SIPA sells rice without license
Selling of rice and then noodles by Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) is illegal because SIPA did not pay any business license to the Honiara City Council.
An immediate stop notice was issued by HCC Law Enforcement Division, Charles Aiwosuga.
“Unless SIPA follows HCC business ordinances, the council sees its operations on selling of rice and intended noodles as illegal.
“Whether it’s an SOE, every business operations within the city boundary are entitled to pay up business licenses to the council,” said Aiwosuga.
He said SIPA should now stop its rice and noodle selling until there is amendment to the appropriate Act to cater its outside business operations.
HCC treasury division confirmed no business registration, neither any application of SIPA’s interest shown.
“We received no application or any interest from SIPA to register a business as such to selling of rice,” one officer familiar with the procedures told the Solomon Star.
He said if there is any of such application, he should have seen it.
According to HCC business ordinance, no person shall carry on a business within Honiara City unless the business is licensed under the ordinance.
The ordinances states (1) No person shall carry on a business within Honiara City unless the business is licensed under this Ordinance.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction – (a) to a fine not exceeding 5,000 penalty units; and (b) a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units for each day on which the offence continues from the date on which any notice issued under subsection (3) is served on the person.
(3)If an authorised officer reasonably believes that a person has committed an offence under subsection (2), the officer shall issue and cause to be served on the person a written notice of the commission of the offence.
Attorney General, James Apanaia said he understands, any businesses operating within the Honiara City boundary must oblige to the Honiara City Business Ordinance.
“In this case, SIPA is a state-owned enterprise but there is no special specification as to guarantee its operations as selling of rice as far as I am concern.
“SOE’s do have the power to run a profitable income or earn, as stated within its own Act but does not detail into what business type,” said Apaniai.
He said given the fact that SIPA is operating within Honiara city boundary; there is no excuses to be exempted.
“Whether it’s a small or big business, everyone’s operating within the Honiara city boundary and is bound to pay business licenses to the city council.
“It’s a breach of the city council’s business ordinance if SIPA did so without a business registered and license paid,” explain AG Apaniai.
He reiterated SIPA from the start had breached its own Act when venturing into businesses outside of its core operations.
A spokesperson from SIPA said SIPA will sort everything out as soon as possible.
“We are working to sort everything out. This SIPA reform will prosper to better the lives of indigenous Solomon Islanders.
“Solomon Islanders must support it. These hiccups will all be gone soon. The DCC government will soon amend the Act to help us accelerate the reforms which will definitely benefit locals.”
He said the business license issue will be dealt with sooner than later.
By BRADFORD THEONOMI