There were no unlawful gatherings in and around the city yesterday during the Motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister.
Honiara City yesterday maintained calm with the support of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), the Police and Military Forces of intervention forces and local security firms’ personnel.
During debate on them motion in Parliament, former Prime Minister, Danny Philip. When speaking against the motion said, and I quote.
To date, we have made no loans from China since the switch in 2019. Funding for the construction work on the facilities for the 2023 Games are from grants. We have taken no loans.
“The funding from PRC are grants based on four to five communiqué the government signed with the People’s Republic of China following the switch in September 2019,” Hon Philip said.
He said the funding for the Games was just part of other areas the People’s Republic of China had already agreed to finance out of its grants funding.
These include the upgrading of the National Referral Hospital, the construction of a major water reticulation system being built at the Upper Lunga River and the upgrading of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) facilities.
(It is understood Chinese funding to Solomon Islands in the last two years now totalled more than $2 billion.)
In separate news made available today, the Solomon Islands Bar Association (SIBA) has joined other organisations in condemning last week’s rioting, looting and destruction of properties in Honiara, describing the activities as “unlawful”.
SIBA “wholeheartedly condemned” the activities which gripped Honiara between 24 and 27 November and led to the destruction of property(ies), closure of businesses and loss of employment, it said in a statement.
“This country, in particular Honiara, has been torn apart yet again as a result of the actions of rioters, looters and arsonists. Such behaviour has no place here in what we are continuously being regarded as a Christian country,” the statement said.
“The Constitution which is the supreme law of Solomon Islands provides for the vacating of the Prime Minister’s seat relevantly in this instant, by way of resignation, or otherwise by a successful motion of no confidence.
“Threats of violence, rioting, looting and any other unlawful actions to overthrow any ruling government are deemed unconstitutional and should not be tolerated in our society, regardless of any grievances which any individual or groups may have,” the statement said.
The SIBA also calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution of any disagreements or pressing issues, whether national or otherwise, immediately in a respectful, Christian and lawful fashion going forward.
“Following the events, early last week, the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) issued a press release asking public servants working in non-essential services to remain at home.
“That impacted the delivery of many services to the people. However, such situation must not be allowed to interfere with the operation of the Courts of Solomon Islands.
“Our Courts are an essential service, and thankfully has been recognised as such since the recent simulated lockdown in August. Whether they be ordinary citizens, people of business, victims or accused, all people have a fundamental right to access the Courts at the earliest time to ask for and receive justice according to law. There are few times in our Nation’s history when maintenance of and respect for justice and the rule of law have been more vital.
Comment
The Parliamentary Vote of No Confidence has now passed into history and the SIBA advice, as quoted, “The SIBA also calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution of any disagreements or pressing issues, whether national or otherwise, immediately in a respectful, Christian and lawful fashion going forward.” one very much hopes will be the way forward and actively pursued by the Solomon Islands government.
Source. Solomon Star NEWS.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
