Posted by jak on 1/5/2005, 7:04 pm, in reply to "RAMSI" Generally speaking, there is that atmosphere of relief, hope and breath since RAMSI arrived. Solomon Islanders have been given the “opportunity” to plan and rebuild this nation. In Honiara the normal problems continue: house overcrowding, inflation, dirty city, box buildings erected along the main high way, especially at Kukum highway, kwaso production, consumption and its related problems, house break-ins and stealing etc. Part II – Some big men being pursued by the law since RAMSI arrived What does prosecution of big men mean? It means many things. But let me say that to me it means that crime and corruption was prevalent even in the highest level of leadership pre-RAMSI. This leads to another issue I will discuss in the latter two parts of my response: Leadership. I wish to stop here for a while and take any comments and questions before I proceed to the last two parts of my response.
202.1.164.210
RAMSI
I split your statement into four parts for purpose of my response/answer.
Part I - Honiara more lively:
Honiara is more lively these days compared to pre-RAMSI. I mean public servants get their pay on time. Gun shots, fear of presence of guns and that minority group that used to benefit from the state of lawlessness in the city have disappeared. Even basic goods like noodles are in constant supply in the shops through out the year. Tourists are coming. Drivers are expressing confidence now on the road. Atleast when you have an accident, you don’t have a group of men armed demanding compensation at your house at night. No more frequenting of PM’s office and Treasury. Special constables have gone. Police is undergoing a lot of reform. We now have trained police officers. Courts are finding it a challenge to cope with the high influx of court cases. Additional judges were appointed lately to the High Court. Business is picking up again but slowly:e.g SIEA’s revenue collection has improved dramatically since RAMSI arrived. Investment is picking up slowly: SIPL will commence operation soon following the ground breaking ceremony today (28/04/005). The media can run news items more freely nowadays. Sports and especially soccer has made Honiara came to flame last year (Aussie –v- Solo). Central Hospital is functioning more properly now and some local doctors have returned from overseas : e.g Dr Tovosia. But proper equipments seem to be lacking. You see genuine and honest local businessmen trying to start business activities, though under difficult circumstances. Banks have started lending again: e.g personal loans available from ANZ and the list continues. But I must say we have just begun.
Rural areas
In the rural areas life continue as usual (relax), gardening, fishing and the normal way of life as you know. Clinics and schools have improved in their operations to some extent, but many schools and hospitals lack basic equipments necessary for proper operations and discharge of services. For example many secondary schools (community high schools) don’t have proper science labs and equipments. Money and income earning sources seem to be the main problem in the rural areas. Many rural area families don’t have money to pay for school fees and basic household wants. We are hoping to open more than 1,000 hectares of commercial cocoa farm along Roapou basin after July this year, thanks to ROC funding. Hanua o hau raona suu makae hau Maniaha na ke Dr Curl. Timber milling and export by rural farmers seem to be gaining momentum. Olketa cut lo Chainsaw and come sellem lo Honiara or export direct. I don’t think they are making good money: needs huge labor, petrol, chainsaw hire, freight to Honiara etc expensive. Whatever money they get is eaten up by expenses and the left over is shared by the whole tribe. In cases that I know each family get $200.00 after sharing. Church activities are reaching parts of Guadalcanal, WeatherCoast. Early this month, SSEC Vice President visited two associations in the WeatherCoast.
An important component of RAMSI package is restoration of law and order. That was the priority from day one when RAMSI arrived in SI. The Army/Defence formed the important basis for achieving this aspect of the package. Guns were retrieved. Police Prison and Justice sector was among the priority areas. Good governance and knowledge of it is widely preached, cultivating the environment of awareness and caution. An important part of the law and order restoration is punishing of the culprits of crime, corruption etc. That’s where some big men have been charged and others already convicted. Let me name some of the so called big men: Daniel Faafunua, Jimmy Rasta, Maelanga, Rolland Timo, Harold Keke (convicted), John Maetia Kaluae, Alex Bartlet, Clement Rojumana, Michael Maina, Francis Zama, Andrew GH Nori, Leslie Kwaiga, Wilfred Akao (charged). Investigations are continuing and we expect more big men to be listed. I think this is evidence of the lawlessness and corruption that was prevalent pre-RAMSI. On a small scale I am doing some small prosecution work for SIEA. I take to Court people who commit offences against the Electricity Act. On the 9th May 2005, I will conduct my second case. This case will proceed to trial becos the accused pleaded not quilty. This one involves a personnel from the PM’s office. I think hem must big man too for work lo there. So I will qualify him as big man. My first case the accused pleaded quilty and was fined $500.00 plus one year conditional sentence.
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