NGOs and Governance

Hi! I am farewelling October 2006 with this piece.

NGOs probe Governance
Various NGOs have stepped up their efforts to cooperation with different government accountability agencies in trying to improve the government of Solomon Islands. Among them are Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, and Solomon Islands Christian Association, SICA.

Transparency Solomon Islands - TSI
Today, TSI has vowed to work closely with the country’s accountability institutions in the fight again corruption. TSI Executive Officer, Joses Tuhanuku says reveals this following a one week observation trip to PNG. The PNG chapter of the international anti-corruption network has been established for some time.

"Transparency PNG is probably the most organised and effective chapter in the region and one reason for this, is the alliance it has built up over time with PNG’s accountability institutions such as Ombudsman and Leadership Code Commissions," Mr Tuhanuku said.

Observing firsthand what Transparency PNG has been able to achieve in the area of strategic partnerships and outreach work, was very useful as the Solomon Island chapter now begins to push forward with its own work plan he said. Mr Tuhanuku says TSI is very keen to work closely and in support of our own local institutions that are dealing with the issues of accountability, transparency and fighting corruption. These include the Ombudsman Commission, Leadership Code Commission and the Auditor Generals Office. He says TSI is also keen to support all those working in the Public Service who want to do their job in the right way and maintain a high level of transparency and accountability in how our country is governed and administered.

Mr Tuhanuku, who was appointed Executive Officer of TSI in August this year, has a long history of a strong stand against corruption during his time as leader of the Solomon Islands Labour Party and before that as head of the National Union of Workers. He says although the local anti-corruption body, TSI was registered in 2002 under the Charitable Act of Solomon Islands, the post of executive officer has remained vacant till his appointment.

Solomon Islands Christian Association - SICA
This Association comprises the five main churches in the country. They are Catholics, The Church of Melanesia, United Church, Seventh Day Adventist and the South Seas Evangelical Church.

This week SICA teams up with TSI to convene a two day national leadership forum. SICA General Secretary Bishop Philemon Riti says the forum is to strengthen leadership and the commitment to ethical leadership in the country. he says participants of the forum would include politicians, legal, public service, education, private sectors, community and churches.

Bishop Riti says ethical leadership is a vital for Solomon Islands today. He says the forum will also provide opportunity for practical steps to be taken to strengthen Solomon Islands' commitment to good leadership. He says good leadership is required in all sectors of the society.

Four Solomon Islands leaders have been earmarked to speak on leadership issues during the forum. They include Solomon Islands Chief Justice, Sir Justice Albert Palmer and Solomon Islands academic Dr Kabini Sanga. Three hundred participants are expected to attend the two-day forum which starts tomorrow, Wednesday 1st November.

Let's hope the forum will herald a new beginning for Solomon Islands.

Good bye October. Welcome November.

Joe

Governance

Hi! following the National General Election in March this year, I had indicated that I would focus some of my blogging on Governance. This would relate to the situation as I see it in Solomon Islands. I somehow lost my Joeblog which covered the national election and I could not continue the blog.

I felt then and still do now, that Governance is among the priority areas that Solomon Islands government and people should address. Aid donors and development partners have been and are continuing at different stages to improve governance in the country.

THE REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO SOLOMON ISLANDS - RAMSI
One of the tasks of the RAMSI in re-building Solomon Islands is to improve Public accountability. The 2005/2006 RAMSI report has highlighted that substantial efforts have been made in that area. This was to promote a culture of accountability and to bring to justice public servant, office holders and MPs suspected of corruption.

And example of RAMSI's assistance in improving governance was that all government departments completed their annual reports for 2004 which were tabled in Parliament – for the first time in many years. The Auditor General completed eleven audits, and four audit reports had been tabled in Parliament. They are forestry, fisheries, EXIM Bank loan, and government accounts for 1996.

RAMSI and other donors had also been assisting to improve the various government governance institutions. They include the Ombudsman's Office, Leadership Code Commission and Auditor General Office.

THE COMMONWEALTH AND GOVERNANCE
Following last week's 37th Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Fiji, the Commonwealth announced a Pacific Governance Programme. Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said that it will soon launch the programme in support of the Pacific Plan. The programme is aimed at enhancing regional co-operation and integration among South Pacific countries. Mr McKinnon said the plan focuses on good governance, security, sustainable development and economic growth.

EUROPEAN UNION AND GOVERNANCE
In Fiji last week Solomon Islands Minister for Planning and Aid Coordination, Steve Abana, and the European Director General Athanassios Theodorakis signed a grant agreement. The grant will help Civil Society Groups to address issues in environment awareness and conservation, transparency and advocacy for good governance, human rights and women empowerment.
Non state actors in Solomon Islands will benefit from a 14 million dollars grant from the European Union aimed at reinforcing governance and the rule of law in the country.

The focus of support will be in project planning and capacity building. Mr Abana welcomed the support saying it will enhance people's involvement in public affairs. Meanwhile, Mr Theodorakis said an active civil society is essential in the growth and development of the nation.

NGOs AND GOVERNANCE
Various non government organisations such as the Solomon Islands Christian Association, Transparency Solomon Islands and Wind of Change have with outside help have also been advocating good governance.

Solomon Islanders are looking forward to the time these efforts will bear fruit. I believe it may take some time before the people could benefit those efforts and hard work. May be in the next two generations??

Happy surfing.

Joe

The political battle field

Hello! It's exactly a week since my last post.

The political situation arounding the suspended Attorney General Julian Moti has had its toll.

Since Moti's arrest in Port Moresby on the 8th October, and subsequent secret fight into Solomon Islands via Munda in the Western Province, victims have fallen by the way side.
Moti was charged for illegal entry. His two Solomon Islands travelling colleagues, private lawyer Chris Hapa and political analyst in the Prime Minister's Office, Robson Djiokovic have been charged for offences relating to the secret flight into Munda. Commerce Minister Peter Shanel was napped and charged by police for allegedly lying about giving permit for Moti to entry the country.

The next to fall victim to the saga was Solicitor General, Nathan Moshynski. While he said he was terminating his contract earlier for family reasons, it was clear that he too was being targeted for discipline for doing his job. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had vowed to deal with him and Police Commissioner, Shane Castles for arresting and charging Minister Shanel. Police Commissioner also got himself in trouble. The government diverting his pay - technical assistance - to the Ministry of Health. He is to be paid under Solomon Islands pay structure.

The Provinces in Solomon Islands have also been vocal about Mr Sogavare's threat to withdraw the Australian component in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Various groups in the country have also commented on the issue. Here is a sample of the various groups which came out publicly on the issue.

Those against the threat.
Provinces: Guadalcanal, Malaita, Isabel, Choiseul, Western and Renbel have called for dialogue between the parties. No official comments were made by Makira and Ulawa and Central Provinces on the issue.
Groups: The Parliamentary Opposition, Transparency Solomon Islands, the National Council of Women, Guadalcanal chiefs and individuals.

Those who support Prime Minister's stand are:
Province: Temotu
Groups: Malaita Maasina Forum and others. The Solomon Islands Christian Association has urged parties to have dialogue to resolve the stand-off.

It's understood that the Prime Minister met and briefed Provincial Premiers about the situation following his return from the South Pacific Forum meeting in Fiji.

Other news of note during the week.
Wednesday 25th October -- Police questioned and later charged former PM Sir Allan Kemakeza on offences relating to robbery, demanding money with menaces, intimidation and larceny.
Thursday 26th -- The Judicial and Legal Services Commission was understood to have met and discussed private lawyer Nuatali Tongarutu as the next Acting Attorney General.

More action is bound to unveil as the Prime Minister, Cabinet and advisors settle to review the situation.

Until then, happy surfing in cyberspace.

Joe

Police search PM's office

Hi! there is more actions surrounding the Moti saga. From an seemingly humble and straight forward appointment it has became more revealing.

Today show RAMSI police entry the Prime Minister's office on a search warrant for a fax machine. The collection of the the machine is in relation to the investigation into the illegal entry by suspended AG Julian Moti into the country, Tuesday 10th October. It is believed the fax machine was used to send an exemption order for Moti to travel to Solomon Islands without travel documents.

The government condemns the action as unnecessary excessive use of force. Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo was present when RAMSI police entered the office.

In related news, High Court Judge, Justice Edwin Goldsborough release Moti on bail on illegal entry charges. A businessman is believed to have provided surety for Moti's bail. He will appear in court at a later date.

There have been mixed reactions to the PM-Moti sage. Some are for and some against.

The journey into the future has just began. Let's cross our fingers that it will turn out for the better the honest and law abiding citizens.

Catch up with you in the next posting.
Shalom
Joe

PM leads delegation to Forum meeting

Hi! another day closes on a high note.

The Moti issue continues to dominate the headlines. War of words flying from every corner.

But, first Prime Minister Sogavare today led 16-member delegation to the Forum meeting in Nadi, Fiji. By 6pm this evening he landed another bomb. His government is furious over the arrest, detention and humiliation of Commerce, Industries and Employment Minister, Peter Shanel. He promised to deal with the Police Commissioner and Solicitor General who he says spearheaded the arrest.

Yes, the Moti saga seems to be rearing its head attracting varying views in the country.
Malaita Provincial government joins other provinces in condemning Mr Sogavare's threat to expel the Australian component of RAMSI. This is all connected to the Moti issue. Malaita Premier Rueben Moli was straight to the point. This is how he puts it "Malaita cannot tolerate accepting any person whose name is tarnished and whose name is even implicated in any way and in any form to advise their government. We do not like it. Representing my people of Malaita, I say anything that needs to be solved, that I hold hands with other Premiers of other province to recommend that Moti be repatriated back to Australia." Strong words indeed.

Choiseul, Western and Guadalcanal Provinces have came out with similar sentiments that they want Australia to remain part of RAMSI and to remain in the Solomon Islands until such time the country is capable of looking after itself.

Prime Minister Sogavare is certainly walking on live wire. People are speculating that any mistakes he makes in ignoring the voices of the people would see his down fall. If he walks according to what he preached in Parliament, that this country is being led by God, then let's pray that GOD's will be done.

Joe

Focusing on politics and governance

Hello to you out there.

It's been a while since my last post. Eleven days to be exact. I have been thinking seriously about what I should focus on Myblog. I have various ideas that I want to cover under other blogs, time permitting. I have decided that is blog, would be about politics, particularly Governance.

It has been a real hectic 11 days since 7th October. With the arrest of Solomon Islands Attorney General, Julian Moti, on the 8th October in Port Moresby and his escaping court orders. To the lay person his escape from court hearing and subsequent secret flight into Solomon Islands is illegal.

To Parliaments, lawyers, the media and various it had been a great time. Accusations flying here and there and in the process two ministers have been sacked - was later told they been replaced on medical ground. The Immigration minister Peter Shanel was also grilled and later charged for allegedly misleading public officer/public servant in relation to Moti's entry into Solomon Islands without travel documents.

He is on bail and will appear again in court 13th November. Meanwhile, the Moti saga continues at various legal levels.

I'll catch up with you later.

Joe

A fruitful day

Hello!

I had to clean up around the house in the morning.

I probably miss the TARD Honiara meeting scheduled for today. There was no word from Honiara committee about the venue of the meeting. I will check Monday 9 October. And the medicines, Rosemary?

I helped two other boys cut sago palm leaves for hatched-roof hut for fellowship group, then walk to work. Arima came in the morning and I got to office after 3pm. Not a bad bulletin.

I am going home now, to prepare for fellowship tomorrow.

Good night and God be with you.

Joe

This is Myblog

Hello to you.

This is the second effort to create Myblog. The first one worked for less than 24 hours, then I could not publish my second and third postings.

But here they are.

First Post
Myblog

This is the trial posting to Myblog.

Today is October 5th. There was steady rain last night. In the morning it looked the rain would continue. But it developed into a fine day, with the sun shinning brightly.

Today, Parliament continues to meet, it is the fourth day of the meeting, since it opened Monday. A motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister may be tabled in Parliament tomorrow, Friday 6th October.

The country is waiting for the outcome.

Joe
Thursday 05 October 2006, 0916(SIT)
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Third Post
Motion of No Confidence deferred

Hi!

The sun has shone its face again. And the Opposition leader Fred Fono withdrew the motion from today's meeting. It will now be tabled in Parliament Friday 13 October. The political uncertainty continues.

Shalom
Joe Friday 06 October 2006, 1030(SIT)

Second Post
MPs decide fate of PM

Good morning to you.

A slight drizzle continued over night after a fabulous sunny day yesterday. The plants and animals must be enjoying the rain following a period of sunshine.

Today in Solomon Islands is another day people are trying to come to grips with. The new grand coalition government led by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in its fifth month of rule, faces a motion of no confidence. The opposition leader Fred Fono has said motion of confidence is in Sogavare, not necessarily the government.

Solomon Islanders are hoping members of Parliament do the right thing in deciding the fate of the motion in the interest of country. The Parliament meeting starts in about now, 0930 Solomon Time. The motion is scheduled to be table in the meeting today.

Over to you MPs.

Joe
Friday 06 October 2006, 0928(SIT)
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