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Premiers beat motions

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Alfred Pagepitu
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

TWO premiers defeated motions of no confidence against them yesterday.

Central province premier, Stanley Manetiva, famous for his strong stand against logging in the province, won by an overwhelming majority vote of nine against four.

Guadalcanal premier Francis Sade silenced critics when the mover withdrew the motion on the Assembly floor yesterday.

In Tulagi yesterday, the motion survived through to the debate stage where the Assembly deliberated on the eight grounds that the mover, MPA for ward-8 Polycarp Galaigu, and the non-executives attached with the motion.

At the end, the Assembly was called to a vote. Nine MPAs from the executive were convinced that premier Manetiva is not guilty of the allegations, and voted in his favour. Four from the non-executives voted against.

Meanwhile, across the channel, in Guadalcanal, the motion against premier Sade died an early death when the mover withdrew it as it was mentioned during session.

The mover, MPA for Wanderer Bay Cecil Manekako, verbally withdrew the motion on the floor of Assembly, a social media statement by the Guadalcanal province said yesterday after the meeting.

After the meetings both premiers reiterated their earlier calls for collaboration by the non-executives to move their provinces forward.

Premier Manetiva said:

“The non-executive should come and work with the executive and the government to fulfill the provincial government policy and move forward the province.

“Central province will not accept any under table dealing but will continue to comply under law and act to operate the government.

“What I understand here is the non-executives members do not have the number to move the motion against me seeing them continually barking like dogs without teeth with no evidence and proper document to support their allegations.

“There are eight grounds presented at the chamber before we vote but they never succeed.”

Central province assembly meeting continues today.

According to G-Province social media post, premier Sade following his victory, reminded the Assembly that “If you’re here for money, if you’re here for power, if you’re here for fame, then this honourable Assembly is not for you. We’re here to serve the interest of women, youth, children and men of Guadalcanal”.

Sade acknowledged MPA Manekako for exercising due democratic rights in seeking good governance by way of motion of no-confidence.

He concluded by vowing that his Government for Inclusive Change and Sustainable Development (GICSD) will continue its 2019-2023 Policy Strategies this financial year.

As a bonus, MPA for Aola ward Hosley Ghanivila joined Sade’s executive.

Western province passes $26m budget

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Premier of Western province, David Gina

BY BEN BILUA

Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Executive passed a budget worth $26,536,622 million after going through debate yesterday.

The budget is distributed as twenty million, seven hundred and eighteen thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven dollars for Recurrent Budget ($20,718, 857.00) and five million, eight hundred and seventeen thousand, seven hundred and sixty five dollars ($5,817,765.00) for Capital Development Expenditures.

This budget is to be applied for purpose specified in Section 32(2) of the Provincial Government Act 1997 for the Services of the financial year ending March 31, 2022.

Speaking during the Motion of Sine Die, Premier David Gina acknowledged and appreciated his fellow assembly members for their wisdom and understanding in the passing of both the 2020 -2021 Supplementary Appropriation Ordinance and the Estimate Budget of 2021-2022 Fiscal year.

He also extended his acknowledgement to the Speaker, Acting Clerk, Head of Divisions and Provincial Public Accounts Committee (PPAC) for the hard work.

“I thank you all for recognizing and appreciating the difficult circumstances and the restrictive caveats within which we have to prepare and pass this budget. It is not easy I must admit and your continues support has enabled us to satisfy the regulatory requirements as provided for in the Provincial Government Act 1997, Section 43 and the Financial Ordinance 2018,” Gina said.

He said his government is optimistic that the budget will have an impact on the development and service delivery of the province.

Gina said his government has made vigorous approaches two of which are the establishment of the Revenue Task Force when came into power in 2019-2020 and the Review of Business license rate.

He said these establishments among other demonstrates his government’s commitment in making sure the budget is meaningful to the development and service deliveries of the province.

Gina urges provincial members to continue to perform their legislative mandates in deliberating on the important requirements for the continuous operations and progress of Western Province.

Meeting will end today.

Mining company jumps the gun in Isabel

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands Resources Company (SIRC) has constructed wharf, pad and road in Suma, Isabel province without a Mining Lease (ML) to extract nickel.

Minister of Mines and Mineral is mandated to grant ML to a prospecting company on recommendation from the Mines and Mineral Board after the company complies with all the processes.

The processes the company needs to complete in order to receive ML are acquisition, exploration, evaluation, commercial discovery, environment and social impact assessment, land acquisition and feasibility study.

Director of Mines, Nicholas Biliki told journalists during the reporting workshop on extractive industries and endemic species in Solomon Islands, that SIRC is ready to launch its Feasibility study.

Biliki said it has engaged an Australia consultancy firm to review the Feasibility following a lot of recommendations.

He said it is highly likely the company can get its ML this year and go on with its construction and extraction.

However, Biliki said from information the company had already built wharf, road and pad for extraction.

SIRC is owned by logger, Garry Cheah.

On the other hand, Biliki said Solomon Islands Mining Company Ltd has submitted its Feasibility Study on the mine at Siruka in Choiseul province.

He said the company is still working on its environment impact assessment study.

However, Biliki said the company is expected to start construction and extraction next year.

SIMCL is owned by Filipino businessman Johnny Sy who is also the Director of the Samlimsan Logging Company.

The proposed mines at Suma and Siruka are part of the mining projects the government wanted to fastrack in June 2020 to earn revenues because of the impact caused by covid-19.

Suma has estimated deposits of 10 million tonnes of nickel while Siruka has 90 million tonnes of nickel ores.

The Goldridge Mining on Central Guadalcanal is currently in operation while the government abandoned the bauxite mining on West Rennel by Winning Resources Limited because it did not meet some requirements.

PG Stadium to become land mark

Written by
Taromane Martin
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Chinese Ambassador H.E Li Ming during the press conference when announcing the Pacific Games 2023 winning construction bid earlier this week

By Taromane Martin

Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Li Ming says Solomon Islands is a genuine friend and partner as preparations to host the 2023 Pacific Games continues.

Ambassador Ming on Wednesday announced the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as the Pacific Games Stadium bid winners.

Ming said it will be a huge responsibility for CCECC as the stadium is a symbol of profound friendship between China and Solomon Islands.

“After a very open and transparent tendering process over the past few months, the final winning bid for the stadium project in Solomon Islands for the venue to host the 2023 Pacific Games is taken by the CCECC.

“This is a really huge project that carries out the friendship between China and the Solomon Islands. The total construction area of the stadium site is around 26,000 square meters.

“It accounts for 80 percent of the overall facilities for the Pacific Games and is estimated to start in May of this year and complete before June 2023, the year for the Pacific Games.

“Under the cooperation between China and Solomon Islands the construction work has been progressing on very well according to the timeline.

“Thank you, the Honorable Prime Minister, for your strategic and strong leadership, and thanks to the outstanding executive ability of the team lead by Dr Jimmie Rodgers.

“Thanks to other organizations and other officials in the Solomon Islands government the stadium project as I said will be the main facility for the games.

Ming also made a special appreciation to his Chinese colleagues from the CSADI team who arrived September last year to complete the design work and other supporting work for the stadium.

Chairman for the Sol2023 National Hosting Authority (NHA) Dr Jimmie Rodgers said preparations to host the games is well on track despite the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Dr. Rodgers said the Pacific Games 2023 was the only national project that was ticking all the boxes during the height of the pandemic last year.

Ambassador Ming meanwhile said the stadium will not only be a new land mark but will inject new stimulants for the country’s economy.

“I believe the project will become another role model Chinese project not only in the Pacific but also around the world,” he said.

“China adheres to the principles of equality and mutual respect while we help assist completion with other donor countries. Solomon Islands is our genuine friend and equal partner.

“In the whole process of construction, the project will inject fresh stimulant to the economy of Solomon Islands.

“It is estimated the project will create hundreds of jobs and substantial business opportunities for Solomon Islanders in the next more than two years.

“The stadium will for sure become a legacy for Solomon Islands people and it will become a legacy for Solomon Islands-China relationship in years to come.

“Today’s announcement is an important step forward and I think it is also a start of a new journey with solid and firm support of both governments, the people of China and Solomon Islands, and the leadership of the honorable Prime Minister, I have full confidence that the construction of the stadium project will progress smoothly according to the timeline and it will become a new land mark in the skyline of Solomon Islands, in the year of 2023,” his Excellency Ambassador Ming adds.

HNA saga unsettled

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SINFED President Noelyn Luahiti

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

Former Honiara Netball Association (HNA) Executive will face the music regarding its financial report for the HNA 2015/2016 seasons.

The Solomon Island Netball Federation (SINFED) President Noelyn Luahiti said they had issued a notice for the former HNA executives and clubs last Sunday but did not take place due to poor attendance.

 Luahiti said the meeting to settle the HNA saga is re-scheduled for this Sunday 28th at the Post Office, 2:30PM.

SINFED President Luahiti says that her executive vows to settle the outstanding issue between HNA officials and clubs by the end of the month before the 2021 season kicks off.

 “SINFED is again calling on all HNA clubs to this very important general meeting. Last weekend’s meeting was poorly attended because of the heavy rain and other commitments,” SINFED President Noelyn Luahiti stated.

SunSPORTS understands that the ongoing netball saga had centered on the 2015/16 HNA season where winning clubs were left ‘disgruntled’ after no prizes were presented and given the HNA Audited Financial report then.

SINFED intervened by forming a committee for HNA to run the competitions in 2018 and 2019 after the former HNA President resigned and left the position vacant until today.

SunSPORTS understands that the then HNA executive is left with only the Vice President and its committee members (V/President & Treasurer).

The former executive was accused of financial mismanagement as claimed by affiliated club members, who did not receive their prizes for the 2015/2016 HNA League seasons.

This paper also received reports that past audited reports were presented, however, many consultations between HNA Executive members, clubs and teams with the inclusion of SINFED yield no tangible conclusion.

Luahiti meanwhile said a subcommittee had been appointed by SINFED to organize competitions in March or April and hopes a new HNA Committee will also be set up by then.

Malaita government welcomes private sector with open arms

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Malaita’s government is partnering with the private sector towards developing the province.

Premier Daniel Suidani says his Malaita alliance for rural advancement (MARA) government will continue with this open-door policy to companies committed to developing Malaita.

Mr Suidani said this is one priority area under the seven key policies of MARA.

“Under MARA government’s seven key policy, the government continues to establish partnership with private actors aligned towards development of Malaita province.

“I am happy to announce that the Nio Tero group (a US NGO) has already started work with the Ferafolia community in West Kwara’ae.

“And Sky Island group (another US NGO) is currently supporting consultation work with the MARA government, MoFR and MECDM towards rolling out the MCC programmes in carbon trading and forest conversation.

“As we speak, two areas have already been identified for the carbon trading programme to start this year 2021,” he said.

On that note, Suidani said that his government’s support to identify areas of rural income and livelihood improvement is ongoing.

“Under the USAID funding programmes, my government is looking forward to gather more date in this area so that programmes can be targeted on specific areas.

“This will be an ongoing area to address and now that Winrock will be here for the next five years.

“MARA government will work together with Winrock to realise the area,” he said.

Call for help with tower in Bellona

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

People on Bellona are concerned with the Our Telekom network on the island and are calling on the company and provincial leaders to fix it.

Reports from the island say the Breeze network functions on an erratic basis and has become an inconvenient service.

A Mr Tims Polo, speaking to the paper from the island, says, “Telekom network went off one week after company engineers came and fixed the tower last month. But, as of last week, we notice the Breeze network resuming at the afternoons of some days, only to go off in the evening when the sun sets.

“We notice that it seems only when it is a sunny day before network can resume. However, with the rainy weather on Bellona, this narrows it down to just few days.”

Premier of Rennell and Bellona province, Willie Tuhagega, when contacted earlier this week, said his office is not aware of the network problem on Bellona but shares the concern that the problem needs to be fixed.

“I have not received any correct information on the matter.”

He said a Telekom engineer has however informed him that someone was “working on it” and that a list of materials required to fix the tower had been sent to Our Telekom.

He adds that people in the TNT community in Rennell have reported having made contact with people on Bellona via mobile phone. Thus, the assumption that there is no network problem.

“We need to check. Issues like this must be reported to the PS or DPS or myself, but the right person is the manager at Tigoa office.

“[Province] can intervene if it is slow to fix.”

Our Telekom has not responded to enquiries sent earlier this week.

Communication via mobile phone has become an integral part of people’s life on Bellona as well as the services there.

Polo said, “We have not communicated with our relatives in Honiara and Rennell. Just last week, when the Breeze network unexpectedly resumed, we were shocked to learn that three of our relatives had passed away in Honiara. We had learned of only one, which was via radio.

“Apart from that, services such as airlines and medical need to communicate regularly, and such network disruptions affect their operations here too.”

Early this year, during the cyclonic weather, lightning struck the tower causing total network shutdown. Last month, Telekom engineers fixed the tower, restoring network coverage.

However, a week later, network went down again. More than three weeks later, it returned but only at the afternoons of a sunny day.

UNICEF promises support for vaccination drive

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Dr Zelalem Taffese, UNICEF Field officer to the Solomon islands shakes and with Minister of Health Dr Culwick Togamana following the arrival of the AstraZeneca vaccine into the country on March.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

UNICEF office in Solomon Islands has assured government of Solomon Islands and its people of continued commitment and support for a successful vaccination drive.

Dr Zelalem Taffesse, UNICEF field officer, echoed this at the AstraZeneca vaccine launch and roll out.

“I wish to assure you of UNICEF’S continued commitment and support for a successful covid-19 Vaccination drive,” said Taffesse.

He said COVAX’s primary goal was to help end the acute phase of the pandemic through vaccinations of at least two billion people by the end of 2021.

Taffesse said in order for that to happen, vaccines needed to start to roll out in the first quarter of the year. Solomon Islands is one of only a handful of nations in the world and the second in the Pacific to receive vaccines through the facility.

He said this would not have been possible without the commitment and sacrifice of donor countries who recognised the importance and stepped up to fund the COVAX facility to ensure equitable vaccine availability.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the donors for their continued support.

“I also wish to thank all the individuals who have been planning and preparing for today and for the execution of the vaccination roll out plan in the emergency zones along the border.

“The real work of vaccinating the country is now before us. We expect to continue receiving subsequent batches of vaccines over the next few weeks to maintain the momentum.
“To the people of Solomon Islands, I wish to encourage you to step up and get vaccinated when your turn comes. Every individual has a role to play to ensure that all people are safe,” said Taffesse.

Suidani lauds Link

Written by
Samie Waikori
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US Deputy Chief of Mission under US Embassy in Port Moresby, Mr Bernard Link with members of Malaita Provincial Assembly in the provincial chamber this week in Auki.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita province Daniel Suidani has thanked the US Deputy Chief of Mission under US Embassy in Port Moresby, Mr Bernard Link for his recent visit to Malaita province.

He said Mr Link’s visit means a lot to his government since they have established and created a pathway for further partnership between Malaita province, Solomon Islands and the United States of America.

“On behalf of the people and government of Malaita province I thank the US Deputy Chief of Mission to PNG Solomon Islands and Vanuatu under US Embassy in Port Moresby, Mr Bernard Link for his visit to the province.

“This is the first visit by US government officials to my people and province and I’m happy and thank the US government for Link’s visit,” Suidani said.

He said during his visit he met with members of Malaita Provincial Assembly and heard from them scopes of work MPG is ready to work with US under the US USD25 million Scale programme.

“In our dialogue with Mr Link, provincial leaders discussed with him areas from our perspective as we look at ensuring the projects to implement and benefit people.

“Apart from Link’s dialogue with the provincial assembly, he also met with other stakeholders during his visit to the province as he also learned from them,” Suidani said.

He said by now the scope of work is already with Winrock and Malaita provincial government looks forward to a partnership with US government.

Suidani said work on the scale programme has already started in Auki as Winrock Deputy Chief of Party, Dr Morgan Wairiu is on the ground.

“We are just waiting for the arrival of Winrock Chief of Party to be in Auki and hopefully that would be during the proposed launching of the programme next month to see things will go on from there,” he said.

Premier Suidani reiterated his thanks to the US government through the US Embassy in Port Moresby and MPG looks forward for continued visits from them to strengthen the established partnership.

He said under the scale programme there will be a robust economic flow for Malaita province as the programme will focus and MPG also look forward for similar support to other sister provinces.

Suidani hands over new vehicle to law enforcement team

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Premier-Suidani-right-hands-over-the-key-of-the-vehicle-at-the-background-to-the-deputy-chief-security-Mr-David-Suumani-left-in-front-of-Premiers-residence-in-Auki-yesterday

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita province Daniel Suidani yesterday handed over a newly purchased land cruiser vehicle to the Provincial Law Enforcement team.

Speaking during handover, he said the procurement of the vehicle was made through MPG covid-19 allocated fund to help out in logistics in the province.

He said the vehicle will be used by the Provincial law Enforcement team in Auki.

Suidani said securing the vehicle also strengthens MPG’s logistics as an important asset to its service delivery especially during this time of coronavirus.

He said also under a similar fund, MPG purchased another brand new landcruiser for Kilu’ufi hospital in Auki.

Suidani said work on installment of required apparatus on the vehicle is going on in Honiara as the vehicle will be used as an ambulance.

He said the vehicle will be delivered to Auki and handed over to the management of the hospital.

Suidani said MPG is ardent to purchase the two new brand land cruisers as they will boost logistics support to provide service to the people and government of Malaita province.

On that note, he explained that the fund used to purchase the vehicles is part of MPG allocated fund for covid-19 under the 2020/2021 revise budget to establish two quarantine centres in the province.

Thus, Suidani said they were unable to build the quarantine sites due to bigger plans later realised earmarked for each site.

He said for Kilu’ufi hospital site, it was due to the need to expand Kilu’ufi Hospital; a new building project to be funded by JICA.

“At Aligegeo PSS, it’s not possible due to the ongoing security and malpractices affecting the school that we could not able to go ahead.

“In addition, the MARA government is looking at turning Aligegeo PSS into a tertiary learning institute to support the growing population of Malaita province.

“Because of those issues, my government reallocated the funds budgeted for quarantine sites to procure two land cruiser vehicles from Ela Motors,” Suidani said.

He said this decision was made in light of the difficulties his government encountered during the covid-19 response operation to ward 14 at the beginning of this year.

“Where we have received limited logistic support from national government, thus the MARA government has to take on the responsibility,” Suidani said.

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