A Private View

There has been much said about the need to focus our attention on the “youth” of our Nation. There has been much said about the need to create jobs, the need to extend the commercial base from the Nation’s urban areas into the rural sector. There has been much said about the need to engage our youthful citizenry before we lose them.

Job creation is a difficult “nut to crack”. Especially in an Island Nation like ours. An Island Nation where the majority of our citizenry are rural based, minimally educated and growing at an aggressive rate.

It may be wise to review our situation before we “jump in the deep end” and start dreaming too much about “job creation”:

�     What kinds of jobs are we talking about, for the Solomons, right now? And into the future?

�     What impediments are we facing that inhibit or prohibit job creation?

�     Where should these jobs be?

�     What skill-sets do we need to a) immediately move to increase the total number of jobs available, and b) create new jobs into the foreseeable future?

From an Employer’s point of view there are a couple very strong positives, as well as a number of strong negatives, herein:

!   The employee-base we currently have is characterized by:

• A low level of formal education
• A high level of basic manual skills
• A low level of technical skills
• A keen sense of willingness

!   The job market we currently live in is characterized by:

• Most positions offered are of a menial or manual labor nature
• Short term or transient employment versus long term or career based employment
• Jobs are centralized in a very few number of urban centers
• Training being required for most positions above menial levels

So, from an employer’s point of view the easiest positions to fill are those that are unskilled. Any job an employer may have that require a skilled employee means that the employer must either import the skill-set required or train employees into the required skill-sets.

Training employees is an important part of business but there are detractors here, namely, the fact that employees do not traditionally stay with a single job for their whole career.  This means that an Employer must be prepared to train again and again to fill even basic jobs.

Additionally the fact that most jobs are concentrated in the urban centers means there are issues with housing, home leave allowances, wontoks, etc, etc.

This takes us back to our questions above:

�     What kinds of jobs are we talking about, for the Solomon’s, right now? And into the future?

• The question here may be begging a two-fold answer; we need unskilled jobs now and we must raise our skill levels so we can field more skilled employees as we move forward.

�     What impediments are we facing that inhibit or prohibit job creation?

• Again the answer is multifaceted; we need to review those laws that control employment aiming to make them modern and functional for both the Employees and the Employer while, consciously, bringing the mentality of both the Employer and the Employee (and the Government) into the 21^st century.

�     Where should these jobs be?

• We know that by default most jobs are in urban settings thus, perhaps, a dual approach of small business/ job creation in the rural areas combined with continued industrial and service based commercial developments into the urban areas.

�     What skill-sets do we need to a) immediately move to increase the total number of jobs available, and b) create new jobs into the foreseeable future?

• Skilled employment is what we are in need of. But we are an agrarian society. A combination of career oriented Employees working in the skilled employment market AND unskilled, transient or seasonal Employees for sectors such as agriculture, logging, mining, etc.

It has been said in the press many times: The job of Central Government is to develop and maintain basic infrastructure and services. The job of the Private Sector is to create jobs. We need good roads, and more roads. We need wharfs, airstrips, a functioning telecommunication network, water, power, law and order.

The Private Sector of the Solomons has proven itself to be resilient, adaptable and committed. Private Business fuels the Central Government. The tripartite cooperation of the Government, the Employees and the Employers is required in order for consistent forward growth and positive gains to be made.

It is not a difficult formula.

Perhaps the tripartite backbone of the Nation, the Government, the Employees and the Employers should meet and discuss the future? No one of the three can effect change on their own. It requires a combined, premeditated cooperation of all three before we will see honest and sustainable changes, growth and benefits for all.

Friday, 23 October 2009

Hon. Dr. Derek Sikua

Prime Minister

Office of the Prime Minister

PO Box G1

HONIARA

Dear Prime Minister,

RE: 2009 PARLIAMENTARY ENTITLEMENTS COMMISSION

On behalf of the Board and the members of the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I wish to congratulate and commend you and your government for its position on the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission and in particular the 2009 Parliamentary Entitlements Regulation.

Your government’s decision to challenge this Regulation at the outset demonstrates the active leadership that the CNURA government has in upholding and promoting transparency and good governance in the Solomon Islands, and our organisation deeply respects and applauds your resolve in this respect.

As you are aware, SICCI has been keenly following the progress of the Court action and public debate on the 2009 Parliamentary Entitlements Regulation. We have attempted to be part of the public debate; a process which we believe is an integral feature of our organisation, but also an important part of demanding and promoting good governance in the country.

We are very mindful of the significance of the recent High Court decision and look forward to a whole of government reform to this entitlements system and laws by your government.

Yours Sincerely

Michael Hemmer

Chairman

Cc: Mr Gabriel Suri

Attorney General

Attorney Generals Chambers

cc: Rt. Hon. Sir Peter Kenilorea

Speaker of Parliament

National Parliament of Solomon Islands

CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer yesterday quashed the controversial 2009 Parliamentary Entitlement Regulations.

This means the $50,000 award to spouses of MPs and other massive entitlements provided under the regulations to members of parliament are null and void.

Sir Albert made the ruling after the Government took the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) to court over the awards.

The chief justice said the commission acted beyond its powers when it approved the awards.

“In view of the blatant errors committed in the decision making process, the only proper thing to do in the circumstances is to order that they be quashed with immediate effect,” Sir Albert said.

But he said his decision does not stop the commission from reconvening at some later stage to reconsider any or all of the entitlements.

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, who could have benefit significantly under the entitlements, yesterday welcomed the High Court ruling.

In a press conference, he said the Government’s decision to take the matter to court shows his government is not prepared to accept what is unlawful.

“I make this statement with all due respect to our constitutional and democratic institutions such as the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission,” he said.

Dr Sikua said although the Constitution gives the Prime Minister to appoint the chairman and two other members of PEC, that does not mean his government or him was involved in decision made by PEC.

“The government’s decision to seek declarations from the High Court demonstrates that we were never part of the decision making process by the PEC, nor the submissions for the 2009 Parliamentary Entitlement 
Regulations to the PEC.

“I call for the understanding of the public and to appreciate and support the decision made by the High Court and that the matter should now be put to rest.”

The Government was represented in the matter by Steven Woods of the Attorney General’s Chamber.

Billy Titiulu of Pacific Lawyers represented the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission.

Prime Minister Sikua has since appointed Waeta Ben Tabusasi to head the PEC.

He replaced former politician Danny Philip, under whose leadership the controversial awards were approved.

The past comes forward. The future becomes today. Today should never be tomorrow.

Reminds me of a song…

They sat together in the park

as the evening sky grew dark,

she looked at him and he felt a spark tingle to his bones.

twas then he felt alone and wished that hed gone straight

And watched out for a simple twist of fate.

They walked along by the old canal

A little confused, I remember well

And stopped into a strange hotel with a neon burnin bright.

He felt the heat of the night hit him like a freight train

Moving with a simple twist of fate.

A saxophone someplace far off played

As she was walkin by the arcade.

As the light bust through a beat-up shade where he was wakin up,

She dropped a coin into the cup of a blind man at the gate

And forgot about a simple twist of fate.

He woke up, the room was bare

He didnt see her anywhere.

He told himself he didnt care, pushed the window open wide,

Felt an emptiness inside to which he just could not relate

Brought on by a simple twist of fate.

He hears the ticking of the clocks

And walks along with a parrot that talks,

Hunts her down by the waterfront docks where the sailers all come in.

Maybe shell pick him out again, how long must he wait

Once more for a simple twist of fate.

People tell me its a sin

To know and feel too much within.

I still believe she was my twin, but I lost the ring.

She was born in spring, but I was born too late

Blame it on a simple twist of fate.

The twists and turns of life. The twists and turns of fate.

Fatalism. Fatalism?

Is it fatalism? What else could it be?

Commentary? Cynicism? Realism?

The love of watching the braid-of-life unravel. Perhaps it has to do with age? I cannot be arrogant enough to think it’s wisdom.

Life is good, indeed.

The reemergence of familiars from the past. Long lost memories. Return. With a smile.

It’s all a good story.

Blame it on a simple twist of fate.

The seas are dead flat. Not a ripple on the surface. The haze in the air has cleared. Savo and the Florida Islands are grey-blue profiles on the horizon.  Sand Fly Island is clearly visible but Isabel is just a speck.

Weather is all round us. To the east-south-east the clouds have built up heavy on the big island (Guadalcanal) and hang threateningly over the coast. You can feel the weight of the water in those clouds. You can tell that as soon as the sun sets and the coastal temps drop, we’ll have downpours all night long.

Off towards Savo I can see a school of tuna. A smallish disruption on the surface punctuated by feeding birds. Makes me want to be out fishing.

Fishing… what is that? Have not been honestly fishing for… well, honestly, 16 months. Man, what a shame.

Small canoes dot the water as far as the eye can see. The sea/ weather has been rough of late. Today is the first reprieve from the wind and waves. So the fisher people are out in force.

Cloud cover is very low. Will mean a cold night. (yea, cold for us islanders… 25 degrees C or about 80 degrees F)

The schooling fish out toward Savo are still up but moving northerly. I can see two dugouts furiously paddling to intercept the schooling fish.

The town is congested. A busy Friday. The day is just about done. Busses clog the roads and back traffic up in both directions.  The day is all but done.

It’s all good. It’s all great.

Have not been doing much more than thinking about “work” lately. Is it work? What is work? I guess being lucky means enjoying that which one must do to keep body and soul together. The last couple weeks have been trying, at best. But then we all know that it will get better, and, that it can get worse.

So, Saturday morning in down town Honiara…

Have the LC Albatross just finishing off a huge load of drummed fuel for Gizo. We started loading this yesterday morning. We are just finishing off… it’s 930am on Saturday. The guys have been working for over 24 hours. Bet they’ll enjoy a well deserved sleep once we close the gate and the barge sails. This is our second load west in two weeks. First one delivered drums plus Noel’s 47 tonnes of steel for the Alcol…

Have a bulk fuel tanker in this weekend. Another crew of guys doing a 24 hour process.

The street is still quiet. Not much to be snappin’ at. I like this one… a “big boy” out n’ about with his daddy…

My favorite for today, the load of guys under the shade. Hoping the boss don’t come around the corner.

A quiet day. A quiet Saturday morning.

A busy Monday in Honiara. I watch the wharf area from my office. Lots of coming and going. lots of congestion. Great entertainment.

Got the Tomoko laoding on the wharf for a run west…

Would not be a comfortable trip with the Tomoko so heavily loaded…

Death by Water

If’n I do say so myself. And some education in regards to English Lit, to boot. Received a reference to an old poem and this pict from a friend who I was traveling with this weekend…

Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead,
Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell
And the profit and loss.
		       A current under sea
Picked his bones in whispers.  As he rose and fell
He passes the stages of his age and youth
Entering the whirlpool.
		      Gentile or Jew
O you who turn the wheel and look windward,
Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you.

William Butler Yeats

Did another quick bizzyness trip. Flew up to Gizo on Friday early morn. Grabbed one of the a small run-about boats and shot over the Liapari to have a look at the progress being made on the LC Alcol.

The Alcol is a 300 tonne barge. I and a couple others are rebuilding it. We have 47 tonnes of steel coming up next week to replate the entire bottom.

This is the old ramp that they cut off…

It’s a neat project that our buddy Noel is a master at. Noel is a bloody genius… give him a kick-ass project on an old boat and he gets it done. In remote and difficult, but lovely Liapari.

This project has been going on for 4 months or more and won’t be complete for another 5 or more months…

Liapari is always a hot place to visit. But if’n you like boats this is a place fer you..

The seas we real good when we went out. Had weather all around us but the seas were strangely calm… Ran into some friendly dolphins.

But couldn’t get them to dance for us.

Life is indeed GUD.

And this is where I was…

did not get out of bed until 8am… and it felt great.

Back to the Solomons in the morn. yeee hawww…