3 Million for 2020/2021 Financial Year.

“This is certainly has an impact on our capital budget implementation for this financial year capital budget allocation in order to cater for the cost of projects that were supposed to be funded with the foregone funds.

“In terms of the indicative FSG for the 2021/22 FY we have been allocated only around SBD7.5 million. Last year 2020/2021 FY we were allocated about SBD9.6 million so there is a reduction of almost SBD2 million.

“This is a result of the SBD 270,865.00 reduction in the aggregated fixed service grant allocations to all the provinces. As a provincial government, this is a huge reduction which will have an impact on our service delivery mandates.”

Gina stressed that it is sad that budget allocation for provinces have been diminishing year by year, worst still the establishment of policies that penalise and recall funds allocated to provinces.

But, he said, his government is optimistic to make sure service deliveries continues so as development aspirations and operation of the province is fully functioned this year.

Gov’t accused of being a bully

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Hon Ramrakha Talasasa.

BY BEN BILUA

In Gizo

The Western province has hit out at the national government describing it as bullying provincial governments with its decisions and actions.

Provincial Member for Dunde Nusa Roviana Ward, Ramrakha Talasasa made the comment during Assembly meeting yesterday.

He said provincial governments suffer and fall short to achieve development goals due to national government’s policy and decisions.

Talasasa said the decision of the national government to slice the budget of Western Province which was passed as required by the Provincial Government Act is a breach in the eyes of the law.

He stressed that the national government failed to honour its promise and should be penalised as normally done to provincial governments.

“We have passed our budget as required by the Provincial Act but the government is unable to give the fund. They slice our allocations which is questionable.

“Furthermore, they have established numbers of requirements that provincial governments must satisfy before getting funds.

 “When provinces failed to perform, the national government penalised us. So it is reasonable to say that, when the national government failed to give us the complete fund as we requested on our budget, they should be penalised as well,” Talasasa said.

Premier of Western Province, David Gina shares similar sentiment saying that the provincial governments have now become more or less mere divisions of the Ministry of Provincial Government rather than a legitimate elected government as provided for in the Provincial Government Act 1997.

He said the system has become more and more centralised with the various leverages placed on provincial governments to perform or be penalized.

“I must admit that last year has been a very challenging year for us.

“We just passed our 2020-2021 budget in the Assembly when SIG announced the various budget control measures it will employ as a means to catering for its COVID-19 preparedness and response effort and also in anticipation of the likely negative economic impacts that will ensue.

“As a province and as a government we have also been severely affected,” Gina added.

WHO vows support for SI safe vaccine roll-out

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Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WORLD Health Organisation office in Solomon Islands has promised to support government in giving direction for safe administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

This was conveyed by Dr Sevil Huseynova, WHO country representative, at the official launch and rollout of AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday.

“WHO is committed to continuing to support the Government in monitoring the safe administration of these vaccines. We will be helping support the setup of the new Covid-19 Vaccine database to evaluate vaccine coverage. Also, we will be ensuring the community is well informed and educated about these vaccines and the country’s rollout plans,” said Sevil.

She said these 24,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca covid-19 vaccine, provided through the COVAX Facility, is part of the global partnership’s effort to ensure the equitable distribution of at least two billion doses of covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.

“I would like to remind everyone that as vaccines start to roll out around the world, we must remember that they only complement, and not replace, our other proven public health measures.

“As we still don’t know how long these vaccines provide protection and if they stop us transmitting the virus, we must continue to apply the tried-and-tested measures, including physical distancing, wearing masks if recommended, regularly cleaning our hands, as well as the other measures to test, trace, isolate and treat cases. No country will be safe from the pandemic until all countries are protected,” said Huseynova.

She said the roll out is another step in the right direction towards the ultimate global goal of helping combat this global pandemic.

“And so, once again I reaffirm WHO’s commitment to supporting the Government and people of Solomon Islands in their Covid-19 pandemic response plans and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in its priority health improvement agenda,” said Huseynova.

Kehosi hands over projects to ward 31

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Chairman of Ward 31 WDC, Mr John Palmar (right) hands over drums of petrol to a rep from one of the church group in Luaniua.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MPA for Ward 31 under Malaita provincial assembly, John Kehosi through his Ward Development Committee (WDC) recently handed over projects to Luaniua community.

Senior Administration Officer for MOI region, Mr Manford Kelaho told this paper projects handed over included sports equipment, sewing machines, fuel and an OBM & boat.

He said the projects were handed over to different stakeholders within Luaniua communities including youths, church groups, women groups and Luaniua Village Development Committee (VDC).

Kelaho said the sewing machines were handed over to Luaniua women’s club to revive the social club that was run down several years ago.

smart

He said the project is looking at income generating for the women’s club, especially to produce school uniforms for Luaniua who always find difficulty in getting uniforms from Honiara.        

Kelaho said the WDC has proposed a sewing training workshop for the women’s club in Luaniua and will happen if arrangement is made.

Church groups in Luaniua received four 44-gallon drum petrol and their premixes from their WDC.

Kelaho said fuel were received and will be sold to support activities of the church groups like Companions, Mother’s Union and others in Luaniua.


SAO for MOI region, Mr Manford Kelaho (third from left) hands over the OBM to a rep from Luaniua Village Development Committee (VDC) in Luaniua

He said the projects came under Ward 31 ward grant for four quarters of 2019/2020 financial year and they are looking forward for 2021/2022 financial year.

Kelaho said under 2021/2022 financial year, Ward 31 WDC already submitted its work plan are waiting for release of the ward grant to begin their work.

He explained that under WDC’s work plan for 2021/2022, support will mostly be on improvement of communal projects like health and education.

On that note, Kelaho said another project is a 40hp Yamaha engine and a 22ft ray boat that will be used to serve government activities most especially in wards 31 and 32.

PAC chair pleased with Japan’s infrastructure projects

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Eddie Osifelo
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DPM Douglas Ete

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CHAIRMAN of the Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete has congratulated Japan for its generosity in funding infrastructure projects in the country.

Ete made this commendation when the Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands H.E. Morimoto Yasuhiro and his First Secretary, Asano Yoko appeared before the PAC in Parliament on Tuesday.

Ete was delighted to hear Ambassador Yasuhiro mentioned his government’s commitment to fund the Honiara City’s main Kukum Highway phase two project, upgrade Honiara International Airport and its interest to upgrade the Kilu’ufi hospital in Malaita province.

The Phase 2 project is the continuation from where the Kukum Highway Phase One ended.

The Project will cover the 6.3 Kilometers road from the Ministry of Fisheries to Honiara International Airport. This includes 4.3 Kilometers of 4-lane road to Lunga Bridge and 2 kilometers of 2-lane road from Lunga Bridge to the Airport.

This project along with the current Honiara International Airport Project and other major infrastructure projects in the past has changed and will continue to change the landscape of Honiara and will transform the city into a better city for everyone

Ancillaries to the road project include the drainage systems, bus stations, streetlights, traffic signboards and pavement markings.

Ambassador Yasuhiro said the Japanese government has committed $250 million for the Kukum Highway upgrade road project.

He said $340 million was approved to upgrade the Honiara International airport.

Besides, the Japanese government has approved $190 million to support the government combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Ambassador Yasuhiro said his government has also provided $400 million to Ministry of Fisheries under the Economic and Social grant.

Japan has signed diplomatic relationship with Solomon Islands since 1978.

CCECC awarded games projects

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By Taromane Martin

Solomon Islands-based Chinese Construction Company, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation [CCECC] has been awarded the contract to build the seven China Funded facilities for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.

People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Li Ming made the announcement yesterday during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office in Honiara.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare thanked the PRC government for their wisdom in selecting CCECC, saying his government is confident CCECC will get the job done in time for the Pacific Games.

“Allow me first to convey my sincere gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for their wisdom in selecting a successful; company that already has a footprint in Solomon Islands as its contractor for this ground-breaking project.

“Secondly, allow me to congratulate the CCECC through Mr Huang for winning the right to build the 2023 Pacific Games stadiums project.

“Your Excellency, the wisdom of your government’s decision has already proven itself, because I understand that CCECC has already mobilized to build its administration and extra accommodation facilities for the construction of the stadiums.

“This is something that would not have been possible if a non- resident company was selected. Excellency, I am now greatly confident that the construction period of 24 months commencing 1 May 2021 through to 31 May 2023 will be met, because the contractor has already started the preparatory work,” he adds.

The PM said the government through the National Hosting Authority will do all it can to ensure the construction of this project proceeds smoothly so that we can achieve the 31st of May 2023 handover date.

“Now to Mr Huang of CCECC, my government is confident that CCECC will be able to complete 2023 Pacific Games project on time by 31 May 2023, on budget, and to an extremely high standard.

“Excellency, this is an extremely high priority project for my government and for the people of Solomon Islands.

 “We look forward to welcoming the first contingent of your engineers on 11th April 2021. Excellency, we also look forward to the Ground-Breaking ceremony on Wednesday 5th May 2021.

Sogavare said the ground-breaking ceremony will further consolidate the relationship between Solomon Islands and China and will mark the start of the 24-months journey for the construction of all elements of the 2023 Pacific games stadium projects.

 “Excellency let me close by once again expressing my sincere gratitude to the President, the Government, and the people of the People’s Republic of China for supporting my government and the people of Solomon Islands with facilities that will enable us to host the 2023 Pacific Games successfully,” he adds.

CCECC was represented yesterday afternoon by their country Manager, Mr Huang.

Meanwhile the seven projects for the 2023 Pacific Games is one of the largest infrastructure projects to be funded and built by the People’s Republic of China in any of PRCs partner Pacific Island country.

The seven infrastructures that will be built by CCECC include:

i. A 10,000-seat national stadium which includes 1,000 VIP seats,

ii. An Aquatic center hosting a 50-meter competition pool, and a 25-meter training pool,

iii. A six-court tennis center

iv. A full-sized training track and field with a full-sized soccer/ rugby field

v. A 90 meters by 50 meters multi-purpose hall

vi. A 5-aside competition hockey field

vii. A double story food court and office space building for the

Western Assembly to receive COVID-19 updates

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Speaker and Clerk of Western Province who preside the meeting

BY BEN BILUA
In Gizo

MEMBERS of the Western Provincial Government will be briefed with the latest update on the status of COVID-19 in the country.

Speaker of Western Province, Adrian S Gina informed the house as part of agenda two (2) of the Order Paper (Messages and Announcement).

He says a team from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services will travel to Imagination Island where the Assembly is being held to update the leaders.

Gina says the information session is very important for leaders to get a better and latest information about COVID-19 status of the country.

SITCO adopts women empowerment through women

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THE Solomon Islands Tobacco Company (SITCO) has committed itself to empowering its women by adopting an approach that looks to empower women through women.

This is carried out under the umbrella, Discover & Expand your Wings (dubbed DEW) which is an initiative taken by SITCO women to participate in motivational discussions with some of Solomon Island’s most inspirational women.

Women empowerment in Solomon Islands is a hurdle which many are committed to overcome in order to improve the welfare of women and the nation as a whole.

The DEW initiative invited women such as Atenasi Ata (former CEO SICCI), Ethel Sigimanu (former PS Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services), Juanita Matanga (Deputy Commissioner Operations Royal Solomon Islands Police Force), women advocate Dr Alice Pollard, Pamela Alamu (CEO Institute of Solomon Islands Accountants), Ruth Liloqula (Head of Transparency Solomon Islands) and Natalina Hong (Current CEO of SICCI) who shared knowledge relating to personal and professional challenges in their journeys.

Among the messages shared, women were encouraged to be confident in taking up challenges in their respective fields and to persevere during difficult times.  Besides this, the importance of having a strong support system from home was also highlighted as key to women reaching greater heights.

The combination of success stories from the speakers was key to transformation of mindsets for the younger DEW members.

24-year-old staff, Kylie Alekevu said that the DEW sessions inspired her to take control of her life at work and also at home.

“Stories shared by the speakers increased my confidence in women- we are definitely capable of taking the lead in improving our society,” said the young lass.

Women empowerment and gender equality is essential for Solomon Islands in achieving its Millennium Development Goal.

 At SITCO, about thirty percent of employed staff are women with also thirty percent female representation in top level management.

Motion of no Confidence against Manetiva today

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Alfred Pagepitu
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Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

No confidence motion against Premiere Stanley Menetiva will be decided at the Assembly Chamber in Tulagi today.

This comes after the Speaker of the Central Islands Provincial Assembly, Francis Moah rescheduled the date from Tuesday, March 23 to March 25 to debate the motion.

Premier Manetiva has, since notified of the motion, been openly expressing confidence in defeating the motion.

He claims commanding a majority government, with all MPAs in his team loyal to him.

Meanwhile, Speaker Moah has clarified that the motion of no confidence against Premier Manetiva will be valid on March 25 not March 23.

He said the provincial executives did not debate the motion of no confidence against Manetiva during the Full Assembly Meeting on Tuesday. This is because it does not meet the seven days’ notice required under Standing Order 107.

According to Speaker Moah, his office received the motion on Monday, March 15 and the notice was issued dated March 16 to meet the seven days notice.

Moah said after seeking legal opinions, they were advised to reschedule.

“This is based on Part 1, section 3(f) of the Standing Order which explains the meaning of Clear Days. The seven clear days required by Section 107 of the Standing Order, does not include Saturdays or Sundays or Public holidays.”

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