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Forau appointed as New Deputy Governor to CBSI

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Dr. Luke Forau (c) flanked by Governor Denton Rarawa and outgoing Deputy Governor Gane Simbe with few management staff at CBSI Board Room.
Dr. Luke Forau (c) flanked by Governor Denton Rarawa and outgoing Deputy Governor Gane Simbe with few management staff at CBSI Board Room.

THE Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) has formally announced the appointment of its new Deputy Governor, Dr Luke Forau (PhD).

Forau, who succeeds former Deputy Governor, Mr Gane Alva Simbe, assumed responsibilities as of Tuesday, September 18. Simbe retired from official duties last week after serving the institution for more than 32 years.

Forau has been part of CBSI for almost 19 years, starting work at the Bank on January 4, 1999. Over the years, he served in several positions within the Economics Department, all the way up to the Chief Manager position in 2010. His most recent appointment at CBSI was for the senior executive role as Advisor to the Governor’s Office in 2016.

Hailed from the island of Tikopia, he attended Safoa Primary School on the island before doing his secondary school education at Luesalemba Provincial Secondary School (Forms 1-3), Santa Cruz Island, and completing it at Waimapuru National Secondary School (Forms 4-6). In 1992, he was offered a SIG scholarship to do Foundation studies at USP, Fiji and thereafter continued to pursue his undergraduate studies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, Management and Public Administration at the University of South Pacific. He returned and was employed as a teacher at Su’u National Secondary School.

In 1999 he joined CBSI to work in the Economics Department where he was eventually appointed as the Assistant Manager in 2006. In 2007, he went for further studies, under the Bank’s scholarship, at the Australian National University in Canberra for two years where he graduated in 2008 with a degree award in Master of International and Development Economics. He was later promoted to the Chief Manager position in the economics department in 2010.

In 2012, Forau was awarded a four year Australian Government Scholarship to pursue Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the fields of Economics at the University of New South Wales (Canberra).

He graduated with his PhD after the completion of this programme and upon his return in January 2016, the CBSI Board then appointed him to the position of Advisor to the Governor’s Office.

From these achievements, work experiences, wealth of knowledge and his high qualifications, Forau was then selected as the best candidate for the post, and received his appointment as the new Deputy Governor for CBSI earlier this month.

CBSI is the premier financial institution of the country and is at the centre of the banking and financial system, performing a number of essential functions including the formulation and implementation of the country’s monetary policy. CBSI’s primary objective is to maintain price stability, foster, maintain a stable financial system, and support general economic policies of the Government.

–CBSI PRESS

Firearms in the news

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DEAR EDITOR, I find it quite disturbing in the news this week two reported incidents of illegal firearms being moved around the country.

The first news involved the use of firearms to rob a logging camp in the Shortland Island groups on September 15 and the latest being the arrest of a man allegedly in possession of a firearm and live rounds on Guadalcanal three days after the incident in the Shortland Islands.

While there is no reason to believe that both incidents are related, the worrying factor is the alleged intention of the Bougainvillean to sell the weapon to a client on Guadalcanal which resulted in his arrest and the free flow of weapons across the border as we have seen so many times.

With the lack of mechanisms in place to monitor cross border trade in the Western Solomons, how do we know that this incident is only a one off?

The issue of cross border crime in Western Solomon Islands is not a new issue and it is only a matter of time before communities within the area face a similar scenario. I know there are ongoing work by the Government to addressing this, however, it should be a matter of national urgency and resource allocation.

More government budget should be allocated for security and in this sense, the protection of our border with PNG

The country will soon go to the polls early next year and such news does not help in the already tense period we had with the voters’ registration period over the few weeks.

The Government should be proactive in ensuring that its people are provided with security as we go into the first elections for years without the presence of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

We have seen the negative impacts of cross border movements in Western and Choiseul Province in recent years, therefore it is time the Government puts a stop to criminal elements from Bougainville from entering the Solomon Islands.

Brian Lezutuni

USP

Portable sawmill donated is part of agreement: Ulemiki

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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

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 Constituents again reminded of objection period

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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

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”.

Investigation underway regarding Ports break-in

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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

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).

A potential medical breakthrough as a Solomons drug trial shows promise for eliminating diseases

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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

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Plots of lands allocated for Smoking residents saga

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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

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.

Report of low stock of sterile water

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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

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.

New clinic for Wanderer Bay Community

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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.

–G-PROVINCE PRESS

Veke hands over 2 new clinics in West Guadalcanal

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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.

–G-PROVINCE PRESS