GOVERNMENT HOUSE DEFENDS DECISION IN REFUSING THE APPOINTMENT OF A MP AS CABINET MINISTER

In brief: The Government House has defended the Governor General's decision to refuse the appointment of North Malaita M-P as a Cabinet Minister saying any action by the Governor General on the matter could be regarded as contempt of court.
The Government House has defended the Governor General's decision to refuse the appointment of North Malaita M-P as a Cabinet Minister saying any action by the Governor General on the matter could be regarded as contempt of court.

The North Malaita M-P was reportedly re-appointed as Fisheries Minister but Governor General Sir Frank Kabui had refused to facilitate the appointment by oath.

North Malaita MP, Jimmy Lusibaea was sentenced to imprisonment for two years and nine months but was awarded an early release by the Parole Board and the then Police Minister James Tora via the Correctional Services Act.

In a letter to the media, the Government House Deputy Private Secretary Rawcliffe Ziza says while section 33 of the constitution requires the governor general to act on the advice of the Prime Minister in appointing ministers - the member of parliament appointed must also be free from any legal disqualification stipulated in the constitution.

Mr Ziza says while some lawyers hold the view that the total amount of remission earned reduced his sentence to less than 6 months imprisonment, other lawyers are of the view that the remission simply reduces the time served in custody and does not reduce the original sentence passed by the high court.

The latter would also argue that only the court of appeal can reduce the sentence and that the parole board is not a court of law to change high court decisions without appeal to the court of appeal.

Mr Ziza says only the high court can decide which of the views is the correct one, adding that the issue is now before the High court.

He adds that the government house is interested in the outcome of the case because it will clear the way for further action by the government house and would also set a precedent for the future.

He says in the meantime, the government house cannot act as it's action might be regarded as contempt of court.

Source : SIBC

EUROPEAN UNION CALLS FOR PROPOSAL

In brief: The European Union office in Honiara has called for Non-State Actors in Development in Solomon Islands to submit proposals for grant awards this year.
The European Union office in Honiara has called for Non-State Actors in Development in Solomon Islands to submit proposals for grant awards this year.

The office says the proposals must be presented by Non-State Actors and should aim at promoting an inclusive and empowered society in Solomon Islands.

It says priority will be given to actions that strengthen the capacity of non-government organisations and civil society organisations to address disparities to social services.

The grant award would be given to non-state actors whose work contribute to the sustainable development of local communities, preserve the traditional and historical culture of Solomon Islands and take action, defend their rights and take part in political debate.

The overall indicative amount available under this Call for Proposals is 450-thousand Euros.

The maximum amount of any grant awarded may not be lower than 50-thousand Euros nor exceed 200-thousand Euros.

The duration of actions to be financed should be between 12 and 36 months.

The deadline for submission of proposals is Thursday 28th July this year.

An information session on this call for proposals will be held at 10 a-m Monday next week at the EU-funded "Non-State Actors Support Programme" conference room, Chinatown, Honiara.

Source : SIBC

Man and wife

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been pronounced man and wife at Westminster Abbey.

Some 1,900 guests watched the couple exchange their vows, with many millions watching at home.

They left the Abbey, with Kate Middleton now the Duchess of Cambridge, amid cheers from thousands of well-wishers lining the procession route.

They made their way to Buckingham Palace where there was a buffet reception for 650 guests.

Despite the risk of showers, the pair travelled in an open-topped 1902 State Landau carriage for the procession, which was used by Prince William's parents for their wedding in 1981.

The church service ran smoothly but the prince did struggle to place the wedding ring on the duchess's finger.

Following a long tradition, the ring has been fashioned from Welsh gold given to Prince William by the Queen.

After the couple said their vows, in which she did not promise to obey William, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Rowan Williams, declared: "I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

They spent a private moment together with their families, as they signed the marriage register.

The duchess, who managed to keep her wedding dress a secret, is wearing an ivory and lace gown by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The prince is wearing the red tunic of an Irish Guards colonel - his most senior honorary appointment.

Well-known faces have been spotted at Westminster Abbey, including singer-songwriter Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish, former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, and former England football captain David Beckham and his wife Victoria.

Actor Rowan Atkinson, a close friend of Prince Charles, Prince Harry's friend Chelsy Davy and film director Guy Ritchie were also present.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha, Australian prime minister Julia Gillard, former British PM Sir John Major, and current Home Secretary Theresa May are among the politicians present.

The Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Frank Kabui and Lady Kabui are representing the country at the wedding.

Source: SolomonStar

Suibaea promises decentralization

MALAITA Premier Edwin Suibaea has reiterated his government decentralization policy to the people of AGAM on Friday.

He said his government will undertake a reform to spread development to all parts of Malaita.

“We have created a regional framework when five regional ministers were appointed,” he said during the visit to Central Kwaraea.

“The five ministers will be posted to the five regions, Malaita Outer Islands, Southern, Northern, Central and Eastern.

“We believe in decentralization because it’s the power base of the region,” Mr Suibaea said.

He said the reason for the reform was because people’s voice was not heard in the higher level.

“We planned to create a regional assembly as well,” he said.

“This is to allow you people to take part in the assembly and voice your concern.”

Source : Solomon Star News

Govt builds numbers..

SIX Opposition members joined the Government yesterday.

They were former leader of Opposition and MP for Fataleka Steve Abana, former leader of the Official Independent Group in Parliament and MP for Temotu-Vatud Clay Forau Soalaoi.

The others are Ricky Houeniopwela (Small Malaita,) Andrew Hanaria Keniasia (East Are ‘Are,) Connelly Sandabatu (North-West Choiseul) and Peter Tom (West Kwaio).

A well placed source told the Solomon Star the five members resigned after Mr Abana relinquished his position.

“They wanted to show their dislike to the Opposition member who was behind Abana’s removal,” our source said.

“Their move is not to spoil the Government but they want to contribute to the development of this country.”

In a meeting with the six MPs at the Prime Minister’s office yesterday afternoon, the Prime Minister Danny Philip welcomed the six MPs.

He told them that as PM and head of the NCRA Government he had accepted all of them into the Government without any reservations.

“As national leaders we are all entitled to make our own decisions but the bottom line is the country,” he said.

The Solomon Star understands the PM is likely to replace some of his ministers in the Government with these Opposition members.

Also some of them are likely to be appointed on State Owned Enterprises boards.

It is unclear whether the latest move will affect the motion of no confidence submitted by the Opposition group.

Source: SIBC

GUADALCANAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT CONCERNS ABOUT HONIARA MARKET WORKERS

The Guadalcanal Provincial Government is calling on the Honiara City Council, HCC, to address the problem of overnight stay at the Central market premises.

The Guadalcanal Provincial Government is calling on the Honiara City Council, HCC, to address the problem of overnight stay at the Central market premises.

Guadalcanal Province Deputy Premier, Andrew Rayboy says it has come to the stage where daily market the majority of them women from East and West Guadalcanal are being harassed and sworn at by Honiara City Market employees.

He says responsible authorities including HCC, the GP and the police deal with swearing and other forms of harassment to those who stay overnight at the market.

Mr Rayboy says whatever regulations that the HCC imposes on Guadalcanal people must also apply to people from other provinces.

He says the Guadalcanal Province is aware of the unemployed from many squatter areas surrounding Honiara City who have become permanent stayers at the market buying and reselling produce brought in from Guadalcanal farmers.

Mr Rayboy says these groups are treating the main market as their trade post daily and they must be removed.

Source: SIBC

Amicale become TVL champions for second time

The Reds were crowned Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) Premier League champions for the second time in their history after beating Yatel on Tuesday afternoon at Port Vila Stadium.

Amicale took charge from the opening minutes, scoring two goals in the first half through Solomon Islands international Moffat Deramoa and homegrown midfielder Jean-Robert Yelou.

After the break, Yelou again got his name on the scoresheet while Fenedy Masauvakalo and Jack Wetney helped themselves to a goal apiece to complete Amicale's 5-1 victory. Yatel's sole strike came from striker Remy Kensi just before the final whistle.

Club administrator Marcellino Barthelemy was delighted with the title win but felt it was far from a perfect performance.

"I am very proud of our boys," he said. "They played with passion and strength but did not perform as well as they have over the last few weeks."

"We participated in a training camp the week before the O-League final here in Port Vila and maybe that contributed. We missed a couple of chances early in the match but I must say that we are happy to be champions again."

The result means Amicale have now qualified for the National Soccer League and will be part of the O-League again next year if they can fight off the challenge of four of Vanuatu's other top club sides to become national champions.

They will play Spirit 08 in the national league this Saturday at Port Vila Stadium before flying to New Zealand on Wednesday to take on Auckland City in the second leg of the O-League final on Sunday.

The winner of the 2011 O-League will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup, to be held in Japan during December.

MP COMMENTS ON DONOR FUNDING

Member of Parliament for East Choiseul,Chairman of the bills and legislative committee and opposition member Mannaseh Sogavare said there are rooms for improvement on how donor funds are effectively used and controlled.

Speaking today in Parliament, Mannaseh Sogavare said national leaders play an important role to ensure effective control over the use of donor funds.

He said national leaders should put their foot down and take serious leading roles as to where and how aid money is being put to use in the country.

Mr Sogavare said, to achieve this, a series of development plans must be developed.

He however said that the main issue is what to develop and by whom.

Mr Sogavare said, the adoption of a long term plan is important to avoid a quick fix solution.

source: SIBC