Solomon Islanders wait eagerly
Solomon Islanders anticipate a bright future
Solomon Islanders are waiting eagerly as the Manasseh Sogavare labours to finalise the 2007 budget.
The people are waiting for the much talked about "bottom-up approach" development that promises much for the villagers at makes up over 80 percent of the nearly half a million people in the country. The people are also expecting much from their provincial assembly members to deliver.
But MyBlog believes those national, provincial and community leaders need the cooperation of the people to achieve the wishes and aspiration of the nation.
The Guadalcanal Issue
Since MyBlog published the letter which Minister Nollen Leni wrote to Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, Thursday 28 December 2006, the local media has caught up with the issue.
The Guadalcanal issue has received wide coverage in the media in the first week of 2007. Minister Leni's letter to PM Sogavare which was leaked to the public in December last had been widely circulated within Honiara and presumably reached the province. The letter has been the talk of the people in town, especially among Malaitans for some weeks now.
Guadalcanal Province on the issue
The Guadalcanal Provincial government has re-endorsed many of the things written in Mr Leni's letter.
As Chairman of the Guadalcanal Province and Solomon Islands Government Reconciliation and Rehabilitation Taskforce and Care-taker Deputy Premier, Stephen Panga, has put more weight behind the issues. He calls on the government to speed up reconciliation and rehabilitation amongst and for the peoples affected by the social unrest on Guadalcanal. He stressed that when there is reconciliation the government would not have difficulty negotiating the bona-fide demands with Guadalcanal people.
The taskforce which he heads was formed in October 2004 in respond to recommendations from the Guadalcanal Leaders Summit to identify reconciliation and rehabilitation strategies for Guadalcanal Province. A report by the taskforce was presented to the Kemakeza Government before the 2006 April 5 election. Mr Panga says nothing has been done about the recommendations raised in his committee’s report.
According to the taskforce, a total of $7.5million will be needed for the reconciliation programme in Guadalcanal Province to be successful. Mr Panga says this is something the current government would address. Meanwhile, Mr Panga re-assures Solomon Islanders not to worry about the threats made by the ex-militants.
Various Guadalcanal leaders including chiefs have also supported the call for the government to outstanding issues including the return of alienated land to the original landowners through the Provincial government.
Minister speaks out
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration Minister, Patteson Oti.is expected to explain tomorrow, why he declared Police Commissioner Shane Castles an "undesirable immigrant".
He made the declaration Friday 22nd December, then reportedly shoot off for the festive season break in his home island of Santa Cruz, Temotu Province. The Minister's action has received mixed reactions, some supporting it while others criticised it. Whilst the government continues to defend the action, Mr Oti had not publicly comment on it.
The Prime Minister's Press Secretary Deli Oso rang some hours before the press conference which was originally set for 3pm this afternoon to says it was postponed until 11am tomorrow. The press is eager to listen and then drilled him on an issue he earlier said "in view of the sensitivity of the matter," he was "not at liberty to publicly disclose all of the reasons why Mr Castles had to be declared an undesirable immigrant. Mr Oti had said Mr Castles' his return and continued presence in Solomon Islands was considered prejudicial to the peace, defence, public safety, public order, public morality, security and good government of Solomon Islands.
MyBlog had earlier expressed fear about the prolonging of the issue, because it had added to the souring relations between Solomon Islands and Australia. The Julian Moti issue and expulsion of Australian High Commissioner Patrick Cole last year were among the things that have brought about the poor relations between the two governments.
Solomon Islands government need to come to some sense, as those issues may have some bearing on 2007 Budget. The budget is expected to be tabled in Parliament 20th January.
Accountability Institutions
The accountability government institutions: Office of the Ombudsman, Leadership Code Commission and Office of the Auditor General have since last years began to co-operate to perform their duties.
This is to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability within the government. Non Government Organisation Transparency Solomon Islands had also indicated it would work closely with those bodies to eliminate corruption within the system.
Ombudsman
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is yet to appoint an Ombudsman.
The office of the Ombudsman had been vacant for some months now. Reports says Mr Sogavare did not endorse
an applicant who has been selected by an Interview Panel.
MyBlog believes that Office needs to be filled as soon as possible to perform its constitutional functions. As an accountability body it has important tasks to do.
Leadership Code Commission
Like the Ombudsman Office the Leadership Code Commission has important tasks to do.
The term of the former Chairman, Emmanuel Kouhota expired November last year. The Commission has received from the Public Service a list of applicants for the position. Arrangement are being made with the Chairman of the Appointment Committee of the Chairman Leadership Code Commission, Prime Minister Sogavare for the nomination committee to decide a new Chairman for the Commission."
Office of the Auditor General
Website
The Office has joined other government departments ply their message on the web to the public.
The Auditor General Flloyd Augustine Fatai explains below.
Our Vision
To enhance public sector transparency and accountability and fight corruption by delivering excellence in audit services.
Our Purpose
Under the Westminster system of government, Parliament is supreme. All authority for governmental activity ultimately stems from Parliament. Public sector organizations' are therefore accountable to Parliament for their use of the public resources and powers that it has conferred on them.
The Auditor General plays a crucial role in the framework of public accountability under the Westminster System. The Auditor General serves as the external auditor of Government with a duty to report independently and directly to Parliament on the results of audit examinations performed, ensuring government transparency and accountability to Parliament and the public.
Reports
During the last twelve months some 12 Reports on the results of audits and investigations have been finalised and tabled in the Solomon Islands Parliament. These reports identify the significant shortcomings in the Ministries in the last five years and show a blue print for the future direction for these Ministries.
The OAG's website address is. http://www.oag.gov.sb/
Transparency Solomon Islands
The Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, Board has been critical over government's declaration that Police commissioner Shane Castles is an undesirable immigrant.
It says the the country needs strong leadership. TSI says this leadership must operate in the bounds of the law and must use the powers they are given for the purposes that they are given. TSI says the claim that this declaration against the Police Commissioner is legal is misleading. Transparency Solomon Islands says this is not a style of leadership that the people want to see continue. It says this approach to leadership means no Commissioner is now safe from a Minister’s indiscriminate use of power. The TSI Board says the action sets a very dangerous precedent in the political journey of Solomon Islands.
Provincial Governance
By the end of this week five provinces would have elected their respective Premiers and Executives.
Malaita Province is the exception. People in Wards 6 to 30 will on Monday 15th January go to the polls to elect their Provincial Assembly members. It will take a few days before a Provincial government is formed.
Below is an update of political activities in the other provinces.
Temotu
Care-taker Temotu Provincial Premier Johnson Levela has been re-elected as Premier.
He was re-elected Monday. Mr Levela polled 13 votes while the other contender Edwin Meibu got four. Mr Levela was to have announced his executive today.
Guadalcanal
The Guadalcanal provincial Assembly will elect their Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Premier this week.
Nomination for the Provincial Assembly's Speaker opened this morning and will close 10am tomorrow. Election of Speakers will be tomorrow. Nominations for the Premier's post opens 10am Wednesday and closes 10am Thursday. The election for the new Provincial Premier will be on Friday.
Rennell Bellona
The members of the Rennell-Bellona Provincial Assembly will also elect a new Provincial Speaker, Deputy Speaker and a premier this week.
Provincial Secretary for Rennell-Bellona Robert Pongi says the 10 new members were to have been sworn in today. Election of the Speaker and deputy speaker is set for Wednesday. Election for the Premier will be on Thursday.
MyBlog comments
The people of Solomon Islands are anticipating a challenging future.
Solomon Islands has a new national government and would soon have six new provincial governments aiming to build on what previous administrations have laid for the country's future generations. Let's hope Solomon Islanders take heed of what Prime Minister Sogavare said in his Christmas and New Year message to the nation.
This is the message. Solomon Islanders need to change their attitude in order for the country to move forward.
Solomon Islanders are waiting eagerly as the Manasseh Sogavare labours to finalise the 2007 budget.
The people are waiting for the much talked about "bottom-up approach" development that promises much for the villagers at makes up over 80 percent of the nearly half a million people in the country. The people are also expecting much from their provincial assembly members to deliver.
But MyBlog believes those national, provincial and community leaders need the cooperation of the people to achieve the wishes and aspiration of the nation.
The Guadalcanal Issue
Since MyBlog published the letter which Minister Nollen Leni wrote to Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, Thursday 28 December 2006, the local media has caught up with the issue.
The Guadalcanal issue has received wide coverage in the media in the first week of 2007. Minister Leni's letter to PM Sogavare which was leaked to the public in December last had been widely circulated within Honiara and presumably reached the province. The letter has been the talk of the people in town, especially among Malaitans for some weeks now.
Guadalcanal Province on the issue
The Guadalcanal Provincial government has re-endorsed many of the things written in Mr Leni's letter.
As Chairman of the Guadalcanal Province and Solomon Islands Government Reconciliation and Rehabilitation Taskforce and Care-taker Deputy Premier, Stephen Panga, has put more weight behind the issues. He calls on the government to speed up reconciliation and rehabilitation amongst and for the peoples affected by the social unrest on Guadalcanal. He stressed that when there is reconciliation the government would not have difficulty negotiating the bona-fide demands with Guadalcanal people.
The taskforce which he heads was formed in October 2004 in respond to recommendations from the Guadalcanal Leaders Summit to identify reconciliation and rehabilitation strategies for Guadalcanal Province. A report by the taskforce was presented to the Kemakeza Government before the 2006 April 5 election. Mr Panga says nothing has been done about the recommendations raised in his committee’s report.
According to the taskforce, a total of $7.5million will be needed for the reconciliation programme in Guadalcanal Province to be successful. Mr Panga says this is something the current government would address. Meanwhile, Mr Panga re-assures Solomon Islanders not to worry about the threats made by the ex-militants.
Various Guadalcanal leaders including chiefs have also supported the call for the government to outstanding issues including the return of alienated land to the original landowners through the Provincial government.
Minister speaks out
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration Minister, Patteson Oti.is expected to explain tomorrow, why he declared Police Commissioner Shane Castles an "undesirable immigrant".
He made the declaration Friday 22nd December, then reportedly shoot off for the festive season break in his home island of Santa Cruz, Temotu Province. The Minister's action has received mixed reactions, some supporting it while others criticised it. Whilst the government continues to defend the action, Mr Oti had not publicly comment on it.
The Prime Minister's Press Secretary Deli Oso rang some hours before the press conference which was originally set for 3pm this afternoon to says it was postponed until 11am tomorrow. The press is eager to listen and then drilled him on an issue he earlier said "in view of the sensitivity of the matter," he was "not at liberty to publicly disclose all of the reasons why Mr Castles had to be declared an undesirable immigrant. Mr Oti had said Mr Castles' his return and continued presence in Solomon Islands was considered prejudicial to the peace, defence, public safety, public order, public morality, security and good government of Solomon Islands.
MyBlog had earlier expressed fear about the prolonging of the issue, because it had added to the souring relations between Solomon Islands and Australia. The Julian Moti issue and expulsion of Australian High Commissioner Patrick Cole last year were among the things that have brought about the poor relations between the two governments.
Solomon Islands government need to come to some sense, as those issues may have some bearing on 2007 Budget. The budget is expected to be tabled in Parliament 20th January.
Accountability Institutions
The accountability government institutions: Office of the Ombudsman, Leadership Code Commission and Office of the Auditor General have since last years began to co-operate to perform their duties.
This is to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability within the government. Non Government Organisation Transparency Solomon Islands had also indicated it would work closely with those bodies to eliminate corruption within the system.
Ombudsman
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is yet to appoint an Ombudsman.
The office of the Ombudsman had been vacant for some months now. Reports says Mr Sogavare did not endorse
an applicant who has been selected by an Interview Panel.
MyBlog believes that Office needs to be filled as soon as possible to perform its constitutional functions. As an accountability body it has important tasks to do.
Leadership Code Commission
Like the Ombudsman Office the Leadership Code Commission has important tasks to do.
The term of the former Chairman, Emmanuel Kouhota expired November last year. The Commission has received from the Public Service a list of applicants for the position. Arrangement are being made with the Chairman of the Appointment Committee of the Chairman Leadership Code Commission, Prime Minister Sogavare for the nomination committee to decide a new Chairman for the Commission."
Office of the Auditor General
Website
The Office has joined other government departments ply their message on the web to the public.
The Auditor General Flloyd Augustine Fatai explains below.
Our Vision
To enhance public sector transparency and accountability and fight corruption by delivering excellence in audit services.
Our Purpose
Under the Westminster system of government, Parliament is supreme. All authority for governmental activity ultimately stems from Parliament. Public sector organizations' are therefore accountable to Parliament for their use of the public resources and powers that it has conferred on them.
The Auditor General plays a crucial role in the framework of public accountability under the Westminster System. The Auditor General serves as the external auditor of Government with a duty to report independently and directly to Parliament on the results of audit examinations performed, ensuring government transparency and accountability to Parliament and the public.
Reports
During the last twelve months some 12 Reports on the results of audits and investigations have been finalised and tabled in the Solomon Islands Parliament. These reports identify the significant shortcomings in the Ministries in the last five years and show a blue print for the future direction for these Ministries.
The OAG's website address is. http://www.oag.gov.sb/
Transparency Solomon Islands
The Transparency Solomon Islands, TSI, Board has been critical over government's declaration that Police commissioner Shane Castles is an undesirable immigrant.
It says the the country needs strong leadership. TSI says this leadership must operate in the bounds of the law and must use the powers they are given for the purposes that they are given. TSI says the claim that this declaration against the Police Commissioner is legal is misleading. Transparency Solomon Islands says this is not a style of leadership that the people want to see continue. It says this approach to leadership means no Commissioner is now safe from a Minister’s indiscriminate use of power. The TSI Board says the action sets a very dangerous precedent in the political journey of Solomon Islands.
Provincial Governance
By the end of this week five provinces would have elected their respective Premiers and Executives.
Malaita Province is the exception. People in Wards 6 to 30 will on Monday 15th January go to the polls to elect their Provincial Assembly members. It will take a few days before a Provincial government is formed.
Below is an update of political activities in the other provinces.
Temotu
Care-taker Temotu Provincial Premier Johnson Levela has been re-elected as Premier.
He was re-elected Monday. Mr Levela polled 13 votes while the other contender Edwin Meibu got four. Mr Levela was to have announced his executive today.
Guadalcanal
The Guadalcanal provincial Assembly will elect their Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Premier this week.
Nomination for the Provincial Assembly's Speaker opened this morning and will close 10am tomorrow. Election of Speakers will be tomorrow. Nominations for the Premier's post opens 10am Wednesday and closes 10am Thursday. The election for the new Provincial Premier will be on Friday.
Rennell Bellona
The members of the Rennell-Bellona Provincial Assembly will also elect a new Provincial Speaker, Deputy Speaker and a premier this week.
Provincial Secretary for Rennell-Bellona Robert Pongi says the 10 new members were to have been sworn in today. Election of the Speaker and deputy speaker is set for Wednesday. Election for the Premier will be on Thursday.
MyBlog comments
The people of Solomon Islands are anticipating a challenging future.
Solomon Islands has a new national government and would soon have six new provincial governments aiming to build on what previous administrations have laid for the country's future generations. Let's hope Solomon Islanders take heed of what Prime Minister Sogavare said in his Christmas and New Year message to the nation.
This is the message. Solomon Islanders need to change their attitude in order for the country to move forward.
posted by Myblog | 10:37 pm
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