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Gender inequality, the root cause of violence against women

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

GENDER inequality is the root cause of violence against women.

This statement was made by the Coordinator of Vanuatu’s Women’s Centre (VWC), Merilyn Tahi whose three member team travelled to Solomon Islands to conduct a two-week training session on eliminating violence against women with Family Support Centre (FSC) that ended last week.

She said the second training, “Male Advocacy Training” a first of its kind to take place in the country involved finding out what participants thought about men and women, stressing that this is the root cause of gender inequality.

Tahi added that after gender inequality there is discriminatory attitude and behaviour in men because they have been taught and provided the thinking that they are supreme beings over women.

She said wherever you go in the Pacific you will hear that the main area governments are working on to end violence against women is gender inequality.

Henceforth, Tahi emphasised that gender inequality must be addressed and be ridden of in order to end violence against women and children.

She referred to the participants as male advocates who will be advocating for women’s human rights, ending violence against women and promoting gender equality.

Tahi was accompanied by fellow VWC colleagues, Lyn Rose Tule who is the Centre’s Counselor/Supervisor and Kristine Keasi, the Centre’s Mobile Counselor.

She was speaking at a function on Oct 12 attended by participants from the two trainings, FSC, SAFE NET and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) representatives.

In her closing remarks, Tahi thanked the Family Support Centre’s (FSC) Manager, Lynffer Wini Maltungtung for having them come over to do the trainings and the Solomon Islands government for funding the training.

Police investigate fatal traffic accident in Tangarare

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE at the Henderson police station in Guadalcanal province are investigating a fatal traffic accident which resulted in the death of a three-year-old boy in the Charikulu area of Tangarare, in West Guadalcanal on October 11, 2018.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Guadalcanal province, Superintendent Nixon Manetoga says, “The incident occurred between 4 and 5pm on October 11 in the Charikulu area at Tangarare.”

“It was alleged that the fatal accident occurred due to a mechanical problem with the vehicle’s steering.

“The driver of the vehicle tried to control the vehicle but it went out of control, ditched and overturned.

“As a result of the accident a three-year-old boy has been confirmed dead. Also three people are receiving medical treatment for serious injuries with six other people with minor injuries at the National Referral Hospital (NRH). Another two people with minor injuries were treated at the Tangarare Clinic.

“The driver is an employee of a logging company that operates in West Guadalcanal.

“Police are working close with the management of the company to deal with the driver of the vehicle.

“Vehicle owners and drivers please make sure that your vehicles must be road worthy and it is your responsibility as a driver not to over load your vehicle.

“On behalf of the police, I wish to extend our condolences and sympathy to the family and relatives of the deceased for the untimely loss of their young boy,” says PPC Manetoga.

–POLICE MEDIA

CBSI governor pleased with World Bank and IMF board of governors meeting

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Governor of Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Denton Rarawa
Governor of Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Denton Rarawa

SOLOMON Islands head of delegation and Governor for Solomon Islands on the IMF Board of Governors, Denton Rarawa, is pleased with the fruitful outcome of this year’s meetings with the senior management of the World Bank Group and the IMF at this year’s Board of Governors Meetings in Bali, Indonesia.

The Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded their 2018 Annual Meetings on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

A number of important issues were raised and discussed with the management of these two international financial institutions during the meeting which included; the request for budget support for the Government from the World Bank in 2019, the upgrading of the Henderson International Airport, Tina River Hydro Project, and other key thematic issues like connectivity infrastructures, climate change and natural disasters, human capital index and others has all affect growth and development in Solomon Islands.

Moreover, the delegation also discussed with the World Bank Group future investment programmes that will stimulate new sources of growth in the country.

On the engagement with the International Monetary Fund management, Mr Rarawa confirmed that discussions centred on the outcome of the economic and fiscal assessments, from Article IV Consultations that was held in the country in July.

These include; the Solomon Islands Debt Sustainability Report that was also released by the IMF at the annual meeting, with the Article IV Report that will be discussed by the IMF Board in late November, as well as areas for continuous technical assistance for the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Finance & Treasury.

Rarawa also confirmed that he is fully satisfied with the outcome of meetings with Senior Executives of the Crown Agent Bank of London as well as Senior Officials of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on correspondent banking services.

Rarawa is optimistic that a correspondent banking relationship with the Crown Agent Bank of London should be established by the end of this year, despite efforts to derail the process by certain people.

He also issued a statement at the plenary of this year’s Board of Governors Meetings on behalf of nine Pacific Islands Countries (PICs). It was confirmed that the joint statement captured issues of common interest across the nine PICs.

On the international front, Rarawa also confirmed that high on the main issues discussed at this year’s meetings is the trade war between the United States and China.

Rarawa pointed out that this issue needs to be closely monitored since the outcome of the trade war on the Chinese economy will affect the Solomon Islands economy as China is an important export market for our logs.

A statement released by Rarawa and his delegation confirmed that both his staff as well as officials from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury will work with the World Bank Group and the IMF to progress key decisions agreed at the Meetings in Bali.

Attending this year’s Board of Governors Meetings in Bali on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Treasury, are the Ministry’s Under Secretary Economics, Mr Mckinnie Dentana and Chief Economic Officer, Mr Barnabas Vote.

–GCU

Youths urged to get involved in Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Acting Governor General Mr Ajilon Nasiu has put all MPs on notice regarding the Prime Minister’s election

By Gary Hatigeva

YOUTH Participants of the 4th Youth Parliament 2018 have been urged to get involved in providing answers to issues Solomon Islands is facing.

This was something that all who spoke at the official opening of the youth parliament programme stressed with certainty that for the country to know what is happening to the young people with unemployment, with the lack of education and with crime, people only need to speak to youths because they have the answers.

Speaker of the National Parliament, Ajilon Jasper Nasiu in his speech, highlighted that youths are the experts in their division, and this is an opportunity to be solutions, to be answers and to effect the positive change that this country has come to depend on.

Speaking on the history of the Youth Parliament, Nasiu pointed out that the initiative has only come through a short history, but already created so many success stories, with some former participants now studying politics at the higher levels, while others are contributing to their communities in different ways.

“It provides participants with a practical and educational experience of our parliamentary system in an enjoyable and innovative manner.

“By providing a forum in which youths can express their ideas, concerns and expectations, it develops confidence, encourages team work and promotes a broader awareness among young people of community issues and processes of government of which these issues can be addressed,” Mr Nasiu shared.

He stressed that the 4th national youth parliament will define the future for some of the youth participants and determine their interests to take part in political leadership.

“For others, this will be a learning experience, to be more effective citizens in different field of work and community services,” the Speaker added.

The Speaker was among legislators and heads of international agencies, including the Australian High Commissioner, welcoming Youth Parliament participants to the chambers of the Parliament on yesterday at the 4th Youth Parliament.

The Head of Legislature told young participants that it is important they are exposed to the workings of democracy and the fundamentals of the nation are known.

Other speakers also stressed that the people are now looking to youths to assist the country in bringing it back to the place where it ought to be.

This is a call the UNDP Country Manager, Ms Asuza Kubota had also echoed, when presenting her remarks in the official opening of the 4th Youth Parliament, where she thought people have the potentials to shape the policies and debates on issues affecting young people.

She also agreed with the sentiments on empowerment for young people and further urged for youths not to be spectators, but get engaged and do what they can to make a difference.

“We all want the same thing this is not the time to have divide, talk about our territories and responsibilities, but have to work together irrespective of where you come from or where you work. We all want a dignified prosperous life in a just and peaceful world,” the UNDP Country Manager stressed.

Also speaking in support of the call on youths, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs, Mr Cedrick Alependava expressed that young people are the jewels for this nation.

“We know that you young people hold the key to our future and you are definitely leaders for tomorrow,” Alependava shared.

He said he was happy to see that the country’s future was bright and invited the next generation of leaders to participate and not sit idly by and allow “bad” apples to detract and discourage them from what is best for them and the country.

“You must make your voices be heard, and your voices must come into this house, either through the responsible parliamentarian that you will elect, or one of you must come in, so that your voice is amplified to make it louder,” the PS added.

He then reminded the 50 youth parliamentarians to learn as much as they can, be innovative and think big so to make a difference as potential future leaders of the country.

The purpose of Youth Parliament is to expose Solomon Islands young people to parliamentary procedures and current issues affecting them.

Young people are selected and trained to make presentations in the Chamber of Parliament during a debate session, which is set for Thursday, where they are expected to talk about issues affecting youths of this country, under the guide of this year’s theme, “Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Livelihoods, Leave no one behind”.

The event is organised by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands together with the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs, through supports of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Australian High Commission and Oxfam in Honiara.

Communication and aviation ministry goes online

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka launches the new MCA website.
Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka launches the new MCA website.

THE Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) has launched its official website yesterday with the aim to engage more with the public online.

Increasing MCA’s visibility and presence online helps to increase the products and services provided by the Ministry to its clients and at the same time increase the popularity of the Ministry.

The Minister for Communication and Aviation, Peter Shanel Agovaka said the website is a great way to provide value added services to customers and clients, and is a great way to keep them interested to engage with the Ministry for the services it provides.

“The website is a magazine and a storefront and at the same time allows MCA visitors to see us in the virtual space so that they can make particular assumptions and create a given perception of the services we provide,” Mr Agovaka said.

The Minister made reference to the Ministry’s attempts to gain the confidence and trust of its clients such as passengers, visitors, business and leisure travellers that can help MCA serve and grow its services through online promotions and publicity.

The website is the first connection the Ministry has with citizens which may be an in-person meeting or a social post, but more importantly the platform serves as the very first point of contact between citizens and the Ministry.

According to Agovaka, the amount of time spent on any new website is minimal with an average website visit to 15 seconds or less for any average user and this is why it’s important to make valuable information easier to find, which is being addressed in the website structure and design.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary Moses Virivolomo shared similar sentiments saying the website allows direct civic engagement regarding citizens’ experiences and made it easier to capture feedback to help MCA consider updating strategies from enhancing a user experience to adding relevant topics to meeting agendas.

“The platforms also allow officials to speak directly with their constituents about their most pressing demands. This helps create trust between local government and the citizens they serve, because it shows residents that government leaders are listening closely and can help provide solutions for bolstering services and provisioning across the community,” Virivolomo said.

The Permanent Secretary added that Solomon Islands is prone to natural disasters and the nature of the Aviation sector is always at risk so a government website must be ready with critical information.

“Communication through a government website is the first line of defense in emergency situations, and that it can help promote calm and control for residents. This will help get more people to safety and direct emergency services personnel to the areas that require the most help,” Virivolomo said.

Details of the website can be found on www.mca.gov.sb . The website will be updated regularly so that relevant information can be found easily by viewers on their first visit.

–GCU

Councilor’s case in court today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE pre-trial conference into the case against John Wale Urifo will be conducted today at the Honiara Magistrate Court.

The accused on this case is a Honiara City Council (HCC) councilor and incidents he is alleged of occurred when he was the chairman for the Lands standing committee of the HCC.

Police said the allegation is related to an offence of false pretence which occurred in 2016 and 2017.

The accused is the Councilor for Ward 4 of HCC.

Police said that the alleged incident occurred at the HCC office where the accused obtained money through false pretence at a sum of $89,000 from the complainant.

Police Prosecution Service prosecutes the case in court.

Gov’t needs to take long-term action on climate change issue: Report

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Office of the Auditor-General has conducted a Performance Audit on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies. This was in recognition of the impact that Climate Change has and will have on islands in the Solomon Islands.

This is a national audit mandated under the Solomon Islands Constitution to examine the Management of the Pacific Adaptation on Climate Change project (PACC).

The Performance Audit report was released on August 24 this year and stated that there is a lack of action Plan for the implementation of the National Food Security Policy [NFSP] 2010-2015 to effectively address the strategies detail in the NFSP.

The AG’s report said that there should be a Working Group to establish a specific prioritised action plan to ensure that the policy objectives are met and adequate planning of addressing the impacts of climate change on AFS within the communities and atolls that at risk.

“It is not clear that the Ministry has focused on finalising the draft National Food Security Programme as it is still waiting for review and little consultation. The structure outlined in the component reports to the PACC project Director via the Steering Committee. However there is no reporting mechanism between Lead Farmers and PMU to assess the demonstration activities status update.

“There is lack of linking mechanism developed for Local Communities, PMU and assisting agency to discuss what was happening on the demonstration site. This is required to ensure proper monitoring for planning purposes. Moreover OAG noted that there is no documented long term plan developed to support and budgeted for its roll out activities after PACC programme is complete,” the report stated.

The plan will enable the sustainability of PACC established activities for atolls and those at risk Islands.

“There is no proper awareness and training to introduce PACC and its community-based activities, as a result there is no community support towards the programme, as objectives are not achieved as planned,” the report says.

The report also highlighted that Honiara, where the bulk of the country’s infrastructure is located was once under the sea and, even now, is barely above sea level. The sort of rises in sea level predicted will see our capital under water once more unless the government takes long term action.

The National Climate Change Policy needs to be updated. There needs to be a Food Security Policy developed. There needs to be sufficient budget provision from Parliament to ensure effective policies exist and to ensure that ministries have sufficient resources to implement them effectively and in full.

“Solomon Islands cannot stop the rise in sea level but it can become one of the best prepared countries in the world to deal with its consequences and ensure that its people can not only survive but prosper in the post-climate change world,” stated in the audit report.

This audit has been part of a joint work by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)/INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI)/Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) co-operative Performance Audit facilitated jointly by the Pacific Islands Auditors.

Former CDO’s case adjourns

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against the former Constituency Development Officer and his co-accused has adjourned to October 22 for continuation of submission in regards to the ‘no case to answer’ submission.

This case has gone through a trial in which the prosecution called their witnesses and gave evidence in court. After prosecution closed their case the defence submitted a ‘no-case to answer’.

Following the ‘no case to answer’ submission, prosecution also will submit their view in response to the submission.

Defence lawyer representing the accused said that their clients have a ‘no case to answer’ on the allegations against them.

The two accused on this case were charged in relation to the allegations that they stole sheets of roofing iron from the Gao-Bugotu Constituency.

Jimmy Dikamana and Lonsdale Tana were charged in relation to incidents which occurred in 2015.

Prosecution alleged that the two stole roofing iron from the constituency and sold them to other people.

The Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.

World Cup prep begins end month

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The national under-16 soccer side during the recent OFC Under-16 Championship in Honiara.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE national under-16 side will begin its preparation for next year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru soon.

Head coach Stanley Waita confirmed on Monday.

Waita said they are yet to finalise an exact date for the kick off of their preparation but they would like to have it started by the end of the month.

“I have to meet with the boys first before coming up with an exact date. But it has to be the end of this month,” he added.

Solomon Islands and New Zealand will take part in the 18th edition of the global biennial event as Oceania representatives after finishing as the top two teams in the regional qualifiers held in Honiara last month.

Next year’s youth world cup is scheduled to run from October 5 to 27 across eight host cities in Peru.

Four Asian teams namely Australia, Japan, South Korea and Tajikistan join host nation Peru and the two Oceania reps Solomon Islands and New Zealand, occupying the first seven slots in the 24-team tournament.

Seventeen slots are yet to be filled by teams from UEFA (Europe – 5 teams), CAF (Africa – 4 teams), CONMEBOL (South America – 4 teams) and CONCACAF (Central, North America and Caribbean – 4 teams).

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rick Hou has assured the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) of his government’s support for the Solomon Islands national U-17 team towards their preparations for the world cup through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The proposed assistance was discussed in a meeting between SIFF president, William Lai and Prime Minister Houenipwela held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) last Wednesday.

During the meeting, Lai presented a brief on the national U-17 preparation plan to the Prime Minister which includes tours, international friendlies and training camp.

“For the next three weeks we are in the process of finalizing our preparation plan for our U-17 team which includes training camps in Japan, Spain, England and in South America,” the SIFF president said.

“So we need the government support as we are trying to prepare a competitive team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru next October.”

Prime Minister Houenipwela then assured the SIFF president that the government will assist the team.

“I want to assure SIFF that my government is committed in supporting the team through our ministry responsible,” the Prime Minister said.

“If you have a budget it will be helpful to send it so we could follow it up with the Home Affairs ministry.”

Missing millions

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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OAG report finds $26M given to MPs through Shipping Grant, but no ship

 

By Alfred Sasako

JUST as the anger surrounding payments of hundreds of millions of dollars to JQY Enterprise Ltd – a Government Preferred Supplier – begins to subside, another potentially controversial scheme involving the misuse of public funds has emerged.

This time it involves payments of tens of millions of dollars to successful applicants in what was known as the National Shipping Grants Initiative. It was administered by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).

The scheme known as the Shipping Grants for short, operated between 2013 and 2015. In that time some $45.4 million in grants were dished out, largely to members of Parliament, to buy ships for their constituencies.

Of this amount, vessels bought and registered represent only $19.1 million, according to a Performance Audit Report on the scheme, undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).

The balance ($26.3 million) were given out to successful applicants, but no ships have been bought, according to the report, which revealed instances of missing files, advanced payments of grants and more.

Island Sun has obtained a copy of the Report, which had been widely circulated to key government ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and Treasury as well as the National Parliament.

Among other things, the report recommended that legal action be taken to recover monies from those who received the grants but have failed to provide any progress report on their vessel purchases.

The audit also found that the scheme operated without formal government policy for two years (2013 and 2014). A formal policy guideline was introduced in 2015.

Despite its damaging findings, both MID and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, appear to have ignored its findings and recommendations to address the anomalies found in the administration of the Programme.

“OAG collected a total of 24 transactions from the government general ledger account for all shipping grants made during the period 2013 to 2015 and conducted a review of all supporting documentation for each of the transactions. 17 of the 24 transactions were for vessel purchases,” the report said.

It found for example that only two of the eight purchasing transactions totalling $17.8 million complied with the guidelines introduced in 2015.

Despite the policy guidelines, the audit found that “All but 2 of the 2015 vessel purchase grants issued did not comply with the requirements of the policy guidelines.

“It is recommended that the guidelines be made clear to all grant applicants and a condition be inserted whereby any failure to abide by the conditions will result in a demand for the grant amount to be returned to the government which can be enforced through the courts,” the report said.

Recipients shared some $26.3 million in grants purposely to buy ships but none was bought, according to the report. The report also shows that of the 17 successful applicants, 13 (thirteen) were members of Parliament (MPs).

Some have yet to buy their ships.

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