Solomon Islands needs good leaders

Government remains intact
The Sogavare-led government has been adamant that the resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Forests, Job Duddley Tausinga, does not affect the government.

Mr Tausinga says his forced resignation was influenced from an Asian company operating illegally in the North New Georgia area. He says the company was merely contracted without a licence, adding that it had been illegally exporting round logs for quite some time. Mr Tausinga says by the time he was appointed as Minister, two illegal shipments of round logs had been exported. He says he had allowed one shipment after he assumed office as Minister for the Department for Forests and Environment. Mr Tausinga says he had resigned because he felt if he would allow another shipment for the company that would be wrong.

Mr Tausinga is the Parliamentary Wing leader of the Solomon Islands Rural Advancement Party. His resignation from the Grand Coalition Government does not seem to affect the government. The Deputy Parliamentary Wing leader of the Party and Finance Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo, told MyBlog today that the party's four other members in the government remain committed to the present administration.

Women support Tausinga
Solomon Islands National Council of Women has congratulated on Tausinga for what its says "his brave and courageous step of walking away from the stings of corruption that had been eating away and rooted in the systems in this country."

The Council's President Hilda Kari says the women of Solomon Islands must thank Tausinga for in taking that step. She says Tausinga had more heart for his countries wealth than to think of himself, as he walked away from the huge benefits that go with the posts he had held as a Government Minister, and second boss of the Government.

Mrs Kari says the Council believes there is still a lot of corruption in this country especially in many important and strategic areas where important decisions are being made, in such organizations as Customs, Immigration, Forestry Department and Forestry Industry, Public Service delivery services, RCDF, and other places where money is the central ingredient on dealings.

Mrs Kari says leaders at all levels in Solomon Islands must start to be more transparent, active in leading their people to get to their villages and lives to improved standards. People in the villages are not seeing enough of their leaders, to discuss matters of importance with village elders.

MyBlog believes there is much more to what the government is being saying about the issue. These things would unfold in the next few days or so.

Press Secretary retracts statement
Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Deli Oso has retracted a statement she released Wednesday that Julian Moti would go to Australia soon to have a 'face-to-face' discussion with the Australian Federal Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecution.

In the statement released to local media today Ms Oso says she wish to retract the Press Statement yesterday titled ‘Moti to return to Australia for discussion’. But she says all references to Mr Moti in the statement should be made to the Acting Attorney General, Nuatali Tongarutu. Mrs Tongarutu will be traveling to Australia to discuss with her Australian Counterpart, Phillip Ruddock and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution, Australia’s request for the extradition of Moti.

Western Province Advances its move toward State Government
The Western Province continues to lead in its move to final its find a State Government Constitution.

Provincial Premier Alex Lokopio this week launched the Western Constitutional Congress's first Awareness Consultation Program on the regional SIBC's Radio Hapi Lagoon in Gizo. The objectives of the program is to get all citizens of the province involved in the consultation. This is to allows the people the opportunity to respond when necessary to the issue of autonomous government or statehood.

MyBlog sees the move as an example for other province to follow.

Isabel Province has new Provincial Executive
Isabel Premier, Ruben Dotho, has appointed his Provincial Executive.

They are:
Deputy Premier and Provincial Minister for Natural Resources -- Lonsdale Manase;
Provincial Minister for Finance -- Amos B Gigini;
Minister for Community Affairs, Women, Youth and Sports -- Rhoda Sikilabu, ,
Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Lands -- David Bale;
Minister Health and Medical Services -- Thedius Siota;
Minister for Transport, Works and Infrastructure -- Dick Daoleni
Minister for Education and Human Resources Development -- Michael Meredi.

Premier Dotho says the appointment became effective from today.

Meanwhile, he says the Speaker of the Assembly is Reverend Canon Mathew Kale and the Deputy Speaker is Allan Hagelui.

NCW Salutes Isabel Premier and Women
The Solomon Islands National Council of Women congratulates the new Premier of Isabel, Ruben Dotho.

The Council says is very heartening to hear the Premier showing confidence in the women members that won in the recent elections. It says the inclusion of a woman in the Provincial Executive a significant way forward and a plus for the people of Isabel. It says the rest of the country should follow the example. The Council says it's timely for women to get up there to help make decisions in their Provincial Government.

The Council says it hopes voters in the Rennell Bellona and Malaita Provinces who were yet to hold their elections to follow Isabel's example and vote in women into their Provincial Assemblies.

MyBlog believes that women taking leadership roles in decision making positions would help improve any society.

Good luck to them.