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EDITORIAL- Too many motions of no-confidence

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A MOTION of no-confidence against Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade was withdrawn yesterday before any votes were taken.

Across in Central Province, Premier Stanley Manetiva survived a no-confidence vote filed against him.

He had nine of the provincial members with him, while four were against him.

Monday this week in Makira-Ulawa, Premier Julian Maka’a saw a similar motion withdrawn in front of him in the chambers of the Assembly Hall.

Towards the end of last year, Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani beat a no-confidence vote the non-executive brought against him.

While motions of no-confidence are part of the democratic process, they are often abused.

And this is true at our provincial government level.

For instance, there were claims that certain national politicians are behind those no-confidence votes.

These national politicians, it was asserted, were backed by loggers.

While it would be difficult to prove such assertions, what’s clear was these premiers have in recent times initiated anti-logging policies as part of their leadership.

Central Province’s Stanley Manetiva, for instance, came out public to declare his anti-logging stance.

Malaita’s Suidani hit the loggers operating in his province hard when he imposed a huge increase in the business licence fees.

Premier Sade of Guadalcanal initiated a battle with logging giant Sino Capital, which has been operating in the province over the last 10 years.

He accused Sino of neglecting to pay his province business licence fees through out the course of its operation.

Sade went further to ask the High Court to stop all Sino operations in Guadalcanal.

In Makira-Ulawa, Maka’a has been exploring ways to reduce logging activities in his province.

The sudden move to oust these premiers left everyone guessing.

But thankfully, common sense has prevailed.

All premiers beat off the no-confidence votes and continue to enjoy the support of their executive members.

It’s sad that certain

Premier Sade summed it up well with this statement yesterday:

“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.”

SICCI hosts 44th AGM, elects new Board

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The newly elected SICCI Board and CEO. (Front row) Qila Tuhanuku, Chairman Ricky Fuo’o and CEO Natalina Hong. (Back row) Kazi Mushfiqur Rahman, Bob Pollard, Craig Gibsone, Namoi Kaluae and Daniel Tucker. Missing in Frank Wickham. Photos: SICCI Media

THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) hosted its 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 24th March, 2021 which allowed members to elect new Board Members for 2021/2022.

Ricky Fuo’o, General Manager of Tropic Group Builders (TGB), was elected unopposed replacing outgoing Chairman, Jay Bartlett.

“Our members’ confidence in the leadership and governance of the Chamber is reflected by the re-election of five current Board Members,” said the Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Natalina Hong.

“I would like to thank members of the last board for their ongoing commitment and support in what was a challenging environment. I would particularly like to thank our outgoing Chairman, who has made an outstanding contribution to the Chamber in his six years tenure as Chair,” she added.

Returning Board Members are:

  • Qila Tuhanuku (Vice Chairlady) – Marketing & Corporate Affairs Manager, Solomon Breweries Ltd
  • Frank Wickham – General Manager, National Fisheries Development (NFD) Ltd
  • Bob Pollard – Managing Director, KPSI & Pasifiki HR
  • Craig Gibsone – General Manager, Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL)
  • Daniel Tucker – Country Manager, Kramer Ausenco (SI) Ltd

They are joined by two new members:

  • Namoi Kaluae – Co-Founder, Adkonect & Pacific Tenders
  • Kazi Mushfiqur Rahman – General Manager, SITCO

Outgoing Chair, Mr Bartlett said Wednesday’s AGM welcomes new leadership and composition to the Board after five years.

“I trust the transition will be seamless as, although roles may change, the Board remains experienced and well suited in continuously building upon current foundational work.

“The new Chairman being a tax paying business owner will truly understand our plight and challenges to address. With the current CEO and the new Chairman and Board composition, I remain confident in our well-established progression governance structure for solid progress,” Mr Bartlett said.

In signing off, Mr Bartlett acknowledged with deep appreciation, each and every valuable member of SICCI who make the organization exist in strength and numbers.

“Thank you to our Platinum and Gold Sponsors both as individuals and companies.

“A special Thank you to the Australian High Commission and the High Commissioner Dr Lachlan and his team for the vital financial support as we would not be here without this continuous base support.

“Thank you all as the Chamber acknowledges that your valuable support has made sure of a unified sector voice with strong advocacy to the interest of our business and national economy,” Mr Bartlett said.

-SICCI Media

COVID-19 hits shipping industry

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Chair-of SIMA Advisory Committee Joy Ririmae delivers her speech 1

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Shipping Industry has suffered badly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s according to a shipping company operator and chairlady of the Solomon Islands Maritime Committee Advisory Committee, Joy Ririmae.

She was speaking at the launch of the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) as the newest State-Owned Enterprise (SOE), yesterday.

“We, the shipping industry, have suffered from the COVID-19 crisis but at all price we have maintained the best of the services we could provide to our communities,” Riria, who also manages Franjit Shipping, said.

“We are also resolved to support the soon-to-come recovery phase, but we desperately need the recognition and support from the Government and partners to build the shipping industry of tomorrow,” she added.

Riria said it is highlighted through the SIMA Corporate Plan that safe and resilient shipping is the lifeline for Solomon Islands communities.

“Are we the lifeline for Solomon Islands communities? Definitively yes we are.

“Are we safe and resilient?

“Probably not at the level expected by our customers but we work hard for this.

“Is SIMA able to create the environment for safe and resilient shipping in Solomon Islands?

“Probably not yet, but we definitively have the right people and framework now.

“I call to our Government and partners to assist the development of safe and profitable shipping services, resilient maritime infrastructure and sustainable maritime employment.”

New SOE launched

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President SIMTA SI Maritime Transport Association Charles Rubaha

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A NEW State-Owned Enterprise was launched in Honiara yesterday.

Previously known asSolomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA), it has now changed to an SOE called Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Development Manasseh Maelanga said the transitional plan to transform the organisation was introduced following a reform project in 2008 to 2010.

Deputy Prime Minister delivers his speech

Maelanaga said after a long legislative process and debate in parliament, they have passed the much-awaited Solomon Islands Maritime Authority bill in September 2018.

“I am happy to officiate today and officially launch SIMA Corporate Plan,” he said at the launching.

“I have witnessed the last 12-months performance of the SIMA and actions undertaken by the Board and its Director to have the organisation in full power on the 1st of January,” he added.

“I take the opportunity of this opening to congratulate Robert Bokelema, Chair of SIMA with its Board members, and the Director of SIMA, Thierry Nervale, for a major achievement moving from a department in my Ministry to an independent authority.

Guests and members of SIMA pose for group photo

“I know there were many challenges and issues that have been addressed to adopt SIMA’s financial and management systems and to recruit new staff.

“This achievement is also because of the strong and consistent support from Australia which has been a genuine friend of SIMA and an engaging partner.

“ADB, which also provided great support to prepare for the establishment of an independent maritime authority in Solomon Islands. Thanks for that support.”

Maelanga said now in place is the institutional framework for a modern maritime administration governing a profitable and efficient maritime sector.

“It is all about supporting the economic recovery and sustainable development of this country; but also, to ensure all maritime operators apply our laws, prevent pollutions and ensure safety for all at sea.”

Part of the guests witnessing the launching of the SIMA

He added this is not an easy journey to reach, however, “we must continue to remind us of SIMA’s Corporate Plan’s vision of a transformative decade of safety at sea, resilient and clean maritime services and mobility in Solomon Islands”.

“This decade must bring major changes towards safety, cleanness and efficient shipping services that will have to operate carbon-free vessels in the next 20-30 years.

“This is the price of our resilience to climate change and sustainable development.

“We must think about our maritime future and recall our vision, but let’s use today’s event to first celebrate SIMA as an independent authority, that is now established and in full power since the 1st of January 2021,” he said.

Chair of the SIMA Robert Bokelema said the event yesterday was a wonderful opportunity to introduce SIMA and launched its corporate plan and together look at their vision of a transformative decade of safety at sea, resilient and clean maritime services and mobility in Solomon Islands.

 “It is also an opportunity to engage the necessary dialogue wit all maritime operators to ensure we speak the same language, are engaged together in the same direction and pursuing the same objectives of a clean seas, safe sea travels and efficient shipping services,” said Bokelema.

Chair of SIMA Advisory Committee Joy Isihanua Ririmae said this change is a call to our Government and partners to assist the development of safe and profitable shipping services, resilient maritime infrastructure and sustainable maritime employment.

Chair of SIMA Advisory Committee Joy Ririmae delivers her speech

Sir David takes his jab on second day of vaccination

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Governor General His Excellency Sir David Vunagi receiving his first COVID-19 Jab

COVID-19 vaccination at the Central Field Hospital in Honiara has entered its second day yesterday with the Governor General Sir David Vunagi opening the line of vaccination with his first COVID-19 vaccine jab.

As per the established workflow, the Governor General filled his registration form and card and entered the field hospital where one of the nurses injected the vaccine followed by 30 minutes rest for observation before cleared to leave the hospital.  

Following the Governor General was the Speaker of National Parliament Patterson Oti, some of the judges and magistrates including the Ombudsman.


Speaker of National Parliament Patterson Oti showing the V sign to promote vaccination after receiving his COVID-19 jab

Some of the COVID-19 frontliners, from the Ministry of health and fisheries, Ports Authority, and Heritage Park Hotel also came in for their first vaccinations yesterday.

On the first day of vaccination, total of 220 people were vaccinated which included the Prime Minster, Ministers of the Crown, Permanent Secretaries, COVID-19 oversight committee, vaccine national coordinating committee and technical working group members. This also includes some of the frontline workers from health, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and Solomon Airlines to name a few

According to the updated COVID-19 vaccination roll out plan following concerning increases of COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Bougainville, 7000 doses of the first batch of AstraZeneca will be administered in Honiara initially for priority groups such as front-liners, elderlies 55 years and above, those with underlying health conditions and the rest of the Honiara residents once more vaccines arrives.

17, 000 doses will be deployed to Western, Choiseul and Malaita provinces for vaccination of the western border communities. This week the Ministry of Health is gearing up for deployment of relevant national staff to support provincial immunization teams to conduct vaccine awareness and training of vaccinators in these provinces before vaccination roll out for the borderline communities  will commence.


Customs Officers, taking his first COVID-19 Jab

COVID-19 vaccines that the government is and will be rolling out are those that are approved for emergency use by WHO and have passed all necessary safety and efficacy requirements thus it is safe to receive and effective to prevent sickness, hospitalization and deaths by COVID-19.

The roll out of vaccination is part of the overall efforts of the ministry of health against the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Get your COVID-19 vaccine Jab when your turn comes and protect our country.

Chamber looks to grow membership

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SICCI hopes 2021 will see an increase in its membership after a very challenging 2020 for businesses

THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI), as the peak body representing private sector, hopes 2021 will see an increase in its membership.

2020 has been an extremely challenging year for business and this is directly reflected on the Chamber’s membership which has seen a 25% reduction in 2020 members with 183 financial members, SICCI reported at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 24 March.

“One of the main area’s we have tried to focus on is providing up to date information but also to get information from our members to decision makers,” Outgoing Chairman, Jay Bartlett, said.

Surveys conducted provided the Chamber with valuable information that guides its advocacy efforts.

In 2020 SICCI conducted two COVID-19 Impact Surveys, a survey on the proposed Facebook Ban and the annual Business Confidence Survey.

“The survey data on Facebook was very valuable and was presented to the Prime Minister early this year which we think may have played a role in the reconsideration of the suspension.

“Our COVID-19 surveys helped determine the level of impact while the Business Confidence Survey gives us an idea of the challenges ahead. Evidence based advocacy works and takes away emotion and opinions from our discussions,” Mr Bartlett said.

As an organisation that strives to achieve excellence in Governance, SICCI have hosted a number of Directorship Programs with the Institute of Directors New Zealand with the aim to deliver another program for an additional 25 participants in April later this year.

On the Advocacy front, advocacy in the last 12 months have been challenging as the Chamber along with its members reacted to the impacts of the global pandemic and the economic fallout that followed.

Mr Bartlett highlighted that in the past year the Chamber made a submission to the Oversight committee on the Economic Stimulus Package.

“In it we had outlined some very practical measures that we believed would support the private sector and the economy. We also lobbied our National Provident Fund to allow impacted workers withdrawals from their contributions, this alone injected 100million into the economy,” he said.

Also, in 2020, the Chamber established two industry working groups for sector specific support and to allow the Chamber to draw on the membership for technical support.

Both the Building Construction Working Group (BCWG) and the Manufacturing Industry Working Group (MIWG) are agile teams that can be proactive on specific issues while keeping the SICCI Board free to focus on core issues.

The Chamber have also revised its MoU with the Government in July 2020 and since then have held 3 Advisory Group. Discussing issues of concern such as the Inclusion of Private Sector in National Budget Process, Involvement of SICCI in Oversight Committee, COVID-19 impacts on businesses, Medium Term Development Plan of SIG and the Redirection Policy.

Mr Bartlett said in 2020 SICCI has also hosted three RSIPF-SICCI meetings, “which we have attempted to address the Road Transport Board which deals mainly with traffic issues, Crimes Prevention Strategy, and important updates from RSIPF on COVID-19 border security.”

“More recently we have held Climate Change Workshop with SIG on Accessing Climate Change Funds by the Private Sector and a Position Paper on the case for reviewing Electricity Tariffs in the Solomon Islands.

Finally, as part of its ongoing Advocacy Efforts the Chamber has developed the Private Sector Pathway to COVID-19 Recovery Strategy.

This Strategy will be used to focus SICCI consultations and collaboration with Government and advocacy efforts to ensure tangible action on key reforms.

-SICCI Media

Pacific Fisheries Surveillance Operation a success

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The first Forum Fisheries Agency coordinated fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance operation of 2021, Operation Rai Balang concluded last week after two weeks of increased surveillance effort in eight Pacific nations.  

National organisations in Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have been working together to conduct surveillance, supported by the four Pacific Quad partners (Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States). 

Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director General, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen said the operation provided maritime surveillance across 13.3million square kilometres of the Pacific and achieved 349 sightings and 30 boardings. The operation included 11 surface ships and 6 surveillance aircraft. 

“Working collaboratively to protect the income generated by our oceanic fisheries means protecting the incomes, jobs and livelihoods of many Pacific people,” said Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen. 

“This is  a great example of the power of united effort. The strength of our cooperation has ensured this Operation was a success. We extend our sincere thanks to all our Members and partners who joined us for Operation Rai Balang.”

RSIPF Maritime, Deckhand, Mrs Tricia Wilimae  said Op Rai Balang was a great learning experience for her. “I could see the way the RFSC worked with the different agencies in our country, and how working together we all achieved a better result,”said Wilimae. “I know that I will take back things I have learnt, to share with my colleagues in Maritime Police.” 

Speaking from the FFA’s Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC) in Honiara, FFA Surveillance Operations Officer, Commander Robert Lewis reflected that Operation Rai Balang wasn’t just about catching perpetrators.

“Our operation brings many benefits to FFA’s member countries,” said Commander Lewis.“It helps build a national skills base across many Pacific nations.  We focus on intelligence driven and targeted operations to create a deterrence effect. There’s been a change towards a culture of greater operational collaboration across the Pacific, and the shared assets participating make the operation more effective.”

“It has also helped us to deliver a sharper picture of what risks this sector faces and how it can be protected. It is sometimes not as obvious as a vessel operating illegally or running “dark”. IUU fishing by the licensed fleet is estimated to account for over 95% of IUU activity in Pacific tuna fisheries. Operation Rai Balang attempted to close these gaps by encouraging FFA Members to actively consider inspections, including monitoring catch and effort reporting, unloading or transhipment, and verification of catch data for licensed vessels during dockside activity or at sea.” 

Operation Rai Balang is one of four targeted operations hosted by the FFA annually, however regional surveillance is supported 365 days a year through the RFSC Regional Surveillance Picture. The operation also utilised the Aerial Surveillance Program funded by Australia under the Pacific Maritime Security Program, which has a focus on detecting and responding to IUU, but can also be used by Pacific Nations for broader maritime security threats.

–FFA

New SOLTUNA products out soon

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BY BEN BILUA
In Gizo

THE one and only fishing processing company SOLTUNA will launch two new product anytime from now.

SOLTUNA sales person, Fred Wane made the announcement when meeting members of the Western Provincial Assembly during their lunch break today.

He says the products are of great quality with health benefits.

Wane said his team will be at the Gizo Market tomorrow to promote the products before they go out to the market.

He adds that SOLTUNA is expecting to launch another new product in the near future to add to this existing product which are circulated both in the local and international Market.

More details will be published later.

Three vessels detained

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Vessels berthing outside Gizo. FILE PHOTO

BY BEN BILUA
In Gizo

THREE International Vessels have been detained in Western Province as part of COVID-19 protocols before leaving the country.

The three vessels are currently berthing between Vella Islands and Gizo while the crews undergoes COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine for the next 14 days.

According to reports, the vessels have been loading logs in the Western Province since last month and are heading overseas.

Reports further stated that Western Provincial authorities especially police and medical officers are monitoring the vessels.

Authorities warns the general public not to make any contact with the crews of the ships.

This paper has made attempts this week to get proper information from the medical authorities but attempts proved unsuccessful.

Attempt will continue to get information from responsible authorities.

Western province to strengthen revenue collection

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Premier of Western Province Hon Gina and Finance Minister Hon Mesepitu during the meeting

BY BEN BILUA
In Gizo

THE Western Provincial Government is looking at strengthening its revenue collection base as measures in response to government budget cut.

The province will also reduce some of its activities and programmes due to shortfall in budgetary issues from the national government.

Premier of Western Province Hon David Gina says a tougher approach will be introduced beginning next financial year – end of this month for the province to get enough funds to support its programmes.

More in Island Sun tomorrow.

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