The Accountability and Transparency Twin

Financial Accountability
Minister of Finance and Treasury, Gordon Darcy Lilo has issued a directive for government finances to be controlled.

Mr Darcy says Government had taken this initiative to ensure public funds are spend on what they were intended for. He says the directives reminds accounting officers to comply with the financial regulations and instructions. Mr Darcy says requisitions for payments must be raised through respective accounting officers 14 days before the Treasury Department can issue payment. He says this requirement both controls government finances and reduces the time taken by the Treasury department to screen payments.

Transparency Conference
Prominent Solomon Islander and Speaker of the National Parliament, Sir Peter Kenilorea, says the battle against corruption is an uphill challenge in the Pacific region, particularly in Solomon islands.

Sir Peter said this yesterday when he opened the Transparency International Regional Conference in Honiara. He told the conference that the full extend of corruption in the country is yet to be fully realized. Sir Peter said in most cases, corruption cases have become embedded in the country's way of life. He said corruption is eating away at the fabric of life and something must be done urgently to address this growing threat.

MyBlog says
Is it a coincidence that the Finance Minister's announcement of tightening up control of government finances comes in at the right time the Transparency International Regional Conference is being held in Honiara?

It could mean many things. It could just be either a window dressing on the part of the government that it's addressing one of the weaknesses
of the accountability system. Or it would be a serious and the right move to get things on the track according to procedures. Whatever views there are, accountability and transparency in any field form a basic foundation to good governance in any system.

Sir Peter also highlighted at the Transparency Conference the need for more public awareness and understanding of corruption and good governance at the village level. While MyBlog agrees with Sir Peter, it narrows this need to the common denominator, the family unit, which is the basic building block of the community or society. This is where NGOs including the churches can assist in advancing accountability and transparency.

Climate Change
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change 11th meeting of the Least Developed Countries, LDCs has got underway in Honiara.

The meeting is to train those working on implementation to implement their National Adaptation Programme of Action, NAPA. The NAPA is a framework designed to assist LDC's which are vulnerable to the effects of climate change and how they can adapt to this phenomena.

MyBlog says
Again the workshop could not have been timely.

Climate change did show it presence. Parts of Solomon Islands in the last few days experienced a low depression, causing heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas especially in the south of the country. Rennell-Bellona, Temotu Provinces were close to the path of that depression. May be it's a timely reminder for government authorities and others to be prepared and alert at all time because natural disasters are sometimes unpredictable. Thus the need for a National Adaptation Programme of Action on Climate Change to be in place.

Sea-level rise due to the effects of climate change poses greater threat to low laying atolls in the pacific including Solomon Islands.This is something that the government is yet to put any concrete focus on, although the low-laying islands and coastal lowlands of some main islands are slowly but surely been submerged.

The events are a reminder to us all.

Catch up with you in the next posting.

Regional vs Peoples Issues

Melanesia Spearhead Group Meeting
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare left Honiara this afternoon for Port Vila, Vanuatu where he will take part in a Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders meeting.

The Prime Minister is being accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Patteson Oti. The MSG leaders are expected to discuss a whole range of issues affecting their respective countries and the region. Among others, issue of trade among the Melanesian countries and the establishment of MSG Secretariat in Port Vila will be high on the agenda.

MyBlog says
All MSG member countries PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have challenges to tackle as they try to find their way into the 21st century.

Fiji has had several coups, Solomons had its ethnic tension, PNG the Bougainville crisis and facing other issues of concern such the increase in the number of people living AIDS. Vanuatu had also had its share of problems including the break-away movement of Steven in the 1970s, and the later was the row between people of two islands.

Whilst the MSG members nations try to cooperate and emerge as a group to address common regional issues, much needed to be done on the home turf. Of course their solidarity as a regional group is an illusion. The instability and uncertainty and a fragile foundation at home, undermine such noble intentions of MSG as a group.

Landowners want their land back
People of Russell Islands, Central Province are demanding the national government to pay them millions of dollars for the use of their land over the past 104 years.

Chief Jason Kikolo says since 1902, various companies had planted coconut and cocoa plantations on the main islands of Banika and Pavuvu, in the Russell Islands. He says the landowners of Russell Islands had not benefited much from the commercial activities on their land during that time. Chief Kikolo says the landowners are demanding 300-million dollars for the use of their land. And the chief says the people of Russell Islands want the government to return the land to them, just as previous governments returned land to people of other provinces.

MyBlog comments
MyBlog sees the return of alienated land to its original landowners to be amongst the priorities to deal with in the remaining three years of the present house.

During the campaign last year for the national election a Russell Islands candidate has touch on that matter. There was this aspiration by landowners that now that the company operating on their land had stopped, government should repatriate those from other places to their home provinces.

For many from other provinces who were born and raised and had been part of the in the Russell Islands plantation industry, that thought may not have come into their mind. MyBlog passes this on as "Food for Thought". This is something leaders must address. Leaders of people living outside their provinces must take stock of their people and be pro-active in dealing with issues before its too late. Repatriation could be necessary.

Government's BUA
MyBlog believes that the Government's Bottom Up Approach, BAU, could just be the catalyst of making the villages come alive.

Solomon Islanders may not start harvesting the fruit of BUA in the next five or 10 years, even in 15 years time. But if the people actively participate in the development, they could realise its benefits sooner that later. But for that to happen Solomon Islands needs a new breed of leaders to facilitate a conducive environment, where the rule of law is the order of the day. The country will also need people with a change of attitude to work hard and respect their fellow men and women.

Solomon Islands wants you be part of that process to peace and prosperity. Have a nice weekend.

Shalom

Regional vs Peoples Issues

Melanesia Spearhead Group Meeting
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare left Honiara this afternoon for Port Vila, Vanuatu where he will take part in a Melanesian Spearhead Group Leaders meeting.

The Prime Minister is being accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Patteson Oti. The MSG leaders are expected to discuss a whole range of issues affecting their respective countries and the region. Among others, issue of trade among the Melanesian countries and the establishment of MSG Secretariat in Port Vila will be high on the agenda.

MyBlog says
All MSG member countries PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have challenges to tackle as they try to find their way into the 21st century.

Fiji has had several coups, Solomons had its ethnic tension, PNG the Bougainville crisis and facing other issues of concern such the increase in the number of people living AIDS. Vanuatu had also had its share of problems including the break-away movement of Steven in the 1970s, and the later was the row between people of two islands.

Whilst the MSG members nations try to cooperate and emerge as a group to address common regional issues, much needed to be done on the home turf. Of course their solidarity as a regional group is an illusion. The instability and uncertainty and a fragile foundation at home, undermine such noble intentions of MSG as a group.

Landowners want their land back
People of Russell Islands, Central Province are demanding the national government to pay them millions of dollars for the use of their land over the past 104 years.

Chief Jason Kikolo says since 1902, various companies had planted coconut and cocoa plantations on the main islands of Banika and Pavuvu, in the Russell Islands. He says the landowners of Russell Islands had not benefited much from the commercial activities on their land during that time. Chief Kikolo says the landowners are demanding 300-million dollars for the use of their land. And the chief says the people of Russell Islands want the government to return the land to them, just as previous governments returned land to people of other provinces.

MyBlog comments
MyBlog sees the return of alienated land to its original landowners to be amongst the priorities to deal with in the remaining three years of the present house.

During the campaign last year for the national election a Russell Islands candidate has touch on that matter. There was this aspiration by landowners that now that the company operating on their land had stopped, government should repatriate those from other places to their home provinces.

For many from other provinces who were born and raised and had been part of the in the Russell Islands plantation industry, that thought may not have come into their mind. MyBlog passes this on as "Food for Thought". This is something leaders must address. Leaders of people living outside their provinces must take stock of their people and be pro-active in dealing with issues before its too late. Repatriation could be necessary.

Government's BUA
MyBlog believes that the Government's Bottom Up Approach, BAU, could just be the catalyst of making the villages come alive.

Solomon Islanders may not start harvesting the fruit of BUA in the next five or 10 years, even in 15 years time. But if the people actively participate in the development, they could realise its benefits sooner that later. But for that to happen Solomon Islands needs a new breed of leaders to facilitate a conducive environment, where the rule of law is the order of the day. The country will also need people with a change of attitude to work hard and respect their fellow men and women.

Solomon Islands wants you be part of that process to peace and prosperity. Have a nice weekend.

Shalom

Honiara and Canberrra mending relations

Mending Australia-Solomon relations
Australia's High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Peter Hooton today presented his credentials to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare after waiting to be received for almost two months.

The Prime Minister however said today's ceremony was an important milestone in mending the two countries' strained relations. Mr Sogavare says it's only appropriate to have Mr Hooton on the ground to address those issues with both governments. He told Mr Hooton that Australia and Solomon Islands are very close neighbours. Australia plays a very important role in regional security and stability and its development of regional countries.

Meanwhile, Mr Hooton said he was honoured and welcomed the opportunity to present his letter of credentials from Prime Minister John Howard to Mr Sogavare. Mr Hooton said he came to Honiara both as the representative of the Australian government and a friend of Solomon Islands. He acknowledged the complexities of some of the issues that confront both countries, and hoping the issues would be solved soon.

MyBlog says
Prime Minister Sogavare's receiving of Mr Hooton as Australia's High Commissioner to Honiara has certainly paved the way to mending of relations between Honiara and Canberra.

The opportunity must be seized with both hands as it opens up for dialogue between officials of both Australia and Solomons on outstanding issues. These include the secret escape of lawyer Julian Moti from PNG into Solomons and subsequent demand that Moti returns to Australia to face charges there.

MyBlog acknowledges and salutes Mr Sogavare's decision in receiving Mr Hooton and hopes other outstanding matters can be resolved soon.

Media awareness on rural development policy
The government has launched a radio awareness programme on it "Bottom-up Approach" or rural development policy.

The 15 minutes radio program series is broadcast twice a week over the national radio SIBC. Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Judson Leafasia in the first programme last Saturday explained some of the things that the programme will be covering. These include issues such as the national Constitution and other rules and regulations that regulates how the government operations. Dr Leafasia says others are the infrastructures and logistics involved in delivering services. He says the policy is aimed at improving the lives of Solomon Islanders.

The awareness program is being aired on Saturday and Monday evenings over the next three months.

MyBlog says
At least government's rural development policy is being explained to the people.

MyBlog believes that the use of national radio has the advantage of getting to the majority of people in the country than other existing media outlets. But this does not mean the majority of Solomon Islanders access a radio receiver. MyBlog encourages the government to seek other ways to support the radio program, including using other media outlets.

Government could also use existing community or the Development Services Exchange NGO network, often championed by the Secretary to Cabinet, Dr John Roughan to pass on the information on rural development to the people.

My Blog says whatever means are used, the people needed to be informed on the policy to be able to actively participate in developing the country. Whether the people would implement the policy with the help of the government is another matter, but at least it's worth a try.

What's your views on that?

Youth Empowerment

Youth highlighted on Commonwealth Day
The need to empower youths was emphasised during the celebrations to mark this year's Commonwealth Day yesterday in Honiara.

The theme for the day this year is “The Commonwealth -- Respecting Differences, Promoting Understanding”. Both the Governor General and Prime Minister spoke on the theme. The celebrations was hosted by the Commonwealth Youth Program - Pacific Centre in Honiara.

In that setting, Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena took the opportunity to urge Commonwealth Youths of the region to be appropriately directed and developed. He challenged young people to advancing human affairs and to promote peace and national harmony.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare who was also present during the occasion challenged the Commonwealth Pacific Regional Youth Centre to assist in empowering youths of the region improve their lives.

The Director of the Centre, Afu Billy, acknowledged the comment saying she and her officers have just recently taken up their post. But she said they will do their best to address the specific needs of the members countries in the region.

MyBlog comments
Both the Governor General and Prime Minister of Solomon Islands have spoken of the need to help youth make a change for the better of the country.

MyBlog recognises the concerns expressed by the two leaders. It also acknowledges that successive national governments, provincial government, church and community leaders, individuals and various organisations had chipped in their contributions up to the present towards young people.

It would be unfair to say nothing had been achieved during the past years. MyBlog believes things have been achieved through those past efforts. The question is where do we go from here? This blog believes the people in all sector of life can cooperate with young people build on what had happened in the past and take it to another height.

Of course the government and other authorities can facilitate such empowerment, but it also needs the young people take up the challenge and run with it.

Solomon Telekom and Football
Solomon Telekom has taken another step forward as a corporate citizen to involve is the popular sports in the country.

Yesterday in Honiara Telekom and Solomon Islands Football Federation signed an agreement package worth one point five million dollars. Under the package Solomon Telekom will become the major sponsor of three football tournaments in the country under the supervision of SIFF.
These are the Senior National team, national club championship finals and Solomon Cup tournaments.

Meanwhile, President of SIFF, Martin Alufurai said the sponsorship assistance is a major boost to the development of football in the country.

MyBlog comments
Solomon Telekom and Football
MyBlogs salutes the help Telekom is providing for the Solomon Islands Football Federation and football fans.

Yes football is the popular sports in the country. But there are sports in the country that are struggling to hold competition, and they may be saying, why football and not us? Football by far is the sport that received each year millions of dollars from FIFA and the Oceania Football Confederation.

MyBlog acknowledges that this help had been trickling down to the rural areas through the various programmes of SIFF. This blog hopes that in the not too distance future, provinces can have their own football stadiums. But of course these things take time to materialised.

On another note, with the millions of dollars pouring into SIFF, does it have a money generating project or scheme to help its operation and sending of the various national teams to participate in international competitions?

Solomon Islands had been geographically disadvantaged by its remoteness from its neighbours and other countries of the world, making it very expensive to send teams overseas.

That's some food for thought.

Happy surfing in cyberspace.

Good governance beckons

Government stop outreach programme
The prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has directed the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, RAMSI, to stop it outreach programme to the provinces.

RAMSI started its programme since coming into the country, and in the past two weeks had paid courtesy calls on the newly elected provincial governments of Guadalcanal and Malaita. During the visit to Malaita, RAMSI spoke to communities in Malaita about its work. Following that visit Mr Sogavare has written to RAMSI raising concerns about the manner in which the visits were conducted. He says as genuine as RAMSI’s intentions may be, conducting an independent public relations campaign implies that the mission is not answerable to the government.

Mr Sogavare says the Government will not accept interference that undermines its sovereign authority. He has directed RAMSI to stop the visits until discussions with the government and a more co-operative effort is developed.

Mission confirms letter
A RAMSI spokesperson confirms that the office of the Special Coordinator had received a letter from Prime Minister Sogavare on its Community Outreach Program.

The spokesperson however says RAMSI would be pleased to have government take part in its provincial visits, as had occurred in past visits. The person says it is not new that RAMSI is making these visits, which in the past had included Solomon Islands government officials. The RAMSI spokesperson says the mission has been visiting provinces since its arrival. The person says when the Pacific Islands Forum endorsed the mission in 2003, RAMSI was given the task to ensure it conducts consultations with Solomon Islanders, most of whom live in the provinces.

MyBlog says
Like it or not RAMSI has won a public relations race during its recent courtesy calls on two newly elections provincial governments.

The calls were made to two of the biggest and important provinces in the rebuilding process of Solomon Islands. Whether or not RAMSI's calls to the provinces was done without consulting the government was deliberate or not, the Mission had made its point. MyBlog commends RAMSI for making such early and important calls on the newly elected government. Its visits to those new governments will certainly have a lasting impression especially on the new provincial politicians.

MyBlog believes that the government was unable to do an early call on the six newly elected provincial government because of busy and pressing commitments. The Parliament budget meeting had just ended, and the Ministers were just recovering from such demanding days let alone plan visits to the provinces. There was just little time to do that.

But MyBlog hopes this hiccup between the government and RAMSI can be ironed out so that the two parties can resume their joint visits to the provinces.

Management at Pacific Institutes
University of the South Pacific
In January this year the Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, USP, Professor Anthony Tarr announced his resignation.

The reports had it that Professor Tarr tendered his resignation effective 30 April this year. The reports said Professor Tarr cited personal and family commitments as reasons for his resignation. Professor Tarr was appointed in 2005 replacing the late Vice Chancellor Savenaca Siwatibau.

PNG University of Technology
Lecturers with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology remain on strike, despite a court order asking them to return to work.

They want the University's Vice Chancellor to resign over allegations of poor management. A report from Papua New Guinea says PNG's Ombudsman has intervened to investigate the allegations. The Ombudsman brokered a truce between the striking staff and the university administration for classes to resume while it investigates the allegations. The truce calls for striking lecturers to resume duties next week and will not be penalised. But the lecturers remain defiant that the vice chancellor and his administration should step aside for the investigations.

Solomon Islands College of Higher Education
Academic and non academic staff unions of the Solomon Islands college of Higher Education have issued a seven working-day strike notice effective as of March 7th 2007.

The college's two staff unions have jointly issued the strike notice to the Chairman of the SICHE Council, North-west Choiseul M-P Clement Kengava. The teachers have demanded the removal of three members of the College Management including the Director, Gabriel Taloikwai. The other two staff members are the Financial Management consultant, Ms Naleen Raj and Technical Advisor Corporate Services Mr Alan Evans. The staff unionists demanded immediate removal of the trio from their positions accusing them of serious misconduct in the administration of their duties.

MyBlog comments
A new trend appears to be emerging in Pacific education institutions.

The changing of the guard of management at Pacific Institute is not a new thing. It happened many times in the past. Head and management staff of institutions moved on for one reason or another. They may have completed their contracts, resigned for personal reasons or moving on to take up other challenges.

The USP Chancellor Professor Tarr was reported as resigning for personal and family commitments. MyBlog can only wish the professor the best in any new adventure he embarks on after his time at the USP.

The PNG UNITECH and SICHE cases which demanded resignation of those concern seem to fall into the same category. The issue here as indicated by the demands and petitions can be narrowed down to poor management. MyBlog acknowledges that a person is innocent until proven guilty by the courts.

Whatever, the outcomes of investigates into the cases, for such important institutions to continue to perform its functions, those issues must be solved as soon as possible.

Pacific Island nations have been going through a time of political upheaval for sometimes now. It became more frequent since the Bougainville crisis of the late 1980s. That event seemed to have a "domino effect" on other island nations. They came in many guises; the Fiji coups, Solomon Islands social unrest, the Tonga riots and the latest is Vanuatu's Port Vila incident.

MyBlog believes that these upheavals could be rooted in bad governance and the lack of transparency and lack of accountability. And there lies the answer. There is a need for Good Governance, Transparency and Accountability in society.

Peace be with you.

Government promises rural financing

Rural Financing
The Government is to launch a major policy initiative to expand financial services to the rural areas.

Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo last week announced government's plan to help people in the villages money. He says the initiative will help to share the cost of delivering rural financial services over a period of three years. Mr Lilo says registered financial institutions will be invited through a public tender to submit innovative proposals for reaching rural people with sustainable financial services. He says that the government is looking for a partnership that will provide a financial product that is sustainable.

The Finance Minister says savings and micro-credit services is a key objective of the current Government. Mr Lilo says the government is committed to expanding financial services to rural communities in partnership with registered financial institutions in the country.

ANZ micro-financing
The ANZ Banking Corporation last week launched another of its new services the "micro-finance scheme" through its mobile banking operation.

The Bank says this scheme will allow ANZ rural savers to access small loans to purchase household items such as solar kits, stoves, school fees and fund village business ventures. ANZ General Manager Tait Jenkin says the micro-finance scheme has been developed specifically with rural banking customers in mind. He says many Solomon Islanders do not qualify for commercial bank loans so the new product should give them the chance to borrow funds to improve their livelihoods. He says loans under the scheme will range from 500 dollars up to 10-thousand dollars.

MyBlog comments
The schemes championing rural people easy access to finance is a great idea.

MyBlog hopes that if such works, it will be a winner for all concern. The government, the banks, other financial institutions including savings and credit clubs, the people and country will be all winners. Of course many challenges face the introduction of such schemes, including managing the entity, security, honesty and sustaining the set up.

Are Solomon Islanders ready to take to heart such a needed service in the rural areas? MyBlog believes that's a challenge worth tackling, ready or not. For many years, government and private sector works, farmers, fishermen and the ordinary people who live and work in the rural have longed for such access to money. Up to now teachers, police officers and other government workers have to travel to provincial centres to withdraw their pay to do other bank transactions.

If the government and financial institutions address rural financing, it would be just the catalyst to a new and bright economic future for Solomon Islands and its people.

The Forbes Magazine report that the membership of the world's billionaire club has swelled to almost one-thousand, is just mouth-watering. Who knows may be in the next five to 10 years, a Solomon Islander may join that exclusive club.

That's a tall order indeed.......but nothing is impossible.

Good luck to you.

Still waiting....and hoping

The PM's waiting game
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says receiving the designate Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Peter Hooton, is an important matter that he reviews daily.

In an interview the national broadcaster, SIBC, Mr Sogavare says he had no problem with any Australian individuals assigned to head the mission in Honiara. Mr Sogavare reiterates these individuals are faithful public servants loyal to their government and what they say is the position of their government. He says the problem is certain positions taken by Canberra.

But the Prime Minister says one day he will receive Mr Hotton. He says as soon as he sorts out a few things with the officials in his office those in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. he will be ready for the Australian diplomat.

MyBlog says
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is keeping everybody waiting about when to mend Solomon Islands relations with Australia.

MyBlog believes Mr Sogavare's latest interview with the national broadcaster did reveal much. People as individuals view it the ways they see it. They will have described Mr Sogavare with various words. To his supporters the Prime Minister is a hero, bold, strong willed, standing for the country's sovereignty. His critics have probably came up with these words: indecisive, arrogant, mad and crazy.

For neutral onlookers, they would like the relation is mended as quickly as possible, so things would flow as before. Just a question, does a person with a neutral view on any topic exist at all?

Ministry for Women
The government has established a new Ministry to promote women, youth and children’s affairs.

The government set up the new ministry according to its plan in addressing national development. Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Judson Leafasia says the Government since taking office had seen the need to address the unique and specific problems of women and youth in the society.

He says the announcement of the new Ministry on International Women's Day Thursday was both timely and appropriate. Dr Leafasia says the Minister for the new Ministry would be announced soon. Women's affairs previously came under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

MyBlog says
MyBlog salutes the government in its action in setting up the Ministry for Women.

MyBlog believes it's time both the government and others in society review how they have treated women. If they have treated women well, then "Thumbs Up to Them". Continue to champion their cause. For those who have ignored, or looked down on women, it's high time they change and let them be partners in development.

Men are nothing without women, and vice versa.

Premier wants more jobs created
Malaita Premier Richard Na’amo Irosaea says his government is aware of claims that some employers have discriminate against Malaitans.

The Premier says this is one of the reasons why his government is working on plans to encourage more development on Malaita to provide employment to the growing population of the province. Mr Irosaea says his government will be cooperating with government and non-government bodies and donor partners to creation more jobs in in the province.

The Premier says while leaders of Malaita are aware of certain employers refusing to employ Malaita people, he adds that employers have the right to hire any person they want. Mr Irosaea says some people do not employ Malaitans because in the past some from Malaita did not respect their employers. The says this is why he is appealing to Malaitans that when someone offers you a job, you respect that person and the job and give all you can towards your work.

MyBlog comments
MyBlog could not agree more with the Premier.

MyBlog agrees that nothing is same anymore after the recent years of social upheaval in the country. While it had became one of the saddest and cruel event in the country's history, it could be a blessing in disguise. It could have been the wake up call for all Solomon Islanders to take stock of and forge a better future.

Solomon Islanders from all walks of life must learn from that painful experience. Leaders, do the right thing by listening to the voice of the people and Solomon Islanders must cooperation to make the country a better place to live.

Happy surfing in cyberspace.

A proactive RAMSI?

RAMSI Provincial consultation
RAMSI has begun a fresh round of provincial consultations, holding meetings with the newly elected governments.

Last month RAMSI leaders started the talks with the new premier of Guadalcanal, Mr Joash Salani and his executive. Yesterday, Special Coordinator, Tim George led a delegation of senior RAMSI leaders to Auki, capital of Malaita province, for RAMSI’s first meeting with the new premier, Mr Richard Irosaea Na’amo and his executive. In addition to meeting with the Malaita provincial executive, the delegation met with Malaita church leaders and hold a community meeting to brief the public on RAMSI’s work in the province and nationally.

Mr George has said RAMSI has enjoyed a very good working relationship with the provinces and I want to continue to work closely with the governments, chiefs and people of all nine provinces. The Special Coordinator says that he was keen to consult regularly with all nine provinces of Solomon Islands.

Mr George said he placed a high priority on these provincial consultations, which were vital if RAMSI’s partnership with Solomon Islanders was to be truly effective nationwide. He says RAMSI has always recognised the key role provincial governments play in the administration and development of this nation.

MyBlog says
MyBlog believes RAMSI is doing the right things continuing talks with provincial governments.

As RAMSI rightly recognises, provincial governments and community leaders and people need first hand information to appreciate the work the mission is doing. Solomon Islanders acknowledge the various help being provided by Australia, New Zealand and the island nations of the Pacific through RAMSI. But regular visits by senior RAMSI officials is just as important to the rural people as the help being provided.

MyBlog hopes the continuous dialogue would clear any misunderstanding that the national government, provincial governments and people may have towards RAMSI.

Land Dealing on Guadalcanal
The government has began moves to address the outstanding Inquiry into Land Dealings on Guadalcanal.

The Office of the Prime minister says consultation on the Terms of Reference for the Commission of Inquiry into Land Dealings on Guadalcanal has started. Secretary to the Steering Committee for the proposed Commission, Christopher Waiwori of the Prime Minister’s Press and Research Office says the committee held its first consultative meeting with the Guadalcanal Provincial Government executive in Honiara Monday.

Mr Waiwori says the second meeting would be held with the Malaita Provincial Government executive in Auki on Thursday. He says the consultation was aimed at getting the views of the two provincial governments on the Commission of Inquiry and its Terms of Reference.
Mr Waiwori says the Commission of Inquiry was a component of the national healing and reconciliation process taken by the government.

He says the Steering Committee was established to do the preliminary work for the Commission of Inquiry which the government proposed to formally establish in April this year.

MyBlog says
This inquiry into the land dealings on Guadalcanal is a controversial matter.

This is controversial for various reasons including this two views. To most Guadalcanal people, much of this land dealings have been dealt with when the national government paid compensation to those who were forced to leave their properties on Guadalacanal. To those from other provinces who claim to have legal titles to the land they bought on Guadalcanal, they still have a case to pursue.

MyBlog hopes an amicable solution is found to make those affected share the taking.

Solomons-Australia stand-off
The government has expressed disappointment over Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer’s refusal to apologise for using regional media to attack the government of Manasseh Sogavare.

Communications between the two governments were made last week through the Australian High Commission in Honiara. The Solomons government has called on Australia to justify the Australian Foreign Minister’s unprecedented and disrespectful action, which it says warrants an apology. Mr. Downer used the letter to the media to urge Solomon Islanders to stand up to the Solomon Islands government over differences which exist between it and the RAMSI. Solomon Islands government believes an apology should be made by Mr. Downer prior to a proposed meeting later this month between him and his Solomons counterpart, Patteson Oti, ahead of a later meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries.

The Australian High Commission has advised the Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Ministry that no apology will be forthcoming. The Solomon Islands government has responded by advising that Foreign Minister, Patteson Oti will now not meet his Australian counterpart at the forthcoming Forum Foreign Ministers’ meeting set for March 16th in Vanuatu.

MyBlog says
MyBlog believes that the Solomons-Australia stand-off will be resolved.

MyBlog also believes one of the parties must give-in, to get thing resolved. In a world of the powerful facing the less powerful, Australia certainly have the upper hand. But may be Solomon Islands, especially the Sogavare-led government does have other hidden strength that it relies on.

Only time will tell.

The Way forward

Good Governance is the way forward
Good governance holds the key to the future of Solomon Islands.

The aim of MyBlog is to look at the situations as they unfold in Solomon Islands in relation to Governance. This is a personal view of the blogger on the situations as they unfold over time and prior to blog posts. MyBlog believes that the holding of the good governance workshop this week is timely as the government begins to implement its rural focussed development, now that the budget had been passed.

But there could still be some missing link which would make things lick. MyBlog will attempt to delve into the missing link in further postings.

PM directs investigation into threat/swearing......and demand
The government has spoken out over demands made by the people of a member of Parliament.

This week a letter of demand for 100-thousand dollars was made by people of North Malaita for death threats and insults against their MP Daniel Enele Kwanairara. The people demanded that the government pay the demand within 14 days.

But in a statement the government says demanding compensation from the government before the facts have been properly established is unethical and does not reflect any custom or tradition. The letter has now been referred to police for further investigation of possible extortion.

Meanwhile, the government says it is appalled by the threats and insults made against the four MPs. It deplores such behaviour as criminal, provocative and seditious and a hindrance to the development of democratic processes.

RIPEL issue needs to be solved
The Russell Islands Plantation Estate Limited(RIPEL) had gone on since past three years and does not seem to be solved.

Newly elected Central Province Premier Charles Kunu has appealed to both provincial and national leaders and others to cooperate settle the long-drawn RIPEL saga. He says the situation which had led to the grounding of RIPEL operations had gone too far, and people in Russell Islands are suffering. He says it's inhumane for both provincial and national leaders and others to continue to ignore the situation which he describes as a disaster.

Premier Kunu says he visited the Russell Islands recently and was shocked at the situation the workers of RIPEL had been going through over the past three years.

Good Governance
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare encourages leaders of the government to work within the bounds of rules to ensure government is effectively managed.

Addressing a ceremony marking the end of a Commonwealth Workshop aimed at strengthening public sector management, Mr Sogavare said good governance cuts through various sectors of the country. He said public servants and those in the private sector have a duty of care in the way they conduct their affairs with people.

He said good governance is concerned about the way human beings who are entrusted with positions of responsibility conduct themselves in the system. Mr Sogavare said the public service is just as good as the people who represent it to people. The three-day workshop was help especially for Minister’s and Permanent Secretaries.

MyBlog says
Threat/Swearing/Demand
MyBlog believes a new breed of personality is required to eliminate such negative action.

Could it be that society and people have lost the positive virtues and values in this fast changing world? Those negative intentions can only emerge from those society termed as criminals as alluded to by Prime Minister Sogavare. The situation is that the person(s) that made the death threat and swearing are unknown, otherwise some understanding could have been reached between the parties to the case.

In an envisage new world, populated by those with positive vibe, it would be Paradise, a Utopia. This stuff is made of dreams.

The RIPEL Saga
This is mind boggling saga, bordering on bad governance, secrecy and unaccountability.

The event has taken its toll on the Solomon Islands economy, grounding to halt an important copra and cocoa producing plantations. At its operational peak, it ranks among top commodities producer and revenue earner for the country. What transpired following the takeover of the plantation operations by a foreigner are well known to the company directors, lawyers, and politicians that are close to the operations.

MyBlog says this situation can only go to a certain point, then some parties to the saga will give way. If nothing is resolved amicably, there could be chaos and people may get killed in the process. MyBlog suggests that the national government steps in to intervene for the good of all parties including Solomon Islands.

Good Governance workshop
MyBlog believes it is a timely workshop.

Good governance should be taught in all levels of the society or communities to improve the way people are governed. MyBlog believes good governance begins in the individual, in the basic unit of society....the family.

May you find peace in every moment of your life.