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Fugui urges Education Minister to push the 4th USP Campus

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MP for Central Honiara, John Moffat Fugui.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MP for Central Honiara, John Moffat Fugui.

MEMBER of Parliament for Central Honiara, John Moffat Fugui urges the Minister of Education and Human Resources, John Dean Kuku to push the University of South Pacific 4th Campus in Honiara.

This came after construction of the university is still to start after the ground breaking ceremony in 2017.

Fugui, also the former Minister of Education, said the government must continue with the 4th campus.

“If we were on our previous timeline, in March 2018, they started digging the ground.

“In October this year, the 4th Campus should complete now,” he said.

As such, Fugui asked the minister to push it abit unless it is a policy change,

“It is an important institution that we want to supplement University of South Pacific for training for our students,” he said.

According to Radio New Zealand, the 4th campus was made possible with a loan of $US15.4 million from the Asian Development Bank.

The new campus would have enhanced ICT-based education with upgraded ICT equipment.

Some key features of the new building include facilities, such as a fully digitised library.

Maelanga highlights policy of MID

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of Infrastructure Development, Manasseh Maelanga has highlighted his ministry’s plan to improve roads and feeder roads throughout the country.

Speaking in Parliament on the debate on the Speech of the throne delivered by Governor General recently, Maelanga said his ministry is committed to improve the roads and feeder roads throughout the country and develop improved seaports, facilities and ensure safety and convenience for their travelling public.

He said his Ministry is committed to support development programmes and this include the ongoing support towards the planning and development over their National Referral Hospital.

Further to that, Maelanga said to ensure their land is secure to develop their new township, urban amenities and utilities.

This also to review provisions, to establish relevant authorities to govern and manage infrastructure developments

Maelanga said he just appointed a Traffic Act Board so they can look on everything that happens on traffic in Honiara City.

Some of the important areas the Ministry is taking too are:

  1. Review provisions of domestic shipping services;
  2. serving uneconomic routes in the country;
  3. established relevant authorities to govern and manage infrastructure developments;
  4. support the transport sector;
  5. provide regular shipping services to all areas in the country;
  6. develop and maintain infrastructures aide, include safety, accessibility to resources for development;
  7. implement a New Maritime Act 2018, and
  8. ensuring the country is effectively participating in national organisations and conventions.

West gov’t halts Pari application

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

WESTERN Provincial government has halted an application on a subdivision plan to the Western Provincial Planning & Development Board submitted by Pari Development Company to develop land parcels at Noro in Western Province.

The submission included Fixed Term Estates covering four land parcels officially known as PN 098-011-145, PN 098-009-65, PN 098-012-545 and PN 098-009-54 that were recently acquired by Pari Development Company and how they will be allocated and apportioned to each development sector as in Residential, Commercial and Industrial.

Part of PN 098-009-54 in Noro will accommodate the Submarine Cable Landing Station but completion of station and other formalities awaits WPPD board endorsements.

Pari Development Company Limited Managing Director, Mr Donald Bato in an earlier statement had uttered their profound dissatisfaction over issues why the Western Provincial Planning & Development Board (WPPD) has chosen to snub and ignore their application without any rational explanation.

“We submitted an application for approval on a subdivision plan to the WPPD Board in November 2018 but have not heard a word from them since,” Mr Bato adds.

“Noro Township has outgrown its present state and its prime time we close one door and open the other with indigenous corporations and business people to break barriers, daring and defiant for the greater good of the people of the Western Province.

“The plan is literally part of this company’s long term policies on enhancing development on expansion and designing a major facelift to the outskirts of Noro Township. The submission included Fixed Term Estates covering four land parcels officially known as PN 098-011-145, PN 098-009-65, PN 098-012-545 and PN 098-009-54 that were recently acquired by this company and how they will be allocated and apportioned to each development sector as in Residential, Commercial and Industrial.

“But in the midst of all this, some individuals in the Western Provincial Government Executive or the Western Province Planning and Development Board undermine the idea and would do anything in their power to prevent this from happening.

“I suppose we should ask them why? Is it because the Western Provincial Government should have the upper hand in managing these lands and allocate them to whom they please or has the green eyed monster been unleashed? They even claim that we acquired these lands through fraud and collusion. These wild accusations don’t speak highly of reputable and high caliber bureaucrats representing the interest of the people of Western Province.

“Where was the WPG in the last six years when we were sweating off our butts to contribute to the national economy a staggering sum of SBD3, 816,610.57 worth of export duties and withholding tax over these lands while in the face of overwhelming odds, Projects of National and Provincial Interest have repeatedly failed and the people of Western Province are tired of their overrated and empty promises. Why did the WPG lack the foresight to secure these lands from the National Government in the post-independence period and have just recently rushed to seek means of quickly establishing accountability over these lands?

“Frankly, we really cannot emphasize strongly enough of what went wrong or what we have done wrong but we strongly appeal to the WPG and the WPPDB to reconsider and project their motives wisely as your support will make all a difference in working together for the greater good of our beautiful province,” the statement adds.

But in respond to this paper yesterday Western Provincial Government Premier Mr David Gina said they will not accept any approval from Pari Development Company Limited.

“Pari Development Company is not following the right procedures to deal with this land. Social Media is not the right place to discuss land issues.

“We are yet to resolve this subject, but at the moment we are planning to discuss this with Lands Commissioner and Pari Development Company Limited.

“Provincial government has power to allow any investors who wish to operate in the province.

He adds dealing with land issues without following proper procedures is not the rightful way to deal with because any investors wish to operate at Noro must be protected by the provincial government.

He said the government is fully aware over the subdivision plan to the Western Provincial Planning & Development Board submitted by Pari Development Company Limited in November 2018.

FIKA JUMPS SHIP?

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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By Alfred Sasako

 

THE new Member of Parliament for West Kwaio, Titus Fiika, who only two weeks ago entered a pact to join the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) for the next four years, is believed to have jumped ship.

Hon Fiika was prompted to join the government so he could be included on the bipartisan Taskforce on China. Now two weeks after being drafted on the Taskforce, the former Malaita Provincial Assembly Speaker is believed to have informed the Government he was no longer in the government coalition.

This was after the five-member Taskforce, headed by East Honiara MP, Hon Dr John Moffat Fugui MP, returned from visits to Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa two weeks ago.

The Taskforce was in Papua New Guinea last week. It is headed for Beijing this week.

Island Sun has established that Hon Fiika had indicated joining the Independent Group in Parliament on his return. He could not be contacted for comments.

Observers told Island Sun the move by the new MP came as a little surprise.

Hon Fiika’s elder brother, East Kwaio MP Hon Stanley Festus Sofu, jumped ships several times during past administrations including former Prime Minister Hon Danny Philip’s tenure.

There were a number of other MPs who did the same thing, prompting Government House to say, “we hope we are dealing with men.”

“I hope Hon Fiika’s act does not repeat itself, given such act seems to be in the blood. Voters want to see stability and stability only comes when MPs are mature enough to uphold their allegiance,” the observer said.

UNDERUTILIZED

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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HENDERSON Eels coach Eddie Marahare says youngster Kennedy Watemae is an underutilized talent that deserves a place in the Solomon Islands national Under-23 training squad.

Marahare, who led Eels to the quarter-final of the 2019 OFC Champions League on their debut season, believes Solomon Islands can reach the grand-final of the OFC Under-23 Championship later this year, but insisted young Kennedy has the potential to help them get there.

“Kennedy is a talented player with good body physique in addition to his speed, touch and finishing.

“If I am the coach of the Under-23 side, he (Kennedy) will be my number one choice striker,” he said.

Marahare’s comments come after he secured the centre-forward’s services for the new season of the Telekom S-League.

Kennedy will join Henderson Eels from former club Kossa FC as the Eels look to go one step further from their second-place finish last season.

“He (Kennedy) will be a big asset as a quality player. Our preparation is going on well as we are using the HFA Premier League as pre-season for the Telekom S-League.

“Eels finished second last season and we aim to move a step up this season,” a rather confident Marahare said.

And he has added another fine addition to his squad, in the form of Kennedy Watemae.

Kennedy first caught the eyes of national selected as a 19-year-old when he helped Central Shields to reach the grand-final of the 2017 Solomon Cup against eventual winners Malaita Eagles.

Immediately after that tournament he was called upon to train with the Solomon Islands national team who were at that time preparing to face-off with New Zealand in the Oceania World Cup qualifiers play-off.

Kennedy did not make the final squad, however, gained an unexpected experience of sharing the same pitch with some of the big boys in Solomon Islands football.

Meanwhile, coach Marahare wishes the Solomon Islands national team the best in their preparation and their regional campaign.

“I wish the Under-23 team all the best in the qualifiers. They will meet New Zealand in the final,” he predicted.

The Championship will also act as the OFC Olympic qualifying tournament for Tokyo 2020, set to be hosted in Fiji from 21 September to 5 October 2019.

New Zealand are the hot favourites to win, simply because it was their Under-23 side for this tournament that won gold medal at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa last month against other senior sides from the Pacific, Solomon Islands included.

BY PHILIP LILOMO

If your are to serve my entire province, work with me: Suidani

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita Province has urged development partners especially NGOs that his government will only work with them if they are committed to serve the province.

Daniel Suidani said this in response to questions on the floor of assembly regarding how his government will combat unfair distribution of services which some NGOs have been complaining about.

He said the issue is true and people in the province continue to experience it.

Suidani assures that his government has captured this in its policies and are prepared to push for it with Malaita’s development partners.

“By doing that all NGOs to operate in the province, they must come through the provincial government and tell us their visions, mission and objectives to work here.

“Because our policy advocates that any NGOs to work in the province, they must agree to work in the five regions of Malaita province.

“It continue to experience that NGOs operating in the province only centered their work in the Central region of the province where infrastructure is available,” he said.

He said his government advocates for equal distribution of service and NGOs or other development partners must understand that as they come to the province, they are here to serve the five regions of the province.

“Another area my government will stand up against is to encourage boomerang funding on development projects in the province.

“If you want to serve my people, serve them with all you have and intended to do for them, and nothing you will return.

“The province has lot of technical people to perform any work needed under your project and not to bring your labours here to return the resources,” Suidani said.

Malaita embarks on 7 new projects for 2019

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Provincial government will implement seven new projects under the PCDF programme this year.

Malaita’s finance minister Nelson Lenty explains that they have opted for only seven to enable them to complete the 25 incomplete projects from last year.

Lenty said, “the projects come in various aspects of needs that will provide services to the people of Malaita province.”

“Under the administration sector of the province there will be renovation including fencing to offices, upgrade of premier’s resident, six new staff houses, demolishing of a provincial office and purchasing a cabbage truck for the province.”

Under works and transport sector; it has three projects and they are Sulufoloa, Rokotanikeni and Manawai market buildings.

For education sector the province has 12 projects in schools (both primary and secondary) throughout the province.

For water supply and sanitation programme there is a water tank and rain catchment project for Nanakinimae School and other schools’ sanitation.

Lenty said under health sector, there are three projects which include an upgrade to Gounatolo RHC, completion of Pipisu RHC and Uru’uru rural clinic.

He said for agriculture sector, there is a coconut crushing mill in Pelau, another at Marapona and at Orotah Tabeu.

Lenty said under women, youth and sport programme there is an upgrade planned for Mata football stadium.

He said other projects expected include the undersea submarine cable, World Bank tar sealing of Bina and Dala roads, Afio hospital, Afio water supply, Solomon Power solar farm and UN Market for change refurbishment of Auki Market.

Malaita province dominates scholarship awards

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Leader of the Independent Group, John Dean Kuku

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

 

MALAITA province continues to dominate the Solomon Islands Government scholarship scheme at around 50 percent of recipients each year, it is reported.

Minister for Education John Dean Kuku voiced this during a dinner hosted for the Malaita provincial government in Auki earlier this week.

Kuku congratulates Malaita province and its government for this feat, which is set for other provinces to try and match.

He says this achievement is the fruit of hard work by the Malaita provincial education authority, schools in Malaita and students from Malaita across the nation.

“You might not see or feel the success you have in the education sector of the country.

“Let me inform you, more than 50 percent of scholarships MEHRD award each year goes to students from Malaita province.

“And award was done on merit and excellence of students with good academic record,” he said.

Kuku points out that it’s something Malaita provincial government and its people should proud off.

He encourages the largest province in Solomon Islands to maintain this remarkable record, saying that other provinces are also pushing forward.

“This is the reason my ministry is here in Auki to seek more opportunities to invest in education in the province.

“And for this particular programme in which we are here in Malaita province, it will also roll in all provinces.

“Because we all know a lot of our students cannot make it further in their formal education.

“So alternative learning opportunities should be given to them. This is what this programme looks at to improve one RTC school per province for starting so that students can get job training,” he said.

Kuku said currently the national education ministry (MEHRD) is sponsoring some students in certain programmes who are studying at APSD RTC.

He said this is the beginning of the programme MEHRD has to improve RTC schools into technical institute in the country.

O JERUSALEM

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Former MP for Central Honiara, Moffat Fugui

Fugui pushes for government recognition as Israel’s capital in 100-day policy

 

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MEMBER of Parliament for Central Honiara, John Moffat Fugui has suggested recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel to be in the government’s 100 days policy.

Speaking during his contribution on the debate on the Speech from the throne delivered by the Governor General last Monday, Fugui said this would be fitting for Solomon Islands as a Christian country and a show of respect to United States under the watch of the Trump administration

He said ‘this policy is not based on its purpose or diplomacy or diplomatic expediency in per say, rather it should be a diversion of their faith harnessed on divine as precedence’.

Further to that, Fugui highlighted the need for bi-partisanship of Government, Opposition and Independent Group in improving the affairs of the country.

“To improve our governing system, one cannot emphasise more the important of bi-partisanship so that MPs can put their best efforts to drive government policies.

“With a few more young well educated and well prepared MPs, it would be profitable if we the government can encourage more bi-partisanship,” he said.

Fugui said the essence of bi-partisanship is to encourage MPs on both sides of the house to be pure on common national agendas and government policies.

He said the American system is ‘Government by the people’.

“Bipartisanship leverages our skills, experience and exposures and education as MPs.

“This is to inform and enhance the work program of the government of the day,” he said.

Fugui said bi-partisanship builds colloquiality, sympathy and intimacy between MPs of both sides of the house.

“It allows for collaborative debate, discussion, deliberation and learning.

“Bi-partisanship helps to improve the style of governance we have in this age of internet and globalisation,” he said.

Parliament has adjourned to Monday, August 26.

Mineral water is safe: Titiulu

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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George Titiulu, Head of Environmental Health Division at the Honiara City Council.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

MINERAL water processed in the country are safe and have met the required standard of water bottling processes, says George Titiulu, Head of Environmental Health Division at the Honiara City Council.

He said this yesterday following an article on Island Sun’s front page yesterday, titled “Dirty Mineral Water”, which called on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to act on recent findings that reveal some bottled mineral water in Solomon Islands contains contaminants.

“What I want to put out to the public is I want to assure the general public that mineral waters sold in the country is totally safe for drinking,” said Titiulu.

He said their collected records show all water bottling processes in the country fall in the mandatory standard especially on different perimeters.

Titiulu said this means all water bottling companies fall in the permissible range which is within 6.5 – 8.5 PH level.

He said normally when his team finds out water bottling companies fail to comply on the set required standard, they step in to address the matter before it gets any worse.

“There were also some speculation that said the waters are contaminated with E.coli bacteria(a common bacteria normally lives in human intestine)which is misleading as we have our records here that shows mineral waters sold in the country are safe and accepted for drinking.

“Let me clarify here, the source that revealed the waters are contaminated is not reliable, it is misleading and they should be responsible for this matter,” said Titiulu.

According to yesterday’s article, the Leader of Independent Robertson Galokale said this is a public health risk and authorities must ensure that all citizens must be protected against dangerous contaminants and water-borne diseases.

“Galokale calls particularly on the National Public Health Laboratory of the MHMS and the Honiara City Council Health Authority to reveal to the public the status of all the mineral water bottles sold commercially in the country.”

“Galokale acknowledge the findings by media in which out of the five mineral water bottlers; namely Blue Water, Szeba Water, Sasa Water, V-Fresh Water and Enargy Water, only Blue Water and Szeba Water are considered safe for drinking while the others are high in acidic contamination.”

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