| WELKAM |
| .........................................WELCOME.........................................
The Central Malaita Students Association (CMSA) is a multi-dialect and cultural Student Group Consisting of students from Kwara’ae, Langalanga, Kwai and Ngongosila, Malaita Outer Islands, Kwaio and Fataleka.
Our vision and objective is to protect the norms and cultural values of our members while at the same time we enhance our academic knowledge and skills towards the promotion of development and the improvement of living standards in our respective regions.
.............................................DISCLAIMER...............................
The site welcomes any contribution by way of information, comments, news articles, photos etc from its members and interested members of the public to ensure we are well informed of all the developments in our villages, constituencies, regions, islands, country, region and the world at large as well.
However, any transmission of information, news and comments is intended only for the use of the members of the Association. Any use or dissemination of information provided in this site in other websites or medium of information is not the responsibility of the Association, and the Association cannot be held liable for it. The contents of this webpage, unless expressly stated, do not comprise the views of the Association or any representation by the Association, but are views of its individual members.
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| LOCATION |
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| WHAT'S NEW |
- Central Malaita Student Association(CMSA) would include Malaita Outter Islands
student as of next year.That means if you are from Malaita Outter Islands, you are part of CMSA.
- This site is currently undergoing some major changes.
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| NOTICES |
| I WILL BE AWAY FOR TWO WEEKS IN THE SOLOMONS. WHILE I AM AWAY, N.G, COULD YOU KEEP OUR SITE UPDATED WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM HOME. I WILL BE BACK ONLINE IN AUGUST - PM |
QUOTE OF THE DAY |
| "Youth is a blunder; Manhood is a struggle; Old age is a regret - (BENJAMIN DISRAELI (1804 - 1881)" |
 BENJAMIN DISRAELI (1804-1881) |
| CHAT BOARD |
| KU'AL HU'AN ALA'ANGA!!!.
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| CLIPS OF THE TSUNAMI IN SOLOMON ISLANDS |
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| HISTORICAL CLIPS OF THE SOLOMONS |
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| OTHER SOLOMON ISLANDS CLIPS: MUSIC, SPORTS ETC |
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| POSTERS |
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Vakavuku, SISA custom dancers administrator
Central Malaita Dancing Group at the Tsunami Appeal at Laucala Campus administrator
AUKI WHARF administrator
REACHING OUT....A young boy from Kilusakwalo reading through a pamphlet about RAMSIâs work in Solomon Islands which was
distributed during a meeting by a RAMSI Outreach Team to the village yesterday. PICTURE: MOFFAT MAMU administrator
A Malaita Ramo - JanesOceania.com
A house found it self submerged as a result of the Tsunami - Lifhaus.com">
 Jacinta Moli from Central Malaita representing Solomon Islands in Powerlifting during the Commonwealth Games
administrator
Tennis Queen Irine George from Central Malaita" ">
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| Friday, November 23, 2007 |
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 Opposition Determined to Set Things Right: Mr. Fono
Solomontimes News
BY JOY BASI
Leader of Opposition Fred Fono says intentions by the Prime Minister and the country's controversial Attorney-General to lodge a case in the High Court is a mere desperate attempt to stop Parliament from meeting.
In a press conference yesterday, Mr. Fono told journalists that such action demonstrates Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare cannot face Parliament because there is no majority for his government."... the Prime Minister cannot face the full Parliament because he no longer enjoys the parliamentary majority as he claims daily," the press conference was informed yesterday.
Mr. Fono claimed that "... the MPs supporting the Prime Minister and their campaign agents are continuingly selling the post of the Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministerial posts to MPs on the Opposition side".Solomon Times could not reach the government group for comment on the claim.
The Opposition Leader stated that the MPs of the opposition group are determined to set things right.Mr. Fono informed the press conference that their number stands at 26 with the continuing support of firm Opposition supporter, Sir Allan Kemakeza.
The Opposition Leader, in view of a letter from the Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena to the Prime Minister and the Opposition, reiterated calls requesting Sir Nathaniel to immediately announce a new date for the meeting of Parliament."
The Parliament must be allowed to deal with the political and constitutional issues and not to be strangled by court proceedings," Mr. Fono stated.He stressed that it is impossible for a prime minister to lead with a minority and urges the Governor General to listen to the majority.Mr. Fono said that government action on retrieving vehicles from the former ministers and backbenchers has just consolidated them not to go back for reconciliation with the government.
Meanwhile, the Governor General has called on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to set a date for a Parliament session before end of the year.
Sir Nathaniel, who initially refused to be involved in the political crisis, changed his position following a letter from Attorney General, Julian Moti to include the Governor General in his intended legal proceedings.
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MALAITAN VILLAGER CALLS FOR WITHDRAWAL OF NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION
By Brian Wanga
Auki
A Malaitan villager is appealing to the Malaitan Leaders in the Opposition to reconsider their decision to push for the no-confidence motion in Parliament.
Mr Paul Umai from Gwaitaba'a in West Kwara'ae said that the grassroots people are fearful that the Bottom-up Approach policy of the present government is at risk of not being implemented as it was the main driving policy of the Grand Coalition for Change government led by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
"We the people at the grassroots and village are confident and are looking forward to being part of the Bottom Up Approach Policy as for many years we have been ignored and by-passed by basic Government Services and we understand that only two years is left for your tenure in office as our elected leaders" Mr Umai said.
"To change Government now when the hopes of our people are high towards being partners in development would simply destroy any progress and belief in our political system of government and would brand our leaders as merely self serving" he added.
Mr Umai further questioned the wisdom in the rumors that a Guadalcanal MP Dr Derek Sikua was the Oppositions candidate for prime ministership.
"To have Dr Sikua as the Oppositions candidate just shows how insensitive our leaders are towards our people especially Malaitans who were and still are victimized and prejudiced due to the recent ethnic tension and are yet to have any meaningful and proper reconciliation with our brothers and sisters of Guadalcanal".
"How lacking can our wisdom be when we are aware that the agenda of the Bona Fide Demands of the Guadalcanal people are being pushed in National politics which raised questions of our unity and attacks the very fabrics of a harmonious society by seeking to destroy the national interest of our Nation Solomon Islands as a united people?”
"This is just simply a recipe for further problems in the near future", Mr Umai added.
Mr Umai further stressed that Dr Derek Sikua could be a good candidate for Prime ministership in the near future after our people have sorted out and made amends but just for now it may not be wise”, said Mr Umai.
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| posted by administrator @ 9:34 AM |
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 Opposition Leader Attacks Sogavare Court Strategy
Solomon Islands opposition leader Fred Fono has deplored a proposed court action by the Sogavare government through the attorney general, which the opposition leader, the leader of Independent members of Parliament and the Governor General are joined as parties to the originating summons.
The government will be seeking legal clarifications from the High Court on various constitutional requirements regarding the disputed meanings and applications of sections of the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament before the next meeting of Parliament.
In a letter to the Governor General, Attorney General Julian Moti states that in the current political climate, “it is inevitable that the present political crisis will ultimately travel along a litigious path for the final and authoritative resolution by the judiciary of the dispute concerning the proper meaning and applications of sections 102(1) and 103(1) of the Constitution and the circumstances which necessitates your intervention under Order 7(3) of the Standing Orders of the National Parliament.”
“In my role as the principal legal advisor to the Government, I have decided to initiate proceedings in the High Court for the authoritative determination of these issues which currently divide legal opinion sourced by the respective legal adversaries.”
Moti will file the case in court tomorrow.
But in a press conference this evening, Fono said it is a desperate attempt by Moti and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to stop the Parliament from meeting. He said both men are abusing court processes to prevent Parliament from meeting.
“Such desperate attempt shows the prime minister is caring more for his own future and the thick skin of his friend Julian Moti, rather than the future of this nation and its people. This is also an admission by the prime minister that he cannot face a full Parliament meeting because he no longer enjoys a parliamentary majority as he claims,” Fono said.
He said the prime minister is arrogant by pretending to have majority support when he does not. Fono said government supporters continue make offers to opposition MPs of the post of deputy prime minister and other ministerial port folios left vacant by the MPs who deserted.
“They are wasting their time and the time of this nation. The MPs on the opposition side are determined and resolute in their bid to topple the Sogavare government … Parliament must be allowed to deal with constitutional and political issues and not to be strangled by court proceedings,” Fono said.
Fono repeatedly asked the Governor General to call an urgent meeting of Parliament to address the impasse.
Meanwhile, Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena has written a letter to both the prime minister and opposition leader, saying he was greatly disturbed by the impending court action.
Sir Nathaniel said the proposed action by the attorney general may sabotage the Governor General's constitutional role and responsibility to resolve the current political impasse through Parliament.
He said in view of the attorney general's proposed action, he is most inclined to request the prime minister to urgently advise him of a new date for Parliament to meet.
Just a day ago, in his address to the nation, Sir Nathaniel said the legal action was a matter for the government and was nothing to do with him as Governor General. He said he had no power to act alone in the situation.
But today, the Governor General said he was given legal advice that establishes the way forward for him to help resolve the impasse.
“In view of the new development being proposed by the attorney general, I am most inclined to now earnestly request the prime minister to urgently advise me…of a new date and time, by virtue of standing order7(3) and read with section 32 of the constitution,” he said.
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| Wednesday, November 21, 2007 |
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Young People Want Active Role In Youth Development
Pacific Magazine News
Tuesday: November 20, 2007
(SPC)
The new Human Development Programme Adviser for Youth at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Rose Maebiru, says, ‘Young people want to be recognised as equal partners in their development.’
Maebiru believes that society must take youth issues seriously, which means that young people must be supported and guided to lead and manage their issues and other issues facing their communities. To that end, she is looking forward to working with regional partners to strengthen youth participation across the region.
‘This position gives me space to do crucial work like establishing networks and utilising existing ones to strengthen youth development,’ she says. ‘Youth development has a very wide impact, since what affects young people eventually affects the wider community. If you draw links between lack of education and crime, for example, you can see that what is initially a youth issue eventually becomes an issue for the entire community.’
Maebiru, who is from the Solomon Islands, has been involved in youth development work since 2001. Prior to joining SPC, she worked for Save the Children in Solomon Islands, promoting youth participation in social development. She has also worked in the area of HIV prevention.
She says she ended up in the youth sector by accident. ‘I had wanted to be an accountant when a research project on young people came up. I ended up working on the project and then one thing led to another, and now I’m passionate about youth development.’
At 32, Maebiru believes her young age is an advantage in her job. She says she often draws on her own experiences and can relate easily to young people.
The implementation of regional and national plans and policies is crucial to addressing youth issues, but regional initiatives must be well coordinated to be effective at country level. It is anticipated that the Pacific Youth Mapping Exercise, a research project that is being run by the SPC Human Development Programme, will contribute to coordinating regional efforts. The exercise aims to record all the services and projects for youth that exist in the Pacific, and store this information in an open-access database.
‘The database will be a fantastic resource to help establish an organised regional approach to youth development,’ Maebiru says.
Maebiru sees the integrated approach to human development fostered by SPC’s Human Development Programme as very positive for the youth sector because approaching development from a wider angle will help address issues that sometimes get overlooked – for example, those affecting young women. ‘Young women always slip through the cracks because talk about youth tends to focus on young men, and talk about women tends to target older women. But looking at youth together with gender will help to better address young women’s needs.’ |
| posted by administrator @ 12:37 PM |
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Young People Want Active Role In Youth Development
Pacific Magazine News
Tuesday: November 20, 2007
(SPC)
The new Human Development Programme Adviser for Youth at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Rose Maebiru, says, ‘Young people want to be recognised as equal partners in their development.’
Maebiru believes that society must take youth issues seriously, which means that young people must be supported and guided to lead and manage their issues and other issues facing their communities. To that end, she is looking forward to working with regional partners to strengthen youth participation across the region.
‘This position gives me space to do crucial work like establishing networks and utilising existing ones to strengthen youth development,’ she says. ‘Youth development has a very wide impact, since what affects young people eventually affects the wider community. If you draw links between lack of education and crime, for example, you can see that what is initially a youth issue eventually becomes an issue for the entire community.’
Maebiru, who is from the Solomon Islands, has been involved in youth development work since 2001. Prior to joining SPC, she worked for Save the Children in Solomon Islands, promoting youth participation in social development. She has also worked in the area of HIV prevention.
She says she ended up in the youth sector by accident. ‘I had wanted to be an accountant when a research project on young people came up. I ended up working on the project and then one thing led to another, and now I’m passionate about youth development.’
At 32, Maebiru believes her young age is an advantage in her job. She says she often draws on her own experiences and can relate easily to young people.
The implementation of regional and national plans and policies is crucial to addressing youth issues, but regional initiatives must be well coordinated to be effective at country level. It is anticipated that the Pacific Youth Mapping Exercise, a research project that is being run by the SPC Human Development Programme, will contribute to coordinating regional efforts. The exercise aims to record all the services and projects for youth that exist in the Pacific, and store this information in an open-access database.
‘The database will be a fantastic resource to help establish an organised regional approach to youth development,’ Maebiru says.
Maebiru sees the integrated approach to human development fostered by SPC’s Human Development Programme as very positive for the youth sector because approaching development from a wider angle will help address issues that sometimes get overlooked – for example, those affecting young women. ‘Young women always slip through the cracks because talk about youth tends to focus on young men, and talk about women tends to target older women. But looking at youth together with gender will help to better address young women’s needs.’ |
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| Tuesday, November 20, 2007 |
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PM SOGAVARE CALLS ON SICA TO STAY OUT OFF POLITICS
Govt Media Services
By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called on the Solomon Islands Christian Association to act responsibly by allowing the current political impasse to be resolved at the political level.
Mr Sogavare made the plea in response to the front-page article of the Solomon Star today revealing that a powerful delegation from SICA met with the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Nathaniel Waena last Sunday pressing him to intervene in the current political turmoil by calling parliament to reconvene immediately to resolve the impasse.
SICA Secretary General, Reverend Bishop Philemon Riti was quoted by the daily newspaper saying the political crisis had been dragged too long and it must be solved immediately in parliament.
But responding to the statement by Rev. Bishop Riti, Prime Minister Sogavare said the political impasse was a matter that should be resolved at the political level and the action by SICA was totally irresponsible.
He said as a church group SICA should be neutral in any form of conflict including the current political impasse by playing a reconciliatory role between the government and its defector MPs.
“There is a bold line between the church and the state or government. The government is an institution set up under the constitution. How the government is set up and can be pulled down is clearly spelt out in the constitution,” Mr Sogavare said.
The Prime Minister said what SICA should also bear in mind was that new coalition of defector government MPs and the Opposition Group were yet to substantiate their allegations on why they wanted him removed from office.
Mr Sogavare said SICA should not judge the current political situation based on the general inclination of certain groups in the society who were so biased against the government or have connections with the Opposition Group.
Already the involvement of Mr Bob Pollard of the Transparency Solomon and Mr Mathew Wale of the Civil Society Group in SICA has placed SICA’s neutrality under question because the two are supporters of the Opposition Group, he said.
“SICA should not allow itself to jump the gun and feed itself on general inclination by groups working against the government due to the tough decisions it had taken on issues,” Mr Sogavare said.
Prime Minister Sogavare meanwhile assured the nation that as a responsible leader he would not allow the current political uncertainty to continue.
He also assured that Parliament would meet when the preparations for the next budget were finalised.
Mr Sogavare said claims suggesting that he wanted to delay the next parliament suitting for fear of the motion of no confidence filed against him by the Oppostion was incorrect.
He said he had nothing to fear about the motion as he had the numbers on his side.
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PM SOGAVARE CLEARS FURTHER OPPOSITION ALLEGATIONS
By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has rejected further allegations against him by the Opposition Group in its second paid advertisement in the Solomon Star yesterday.
The Opposition group claimed in the advertisement that Mr Sogavare wanted to rearm the police for his own personal security, interfered in the Justice and Legal system and awarded contracts for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) bid and the recently announced cabinet housing estate without going through the proper procedures.
It also suggested that personal legal fees of the MPs for East and Central Honiara, Mr Charles Dausabea and Mr Nelson Ne’e respectively and the Minister for Finance and Treasury, Francis Zama should have been borne by the MPs themselves and not the government.
But responding to the paid advertisement this afternoon, Mr Sogavare said the allegations were fabricated by the ring leaders of the government defector MPs to give substance to their campaign to oust him from power.
He said his Grand Coalition for Change Government had made its position on the issue of rearmament very clear and that was to get the full approval of the people through the proposed review of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands as mandated by parliament in its last sitting before implementing its proposed rearmament programme for the Solomon Islands Police Force.
On the allegation of interference into the Justice and Legal system, Mr Sogavare said he was fully aware of his powers as head of the Executive Arm of the Government and their extents and had never at anytime did he intrude into other arms of the Government.
He said the claim that he ordered the former Acting Attorney General to dismiss charges against the Attorney General, Julian Moti and a person the Opposition referred to as a brother of the former Acting Attorney General was a total lie.
The Prime Minister said he had nothing to do with the case and the Opposition Group’s allegation implied to him that it did not believe that the law could be properly and successfully applied to achieve such victorious result.
As for the allegation on the award of the MCC consultancy contract, Mr Sogavare said the contract was awarded by cabinet to an accredited consultant and that engaged consultant presented a professional job.
He said the consultant was involved in getting Vanuatu’s application to the MCC approved.
On the Cabinet Housing Estate, Prime Minister Sogavare said the cabinet was yet to award the contract to any building constructor and the Quitales Property Limited which the Opposition claimed to have been given the contract only submitted its expression of interest to the Minister for Infrastructure Development after hearing the tender announcement.
The Prime Minister said the claim that he was intending to benefit from the deal was simply outrageous because it was simply contrary to his principles.
As for the decision to engage private lawyers to represent Government Ministers, backbenchers and the Attorney General, Mr Sogavare said it was a decision of the cabinet which the defector Ministers were part of and furthermore the government was obliged to pay for the legal fees of its MPs and also the Attorney General.
The Prime Minister said judging from the lies and misinformation contained in the advertisement, one would be fully justified to conclude that the government was dealing with a group of Parliamentarians who were determined to get what they wanted through dubious means.
Mr Sogavare’s response to the allegations in the Opposition Group’s first paid advertisement in the Solomon Star last Friday was published in yesterday’s issue of the daily paper and was also broadcasted on the National Radio and One News last weekend.
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| posted by administrator @ 6:02 PM |
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 PM SOGAVARE’S STATEMENT ON CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION
Govt Media Services
Honiara
The recent political development, which was spearheaded by the former Minister of Finance, in a desperate attempt to cover up trails of mismanagement of public funds to satisfy his own personal ambitions and egos have caused unnecessary panic amongst our people who have started to see and benefit from the implementation of the government’s bottom up development policy.
My biggest disappointment here is that he has managed to confuse a number of government MPs to support his very selfish agenda. I must therefore call on these MPs to seriously reconsider their position with the member for Gizo/Kolombangara and former Minister of Finance.
Our people deserve better things from their members of parliament than be caught up in the selfish agenda of the  former Minister of Finance. Political instability is the last thing that we would like to have after what this country has gone through during the ethnic unrest.
Every Solomon Islanders especially those in important positions of leadership have a solemn responsibility to ensure that we do not return the country to the year 2000 situation, where lawlessness and chaos reign.
Leaders should have the broader interest of the people at heart instead of living in their little world and worrying about their narrow personal interests. This is especially true for parliamentarians who are elected into parliament to advance national interests.
It is in this context that I am totally disappointed about the attitude of the former Minister of Finance who has successfully confused and misled a number of Ministers and back benchers in a deliberate effort to cause political instability as a strategy to achieve his own narrow political interests. However he may want to argue that he is not, he will not convince all right thinking Solomon Islanders who are sick and tired of watching national leaders serving themselves in the pretext of advancing national interests.
There is another concern and that is as national leaders, parliamentarians have a duty to protect this country from external control. I am raising this concern to remind this group of politicians of their stand on this matter when they were part of the government. The GCCG does not believe in compromising this interest.
Instability breeds foreign control especially when the resulting disaster is beyond the ability of the national law enforcement agencies to control. This is exactly what happened in year 2003 and now we are struggling to free ourselves from the oppressing effects of this control. National leaders must be reminded that we have a responsibility to protect the country. If we are not careful the present political standoff will lead to this development.
This is now going to the seventh day since the politicians concerned decided to revolt against my leadership and since then they have yet to provide any credible reasons for their actions except for what are clearly petty personal grudges against what they phrased “the prime minister’s leadership style” and allegations of personal involvements.
I was accused of pursuing a dictatorial leadership style by the defectors, adding that I did not consult Cabinet and Caucus on all major decisions regarding issues that concern our national interest. I am surprised that the group had the audacity to deliberately lie about this matter. I am not ignorant about the principles of Cabinet government system, which is premised on collective decision making process. I want to stand here and affirm my commitment to the principles of this governing system.
In fact I find it ironic that the defecting members of the GCCG can have the audacity to use this issue as the reason for their actions when the leader of the group the former Minister of Finance does not believe in it. For example, in total defiance of my directives to him he never consulted the cabinet on the issue of Solomon Airlines, which is now an embarrassment to the country.
He never consulted the Cabinet when he decided to use our revenue reserve to pay for our students’ fees in Papua New Guinea Institutions because that country withheld their assistance when the former Minister of Finance irresponsibly cancelled their 5th Freedom Right, without any consultations.
He failed to consult me despite my clear instructions to him that before any more purchases of government vehicles were made I must be fully consulted.
In defiance of this directive and the correct procedures governing the purchases of vehicles the former Minister of Finance and the former Minister of Infrastructure Development have committed SBD12.1million on the purchase of government vehicles so far this year. SBD2.8million of this amount is still owing to the suppliers.
My point here is that their concern for consultation must be fair. There must be one rule for every body. They cannot insist on it when it concerns others and simply forget it when it concerns them. This is hypocrisy in its blatant form and by continuing to hold this view the group is bringing disrepute upon itself.
I want to stand here and bravely say that I have yet to contravene this process because every major decision I took were endorsed by Cabinet. I must therefore refute this allegation against me as total lie, couched in personal hatred of the prime minister by the leader of the group who has yet to get over the way I took leadership of the GCCG soon after the fall of the Rini government.
He did not consult me, nor the Cabinet let alone breaching the correct procedures of financial management in the award of a number of contracts to his cronies.
By the same token I must also refute as totally rubbish the allegation that I listened more to political appointees than ministers. Of course I took notice of the advice by political appointees because they are engaged to perform specific roles for which they are entitled to brief the Prime Minister.
It would be wrong and totally false however to say that the Prime Minister listens to political advisors more than Ministers. There is a point beyond which advice by political appointees cannot and must not be entertained. It is the view of the political government that must be carried in the final analysis. I have yet to contravene this cardinal principle.
This argument may have stemmed from the allegation that it was the political appointees who advised the Prime Minister not to attend the PIF Leaders Summit in Tonga. This is pathetic as the people who advanced that allegation because it was cabinet that gave that mandate.
Interestingly, the very people who are now making this allegation were the very ones who were very vocal in cabinet when the matter was discussed, speaking in support of course. It would therefore be hypocritical of these individuals to insist that they were not part of Cabinet collective decision on that matter.
I was also accused of interfering with Ministers’ areas of responsibilities. I find it very difficult to understand the thinking behind this allegation. I must make it very clear that as the Prime Minister, I have the responsibility of ensuring that Ministers exercise their responsibilities professionally and within the bounds of government policy, administrative procedures and the rule of law.
It would be irresponsible of me to allow Ministers to have their own way or allow their feelings to influence their decisions. Likewise, it is the role of the Prime Minister to ensure that ministers who are charged with portfolio subjects act professionally, and discharge their duties without fear or favour in the exercise of statutory powers. If what the resigned ministers wanted was to have a free hand, then they are deluding themselves.
This begs the question, what than is the role of the Prime Minister if he must not intervene when the conduct of his Ministers in the exercise of statutory or administrative powers is viewed by members of the public as lacking professionalism or clearly borders on unlawfulness and out of procedures?
Examples of these are the decision by the former Minister of Finance to award a $3.8 million contract to clean up Gizo town to a person very close to him without going through the proper tender requirements; or the granting of a $5.9million contract to a particular local Computer firm for the supply of computers to secondary schools again, without going through the proper tender requirements.
A more serious deal was made between the former Minister of Finance and a particular former Minister for the supply of building materials for the Tsunami rehabilitation project. SBD7million of this amount has been paid the former Minister of Finance without going through the proper tender requirements I am aware that this deal is bothering the former Minister of concern.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am all for assisting local businesses and great advocate of government spending as an important macroeconomic policy tool to boost economic activities that would lead to economic growth and I can associate with the argument posed by the former Minister of Finance and Treasury in this regard.
The issue here however, is not the employment of this macroeconomic policy tool, which was strongly argued by the former Minister, rather the need to comply with the requirements of the Financial Instructions as regard tender requirements and the Public Finance & Audit Act in the disbursement and accounting for public funds. This is in the interest of transparency, accountability and responsibility in the management of the budget.
The new Minister of Finance has been tasked to investigate the status of government finance and will report on it in due course.
The former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development was not happy about my intervention in his ministry when I insisted that the renewal of access licenses including the related fees for foreign tuna fishing vessels be reviewed by Cabinet in light of the change in government policy, favoring more onshore processing establishments by the various associations.
The reason for my concern was that for years Solomon Islands has been earning a lousy $48million per annum in license fees from the exploitation of our tuna resources by foreign fishing vessels, when we should be earning to the tune of SBD3billion per annum if we encouraged more onshore processing establishments. The renewal of the licenses would have been a perfect opportunity to put forward that condition.
I also insisted that the composition of the delegation to negotiate the renewal of the fishing agreement must include representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Planning and Finance. This is because previous experiences have shown that a single ministry delegation is vulnerable to undue pressure during these negotiations. I fail to see any thing wrong with this directive, which was made in the best interest of maximizing the benefits that the country should get from our tuna resources.
The Minister was obviously insulted by this directive and took it as interference in his Ministry. What Ministers need to appreciate is that they are not an island of their own. They are part of a team that supports a line of political thinking in the way development is to be addressed.
The former Minister of Fisheries also alleged that the government is not serious about addressing the bona-fide demands of the people of Guadalcanal. I find this allegation very insulting. For the information of the public, the development strategies adopted by the GCCG is developed to provide answers to the question, why did the country collapsed in year 2000?
This placed the GCCG as a government that considers addressing the issues that caused the ethnic crisis as central to achieving peace and long term stability as part and parcel of its development strategies. I can only repeat what I told the people of Guadalcanal during their 2nd Appointed Day Celebrations.
That:
On state government, A Draft Federal Constitution has been done and it is currently systematically going through a vigorous scrutiny by local experts and overseas constitutional experts. The recently announced Constitutional Congress is part of this process.
It is our commitment to ensure that the Draft Federal Constitution is submitted to Cabinet in October 2008. The Cabinet will deal with it in the normal way through the Cabinet processes and then submit the Final Draft Federal Constitution of Solomon Islands for consideration and debate by Parliament. It needs to be appreciated here that Parliament at this final stage will merely endorse what has been agreed to by the Convention.
I want to assure the people of Guadalcanal and the country that the GCCG is fully committed to implement the new Federal system during our term in office.
The call for fair distribution of economic benefits from the utilization of resources is built into the very structure of the new Federal Constitution, especially in the revenue sharing provisions. Also carried in the new constitution is the protection of resources against unscrupulous members of the tribe who without the consent of all members of the tribe give away rights for the exploitation of tribal resources. This will no longer be possible under the new Federal Constitution where the consent of all tribal members must be obtained before resources are allowed for development.
The government’s bottom-up approach to development is also a strategy to ensure that our people benefit from the utilization of our resources. In this connection, Key development ministries including Fisheries, Forestry, Mining, Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourism are tasked with the responsibility to continue to develop strategies under the new approach to ensure that our people benefit from their resources.
In deed, the GPPOL and Gold Ridge landowners’ participation arrangement is a perfect example of the strategy to ensure that land and resource owners fully benefit in the investment through their participation. The government is also working on a legal framework to allow the original landowners of crown land that cannot be returned for strategic reasons to be appropriately compensated.
On the call for the distribution of major development to other provinces, the government fully recognized the fact that investors can only be attracted to locations outside of Honiara if there are adequate basic infrastructures including reliable market connections. We need to be strategic in our approach in addressing this issue. Since our strength lies in our natural resources, we intend to focus on that strength.
Fisheries and Agriculture are leading the way in this strategy. In agriculture, a number of sites have been identified for large - scale oil palm development on Malaita and Choiseul provinces. The government also sees the huge potential that tourism has in our provinces and we are working on developing that potential under the bottom-up approach.
The Ministry of Fishery in conjunction with some investors have carried out feasibility studies on the suitable locations outside of Honiara to set up additional on shore processing base to process our tuna, and I am very encouraged with the preliminary findings with three locations identified.
To provide an added comfort to major developers to invest in locations outside of Honiara, the government will be introducing in Parliament a Special Economic Zone Legislation in the next sitting. Under this legislation, the minister responsible will be empowered to declare certain locations in the country Special Economic Zones with special treatment for investors who invest in these zones.
On the call for the recognition of our land tenure system, the government is working on a comprehensive land reform program, which will fully recognize the land tenure system of all provinces in determining the question of ownership and usage of land. The effecting legislation will be introduced to Parliament in its next sitting. The reform will also address the problem of land disputes, which has become a major stumbling block to development.
On the call for the return of alienated land to customary owners, the government is working on an implementation strategy that will ensure that the land so returned must be available for development. The government is fully aware of the call by the people of Guadalcanal for the return of Russell Islands Property Enterprises Limited or Lunga Land, the Mamara/Tasivarongo land; Mavo land; Ruaniu; Lavuro, and Brewer Solomon Associates Limited land at Metapono and will be working very closely with the right people to address this demand.
The smooth implementation of the policy on the return of alienated land needs the full cooperation and assistance of people who have interest in these lands to sort out the question of genuine indigenous ownership of these parcels of land. This appears to be the difficult aspect of the implementation and we call on the full cooperation of the people concerned.
On another development, Cabinet has approved the establishment of Tandai Land Trust Board as a strategy to effectively address the concerns of the original landowners of Honiara land. As intimated earlier, the Attorney General’s Office has been tasked to come up with a legislative framework which will address the issue of financial benefit to the original landowners of Honiara and other crown land where, because of their strategic nature, excluded from the policy to return them to the original landowners.
This policy will ensure that the living members of the original owners and their descendents will be entitled to a permanent monetary compensation for the use by the state of their land. The Honiara land is a case in point.
While on land, I am also pleased to announce that the work on the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into land dealings on Guadalcanal as required under the Townsville Peace Agreement (TPA) is progressing very well. As soon as its Terms of Reference are finalized we should be able to appoint Commissioners to begin the inquiry.
This is a very sensitive area, which must be handled with great care and tact and therefore the understanding of all affected parties is required. Thousands of Solomon Islanders were forced to abandon their properties, which may involve huge claims of compensation. The government is fully aware of this eventuality and is determined with the guidance of the Attorney General to assist our people. For the purpose of addressing the issue of compensation, the government will establish a Compensation Commission under the Constitution.
On the call for the respect of culture and customs, and in particular the call that only indigenous people must have the right to contest for political office, the government appreciates that they strike directly at the heart of the concern that only the indigenous people are placed in a position to understand the minds and cries of indigenous Solomon Islanders, and transcends economic needs.
We believe that this is an issue that cannot be bought by promises of thousands of dollars and actual delivery of election promises by the non-indigenous Solomon Islands citizens who win seats in Parliament or Provincial Assemblies on the strength of their economic positions.
Rather, it is concerned with indigenous ownership of Solomon Islands politics and political decisions. Any other brands of Solomon Islanders are guests in this country.
The Government shared the belief that, that area remains the privy of indigenous knowledge and experience. The three years of ethnic conflict will stand as a perpetual reminder to the seriousness of this concern.
The responsibility for the realization of the objectives of this demand rests squarely on the shoulders of each and every voting population of Guadalcanal. The government is not in the business of determining who comes to Parliament or Provincial Assemblies. To be honest, we are yet to see the seriousness of the people of Guadalcanal in this matter.
On the call for the government to ensure that the safety and security of our people are guaranteed, we are committed during the development and rehabilitation phase of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to continue to work very closely with the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
In this regard, I want to once again reassure the people of Guadalcanal, that the government will not do anything that will undermine the safety and security of our people in its dealings with RAMSI. This is basically reiterating the many public statements we made on this matter, however negative they may sound. The concern of the government is that since RAMSI has become a very important part of our lives, it is important that it is premised on the principles of mutual respect and understanding.
But as mentioned earlier, as a country we have a duty to ensure that our own security and police force are competent to handle our internal security, for the simple reason that the regional initiative is not permanent. This is where we need the full and unreserved understanding and cooperation of our people on the strategies implemented by the government to achieve this objective.
Based on these analyses, I can find no reason to justify the moves taken by the defectors and the call for my resignation. Instead what comes out forcefully from these analyses is that the defectors have become innocent victims of the desire by the ring leaders who have personal grudges against the prime minister to achieve their narrow selfish political interest that have nothing to do with the interest of the country.
This is clearly demonstrated in the 9- point defamatory statement issued by the opposition office. Which I feel obliged to respond to now as follows:-
The opposition group deliberately and with malicious intentions alleged that I was involved in the planning of the 2000 coup.
I swear before the almighty God that I have nothing to do with the planning of the 2000 coup or even have any knowledge of it ever happening until the morning of 5th June 2000 when the streets were taken over by the militants.
The opposition deliberately and with malicious intentions alleged that I employed my cronies and relatives in the prime ministers office. I must categorically refute this allegation as misinformation. Political appointments in the prime minister’s office are made on party lines because we are a coalition. The Director General is SOCRED Party’s contribution to the pool of political appointees and is qualified.
The opposition deliberately and with malicious intentions continued to issue false statements about the prime minister’s housing deal. As explained, the property was acquired from a loan obtained from the ANZ bank, fully secured by our private assets. There was no private dealing with the Republic of China except that they are willing to enter into a long term tenancy agreement with us. There is nothing wrong with it, and I do not see any were in this deal that I compromise my position as the prime Minister of Solomon Islands.
The opposition deliberately and with malicious intentions alleged that I am anti-RAMSI. If the opposition cared to listen and understand, it is never the intention of the government under my leadership to chase RAMSI out of Solomon Islands. In fact they can stay in the country as long as the people of Solomon Islands need them. All that we are concerned about is the legal framework, which needs to be restructured to reflect the changing situations since their arrival in 2003. Parliament has overwhelmingly approved the government’s intention. We are fully committed in this review to work very closely with the processes approved by the leaders in the 37th PIF Leaders meeting in Nadi.
The opposition deliberately and with malicious intentions continued to make misleading statements about the Attorney General and his relationship with the Prime Minister. We have exhausted all legal and administrative explanation on this matter and if the opposition and the very few so-called campaigners of good governance cannot see the light in this matter, than there is nothing I or any one could do to enlightened them. This matter is now in the hands of Mr. Moti’s lawyers and it is best we allow them to handle it with the Government of Australia.
The opposition group deliberately and with malicious intentions disclosed confidential cabinet conclusions on the issue of the 666 questions. It is Cabinet’s decision to incur public fund to pay for the cost of preparing the 666 questions and therefore fully satisfies the principles of transparency, accountability and responsibility. There is nothing administratively or legally wrong with this policy decision.
The opposition group deliberately and with malicious intentions alleged that the $300,000 paid to Hon Charles Dausabea was obtained illegally or with the influence of the Prime Minister. The amount was paid to Hon Charles Dausabea on application to complete his Motel to accommodate Ministers and visiting guests to the 29th Anniversary Independence Celebrations in Auki. This payment was no different to the payment made to the owner of Kiakoe resort on Lake Tegano to host the Premiers’ Conference. In fact Hon Charles Dausabea allowed the Government free accommodation during the celebrations. The amount was properly applied for by Hon Dausabea as a project assistance from the Ministry of Commerce.
The opposition group deliberately and with malicious intentions alleged that the Prime Minister was involved in the payment of $399,000 to Pacific Travel Center for the South Pacific Games. I must categorically refute this defamatory statement as a complete lie. I have nothing to do with the payment neither have I any knowledge of the payment nor involved in the arrangement to cash it as alleged in the statement. I am insulted by this lie and will seek legal advice on it.
The opposition group deliberately and with malicious intentions personally attacked my person and branded me as a paranoid. If the opposition is referring to the tough decisions I took on behalf of the government to protect the sovereignty of this country than that’s their problem. I am proud to be a Solomon Islander and will continue to defend this country against forces that are determined to divide this country. The present political problem is one such strategy of these evil forces. I have nothing to hide. My mind is clear. The battle belongs to God and I am confident that he will take us through as he always did in the past. This political battle will be won on truth and justice not telling lies and the making of defamatory statements. I will remain His faithful servant and the service of our people until He decides in his own time to take me down. I would like to assure the people of Solomon Islands that the government is still in control and we are confident to resolve this matter in the next few days.
God Bless Solomon Islands.
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MINISTER KENGAVA REBUFFS ABANA’S CLAIM
Govt Media Services
By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Minister for Rural Development and Indigenous Affairs, Mr Clement Kengava has refuted the front-page article in the Solomon Star claiming that he requested rejoining the Opposition Group.
Mr Kengava who took up the Ministry of Rural Development and Indigenous Affairs portfolio after switching from the Opposition well before the current political turmoil said the Opposition claim was purely a political propaganda to give credit to its desperate attempt to get into power.
The daily newspaper reported the former National Development Planning and Aid Coordination Minister, Steve Abana who defected to the Opposition the previous weekend claiming that Mr Kengava had approached the Opposition Group at the Honiara Hotel yesterday asking to return to the Opposition bench.
But Mr Minister Kengava said contrary to Mr Abana’s fabricated claim, he went to Honiara Hotel yesterday to see Sir Tommy Chan over private business matters.
He said he must assure the nation and the people of his North West Choiseul Constituency that he was still with the Grand Coalition for Change Government and had never intended to defect.
Mr Kengava said his attendance of a special prayer meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and his colleague Ministers in the Grand Coalition for Change Government last night confirmed his firm position with the government.
He said he strongly believed in the strong leadership of Mr Sogavare and that the government would pass the 2008 National Budget when Parliament resumes.
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| Friday, November 16, 2007 |
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Moti advised G-G on recall
The Australian
Michael McKenna
November 14, 2007
AUSTRALIAN fugitive Julian Moti helped scuttle a vote on a no-confidence motion against Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, and in doing so defeated efforts to have him extradited to face child-sex charges.
The accused pedophile, appointed Solomons Attorney-General this year by Mr Sogavare, a longtime friend, was among three legal advisers who convinced Governor-General Nathaniel Waena to reject a petition to recall parliament for the vote after the weekend defection of nine government ministers.
The defections had appeared to give the Opposition the numbers to oust the controversial Prime Minister.
Opposition Leader Fred Fono last night told The Australian he was planning to mount a legal challenge to Sir Nathaniel's decision, which he said was based on "biased advice" from Mr Moti.
Mr Fono, as well as the defecting ministers, have vowed that if they took power, the new Solomons government would immediately grant Australia's request to extradite Mr Moti for trial in Queensland on child sex tourism charges that date back almost a decade.
"Moti is the right-hand man of the PM, the person we will extradite to Australia and he is giving advice to the Governor-General," Mr Fono said.
Law enforcement sources said it was believed Mr Moti - who had his Australian passport confiscated last year - was already making plans to escape the Solomons if Mr Sogavare were ousted from power.
Mr Moti last night said he was "too busy" to comment on his plans or advice to Sir Nathaniel, who confirmed he had sought the legal advice of the international fugitive.
Mr Fono claimed that several MPs, aligned with the Opposition, had been physically threatened to switch their support by government backbench MP and former militia leader Charles Dausabea, who was last year charged with inciting the April 2006 riots in Honiara. The charges were later dropped.
Mr Fono said Mr Moti - who was bailed from custody in Port Moresby last year and escaped to the Solomons - had been seen yesterday "lobbying opposition MPs" with Mr Dausabea. "Moti was in the car with Dausabea," he said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Sogavare yesterday claimed the Prime Minister would soon have majority support in the 48-member parliament, with six of the defectors - who also included three backbenchers - now back with the Government.
Mr Sogavare's office issued a statement yesterday saying three of the defecting ministers had returned to the Government. But the three ministers failed to show up to a swearing-in ceremony late yesterday.
Mr Fono said the Opposition had a majority of 26. |
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 Unions Call on PM to Step Down
BY SOLOMON TIMES NEWSDESK
Honiara
The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) calls on the Prime Minister to step down, or recall parliament immediately.
The call followed a meeting of the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions national executive yesterday. SICTU National Secretary, Tony Kagovai said the meeting had resolved to call on the Prime Minster to step down, or recall parliament in order to test the Government's numbers.
"It is in the best interest of the nation that the current political impasse be resolved with dignity and in a peaceful manner," Mr. Kagovai said. "Therefore, the national executive of the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions resolved ... to call on the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare to step down." "We believe Mr. Sogavare no longer has the confidence of the parliament or the people of this nation and he should step down," Mr Kagovai said." However, if the Prime Minister refuses to step down, the best way to test whether he should still be in office is to recall parliament," he said. Mr. Kagovai added that if the Prime Minister has the confidence of parliament, he has nothing to fear in recalling parliament. " But if Mr. Sogavare does not have the confidence of parliament, then he should not try to hold onto the prime ministership," he said. SICTU believes that the Sogavare-led Government has already wasted enough time focusing on issues that are not really important to the nation's progress. "Rather than rebuilding this nation and making the most of the unique opportunity being provided by RAMSI, this government has squandered two precious years defending such characters as the disgraced Attorney-General, Julian Moti and controversial Police Commissioner, Jahir Khan," Mr. Kagovai said. |
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| Thursday, November 15, 2007 |
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CALL FOR MALAITA MPS TO JOIN GOVERNMENT
SIBConline News
15/11/2007
The Malaita Maasina Forum calls on Malaita MPs who have defected from the government to rejoin the present administration.
General Secretary of the Forum William Gua says the MPs should go back and apologise to the Prime Minister and continue to help implement government policies and services to the people of the country.
Mr Gua says from discussions held with the Prime Minister this morning, the MPs who have defected must have been misled into doing what they did, which had led to the current political situation.
Meanwhile, President of Maasina Forum Hudson Kwalea says the Forum believes the decisions which the government took were through thorough consultations with various government officials and bodies.
Both Messers Gua and Kwalea call on MPs to put the interest of the people and country first and end their political differences and cooperate to work for the country. |
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SIR ALAN JOINS GRAND COALITION FOR CHANGE GOVERNMENT
Govt Media Services
By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
The Member of Parliament for Savo/Russells and former Prime Minister, Sir Alan Kemakeza has joined the Grand Coalition for Change Government.
Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr Rence Sore said Sir Allan defected to the government bench today and was appointed chairman of the Solomon Islands Water Authority board.
Mr Sore said the Minister for Mines, Energy, Mr Siriako Usa who was also responsible for water resources, this morning signed the necessary instruments to formalize the appointment.
The SIWA board had been without a chairman since the MP for West Are Are, Mr Severino Niuaiasi vacated the position upon his appointment as Minister for Agriculture and Livestock.
Meanwhile the government is expecting more crossovers from the Opposition Group.
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“THE GAME IS NOW OVER”: PM SOGAVARE
Govt Media Services
Honiara
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last night says the current political upheaval in the country is now over as his government took control of a clear majority once more.
He said despite the confusions and political speculations that were echoed since the weekend emergence of the upheaval, his ruling coalition remains intact and will continue to deliver its promises to the nation.
“I want to announce to the people of Solomon Islands that my ruling coalition still remain in control of the government, despite the confusions and speculations we heard in the past few days since the political crisis happened.
“The Grand Coalition for Change Government under my leadership has now taken command and is now enjoying a clear majority,” Mr Sogavare said.
The Prime Minister last night submitted a list of lawmakers supporting the coalition government to the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Nathaniel Waena.
“I have already transmitted a list of our committed members to his Excellency the Governor General,” he said. “I want to announce now that the political crisis is now over”.
A weekend defection by nine government MPs has caused political uncertainty over the last four days.
But Mr Sogavare says some MPs have switched back to his government after realizing that they were misled to support just a few disgruntled MPs who want to advance their own agenda’s against his leadership.
He accused former senior government MPs including former Deputy Prime Minister Toswell Kaua, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Steve Abana of political hatred against his leadership.
The Prime Minister says Mr Lilo is not a stable leader and has created problems for the country’s finances.
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PM SPEAKS OUT AGAINST INTIMIDATION OF MPS
Govt Media Services
By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has expressed concern over the Opposition Group’s intimidation of the MP for West Kwara’ae, Sam Idurii and the MP for East Kwaio, Stanley Sofu not to rejoin the government.
Mr Sogavare said a swearing-in ceremony arranged for Mr Idurii and Mr Sofu had to be cancelled because the Opposition Group prevented the two MPs from attending.
He said Mr Idurii and Mr Sofu decided to rejoin the government after defecting last weekend and had withdrawn their resignation from the government.
The Prime Minister said the Opposition Group sent its vehicles to block the driveway of Mr Idurii’s residence to prevent him from attending the swearing-in ceremony.
He said Mr Sofu also failed to turn up for the ceremony after being persuaded by the Opposition.
Mr Sogavare said the move by the opposition to interfere with the swearing-in of the two MPs was illegal and evil.
He said the Opposition should allow MPs to make decisions at their own will.
The Prime Minister said some of the government MPs who joined the Opposition were misled into defecting and wanted to return.
Both Mr Sofu and Mr Idurii held ministerial portfolios prior to their resignation to join the Opposition Group last weekend.
Mr Sofu was the Minister for Infrastructure Development whilst Mr Idurii was the Minister for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace.
The two were supposed to be sworn yesterday for new ministerial portfolios in a new cabinet lineup. |
| posted by administrator @ 10:56 AM |
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GOVERNMENT CLAIMS TO HAVE CLEAR MAJORITY
SIBConline News
14/11/2007
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the government is enjoying a clear majority of 26 MPs and the list of all the MPs has been sent to Government House this evening.
Speaking to the Government Communication Unit, Mr Sogavare says the game is now over.No names have been revealed, but a swearing in ceremony of the MPs who supposedly switched side to government is expected tomorrow morning.
The Prime Minister calls for calm and stability among the people, and says the government is looking forward to implement its bottom up approach policy when the political situation is normalised.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Fred Fono says the news that government now has 26 MPs is a surprise to his group.
He says all 17 Opposition MPs and the eight former ministers who deserted government are still with him in the Opposition Office when contacted by SIBC News that the Prime Minister now has a clear majority of MPs.
Parliament currently has 48 M-Ps, with the death of two earlier this year. |
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OPPOSITION LEADERS SAYS GROUP NOT USING MONEY TO LURE MPS
SIBConline News
14/11/2007
Opposition Leader Fred Fono has moved to arrest public perception that his group is using money to lure former ministers and government back bench MPs away from the government.
The current struggle by both sides of Parliament to acquire numerical strength has given rise to allegations that either side is using money to increase its support.Government side has been accused of offering some 440-thousand dollars to East Guadalcanal MP Johnson Koli to cross over.
SIBC News confronted the Opposition Leader if a similar situation is happening in their camp.Mr Fono denies the Opposition having financial support from any business houses."I categorically deny that.
We don't have any supporter or any businessman to back us up with money. we are coming out very clear, with honesty and to tell the nation the truth, we will be arranging a news conference for the eight ministers who resigned from government to tell the nation why they decided to move out from the current leadership." |
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GOVERNMENT DENIES OFFERING MONEY FOR MP
SIBConline News
14/11/2007
The government has denied reports that member for East Guadalcanal and Opposition MP, Johnson Koli has been offered large sums of money to join the government group.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says Mr Koli was never offered any sum of money to join the government side.Mr Koli earlier told a local newspaper that he applied to the government seeking funding for various projects, including the repair of MV Atebimo which was unoperational for the past years due to costly repairs.
However, Mr Sogavare says that Mr Koli's decision to pursue the request during the current political climate may have hinted that he may actually use the time to score political points, other than genuinely seeking the intended financial assistance.
Mr Sogavare says Mr Koli had applied for help and his request was made to the former Minister for Finance, Gordon Darcy Lilo who held up the request.
The Prime Minister says the government would not be interested in luring MP's such as Mr Koli as he has shown to be unstable in maintaining his allegiance to any particular group with previous governments. |
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| Wednesday, November 14, 2007 |
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NEW MINISTER SPEAKS HIGHLY OF GOVERNMENT
SIBConline News
13/11/2007
Former Government back bencher and new Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs, Martin Maga says he supports the current Government because it has a strong leader, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Mr Maga says by contrast, he is not convinced anyone in the Opposition camp has the potential for a strong leader.
In an interview with SIBC news after being sworn into office as the Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs, Mr Maga says a strong leader this country wants must be one who is highly motivative and sticks to his Government's policy guidelines.
Mr Maga says he believes in a leader who maintains strong commitment and conviction without fear of being easily swayed by critics opposed to Government policies.
The new Justice Minister says he is convinced the current Government under the leadership of Mr Sogavare promises the best development potential Solomon Islanders can expect.
Mr Maga was among government supporters who signed an M-O-U with the parliamentary Opposition over the weekend and called on Prime Minister Sogavare to resign.
He defied the M-O-U and was sworn in as new minister for Justice and Legal Affairs. |
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 SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF NEW MINISTERS CANCELLED
SIBConline News 13/11/2007
A swearing-in ceremony of three new Government Ministers at Government House 4 pm today was cancelled at the last minute without an explanation.
Just as journalists and news photographers from the local media were preparing their equipment ready before the start of the ceremony, the Private Secretary to Government House, Nigel Maezama entered the ceremonial room and announced the cancellation.
Mr Maezama says the Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena was informed by the Office of the Prime Minister that the scheduled ceremony should be postponed.
Asked why the ceremony was postponed, Mr Maezama says the Governor General was only told to postponed the ceremony.
He says only Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare can explain reasons for the postponement.
Government Communications Unit earlier reported the trio to have been sworn-in this afternoon are MPs: Stanley Festus Sofu, Sam Iduri and Patrick Vahoe.SIBC was unable to get any comments from Prime Minister Sogavare about the postponement. |
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PRIME MINISTER DEFENDS DIRECTOR GENERAL
SIBConline News
13/11/2007
The Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has defended the Director General in his office, Robson Djokovic against criticisms from former Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.
Mr Sogavare says the director general does not have any issues with any ministers, but the former Finance Minister Mr Lilo.The Prime Minister says that is only because Mr Djokovic is doing his job.
Mr Sogavare says the director general is engaged in the Prime Minister's office to deal with ministers and discuss with them over issues that arise in the ministries and government which are questionable.He says the responsibility of the director general is to find out from the ministers how certain things are done, and bring those issues to the Prime Minister.
"As far as the officer is concerned he only has an issue with the former Finance Minister. He gets on very well with all other ministers. And I'm surprised that they used him as a reason because he never crossed path with any other ministers. And he's done his job, he brings those issues to my attention for me to address."
Meanwhile, Honiara resident, Henry Ata calls on Government to carefully screen before employing people to hold key position in the Government.He says those chosen must behave in a manner acceptable to all Government Ministers and senior public officers.
Mr Ata says if it was true Mr Robson Djokovic was interfering with ministerial duties, the government needs to re-look at his past work records. He says this will ensure Government does not engage people with bad track record in key government positions. |
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| Tuesday, November 13, 2007 |
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GOVERNMENT REGAINS OTHER DEFECTED MINISTERS
Govt media services
By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
The government has regained three more of its ministers who switched to the Opposition bench last weekend.
They are the MP for West Kwara’ae, Mr Sam Idurii, the MP for East Kwaio, Festus Sofu and the MP for Malaita Outer Islands, Patrick Vahoe.
Mr Idurii was the Minister for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace whilst Mr Sofu and Mr Vahoe were the Ministers for Infrastructure Development and Communication, Aviation and Meteorology respectively.
Chairman of Government Caucus, Nelson Ne’e said the three Ministers rejoined the government today.
Mr Ne’e said the three would likely take up Ministerial portfolios again in a new ministerial lineup of the Grand Coalition for Change Government.
The Chairman of Government Caucus meanwhile welcomed the members of the Opposition to join the Grand Coalition for Change Government.
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OPPOSITION MAINTAINS ITS NUMBER
SIBConline News
12/11/2007
In a press conference tonight, the Opposition group maintains it has the support of 26 members including eight ministers who have resigned and two backbenchers.
Of the eight ministers who have resigned, six were present at the press conference while two were absent compassionate grounds.Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Toswell Kaua told journalists tonight that there will be no compromise with the position they've taken.
He made the statements while responding to comments by Prime Minister Sogavare that ministers who've resigned will regret steps they've taken.
But Mr Kaua said he has made up his mind, adding the Prime Minister had ignored his numerous advice on certain issues that is now affecting his government.
The outgoing Deputy Prime Minister said his move and that of his colleague resigned ministers is for the benefit of the people of Solomon Islands. |
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 Solomons Governor General Swears In Three Ministers
Monday: November 12, 2007 Pacific MagazineA new but not too surprising twist has today emerged in the current Solomon Islands political crisis. Three government back bench MPs who announced their resignation yesterday have re-joined government and were swiftly sworn in as Cabinet ministers at Government House.
The three are Temotu Pele MP, Martin Maga who was given the Justice and Legal Affairs ministry; South Vella La Vella MP Trevor Olavae who took on the National Planning and Aid Coordination portfolio, and North Guadalcanal MP Martin Sopaghe who was given the Works and Infrastructure Development ministry. Sopaghe replaces East Kwaio MP, Stanley Sofu who was among the breakaway group of ministers.
At Government House this afternoon, about 14 government ministers were present, including Ngella MP, Mark Kemakeza who signed yesterday’s MOU between the defected ministers and the Opposition.
The Governor General had to lead Olavae into reading of the oaths of office and allegiance as he no longer has good eye sight due to a diabetic condition he has suffered for sometime – a clear indication that Sogavare is desperate to find Cabinet ministers.
But the Prime Minister maintains his defiance, saying he hopes other MPs who deserted him yesterday, including his deputy prime minister Toswell Kaua would return to him.
He said after the ceremony at Government House he was willing to talk to any of the breakaway ministers.
“I really want to know what really angered the group…Last night they came out in a media conference and basically said nothing. They continue to attack me over the housing property which I loaned. It is a loan of 2.9-million dollars we secured against our properties. The bank saw it fit to give us the loan so they gave us the loan. It’s not 8.3 million dollars or anyone else giving us the money,” he said.
He said discussions are going on between him and other MPs. He would not specify if those MPs were part of the breakaway faction or from the Opposition.
“This thing just happened over the weekend and people are to shock, not knowing where to go because they are confused. They are trying to find out what are the real issues. As days will go, you will find out there’s no reason why this group walked out of government. It will boil down to that. I feel sorry for people who are being misled by the Opposition. They will find out that they are left out in the cold,” Mr Sogavare said.
The Prime Minister said it was too early at this stage to give credit to who might claim to have the numbers to form a new government because Solomon Islands politics was unique for last minute crossovers.
The Opposition says none of their members are crossing the floor and they still have the majority with the nine defected ministers.
Meanwhile, Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena has called on politicians in the national Parliament to resolve the political crisis. He also asked the prime minister to prove to him that he still has majority support of MPs to remain in government by replacing those who announced their resignation by tomorrow.
The Governor General in a national address on state-owned SIBC said he has no reason to intervene in the crisis at this stage unless he is sure elected leaders cannot resolve the current political crisis. Sir Nathaniel made the comments after several meetings with both the Parliamentary Opposition Group and the government.
"As Governor General I don't see it as a Constitutional Crisis, its political crisis. They are two different things. The numbers form political crisis, therefore they are elected with a mandate from our people to sort out the political chaos. They owe this nation that responsibility to sort out themselves, before we talk about going to Parliament for a meeting".
Sir Nathaniel has demanded ministers resigning from the government submit their resignation letters on ministerial letterheads. Sir Nathaniel says he has conveyed this demand to the Deputy Prime Minister who has signed up with the Opposition Group Toswel Kaua when they met this morning. He confirmed only receiving resignation letters from two ministers, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Steve Abana.
"The Ministers who said they have resigned must bring their letters to me, not to give the letters to someone to bring to me under the Constitution. And because they were Minister when they put their signatures on their letters, they must write the letters on the letterheads of the Ministries they resigned from to make it legal, because they write as Ministers of Her Majesty. They must write on their Ministries' letterhead which they took their oath to Her Majesty to serve in the Ministries and the government,” he said. |
| posted by administrator @ 8:45 AM |
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 KEMAKEZA REJOINS GRAND COALITION FOR CHANGE GOVERNMENT
Govt Media Services
By Deli Oso Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
The Minister for Forestry, Environment and Conservation, Mark Roboliu Kemakeza has reaffirmed his commitment to the Sogavare-led Coalition for Change Government after signing an MOU to join the Opposition group over the weekend.
The MP for Ngella was one of the government MPs who joined forces with the two sacked ministers, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Steve Abana to defect to the Opposition without tendering any letters of resignation to the government.
Mr Kemakeza said he decided to return to the government after realizing that he had been misled by the two sacked ministers, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Mr Steve Abana about the cabinet reshuffle last week and the termination of their ministerial appointments.
He said the explanation given by Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare for reshuffle of Mr Darcy Lilo to from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs and the termination of Mr Darcy Lilo and Mr Abana during his Press Conference yesterday cleared the confusion over the sackings.
Mr Kemakeza said he had pledged his loyalty to the government after those misconstrues were cleared.
He said he owed an apology to Prime Minister Sogavare, the other members of the Grand Coalition for Change Government and the people of Solomon Islands for giving in to pressures by the Opposition and the government MPs who defected to the group into signing the MOU.
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| posted by administrator @ 8:35 AM |
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| Monday, November 12, 2007 |
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PM SOGAVARE'S MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION IN SI
Govt Media Services
Honiara
Firstly I would like to thank you all for coming this afternoon to hear what I have to inform the Nation.
For some time a sincere effort has been made on my part as leader of the Grand Coalition to maintain Government solidarity and political stability by seeking the consent from Members of Caucus and Cabinet before any decision is made or executed on my part.
Therefore I would like to make it absolutely clear that the principle emphasized by this Government has been one of consultative and collective decision making in compliance with the due processes of Caucus and Cabinet.
It is unfortunate that certain Members of Cabinet have taken advantage of my tolerance and goodwill to further their own agenda’s which by virtue of their conduct cannot be considered as being in the public interest or supportive of the Governments policies and National development priorities.
While the Grand Coalition for Change Government has promoted the ‘Bottom Up Approach Policy’ as the solution to our economic and development inefficiencies, this has not been reflected in the delivery of Government programs and prioritization of funding allocations.
Information which has recently become available provides evidence of the fact that public funds have been mismanaged by the former Minister of Finance Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo for the purpose of seeking favour from fellow politicians and private companies who had pledged their allegiance to support his agenda rather than that of the nation.
This implication was confirmed recently when a report from the Ministry of Finance showed that the Governments cash reserves were almost exhausted due to excessive spending which lacked accountability and indicated improper management of public funds.
Also a letter has been received from the Premier of Western Province Hon. Alex Lokopio, demanding release of funds allocated by the National Government to the Western Provincial Government for Tsunami Rehabilitation which was signed as an ‘Agency Agreement’ on the 5th of September for the purpose of mobilizing recovery programs within the affected areas but is yet to be administered.
As responsible Leaders that represent the people of this Nation, it is our solemn duty to put the interests of the public before our own, particularly when innocent lives have been catastrophically affected and require the urgent attention of all Authorities mandated with a duty to ensure that every effort is made to serve in the best interests of the people.
Although Cabinet recognized the appropriateness of allowing the Honourable Member for Gizo/Kolombangara to take a leading role in addressing the recovery and rehabilitation of the April Disaster, being his area of responsibility in both a personal and professional capacity, it has become obvious from the lack of any significant progress on the part of Government and concerns raised by Authorities responsible for those affected communities that he has neglected the very people he was nominated to represent.
In addition no formal reconciliation has been provided by the former Minister of Finance to inform Cabinet about details of the disbursement of Disaster related funds provided by the Solomon Islands Government thereby raising serious implications on our credibility as a regulator of public monies.
Further reports of attempted extortion have been submitted by certain logging company executives which implicate the Member for Gizo/Kolombangara including a scandal within Solomon Airlines, corrupt interference with other Ministries and possible links to bribery allegations evidenced within both the National and Provincial Governments that are still being investigated based on the evidence which has been provided.
As a senior Government Minister Hon. Darcy was given the benefit of the doubt to carry out his responsibilities in a transparent and accountable manner while complimenting the Governments policy objectives. This was the purpose of the Cabinet re-shuffle executed last Thursday to provide the former Finance Minister with an opportunity to reconcile within Government the outstanding claims brought against him at various levels while continuing to work forward in the National interest as a cohesive and stable Government.
Despite these good intentions and a written acceptance from Hon Darcy of his new posting, the former Minister of Finance has worked aggressively to lobby support against my leadership of the Grand Coalition for Change Government together with the Minister for Planning and Aid Coordination Hon. Steve Abana, without providing any explanation to justify the actions apart from indirectly citing reasons that are speculative and without basis but merely being used for political convenience to suppress the truth concerning corruption and misappropriation which has taken place within the Ministry of Finance.
The intention of the Grand Coalition for Change Government is to achieve political stability and progressive development through our policy objectives on behalf of the people of the Solomon Islands which are transparent and accountable and ensures the integrity and credibility of all responsible authorities.
The motives of any who oppose this or falsely speculate about issues which have no relevance or bearing on the progress of this nation must be questioned. It is for this reason that I have decided to terminate the new Minister for Justice and Law, the Minister for Planning and Aid Co-ordination.
As Leader of the Grand Coalition Government I can no longer allow this situation to perpetuate whereby personal agenda’s and external interference of internal Government processes appear to be sabotaging the progress of our National development initiatives for the sake of individual benefit that are supported by rumours, lies and corrupt practices.
While the Government continues to investigate the extent of these scandals, we remain committed to ensuring that national priorities are delivered in an efficient and expedient manner for the benefit of the people of Solomon Islands.
For the record I would also like to state that the article which appeared in Friday’s Solomon Express regarding the purchase of a property with two houses was a simple loan arrangement with the bank and a standard rental agreement with the ROC Embassy for their staff accommodation. We are in the process of taking legal action for the misrepresentation of information contained in the article and the false allegations made against the Republic of China who have been used as scapegoats for the benefit of a corrupt political agenda.
Thankyou.
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| posted by administrator @ 4:29 PM |
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PM SOGAVARE BANKS ON TRUTH TO MAINTAIN OFFICE
Govt Media Services
By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says his source of strength in the current political crisis lies in his explanation of the reasons for the sacking of his two cabinet Ministers, Gordon Darcy Lilo and Steve Abana to his other cabinet ministers as well as backbenchers.
The MP for Gizo/ Kolombangara, Mr Darcy Lilo was terminated from his new appointment as the Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs whilst the MP for Fataleka, Mr Abana was sacked from his Development Planning and Aid Coordination ministerial portfolio for aggressively lobbying the support of government MPs to oust Mr Sogavare from office.
Mr Darcy Lilo’s termination comes only few days after being reshuffled from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs last Thursday over reports of corruption including the mismanagement of government finances, failure to provide details on the disbursement of finances towards rehabilitation for the earthquake and tsunami-stricken people of the Western and Choiseul Provinces and involvement in a scandal in the Solomon Airlines.
The Prime Minister made the reshuffle to allow investigations to be conducted into the reports.
Mr Sogavare told a Press Conference yesterday that he was banking on his explanation of the reasons for the sacking of Mr Darcy Lilo and Mr Abana to the government MPs who reportedly defected to Opposition to regain their support because they seemed to be misled by the two sacked Ministers.
The Prime Minister said it was too early at this stage to give credit to who might claim to have the numbers to form a new government because Solomon Islands politics was unique for last minute crossovers.
He said he had not yet received any letters of resignation from government MPs who were reported to defect to the Opposition camp along with the two sacked Ministers.
The defectors were reported to form a new coalition with the Opposition Group calling on Prime Minister Sogavare to step down however the Prime Minister however rejected any call for his resignation.
Mr Sogavare said he was elected to power by parliament and anyone wanting to remove him from power must do so within the floor of parliament.
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| posted by administrator @ 4:25 PM |
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NE’E SAYS SOGAVARE ADMINISTRATION STILL INTACT
Govt Media Services
Honiara
The chairman of the Government Caucus Nelson Ne’e said the administration of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is still intact.
Nine cabinet ministers and three backbenchers claimed they have resigned from government at the weekend.
But none of their resignation letters reached Prime Minister Sogavare at the weekend.
The ministers resigning include recently sacked Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.
Mr Ne’e said the MPs who joined Mr Lilo in resigning may not have been aware he was sacked because of alleged misuse of tsunami recovery funds by his ministry.
He accused Mr Lilo over mismanaging state finances for personal gains.
“Lilo went around, rallied support from backbenchers and other ministers, but they’re still coming back after finding out that the sacking of Gordon Darcy Lilo was due to misappropriation.
“They feel that they’re not party to that kind of misappropriation.” Mr Ne’e said.
He said an urgent government meeting has been called today to confirm support for Prime Minister Sogavare. |
| posted by administrator @ 4:23 PM |
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