The Native Iowan

On Friday the 26^th of June debate in Parliament (the parts I listened to) dealt with the various Land and Lands issues we deal with here in Solomon Islands. I clearly state that we have LAND issues and LANDS issues. Land issues being the daily basic matters that arise in dealing with land usage, land ownership, etc, etc. Lands issues being the matters that arise when dealing with the Administrative/ Governmental matters as found when dealing with The Ministry of Lands and it’s various offices.

I listened as discussion reviewed the illegal settlements in and around Honiara (known as squatters camps) and the suggestion that Temporary Licenses should or may be granted to people living in such camps. I heard the speaker (I am uncertain which Honorable Member was speaking at the time) state that most land in Honiara had already been “given to foreigners’. I listened as the speaker passionately spoke on behalf and in defense of the residents of these camps.

Inherently I agree that the Land and the Lands issues we are currently facing are important and of the highest communal priority.  The issues of the illegal settlements pose both social and administrative problems that must be addressed.  But, it is always and all times important to get our facts right. Also it is required that we implement a solid problem solving system here in order to ensure we indeed do solve the problem(s) at hand.

The idea that all the good land has been given to foreigners is an emotional statement. First: I wonder which foreigners we are speaking of. The Chinese “foreigners” that have made Honiara their home for, now, four or more generations? The Foreign Investors that are specifically told that Solomon Islands welcomes investment? Or the foreigners from islands other than Guadalcanal?

I have discussed in previous press releases the issue of gratuitous allocation of public land. I think back, say, 25 years… The seafront from near Rove to the old Pink Palace complex was all open sea front. The seafront from the Fishing Village to the National Referral Hospital was all open Public Land. The Honiara Town Ground area is another piece of Public Land that was “given” to investors/ foreigners. I know that a large amount of Public Land was allocated/ “given away” by the previous Government of the Western province.

All this Public Land was “legally” allocated/ registered in the names of both citizens and non-citizens of Solomon Islands.

I feel that the issues as raised in Parliament are in need of public discussion but there is no need to try to place blame or make excuses. Lets be blunt… The Ministry of Lands has the power to control and regulate the use of land that is alienated (and in some cases un-alienated lands as well). The past 30 years’ track record of the Lands Department is not very impressive. It shows a long list of bad decisions, poor management, much abuse and, even, dare I say, corruption.

I think we can agree that many “Lands deals” are, have been and probably will continue to be done in a self serving, unprofessional and corrupt manner. The “foreigners” that were mentioned have little influence (other than illegal or self serving influence) in the decisions made by an important Ministry such as Lands. The system allowed, and is allowing, valuable Public Land to be “given” out for the wrong reasons. All of this was done by The Government of the Day or their Employees or Appointed Officers. Sorry folks, “foreigners” are not to blame for this one.

Now, while we discuss the priority issue of the squatter camps we need to be clear headed, fair and honest. If not our problems will not go away, but rather, they will multiply.

Only when we begin the process of following our administrative systems faithfully, and making professional decisions fairly will we see real progress in this venue.

And, lastly, I still think the general public, and most importantly the Youth of The Nation, need open, clean and free places to swim, play, sit, talk, picnic, meet, rest, or simply spend quite time with friends or family. As we discuss the squatter camps I’d very much like to see some discussion for public access areas included as well.

Mike Hemmer