Kemakeza into grasshopping politics

Mr Mark Kemakeza Minister for Mines and Energy

BY ANDREW FANASIA Jr
In association with Islands Sun

Former Minister for Mines and Energy, Mr Mark Kemakeza who made an early move to the opposition was just practicing his normal grasshopping politics by cross over to his former group.

Government House confirmed to Island Sun yesterday that Mr Kemakeza was sworn in as Minister for Mines of NCRA Government.

Mr Kemakeza was among the other first two who defected to the Opposition and had also resigned from his ministerial portfolio side last week.

When asked about the reason behind his switch, Opposition media and research officer, Mr George Atkin said that only the Leaders of the Opposition can comment on that matter.

With regards to number, Mr Atkin added, “Opposition still has the number to form the Government.”

He said that though Mr Kemakeza left the group, they remain with 26 members on their side while the Prime Minister Danny Philip side has 21 members.

Meanwhile, a lawyer by profession who withheld his name told Island Sun yesterday said that such person like Mr Kemakeza should not be counted in this game due to his grasshopping political game.

It has been revealed through our source a day after Mr Kemakeza join Opposition Mr Kemakeza demanded Opposition for some amount of money which was turned down by the leaders of the Opposition.

If this is true then Mr Kemakeza’s move to NCRA was because of money which depicts a bad leadership character that pursues his own interest.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands politics have always been like this since the independence.

This problem is caused by party system which the CNURA tried to pass the party integrity bill last year but failed due to some of their members want freedom to move around just for the sake of their interest.

The problem with parties is that these virtues tend to get obscured by other negative aspects. First and foremost of which is the way in which political parties take on the characteristics of a bureaucracy.

They forget that their main (and ideally, sole) purpose is to represent the interests of their constituents or the country at large. Instead, parties often focus primarily on acquiring and maintaining power.

“This is exactly what is happening in Solomon Islands which caused our nation to head the wrong direction,” the lawyer said.

Lusibaea’s remission granted

By Andrew Fanasia Jr
In Association with Islands Sun Newspaper
Honiara, Solomon Islands

Two years and nine month imprison Member of Parliament for North Malaita who was release on license on the 14th of this month has been granted remission to one month one day.

These came after the Minister for Police and National Security granted a 95 percent remission after his release.

Speaker of the Parliament Sir Allan Kemakeza explained in a statement that the Minister granted the Mr Lusibaea further remission through powers vested on him under Section 38 of the Correctional Service Act and Regulation 198 of the Correctional Service Regulation.

He stated that the Correctional Service Act defines effective sentence as the term of imposed by the High Court, granted to every prisoner is to serve after taking into account remission granted under the Act.

Sir Allan said “this is in addition to a one third remission to the sentence imposed by the High Court, granted to every prisoner under section 37 of the Correctional Services act.”

He further explained that the Correctional Service Act defines effective sentence as the term of imprisonment that a prisoner is to serve after taking into account remission granted under the Act.

“Therefore it is this effective sentence of one month one day that Mr Lusibaea was released on licence to serve outside prison,” Sir Allan explained.

He added that Mr Lusibaea is free to perform functions and responsibilities as a Parliament member as the sentence is less than 6 months.

Meanwhile, Sir Allan stated that, the Police Minister exercised his powers under relevant laws and that he (Sir Allan) as the Speaker does not have the legal mandate to decide otherwise.

However, on the question of whether the Minister had exercised his discretionary power in a lawful manner.

“This is for the courts to decide and that only the courts have jurisdiction to make a decision on such matter,” Sir Allan said.

I will not resign: PM

BY ANDREW FANASIA Jr
In Association with Island Sun News
Honiara, Solomon Islands

As the political upheaval of the country intensifies, Solomon Islands
16th Prime Minister after 32 years of independence, Mr Danny Philip
said he has no reason to resign even though he is under intense
pressure following the defection of some his Ministers.

“I am not a weak leader or will even buckle up to what I termed as
cheap rhetoric in media by Mr Wale and his Cohorts,” Mr Philip
confidently said in a press conference yesterday.

This was following the comment made by acting leader of Opposition, Mr
Matthew Wale in a interview with One Television calling the PM to
resign.

“I want to assure the people of Solomon Islands that NCRA have
something for you,” he said yesterday.

Mr Philip has revealed that his government is commanding the support
of 24 members of parliament and that included Ngella MP, Mark Kemakeza
who revoked his own resignation on Saturday.

He also confirmed that among the 24, North Malaita Member of
Parliament Mr Jimmy Lusibaea is counted even though there are legal
implications with his issue.

Mr Philip however revealed that his backbencher, MP for East Makira,
Alfred Giro is still seating on the fence.

I want to appeal to the Opposition side to stop there misleading
allegations which aimed to destroy the public trust and confidence in
their Government.

“I am confidence and ready to act in the interest of my good people of
Solomon Islands, NCRA is here for the good citizen of Solomon
Islands,” Mr Philip confidently stated yesterday in a press
conference.

Mr Philip however appealed to the friends from outside (donor
countries) to stay away from this latest political upheaval.

“This does not mean I don’t like you, but experience has taught me
some lessons in the past,” Mr Philip said.

He made this appeal after rumors that the Opposition side is backed by
some influential countries from outside.

He added that, “let this political problem fixed by ourselves.”

Meanwhile, Mr Philip assured the people of Malaita that NCRA
Government will be coming out for you to establish some of the planned
industries to develop their resources.

Islands Sun understands that things might change in the next few days
as the battle is on between the current NCRA government and the
desperate Opposition side.

PM Slams Wale’s Critics

BY ANDREW FANASIA Jr
In Association with Islands Sun News
Honiara

Prime Minister, Mr Danny Philip responded to the tenuous allegations
being leveled at National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NGRA)
Government.

“I did not surprise as the Opposition’s agenda is to destabilize the
ruling coalition, everyone knows that it is the Opposition Deputy
leader from day one,” Mr Philip said yesterday during the press
conference attended by the local media and the nine NCRA Ministers.

He stressed that, they have not responded to these allegations due to
the fact that these issues have been dealt with adequately by
appropriate authorities.

The allegations which he (Mr Philip) referred to were the beche-de-mer
issue, Taiwanese Fishing boat, PNG Funding Chancery, Mr Jimmy
Lusibaea’s case, the National Bureau for Social and Economic Reform
(NBSER) and allegation labeled against PM for not attending the
Cabinet meetings.

With regards to the beche-de-mer issue, Mr Philip added, the Minister
exercised his authority based on the professional and legal advice
provided to him by both the AG’s Chamber and senior officials of the
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

“The allegations on this issue are groundless because the deputy
leader of the Opposition has failed miserably to provide police with
evidence which he had promised,” Mr Philip said.
Mr Philip revealed that there is a second beche-de-mer consignment
which the Government will be taking appropriate action to address it.

Mr Philip added, in the case of the two Taiwan unlicensed Fishing
vessels, “due to the appeal made by Taiwan, in our view it was a
legitimate appeal, therefore the eventual fine was reduced to $1
million which was paid.”

He further stressed the $3 million which given to fund the PNG
Chancery building, “what Mr Mathew Wale and his cohorts never told the
public is the fact that PNG Government build our own Chancery in Port
Moresby without any single dollar from the Solomon Islands
Government.”

Mr Philip said that, the PNG Government is a genuine friend which
assisted so many Solomon Islands student through paying their fees in
many tertiary institutions in PNG over the past year.

“And for Mr Wale to claimed that the Prime Minister have received any
share from this $3 million as soon as our locally owned contractor,
Transworld got the money is a heap of crap to distort our Government,”
Mr Philip said.

“I want the put it straight to the deputy leader of Opposition that
the $3 million has never given to the contractor but was given
directly to the Government of PNG,” Mr Philip explained.

Meanwhile, Mr Philip told the press conference that anyone who has an
issue with the release of North Malaita Member of Parliament, Mr Jimmy
Lusibaea should seek remedy in the High Court.

“Because id its independence, neither the AG’s Chamber nor Cabinet can
interfere with its due process, the Government denies any
involvement,” Mr Philip confirmed.
The Opposition side also criticized the National Bureau for Social and
Economic Reform; they claimed that NCRA are experimenting and that
translating the NCRA Government policy has been delayed.

“As I said from the outset, Mr Wale has an agenda that is to
destabilize the government and what it is set out to do.

“In fact, the translation has been done; we were waiting for the next
meeting of Parliament when details of Bureau, what it will do, time
frame on projects and so on would be unveiled,” Mr Philip said.

Mr Philip stated that, “we are not experimenting; we are serious and
will deliver, but how can we focus when someone has brought his
personal agenda to destabilize and undermine the work of the
government is doing for Solomon Islands?”

Mr Philip however challenges the ringleader Mr Wale to be humble and
act like a Solomon Islander.

“If you want to challenge anything bring it and lets debate the issues
on the floor of the parliament, because that is the right place for us
to debate and not in the media,” Mr Philip stated yesterday.

Meanwhile PM Philip revealed to the media that they (NCRA) still have
24 members intact, however only nine were seen during the press
conference yesterday to show their support for the current Government.

MSG call on International Community to Understand

Foreign Minister of Fiji, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola:Fiji now holds the chairmanship of the MSG.

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.

The outgoing Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Chairman, Vanuatu Prime Minister, Mr. Kilman Sato has called on the international community to understand the Melanesian way.

The call was made following the reconciliation ceremony between Vanuatu and Fiji Government and the MSG Special Summit in Honiara on Wednesday.

The ceremony was organised by the Solomon Islands government to break the impasse between Vanuatu and Fiji over the MSG chairmanship.

There was a small leaders summit held in which they officially endorsed the chiefs’ declaration that Fiji now holds the chairmanship of the MSG.

 Mr. Sato stated that, the handing over of MSG Chairmanship to Fiji will cause criticism from the international community.

“But for us the people and Government of Vanuatu we believe in what we did today (Wednesday).”

“We believe in Fiji to take MSG into the next level for the good of the Melanesian people and the region,” Mr. Sato said when giving his final remarks during closing dinner hosted by the Government of Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister of Fiji, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola affirmed to the MSG members that Fiji will move MSG to the next level, “we are taking this chance very seriously.”

Mr. Kubuabola thanked the MSG members for accepting Fiji’s situation and their issues.

He also stressed that Fiji needs a change which they are working on it according to their timeline.

“We know the international community did not accept our road map for change but we believe they will understand our reform agendas,” Mr. Kubuabola said.

Mr. Kubuabola however said Fiji is encouraged by the reconciliation ceremony.

“This is a historic occasion, it should be a beacon of hope for the future, not only when dealing with MSG issues but for similar challenging issues in the wider Pacific Islands region,” Mr. Kubuabola said.

Gov’t gives ultimatum to public solicitor to explain

Esape: Jimmy Lusibaea's lawyer heads towards the waiting plane. (Photo: supplied)

Editor's Desk

The Government has written to the Public Solicitor urging him to “fully explain to Cabinet by December 17, 2010 the circumstances surrounding the unplanned departure of Mr. Robert Cavangh” from Honiara yesterday.

Mr. Cavangh represented former Fisheries Minister, Hon Jimmy Lusibaea MP, in the recent criminal case involving the MP. The lawyer was to have represented Hon Lusibaea MP in his appeal case yesterday (see story page 3), but he was nowhere to be found.

The Public Solicitor and another lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office, Mr. Edward Cade, later told Cabinet in a briefing this afternoon that Mr. Cavanagh had “had a heart attack” which required medical attention in Australia.

In the letter to the Public Solicitor, Hon Minister for Finance and Treasury, Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo MP, who presided over Cabinet yesterday, said information had come to light that Mr. Cavangh “did not have any health issues or concerns/complication that warrants his absence” from court yesterday.

“Therefore Cabinet is of the opinion that Mr. Robert Cavangh might have been pressured by his employer(s) to leave this jurisdiction on the excuse that he was seriously unwell.

“As mentioned above, Cabinet has learned from Solomon Airlines, after it has obtained reliable advice from ASPEN personnel’s that Mr. Robert Cavangh was well, fit and had no medical or health issues prior or leading up to yesterday, the day Hon Jimmy Lusibaea’s bail hearing was to take place in the High Court,” the two page letter said.

“The conduct of Mr. Robert Cavangh and that of his employer(s) has serious implication for the rule of law and quite seriously undermine the criminal justice system in this country, not to mention the constitutional and legal rights of Hon Jimmy Lusibaea,” the letter said.

“I therefore call on you, as the Public Solicitor to fully explain to Cabinet by December 17, the circumstances surrounding the unplanned departure of Mr. Robert Cavangh when he was supposed to appear in court and represent his client, Hon Jimmy Lusibaea on December 10 (yesterday),” it said.

Meanwhile separate briefings provided to Cabinet showed Mr. Cavanagh was “fit and well” to travel.

Mr. Cavanagh traveled on a commercial flight to Brisbane yesterday afternoon.

Cabinet has also received photographs of Mr. Cavangh wearing an Akubra hat and walking unaided to the aircraft.

In one photograph, he was seen talking on his mobile phone as he walked towards the aircraft, again, unaided.

HIV CASES INCREASE IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

By Jennifer Kusapa
National Express Reporter

The number of confirmed HIV and Aids cases in Solomon Islands has increased by two more to a total of (15) fifteen.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr. Lester Ross, officialy announced yesterday the increase by confirming that two (2) new HIV positive cases have been confirmed in the country.

Speaking during the official launching of the World AIDS day Dr Ross said that the situation the country is facing is alarming and this year the country has two new HIV positive cases.

“I have the responsibility on behalf of the Solomon Island National AIDS Council to announce an additional two newly HIV diagnosed cases”, said Dr Ross.

Dr Ross said that from those two additional cases it brings to a total of 15 cases of HIV positive in the country.

He said that there is no room for self satisfaction because despite positive developments in the country, the situation is continuing to increase at an alarming rate because sexually transmitted diseases in the country is significantly high.

He said that the HIV Aids virus was being transmitted through sex and so is STI and if the country recorded high in STI the population out there is at risk of the killer disease HIV.

He said that everybody must recognize the importance of changing behaviour all Solomon islanders must be equipped with confidence and motivation to initiate some change in your lives.

Dr Ross said that the two new HIV positive cases brings 15 cases and that number speaks
Loudly about the possibility that there are likely to be more positive cases out there that are not tested for the virus.

He then called upon the people of Solomon Islands to come forward and do the testing because if you are tested before you can proven negative.

NCRA IS BACK

Editor's Desk

The National Coalition for Reform and Advancement [NCRA] Government is back, strong, consolidated and focused, Prime Minister Hon Danny Philip said today.

Prime Minister Philip was speaking to members of the media following a brief reconciliation ceremony in Honiara this afternoon.

In the ceremony, stringed shell money was exchanged between the former minister for Forest and Research and MP for West Guadalcanal, Hon Bodo Dettke MP and Prime Minister Philip, in front of other Cabinet Ministers and Government Backbench.

The Chairman of Government Caucus Hon Martin Magga MP and his Deputy and MP for West Honiara Hon Namson Tran both contributed a tafuliae [stringed shell money] each on behalf of Caucus.

Twenty Government Ministers as well as Backbench MPs were in attendance.

“The ceremony this afternoon shows that the National Coalition for Reform and Advancement [NCRA] Government is back, strong, consolidated and focused,” Prime Minister Philip said.

“It shows we have customs and tradition that are just as effective in settling differences,” he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Philip told the ceremony that “coming back together is not a sign of weakness.”

“It is a sign of strength,” he said.

He thanked each of his Ministers who were ready and willing to work through the difficulties as they did in the last few days.

“It’s impacted on all of us, but we’ve come out of it. I want to thank each one of you,” he said, naming each of the Ministers who went out of their way to ensure the NCRA government remained intact.

He and Hon Dettke also apologized to each other. Other Ministers emphasized the significance of the reconciliation through the exchange of shell money.

RAMSI mourns death of PPF member

By Editor's Desk

The Australian Federal Police is today mourning the death of one of its members currently serving as part of the Participating Police Force (PPF) of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is currently investigating the matter and has advised that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the member’s death.

The member’s next of kin are being notified.

The member, originally from Sydney, was employed as a Protective Services Officer with the AFP before deploying to Solomon Islands in April 2010 where he served with the PPF.

Lusibaea might lose Parliament Seat.

Andrew Fanasia Jr

North Malaita MP and Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Jimmy Lusibaea might loses his parliament seat yesterday after Presiding Judge, Justice David Cameron sentence him to 2 years and 9 months imprisonment.

Justice Cameron said Lusibaea’s 2 years and nine months is dim to commence on the 11th of March 2010.

The North Malaita MP was sentence following his guilty plea to one count of unlawful wounding (2 years) and one count of assaulting Police Officer in execution of his duty (9 months).

According to the evidence in the High Court, Justice Cameron said Mr. Robert Solo; a police officer was shot by Lusibaea on both knees when he was beaten and was unconscious and for assaulting Officer Sam Manakeha on the head with the butt of the pistol, when he was on duty at that time.

This was during the height of the civil unrest period on September 1, 2000 at the National Referral Hospital.

Meanwhile, Justice Cameron said the element of Lusibaea’s aggravating factor has overweight the mitigation factors presented in the court.

He said Lusibaea has carried a weapon (pistol) in the NRH area and shoot the victim in both knees, “Solo was helpless when Lusibaea shot him in the X-ray room.”

Justice Cameron added that Lusibaea did not respect the NRH at that time he committed the offence, and also he brought with him some of the members of the Malaita Eagle Force in the NRH premises.

“Lusibaea has also demand the police officer on duty, Manakeha and hit his head with the butt of his pistol,” Justice Cameron said.

Justice Cameron affirmed in court that Lusibaea’s mitigation factors did not justify the seriousness of the offence he committed.

Meanwhile, the courts decisions did not go well with his supporters from his constitution which resulted in Honiara being ‘stand still’

However, it is likely that Lusibaea will make an appeal against the decision to the court of appeal within the given 30 days.

This was done to protect his parliament seat if he wins the appeal in the court of appeal.

Opposition Bid to overthrow NCRA.

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.

Since the formation of the NCRA Government, the Opposition side has been throwing criticisms to destabilize and seeking ways to overthrow Prime Minister Danny Philip led Coalition.

Source within the Government said that this sort of on going actions by the Opposition group can best describe as ‘political scoring tactics’.

Government source revealed that NCRA Government has pledge to serve the interest of this nation and want to see the country is heading on the right direction.

Express news understands that, the Opposition leader, Mr. Steve Abana and his Deputy Mr. Matthew Wale also claimed in some of their media statements that members of the Government have involved in acts that are illegal and disrespectful.

“Such claims do not have any prove but only aim to discredit the hard work of the NCRA members,” the Source said.

The Source added that the Opposition will continue to misinform the public about what NCRA is preparing to advance this country.

The Minister for Finance and Treasury in the past week told the local media that NCRA is serious about its plan reforms, “the reforms will certainly put this country in the right direction.”

However, the Opposition side is keeping an eye on these reform agendas which was stated in NCRA policy statement.

On Monday this week, Express news received from a Source close to the Opposition group that they (Opposition) is planning ahead for the first parliament sitting next year to push a ‘vote of no confidence’.

Meanwhile, in the most recent issue, Opposition group claimed that the NCRA Government has already used the Ministry of Fisheries as bait to pull in any interested member from the Opposition side.

This was after the Minister for Fisheries; Mr. Jimmy Lusibaea was arrested to face the court and waits his sentencing today.

Recently, the newly proposed body, Bureau for Social and Economic Reform (BSER) is another issue which the Opposition verbally attacked mercilessly.

The BSER came under attack after the local media published the 2010 budget which the BSER was included in the past recent week.

However, the Permanent Secretary Special Duties for reforms and projects, Mr. Luma Darcy on Monday this week said that the newly established Bureau of Social and Economic Reform is yet to be approved.

Meanwhile, the country is yet to see tangible development after NCRA took the office.

Express news understands that the on going battle between the Government and Opposition regarding different political issues have already distort the trust of the Solomon Islands citizens towards their national leaders.

OPPOSITION SUPPORTS TRC EXTENSION REQUEST

Editor's Desk.

The Opposition urges the Danny Phillip-led National Coalition for Rural Advancement Government (NCRA) to extend the term of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission mandated to establish the truth about the ethnic tension and foster reconciliation between the aggressors and the victims.

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana made the call following the announcement by the National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation Minister, Hon. Hypolite Taremae in the media yesterday of a possible extension of the term of the TRC by the NCRA Government.

Mr Abana said the Opposition supports the commission’s request to the government for the extension to ensure it completes the challenging task of bringing together the victims and the aggressors to tell their accounts of the petrifying experiences they suffered and had inflicted.

He said he understands that some victims are holding back due to fear of retaliation by the aggressors or their relatives and on the other hand, some aggressors are reluctant to come forward for fear of prosecution and this challenging task cannot be accomplished within a span of only two years.

The Opposition Leader said Solomon Islands must establish the truth behind the tension and reconcile those that suffered from the violence then and their perpetrators if it wants to restore national peace and unity.

Mr Abana said the NCRA Government must demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the return of lasting peace and unity in the country by approving the request by the TRC and also providing sufficient budgetary allocation to the Ministry for National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation for the work of the TRC in the 2011 budget.

BUDGET CLARIFICATION LEAVES MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS: WALE

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.

Deputy Opposition Leader Mathew Wale has commended the Permanent Secretary Special Duties for reforms and projects and the Director of the Policy and Evaluation Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Luma Darcy and Mr Peter Boyers for their efforts in trying to clarify the budget submission for the newly established Bureau for Social and Economic Reform.

However, Mr Wale said the clarifications have left more questions than answers to the valid concerns raised by the Opposition over this matter.
“ If the statement by Mr Darcy is true that the final costing for the newly established Bureau of Social and Economic Reform is yet to be approved, why did the Prime Minister’s Office submit it to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury for inclusion in the 2011 budget?

“The Office of the Leader of Opposition has confirmed with relevant officials from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury that the $4.8-million budget submission for the bureau’s 13 officers published by the local print media was final and not a mere discussion material.”

“If the bureau is not part of the Prime Minister’s Private Political Office, would the 13 posts in it be advertised by the Ministry of Public Service as required under the conventional public service recruitment regulation? The Opposition will be closely monitoring the government to ensure it abides by this regulation if indeed the bureau is not part of the Prime Minister’s Private Political Office,” he said.

The Deputy Opposition Leader said it was interesting to read Mr Boyers trying to defend the hefty budget for the Bureau of Social and Economic Reform by blaming the Sogavare and Dr Sikua regimes for the recruitment of some political appointees of the NCRA Government.

He said unless the political appointees referred to by Mr Boyers continue to serve the new Danny Phillip-led government under their contracts with the previous governments, then he is either naïve or trying to mislead the public on the matter.

“As far as political appointments are concerned, employment contracts of political appointees of any ruling political government are terminated at the end of its term in office and the next political government makes political appointments at its own discretion.

“It is apparent that the appointees referred to are supporters of certain politicians in the NCRA Government and their appointments with the two previous governments were through these same connections.”

Mr Wale said as with this budget submission, the Opposition will need as much time as the NCRA Government to discover its own mind as to what the bureau is and its logistical implication adding the NCRA Government will have been in power for eight months when the 2011 National Budget will be presented to Parliament next April.

The Deputy Opposition Leader said the Opposition is concerned that NCRA has a habit of making proposals it has no idea about and referred to the proposed Forgiveness Bill as another classic example.

OPPOSITION SLAMS TORA’S QATAR TRIP

Editor's Desk

Opposition Spokesman for Police and National Security, Walter Folotalu has expressed grave concern over the recent trip by the Minister for Police and National Security, Mr James Tora for an Interpol meeting in Doha, Qatar.

The trip is believed to have cost the state around one million dollars.

Mr Folotalu said according to information obtained from the Ministry of Police and National Security most of the money for the trip had to be taken from the police’s operational budget.

He said Minister Tora himself on many occasions said the police lack logistical support by way of equipment, vehicles and Out Board Motor powered canoes.

He said despite Mr Tora’s seemingly concern about the lack of logistics in the Police Force, he managed to squeeze funds allocated for such purposes to attend a meeting though important, is not as vital as the force’s operational requirements.

Mr Folotalu believes the availability of logistic equipment will enable the Royal Solomon Islands Police to carry out its operations more effectively and efficiently.

GOVERNMENT HITS BACK AT ABANA

Editor's Desk
Writer David Tuhanuku

The Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga has called on the Leader of Opposition Steve Abana to grow up and stop his cheap political tactics of massaging half truths, gossips and rumors in his ongoing campaign of creating confusions in a desperate bid to topple the current NCRA Government.

In making the call on behalf of the Government Mr. Maelanga described as “childish and utterly rubbish” claims which Mr. Abana has made in the media that the government had began marketing the Minister of Fisheries Jimmy Lusibaea’s portfolio as he awaits his sentencing on Wednesday this week.

“Mr. Abana’s latest media stunt has also earlier displayed his immature attitude through the criticisms he’s made against the Government’s proposed Bureau for Social and Economic Reforms, using just one document without bothering to find out more about the proposal before going to the media.

He has done it again by manufacturing this unfounded gossip and rumour that the Government is trying to sell a colleague’s portfolio.” Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga said.

As the matter is before the court it is irresponsible and a possible case of contempt of court for Mr. Abana to try and force a debate on a matter that is before the High Court and the Government will not be dragged down the gutter to comment on a matter pending before the court.

“All of us Ministers in the NCRA Government are simply keeping our fingers crossed while we await the outcome of a court case involving a dear colleague, and if the Opposition Leader sees fit to bring up such non-issues for political expediency, then he better back off from this dangerous play.”

“Your game is too small for this government, we’ve got a country to run, and that is the difference between your Opposition and those of us serving in the current NCRA government.”

Mr. Maelanga said that never at any time would members of the government be involved in acts that are disrespectful, as the Opposition Leader had claimed and wrongly assumed, and which are dangerous for the government.
“While at the same time we don’t want to be seen as lacking contingency plans in the worst scenario case.”

He said: “It was obvious that the opposition leader, having sensed the great sensitivity of his accusations, went to great lengths to balance a story he has manufactured for political reasons, by trying to balance it with a commendation for Minister Lusibaea’s outstanding performance in his capacity as minister for fisheries. This is hypocritical and cynical,” he said.

“Coupling a positive statement with a negative statement and assuming the public feeds from such contradictions is but a careless piece from the perfect creationist.”

The acting Prime Minister said one can infer from the opposition leader’s statement that we are still more worried about the government’s numerical strength.

“Who better be more worried about the numbers than the opposition themselves, given their grand plan to push a motion of no-confidence during the April 2011 sitting of parliament where the final score will be 26-21 in our favor. ”

DARCY CONDEMN OPPOSITION CRITICISMS ON BSER

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.

The final costing of the Government’s proposed Bureau for Social and Economic Reforms (BSER) will ultimately be determined by the final structure and status which the NCRA Government decides the Bureau should take.

“And what the NCRA Government will decide should be the primary role and functions of the Bureau; will eventually provide the final shape of the Bureau’s manpower requirements and structure as well as its status.” This is according to the Permanent Secretary - Special Duties; responsible for Reforms and Projects, Luma Darcy.

To get to the final outcome and the final product of this important NCRA Government’s policy initiative, will take a lot of prior and inclusive consultations, planning, and internal discussions which the NCRA Government has already initiated, Mr. Darcy said.

Mr. Darcy made these clarifications in response to criticisms which the Opposition Leader Steve Abana made in the media last week, based on a document which the local media has claimed to be a budget submission seeking SBD$4.8 Million for the staff of the proposed Bureau for Social and Economic Reforms.

He said the document which the Opposition Leader Mr. Abana was referring to, was just one of a range of documents which are basically internal NCRA Government discussion papers on the proposal.

Mr. Darcy also said that if the Government eventually established the Bureau, the level of remunerations which the senior staff of the Bureau will have; will depend on qualifications and work experience; but this will also be ultimately determined by the status and role of the Bureau as determined by the NCRA Government.

“That will in turn, determine what their required qualifications and work experience, and job descriptions will be. Their job descriptions will ultimately determine their level of remunerations and it will be there and then that we would decide whether or not the remunerations are justified by their job descriptions. While it is good to have Opposition input in this matter, perhaps last week’s criticisms of the Bureau by the Opposition is somewhat premature,” Mr. Darcy said.

The Director of the Policy and Evaluation Unit in the Prime Minister’s Office and former MP for West New Georgia and Vona Vona, Peter Boyers, has also spoken out in support of giving the NCRA Government the opportunity to fully explore the concept with the view to eventually adopting the proposal to establish the Bureau.

Mr. Boyers, also a former Finance and Economic Planning and Aid Coordination Minister, believes that there is a need to have a centralized process to provide an overall coordination mechanism for the executive government.

“Given my own experience, I believe it is timely for the NCRA Government to review our long standing assumption that government ministries are capable of effectively coordinating their activities relating to government social and economic reforms, in situations where there are cross-cutting issues that require the coordinated involvement of more than one ministry in order to get things moving and achieve outcomes in a timely manner,” Mr. Boyers says.

Mr. Boyers said that Mr. Abana’s concern about cost is premature and if the Opposition is so concerned about political appointees and the cost to tax payers, the Opposition must bear in mind that political appointees recruited under the Sogavare and Sikua led governments cost tax payers between SBD$2.5 to SBD$4.5 Million.

“As a matter of fact, some of the political appointees now serving under the current NCRA Government’s political unit in the Office of the Prime Minister were first recruited by the Sogavare and Sikua led Governments.

CASH DONATION DEPOSITED INTO GOV’T SYSTEM: DR SIKUA

By Editor's Desk

Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal Dr Derek Sikua has announced that the cash donation of one million Japanese yen he received on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government from the Japanese Solomon Islands Friendship Association (JSIFA) when he was Prime Minister was safely deposited into the government system.

Dr Sikua made the announcement in response to the headline of the Solomon Star last Saturday whereby the President of JSIFA, Mr Kiyoshi Takahama questioned the whereabouts of a cash donation the association handed over to him for a Solomon Islands students’ exchange programme with Japan when he was prime minister.

The former Prime Minister who is now a member of the Opposition Group in Parliament confirmed personally receiving one million yen in cash for a student’s exchange programme from Mr Takahama when the former Japanese Charge d’affaires in Solomon Islands and members of JSIFA visited the country in 2008 and paid him a courtesy call.

He said soon after receiving the money he directed the Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr Chris Hunupauro to convert the money into the local currency and he did so at the Mendana Hotel after being refused by all three commercial banks.

Dr Sikua said that one million yen when it was converted into Solomon Islands currency was only $75,000.00 and that money paid immediately to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury by the Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister to be deposited under a particular head for travel under the Prime Minister’s Office upon advice from relevant government officials as it was insufficient to meet travelling expenses for four students to travel to Japan as proposed by the JSIFA.

“Being a responsible national leader I had done my part in ensuring the total amount of money received from the currency conversion was paid to the relevant government ministry to be deposited under the head it thought appropriate and I am pleased to be given this opportunity to clear my name off any assumption of misappropriation that may rise following the publishment of the news article questioning the whereabouts of the money,” the former Prime Minister said.

ABANA APPLAUDS LUSIBAEA OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

Mr Lusibaea

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana has commended the Member of Parliament for North Malaita, Jimmy Lusibaea for his outstanding performance in his capacity as the Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Mr Abana said he was impressed with reports from the Ministry of Fisheries And Marine Resources about Mr Lusibaea’s performance and he believes should the North Malaitan MP be given the opportunity to complete his parliamentary term, he would excel in his leadership role.

He said one of the outstanding achievements of the ministry under the leadership of Mr Lusibaea was the successful negotiations with Japan, Korea and Taiwan from the 26th of October to the 11th of November that resulted in an agreement to double the access fees for foreign vessels to fish in Solomon Islands waters next year.

The Opposition Leader said according to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, this was the first time the country successfully negotiated doubling its fishing access fees and thus Mr Lusibaea deserves commendation by the government and people of Solomon Islands for this exceptional achievement.

“Mr Lusibaea’s outstanding performance and his continued assistance to community groups touched many hearts and this speaks loud and clear of the totally changed person he is now to what he was during the ethnic tension.”

“Solomon Islands needs enthusiastic leaders like Mr Lusibaea who are keen to learn and to carry out their official obligations to the best of their ability,” Mr Abana said.

The Opposition Leader meanwhile said he was stunned by the attitude of some ministers and supporters of the NCRA Government offering the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources portfolio immediately after the North Malaita MP was taken into custody last week after pleading guilty to murder.

“It is totally insulting that some government ministers and supporters of the go ringing up some Opposition MPs offering them the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources portfolio despite the fact that he is yet to be sentenced.

“Such attitude clearly demonstrates that the government’s allocation of a ministerial portfolio to Mr Lusibaea was merely for numbers,” Mr Abana said.

OPPOSITION QUESTIONS POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana

Editor's Desk

The Opposition has called on the National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) Government to come clean on the number of its political appointees following its announcement of the establishment of the Bureau of Social and Economic Reform.

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana said the Danny Phillip-led regime owes the taxpayers an explanation on the number of its political appointees because it is apparent that it has increased the number of political appointments in the Prime Minister’s Private Political Office contrary to its expressed intention to reduce it.

Mr Abana said documents obtained by his office show that the newly established Bureau of Social and Economic Reform consists of a Permanent Secretary post, seven directors’ posts and five administration posts and it is understood that these positions are all to be political appointments.

He said the pertinent question is whether this bureau includes the political posts of Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Director and staff of the Policy Unit and the Secretary to the Government Caucus.

Mr Abana said the documents show the 2011 budget submission for the bureau stands at a total of $4,838,479.15.

The Opposition Leader said if the bureau is exclusive of the posts of Press Secretary, Special Secretary, Private Secretary, the Director and staff of the Policy Unit and the Executive Secretary to Government Caucus then the number of political appointments and expenditures for these appointments by the NCRA Government has far exceeded that of all successive political governments since the introduction of the Prime Minister’s Private Political Office in 2005.

Mr Abana said this excessive political appointment exercise brings into question the NCRA Government’s commitment to reduce government expenditures for political appointments as announced over the national radio by the Finance and Treasury Minister, Mr Gordon Darcy Lilo.

He said the taxpayers would also be interested to know whether or not the Economic Reform Unit in the Ministry for Finance and Treasury would be merged with the proposed Bureau of Social and Economic Reform Unit. The Economic Reform Unit engages overseas technical advisors and public servants.

The Opposition Leader said the NCRA Government needs to come clear on the issue of political appointees as taxpayers are entitled to know if there has been a drastic change in its policy on this matter.

Kaua Passes Away After Long Illness

By Editor's Desk

Hon. Toswel Kaua, MP for Baegu/Asifola, passed away early this morning at the National Referral Hospital.

Reports say that Late Kaua suffered medical complications early yesterday morning and was rushed to hospital.

The Late Toswel Kaua was a long time public servant, rising through the ranks to the position of Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

He later resigned and contested the 2006 elections, which he won comfortably. He was later re-elected on 4 August 2010.

Late Kaua held several key portfolios, serving as Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs from 21 December 2007 to 2010 and as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Service from 3 May 2007 to 10 November 2007.

He was also Minister for Agriculture and Livestock from 18 October 2006 to 3 May 2007.

Late Kaua was born on the 28th of August 1947 in Lau Malaita Province.