BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

INVESTING in Early Childhood Development (ECD) is the best chance for Solomon Islands to build its cognitive capital.

This is according to Ministry of Finance and Treasury’s Undersecretary, Norman Hiropuhi.

Hiropuhi said that a child born today will be playing a critical role for the development of Solomon Islands thus the country needs to invest on children to be able to tap into the demographic dividends in 2050 and beyond.

In the case of demographic dividends potential for Solomon Islands, he said 2100 projections have a greater share of the working-age population (15 to 64) than the non-working age group that is less than 14 years of age or more than 65.

Hiropuhi said demographic dividends are created through labour supply, savings, human capital and demand.

“This potential depends on the ability of the country to utilise its working population. The country needs to prepare its cognitive capital now,” he said.

Regarding conditions for demographic dividend, Hiropuhi stressed that there needs to be understanding on how this growing working population can be made productive and be efficiently used for economic growth and development.

Hence, he said building a formidable cognitive capital maybe the most viable option for Solomon Islands in preparation.

However, Hiropuhi pointed out that other areas are challenged such as industrialization and overdependence on natural resources.

He emphasised that industrialisation may not be a viable option due to power/energy issues and geographical isolation (access to markets) and overdependence on natural resources maybe too risky with climate change being a threat to these resources.

Hiropuhi stated that while 85 percent of a child’s core brain structure is formed by age 3, less than four percent of public investments in education and development reach children in their first few years.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

ONE of the achievements Central Islands province health authority has accomplished so far in its Village Healthy Setting (VHS) programme is registering zero dengue cases.

This is according to a report compiled by the Tulagi mini-hospital on the VHS programme for the province.

The report stated that in implementing the programme, a total of nine healthy village sites and three Healthy Setting Schools were established between 2010 and 2018 in the province.

The programme was facilitated by various health centres in the province for villagers and some health issues so far targeted under the programme include, malaria, TB, diarrhoea and skin diseases.

The report furthered that the current stage reached was on monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the action plan under the programme.

Achievement so far was there is no dengue cases recorded at the health setting villages and there was a reduction on malaria cases and other communicable diseases in the province.

The report stated that this is a positive feedback for the programme in the province and as they continue they will look at addressing some of the pressing health issues in the province.

However, it was stated that despite progress on the programme, there were challenges continue to hold-back the implementation of the programme.

The report stated that one obvious challenge was the scattered geographical location of the islands.

And resources hold the biggest proportion of challenges faced for the effective implementation of the programme.

Thus, the report stated that progress continue to prevail these challenges as they are moving with the programme.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands Electoral Commission Officer Taeasi Sanga has encouraged the 50 Revising Officers (ROs) of the 50 constituencies to recognise the values and principles underpinning good electoral practice.

Mrs Sanga said this at the opening event of the four-day training of Revising Officers in preparation for the Omission and Objection phase.

She said these are values such as integrity, impartiality, fairness, accuracy and respect for the law.

“I’m sure as part of your training and your own beliefs these values will be discussed and focused on as part of good electoral practice,” she said.

Sanga further encouraged the ROs to set the tone for their staff as leaders and role models.

“It is important that you are acting responsibly and setting that tone for all your staff so they can follow,” she said

Sanga uttered the public inquiry teams are small and must work closely together with you for successful outcomes.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a man alleged to have involved in corruption activities has adjourned to November 19 for mention.

Public Prosecutor Freliz Fakari told the court yesterday that the matter as set for trial yesterday but since she has other cases as well for trial, prosecution intends to vacate the trial date to next year.

She said that she had consulted the defence lawyer in regards to the issue raised in court.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea then adjourned the case to the next 14 days for setting new trial date.

This is the case against Eddie Paohawe alleged for misusing huge amount of money worth SBD$400,358.

The allegation was in relation to incidents occurred on dates between 2013 and 2014 was employed by Bemobile Company

The prosecution alleged that it was during his employment he has taken for his benefit by transferring P2P credits worth SBD$400,358 from the P2P data system to his work mobile number and sold the credit belonging to the said public company.

Freliz Fakari of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution prosecutes the case in court.

THE Principal Magistrate at Kirakira in the Makira Ulawa province on November 2, 2018 sentenced a 40-year-old man to 16 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of eight charges of incest.

The man was found guilty of having sexual intercourse with his biological daughter on eight separate dates in 2011.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Makira-Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “The convicted man from Tawaiabu Village in West Makira was found guilty of eight charges of incest by male.

“He is serving his sentence at the Kirakira Correctional Centre.

“The public must be reminded that the crime of incest is serious one under the Penal Code of Solomon Islands. It carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.

“This Crime has two parts – incest by a male and incest by a female.

“Incest by male is when any male person has sexual intercourse with a female person who is to his knowledge his granddaughter; daughter, sister or mother.

“Police will not tolerate such acts.

“I would like to thank police officers involved in the investigation in getting the man convicted in court despite challenges during the course of investigation.

“I extend the same sentiments to the chiefs and family members of the convicted man for their understanding and supporting the police,” says Sitai.

–POLICE MEDIA

POLICE in Central province have arrested and charged a Form-Three student of McMahon Community High School at Tulagi for allegedly causing an indecent act to a seven-year-old girl at the same school on November 1, 2018.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province, Inspector Hugo Maelasi says, “The victim was having morning break with her friends at the School when the suspect allegedly came and tied both the hands of the victim and her friend with a skipping rope. The victim’s friend managed to escape.

“The suspect then tied the victim’s hands and the rest of her body including her legs with the rope.

“The victim tried to take out the rope from her legs but she could not do so because the suspect was very strong.

“It is further alleged that the male suspect then grabbed the victim and poked his finger into the victim’s private part.

“This is a really sad incident which occurred at a school, a place where parents send their children to get an education.

“But instead the victim experienced something that will affect her for the rest of her live.

“I advise older students to have some respect towards the little children and take extra responsibility in caring for them.

“Teachers are also reminded to keep an eye on the students as the parents entrust their children under their care.

“Police will not tolerate such an indecent act to such a little girl and will investigate and prosecute accordingly.”

The suspect has been formally charged and released on bail to reappear in Court at a later date.

–POLICE MEDIA

POLICE at Henderson in Guadalcanal province are investigating a fatal accident which occurred close to Suva road in North Guadalcanal on November 2, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Guadalcanal Province, Chief Superintendent Evelyn Thugea says “At least three people have been confirmed death in relation to the fatal accident last Friday while five other people who sustained injuries are still admitted at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara.

“Two of the dead died instantly at the scene during the accident and the other who was in a critical condition later died at the NRH on November 3, 2018.

“The accident involved a vehicle owned by the Hatanga Company with a load of timber traveling to Honiara.

“It is alleged that the driver of the vehicle tried to avoid a pot hole by traveling into the opposite lane of the road and swung the vehicle to its right lane.

“Due to the heavy load of timber and a Lucas Mill on the back trailer the vehicle overturned and caused the accident.

“It is a sad incident and it should be a reminder to our drivers, vehicle owners and passengers.

“Drivers must be careful and take extra precaution and consider that the lives of the passengers travelling on your vehicle are in your hands. Do not overload your vehicle.

“To vehicle owners, make sure your vehicles are road worthy and that your drivers have a valid driver’s licence.

“Passengers, tell the driver to slow down if they are driving too fast and tell the driver if you think the vehicle is overloaded.

“Our safety while travelling in vehicles is our shared responsibility.

“I would like to sincerely acknowledge the support from our communities and stakeholders who assisted the victims and securing properties during the time of the fatal accident.

“I appeal to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident to come forward with information and assist police with the investigation.

“Our sympathies and condolences to the family members of the deceased who died during the accident.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MAKIRA Ulawa province is reported to be in dire need of quality health service for its people.

According to a general health status report for the province, it is facing a lot of serious health challenges, with 10 percent of health facilities closed due to poor conditions, human resources and community issues.

It also says that 85 percent of health facilities and staff houses are in deteriorated states.

Furthermore, 33 percent of rural health centres are operating without a registered nurse and 28 of the available facilities do not have radio communication devices.

The report says 11 of the 15 outboard motor canoes used for health services are no longer working. This is said to be a serious matter since majority of health centres rely on sea transport.

“Health facilities are without functioning water supply and sanitation and also minimum standard equipment. Manpower, nurses, microscopist and nutritionist.

“There is a great need for new staff houses and even repair of existing ones will be at a very high cost,” the report outlines.

Regarding water and sanitation, the report reveals that a staggering 40 percent of communities in Makira Ulawa province do not access safe drinking water, and 89 percent are without proper sanitation.

The report meanwhile says diseases responsible for most deaths in the province as recorded are non-communicable diseases (NCD), malaria, maternal, TB and accidents.