A new portable sawmill recently handed over to landowning tribes of Tutu Zone at Northwest Choiseul is part of agreement between landowners and Treasury Timbers logging company.
This is according to Choiseul Province Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 12 at Varisi Lavata, Hon Nerio Ulemiki, who explained that the portable sawmill is to assist landowners to cut timbers for their houses and also to earn income from for other purposes needed.
“The portable sawmill was blessed by the Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru, Fr Henry Paroi, before it was handed over to landowners at Buronga by the Manager of the company,” explained Hon Ulemiki.
Treasury Timbers Ltd had handed over the portable sawmill on the 31st of August.
NGELLA’S famous Forum (NGF) again remind Ngella Constituents to be mindful of the fact despite registering in another Constituency being not qualified to register in, the objection period is coming up.
From reports by observation, Ngella Constituents are leaving their Constituency because of many reasons that only they themselves can explain why they are doing such.
Still, NGF urges Ngella Constituents to remember that under the law, anyone can object to their registration for the Electoral Commission and if proven right, they will be disqualified to vote in the National General Election (NGE) for 2019.
“Please members make our people to be aware of this rule,” urge NGF.
One particular main highlighted reason for current cross border registrations to take place too according through interviews is many have pointed that people are fed up of the types of leadership over the past years in their Constituency (Ngella). This falls back to the question according to many questioning “Why did you vote for them in the first place”.
POLICE at the Honiara Central Police Station have attended a report on September 20, 2018, of an alleged break-in at the Ports Authority area, Point Cruz, Central Honiara.
The break in happened at a Government building in the Ports area in which the Bio Security office, Customs and Excise, Ports cashier office, container service room, Finance office, HR office, Training managers office and the paymaster office are located in.
Police are yet to identify any suspect as investigations continue into the matter.
Details of any items or goods that may have been stolen are still not known, as work progresses to gather more detail.
Police say the break-in may have happened around 2.30am.
“I appeal for assistance from members of the public, who may have been in the Ports area and nearby to come forward with information to assist the investigation,” says Provincial Police Commander Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga.
Information can be passed to Honiara Central Police Station by contacting the phone numbers: 22999 (24 hours), 23304 (Monday-Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm.
Or contact Honiara Police Communication Centre on phone numbers: 23666 or 999 (free toll line).
DEAR EDITOR, “A medical trial in Solomon Islands has found it’s possible to safely treat large populations for trachoma and scabies simultaneously.
“Australian and Solomon Islands researchers medicated more than 26,000 people in Choiseul Province.
“The entire population was given antibiotics to treat the highly infectious tropical diseases.
“Professor Andrew Steer, from the University of Melbourne’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute says administering the two antibiotics together had significant advantages.
“Providing two drugs at once for two diseases you are getting double the bang for your buck. And that we are using a single set of infrastructure to provide treatment for two separate neglected tropical diseases.” Copyright @ 2018, Radio New Zealand
PLOTS of lands allocated for Smoking residents at Tulaghi further uphill is being done because a new domestic wharf development is planned to be built at Smoking’s seaside.
It is not of political interest being stated by the Premier of Central Islands Province (CIP) Hon Patrick Vasuni making clarification for more than once now after learning that there are different perspectives from people as well towards the Provincial Government’s move to make way for the new development to be built.
Many families settling at Smoking area are islanders too from different provinces such as from Temotu, Makira, Malaita and Isabel who went to work at Tulaghi during when Solomon Taiyo and the National Fisheries Development (NFD) were operating in CIP.
The islanders ever since then to this present living amongst indigenous Ngella people call CIP as their very own home. They continue to live and generate from inter-marriage and such at Tulaghi amongst the former fishing companies left areas after they were being relocated to Western Province.
To note, Hon Vasuni also stressed that the relocation of residents from Smoking area at Tulaghi is part of sympathy that the province has for the people.
“Residents at Smoking area have always been effective participants in the province activities so they deserve too to be relocated in a suitable environment for their livelihood.
“Many amongst the elders there have lived almost throughout their entire lives at Tulaghi seeing them being no stranger to the province and as already part of CIP’s family and citizens,” said the Premier.
CIP’s Premier and his Executive Government has already met and passed the area (plots of lands) for relocation which is just inland (upper hill) of Smoking area.
Smoking residents from report over the weekend have it that they have already received offer letters from the provincial government to start planning on the surveying and registering process of their plots of lands.
On the other hand, the recently announced Tulaghi Domestic Wharf made known by the Provincial Government of CIP has not yet started on construction.
CIP’s Provincial Secretary (PS) Mr Alan Christian Siale clarifies that the cause of the delay is the technical design to be adjusted and the inclusion of gender infrastructures as a component to the project.
Despite doubtful concerns, PS Siale confirmed that there is yet such a project for CIP called the “Tulaghi Domestic Wharf” which is under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
“I have met with the International Consulting Engineer attached to MID and there were already a number of consultations held here in Tulaghi.
“They should have started in June and July however, the cause of delay is the technical design to be adjusted and the inclusion of Gender Infrastructures as a component to the project,” clarified CIP’s PS.
THERE is report that sterile water is in shortage in the area health centres in Honiara.
Speaking to Island Sun, a concerned security guard who wishes anonymity raised the matter, explaining that he has missed his second dose of vaccination due to lack of sterile water.
He said that he was then sent to Kukum clinic but was also sent home due to the same matter.
He wants the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to clarify the current status of medicine shortage in the country.
He urged authorities to let the citizens of this country know so that they too can be aware of the current situation that the country is facing.
“This is in terms of what medical drugs we do have and what is out of stock.”
He said sending patients home without giving him/her medication indicates that the issue is still stand.
“With that I hereby call on the responsible authorities too please settled this situation properly before declaring and describing it a calm situation,” he said.
Cutting of ribbon Wanderer Bay Clinic: Premier Veke joined by MPA for Wanderer Bay, GP-Provincial Secretary , GP Director of Nursing and Community leaders.
Cutting of ribbon Wanderer Bay Clinic: Premier Veke joined by MPA for Wanderer Bay, GP-Provincial Secretary , GP Director of Nursing and Community leaders.
THE people of Wanderer Bay in West Guadalcanal Constituency are celebrating their new Rural Health Clinic (RHC) official handed over to them by Premier Anthony Veke.
It is the second clinic Premier Veke opened and handed over to two communities in West Guadalcanal Constituency last week.
Wanderer Bay clinic is a culminating result of tripartite partnership between Guadalcanal Province, ADRA Solomons (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) and the local community.
The project was initiated by Dr Silent Tovosia in collaboration with ADRA Solomons and the local community with approval from Premier Anthony Veke based on felt-needs-assessment.
Premier Veke acknowledged Tovosia for his desire to set up the clinic and thanked the land owners for availing the land the facility was built on.
“Your reception of an ADRA funded project in a catholic dominant region show your level of civilisation and understanding that health care needs transcend religious denomination divides. For that, I wish to thank ADRA Volunteers from Australia who built this excellent facility together with you the local community. Please take ownership of it and look after it well.” Premier Veke told them.
“I have done my part as your leader to ensure this project eventuate when Doc Tovosia approached me with the proposal. I will continue to work for you to ensure drugs and other vital clinical supplies and a nurse is posted soon to your clinic,” he assured them.
Director of Nursing – Guadalcanal Province, Mr Japhet Honimae in delivering his speech assured the community that GP-Health Division is going to stock up the clinic and shall be posting a nurse soon.
Community Representative Mr Apolinare Parugu thanked Tovosia and his wife, ADRA Solomons for the building, Landowners for the space and commended Mr Veke for his approval of the project.
People of Wanderer Bay normally access medical attention at Fox Bay or Tangarare which is a treacherous journey by boat. Now they have the facility right in front of their doorstep.
Premier Veke delivering his speech at Wanderer Bay. Photos from GP Media
Premier Veke delivering his speech at Wanderer Bay. Photos from GP Media
GUADALCANAL Provincial Premier Anthony Veke officially handed over two new rural health clinics to the people of Kusumba and Wanderer Bay in West Guadalcanal Constituency.
It has been a long time cry of the people of Kusumba and Wanderer Bay to have their own clinic facilities. Leaders have come and go however none ever built such facilities for the poor especially mothers and children who have to brave long hours and covered miles and miles in distances to the nearest clinic either in Tangarare or Fox Bay. Crossing flooding rivers and croc infested waters, the Weathercoast rough seas and land terrains meant life is not easy when accessing medical facilities and seeking attention.
The tears of joy in the eyes of mothers and elderly during the handing over ceremony speaks volume of the love they have for such a leader like Mr Veke who felt their pain and suffering and facilitate the building of the clinics.
There is going to be great relief from hardship the people of Kusumba and Wanderer normal experienced when seeking medical attention. These two facilities are going to improve the standard of living of the beneficiaries.
A crying mother lamented that projects like; copper, solar, boats and OBM engines are fake developments, they have no impact like schools and clinics. “We are very thankful to our son and leader Mr Anthony Veke for initiating, facilitating, supporting and delivering real development to our people.”
Delivering his speech during the two occasions, Premier Veke reflected on the Poverty Report which showed that Guadalcanal province has the highest rate of poverty occurrence. With the various criteria used in measuring poverty, access to health facilities and healthy living is one of them. This drives him to believe in direct delivery of health and medical services and facilities down to rural communities.
Hence the reason he pushed for Kusumba clinic to be completed and approved Dr Silent Tovosia’s proposal for an ADRA funded clinic for Wanderer Bay community.
Kusumba RHC was funded by Guadalcanal Provincial Government under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) whilst the Wanderer Bay RHC was built by Adventist Development and Relief Agency -ADRA Solomons with volunteers from Australia under a tripartite arrangement with Guadalcanal Province and Local Communities.
Cutting of ribbon at Kusumba Rural Health Clinic: Premier Anthony Veke, GP-Provincial Secretory Timothy Ngele, GP-Director Nursing Mr. Japhet Honimae,
Chairman of Kusumba Clinic and Contractor rep.
Cutting of ribbon at Kusumba Rural Health Clinic: Premier Anthony Veke, GP-Provincial Secretory Timothy Ngele, GP-Director Nursing Mr. Japhet Honimae, Chairman of Kusumba Clinic and Contractor rep.
IT’S all smiles, dancing and feasting last week as Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke officially hands over Kusumba Rural Health Clinic to the people of Tangarare Ward, West Guadalcanal Constituency.
During the handing over ceremony at Kusumba, Mr Veke expressed his satisfaction in realising the project for the people of Kusumba.
“You have longed for this health facility for so long, there are people before us who planned on such idea but it never eventuate. I myself have attempted twice before completing this project. People have written about me on newspapers and on SIBC accusing me of eating the project’s money. The rest is history, today I stand with you all to celebrate this great achievement and prove all personal and political critics wrong. We made it,” Veke said.
A mother delivering speech on behalf of all women praised Veke for his leadership, vision and passion to see his people have such a lifesaving facility.
“If we all present here today were given chance to share our story, it will be same story of hardship, tears and suffering to access medical attention. It’s dangerous having to cross croc infested rivers, its bad during floodings and also the scorching sun having to walk long hours and stretches of kilometers to Tangarare Clinic,” she lamented.
“Hon Veke our leader, the people are proud of you, you recognise to the basic need of your people for health care. No one ever thinks a clinic could be build where we are standing now. You are the champion, you are the founder and you make things happen, you make things real for people and you touched the hearts of every individual present here today.”
“This RHC facility will continue to remind us of your leadership. You have won our hearts and minds. You might not realise it but all these smiling faces are celebrating your ideals, your vision, leadership and mission to make changes and impact development. If it’s not for you, who will build this for us? No one is capable like you,” she said.
Kusumba RHC shall be an extension of Tangarare Health Centre and looked after by Guadalcanal Province Health and Medical Authority and was funded by Guadalcanal Provincial government under the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF).
Parliament resumed only to be adjourned to October
By Gary Hatigeva
Opposition Leader Manasseh Maelanga raises concern that time is short for government to deal with issues of national interest as parliament is further adjourned.
LEADER of the Official Opposition Group and Member of Parliament for East Malaita, Manasseh Maelanga is concerned that a lot of time has been wasted with so many adjournments, forcing parliament and the current government little time to deal with businesses of importance to the country.
The Opposition Leader made this strong statement during yesterday’s debate session of a Motion of Special Adjournment that was proposed by the government.
With less than three months before its dissolution, parliament was only resumed yesterday, only to be adjourned again to October 31, 2018, with intentions to give time for the government to complete its remaining businesses, which are deemed crucial for the 10th Parliament to deal with.
Before moving the Motion of Special Adjournment, the Acting Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare added that adjourning the sittings will also give a little more time for the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC), to complete its inquiries into the remaining Bills that have been put before it for scrutiny.
“The reasons are obvious, as we intended to deal with the Traditional Governance and Custom Facilitation bill 2018, which the BLC is still working on it and there are also other bills for the committee to clear, so that parliament can sit down and deliberate on,” the Acting PM explained.
The Acting Prime Minister, Manasseh revealed that initially, the schedule was for parliament to resume and later adjourn to the 7th of November, but due to the unfinished proceedings by the BLC into some of what the PM (Ag) described as, very crucial bills, the government had to propose for an early resumption.
“We realised that if we went ahead with the earlier proposed date, we will only have about five weeks to deal with all remaining government businesses, which meant the time will be too short.”
“So by taking the date back to the 31 of October should give a little more time, where we can have at least the whole of November and two weeks into December, so that by the 17th or 18th December, parliament will be dissolved”.
The Acting PM then thanked Members of Parliament from both the Opposition and the Independent groups for their views and support towards the special adjournment, which he thought was very important.
However, the adjournment would mean the timeframe is now squeezed to exactly one and half month for the house to deliberate on all relevant businesses, which include a number of bills that have already been through their second reading on the floor of parliament.
Additionally, the adjournment will also allow for the government to deal with current pressing issues, which Island Sun understands, included the Electoral Registration process that continues to make negative headlines, since it started over three weeks ago.
The issue was also highlighted during the debates and a lot of Members are concerned that the matter has now gone out of hand as most of the activities connected to, are said to be illegal and the government is urged to deal with before matters get any worst.
With its adjournment, the Bills Committee is expected to resume its enquiries into the remaining government bills, particularly the Traditional Governance and Custom Facilitation Bill.
