INSTITUTIONS and individuals have defended Forest Association’s (SFA’s) charitable work in Solomon Islands, saying those calling for its de-registrations are doing so out of jealousy and vested interest.
And the move, they say could render thousands without work should the move by Government MPs and backbench proceed with their demand to close down the SFA.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, for example, is a major beneficiary over the years – a fact the Ministry had acknowledged in a formal media statement on 25 April 2021.
“This is not the first as the SFA has in the past-donated medical consumables including for COVID-19 operations and many more.
“Today (the Ministry) welcomes yet again another significant donation by SFA … worth SBD152,059 to Island Enterprise to complete remaining outstanding payment for a two-container-sized medical laboratory for the Good Samaritan Hospital, Guadalcanal Province”.
“The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) remains grateful towards the continuous support of the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) to both operational and development aspirations of the Ministry,” the statement said.
SFA President Johnny Sy confirmed the donation at the time.
“… there is no doubt that resources, let alone financial resources would also be stretched. With this in mind, the SFA has decided to support the Laboratory at the Good Samaritan Hospital,” Mr Sy said, declining further comments.
The Ministry’s Deputy Secretary for Health Services, Dr Gregory Jilini said at the time medical laboratories perform a very crucial function assisting in the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of diseases.”
An individual well versed with SFA’s charitable activities told Solomon Star it is impossible to understand why the MPs are pushing for the removal of the SFA.
“Will these MPs provide employment for the thousands of family members that SFA support? Or its outreach program in times of natural disasters and medical emergencies,” the man asked.
“What I do know is that the majority of MPs talk about nothing in Parliament except the CDF grants and how much they will get,” the man who asked to remain unnamed, said.
“What the SFA is doing is helping the people as much as possible through its charitable activities. The challenge for the MPs is tell this nation that in the event they succeeded in forcing the closure of SFA, will they take over the great job that SFA is doing in times of natural disasters and medical emergencies.
SFA’s removal from the scene will create a huge hole in the government coffers. It is estimated that in 2018 log export accounted for 70 per cent of the country’s total export revenue.
The move to de-register the SFA first appeared in a confidential document called the Memorandum of Demands (MoD). Dated 24 December 2024, the document was signed by senior Cabinet Ministers and backbench members of the ruling Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) coalition.
The 16 GNUT coalitions MPs who are pushing to remove the SFA have not provided any reasons for their move.
They [and the Constituency they represent] signed the Memorandum of Demands [MoD] on 24th December 2024:
1. Hon Frederick Kologeto (South Vella);
2. Hon Chacabule Amoi (Marovo);
3. Hon Franklyn Derek Wasi (East Makira);
4. Hon Clezy Rore (North Vella);
5. Hon Polycarp Paea (Malaita Outer Islands, MOI);
6. Hon Ben Maenu (Lau Mbaelelea);
7. Hon Wayne Ghemu (Ranonga-Simbo);
8. Hon Harry Kuma (North West Choiseul);
9. Hon Rexon Ramofafia (Fataleka);
10. Hon Tozen Leokana (South Choiseul);
11. Hon Isikeli Vave (Shortlands);
12. Hon Manasseh Maelanga (East Malaita);
13. Hon Trevor Hedley Mahaga (Gao-Bugotu);
14. Hon Jimson Tanaganda (Gizo-Kolombangara);
15. Hon Freda AB Tuki Soriacomua (Temotu-Vatud); and
16. Hon Rolland Solenso (South Guadalcanal)
It later emerged the move to remove the SFA was allegedly spearheaded by a business faction allegedly linked to the Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP) – a GNUT coalition member.
The faction, it is further alleged, helped pay the cost of a recent trip to China by the Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP) in December 2024.
According to photographs posted on social media, the SIPFP took the week-long 22-29 “private business trip” in December 2024 with stopovers in Port Moresby and Hong Kong.
Another individual said the GNUT government would be making a serious mistake if it acceded to the demand of the disgruntled Minister and backbench MPs.
“I can safely say there is no telling the potential impact of the move on the nation’s economic landscape, particularly at this time when we are simply living in a hand-to-mouth situation,” the man said.
“For example, thousands of less fortunate individuals across Solomon Islands that SFA help in its outreach program every year, would join the growing queue of the unemployed.
“Besides, thousands of families that SFA employs right across the country are likely to be the next innocent group to suffer as the closure of SFA will mean they will have no jobs.”
Arguably, there is a whole lot more that can be said about SFA’s good work.
With some 70 members on its register, the logging industry has sustained the country’s economy for a long time. Its closure would leave a black hole in the government coffers nationally and in provincial government headquarters around the country.
One of its other major achievements is the birth of Pacific Oceania Bank (POB) in 2015.
Many of the high-rise buildings from the Henderson area and eastward are a testament to the bank’s involvement in the nation’s economic development.
POB has since drawn thousands of workers outside the logging industry because of its competitive banking services.
By Alfred Sasako
Photo caption: SFA President Johnny Sy, 3rd from left, with the cheque which was handed over Island Enterprise to support the lab project. Photo supplied.
