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SI economy can be improved through Tourism activities

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands economy can be improved through tourism activities in the country, it is reported.

This is according to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management (MECDM) and Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in Pacific Islands Country (MACBIO) latest economic report.

The economic report stated that Solomon Islands has a small tourism industry but is now expanding.

It furthers that tourism expenditures from foreign visitors amount to about SBD$514 million per year (US $ 68 million).

“This indicates that varieties of businesses and their employees in providing government tax revenue have benefited from this particular industry,” stated the report.

It further spells out that if this industry is managed responsibly it (tourism) can be a beneficial and sustainable ecosystem service.

This is because tourist generally seeks out healthy ecosystems in which tourism can create a motivation to protect and even rehabilitate marine ecosystem.

Besides the report said that if tourism is more developed and profitable there would be a higher motivation for locally and the national government of Solomon Islands to stop unwanted activities like illegal logging and some other destructive activities like mining and inshore fishing.

Don’t dependent on MPs: Gege

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Provincial Secretary of Malaita Provincial Government, Mr Jackson Gege.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Provincial Secretary of Malaita Provincial Government, Mr Jackson Gege.

PROVINCIAL Secretary of Malaita’s provincial government has called on market vendors in Auki not to depend on MPs.

Jackson Gege made the statement during the official opening of the two-day Market for Change (M4C) programme in Auki yesterday.

He said nowadays people depend heavily on MPs for the purpose of addressing their financial needs and other areas of livelihood.

Gege said it is common among people everywhere in the country and it has made people become lazy to do things for their own.

He said people continue to depend on MPs without knowing that everything around is worth money, if they only show willingness to turn them into money.

He added the government, NGOs and other stakeholders have provided the services for the country, but still people never utilise them well.

Gege stressed that this is one of the purpose the “Auki market business fair” under the Market for Change programme has come about.

“This is so that it brings together stakeholders to provide you information on their services, so that you can make things out of it for your benefit.

“In all areas of life you can pursue for your success, services were available and resources also there to do it for you.

“Only to set you on track maybe the problem and this is the reason these stakeholders are here to help you with information about their services.”

Gege thanked the UN Women, UNDP and other stakeholders who participated in the Auki market business fair programme.

Make Honiara a captivating and beautiful national capital to visit

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, tourism is an increasingly important sector for the Solomon Island and, reportedly, arrivals were up in the last quarter.

Recent cruise visitors to Gizo were said to have been captivated by the beauty of the place.

Tourism growth could be boosted if Honiara could be made cleaner and more attractive with a greening programme and much better care taken of the urban and surrounding environment.

This week has seen claims the Mantanikau River is so heavily polluted and has become an eyesore and an embarrassment.

The Honiara City Council continues to try and keep the Honiara environs clean and only quite recently acquired two new rubbish disposal trucks, but sadly it seems Honiara residents dispose of their household rubbish with disregard for the Byelaws and throw their waste by the roadside.

Much praise is to be extended to all those volunteers over the years that have done their very best to beautify Honiara with the planting of many trees and shrubs but only to find wanton vandalism has destroyed their efforts almost overnight.

Tourists are not only interested in accommodation in the places they choose to visit so, like Gizo, let us ensure future tourists will arrive to find Honiara a lovely, clean city befitting a capital in one of the remaining natural paradises in the Western Pacific so easily and economical to visit.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Wheelchair users want crossing on road upgrading

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE current road upgrade has excluded accessibility for wheelchair users by means of crossing which has raised a huge concern for people with special needs in Solomon Islands.

They are calling on authorities to address this problem.

Since the Kukum Highway Road Upgrading kicked off, people in wheelchairs have been finding it difficult to cross, basically to access services such market, games and other national activities.

There is no visible ramp for them along the highway from Honiara Central Market to Kukum market that is friendly accessible for crossing.

Speaking for wheelchair users, Mr John Vana, a wheelchair user residing at the National Referral Hospital, said they do not see any crossing point for wheelchair people along the new road.

“We see wheelchair users did not have any access to across the road to have our market, access games and other national activities.

“We want if responsible authorities can look at this issue because the road is meant for everyone whom we also include, not only for able people.

“We want if responsible organization can provide any accessibility on the road upgrading from Market to Kukum for wheelchair and disable people.

“We did not want help from public because they are busy people, but we want do our own thing like going to market, do our own shopping and watching games,” Vana said.

Additionally, Vana explained that before wheelchair users have places for crossing but now the current road is too high for them, and it’s too difficult to access any social activities happening on the opposite side of the road.

Far from a paradise

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, for many people dreaming of a Robinson Crusoe lifestyle or a long wished for holiday on a Pacific atoll, spending time on Lord Howe atoll in Solomon Islands waters would seem to be the answer to their long awaited dreams.

In reality the situation on Lord Howe atoll would be far from their expectations if current reports of the lack of health care for 3000 people is to be truly believed.

When I say “truly to be believed,” I find it very hard to accept that a community of 3000 at Luaniua has been essentially denied health services for as long as two years due to an unfinished health clinic and when, reportedly, both the responsible MP and Provincial MP had been made aware of the dire situation.

From a humanitarian viewpoint, I would urge the responsible authorities to investigate the serious reports that have emanated from David Gapani, the Chaiman of the Luaniua Clinic Board, as soon as possible in order to ensure medical health services are restored to the people without further delay.

Quoting from what Mr Gapani has said of the situation in his village one will have to agree the facts he has reported need immediate responses.

“Because of a lack of medical services some of the people died due to lack of treatment and medication.

“It is a sad situation because sick patients lack access to medication to treat their sickness.

“Most times they depend on herbal medication and simple home treatment to cure their sickness but it’s not enough for other major diseases or even during birth.

“My village lacks medical services and it’s really sad because some of our people died due to lack of medical services.

“Mr Gapani said only Pelau has a clinic which can be reached by travelling on an outboard motor (OBM).

”It takes two or more hours to reach Pelau but lack of fuel is a setback for my people.

“Ships normally travel to MOI once a month and that’s when fuel supplies are brought in, yet it did not last for a month due to demand.”

Mr Gapani said he has sought assistance from the Member of Parliament (MP) and the Provincial Member to seriously address the situation by completing their clinic. However, there was no response from them, he claimed.

“If the clinic project is not considered by our two leaders then the lives of our people will still be at risk.

Luaniua has a population of more than 3000 residents and this requires the presence of a running health clinic.”

“Our plea is for the MP and the provincial member to visit us and find ways to complete the building before the next general election,” Mr Gapani said.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

North East Guale leaders discuss Traditional Governance Bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Leaders from NE Guadalcanal listens to presentation

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Leaders from NE Guadalcanal listens to presentation

THE Member of Parliament (MP) for North East Guadalcanal is currently holding a workshop for Chiefs, Traditional leaders, women and youths of Tathiboko and Paripao.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, Dr Derek Sikua says what he is doing now is to bring to light the current Traditional Governance Bill to his people to get their views on the Bill.

He said the outcome of this workshop will form the basis for him to either go for or against the Bill in parliament.

“Also other Bills going before parliament now are the Reparation Bill, going through the ethnic crisis, as well as the Electoral Bill which has been passed already. We will also discuss these Bills and Act as well in our session here.”

He said it is important for him to seek his people’s views before they debate the said Bill in parliament.

At the same time, Sikua says women shouldn’t feel that they are being left out in the Traditional Governance bill.

He said the Bill is not gender specific but allows chiefs to exercise their duties.

“I don’t think the Bill restricted women to participate. Because the way I see it, it is not gender specific. But it does allow for the chiefs to make decisions whether they want a woman traditional leader not necessarily a chief. Especially for us in Guadalcanal, we are a matrilineal society. A traditional leader could be a woman too.”

Sikua said this is the first time for him to carry out such awareness for his people.

He said that he had not been able to carry out this sort of activity previously because most Bills passed and enacted already are too technical for the rural people to understand.

“These current bills before parliament are the ones directly affecting our people. Especially traditional governance, that deal with customary land, ethnic tension, those ones are the issues affecting my people.

“Thus I feel it important that I seek their mandate. Finance is another reason. This session I have to include in our constituency budget so that we can be able to carry out this workshop,” Sikua said.

He said consultation programs carried out by government on the Traditional Governance Bill does not include every chief from Tathiboko or Paripao.

More than 150 people from North East Guadalcanal attended the workshop.

Sikua challenges MPs over luring voters

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Leader of Parliamentary Independent group Hon Dr Derek Sikua.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

DEREK Sikua question his Parliament colleagues over what they are afraid off after hearing reports of people being lured to register and vote in other constituencies under their influence.

When asked over such in an interview yesterday, the Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal replied with this bold question challenging his Parliament colleagues of the national government.

“What are you afraid off? If you are doing the right thing for your people then what are you afraid off? I am very surprised with my colleagues over such reports and they should be ashamed of themselves. That is what I want to say to my colleagues.”

Mr Sikua commented over reports of the cross border registration for voting currently occurring as well explained from his believe that it is a direct result of the amendment recently passed having broadening the definition of ‘ordinary residence’.

CSM household temporarily closed

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Pogo Household- lower vavaya ridge of the Community of the Sisters of Melanesia is closed temporarily as of yesterday to allow the Police Explosive Ordinance team to remove an unexploded bomb found at the area.

The CSM admin said the closure will be temporary for the police to carry out their work.

A notice from the CSM admin said a construction team from Advance Technology currently working on the sisters’ fence have found one live ordnance which needs to be carefully removed by the explosive team.

And they are taking extra precaution and limiting visitors to have easy control measure to temporarily vacate the site as of yesterday.

The CSM admin said they will further notify everybody when the response team successfully remove the unexploded bomb.

Police Media unit in their media confirmed that the Render Safe Procedure task will be activated between 8am and 12pm today and they are urging the general public and those living within the area of the road block points to the coastal side along with the areas of Advanced Technology, ITA Hardware, Rock Haven Inn, United Church Rest House, and the line of shops on the western end of ITA hardware are kindly warned to keep out while the operation is in progress.

Prosecution to update court on police investigation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PUBLIC Prosecution is yet to update the court on whether or not the investigation into an alleged rape incident has been completed.

Yesterday the court was told that the prosecution in carriage of the case was busy on another trial and the prosecutor who appeared cannot assist court in regards to the outstanding issues relating to investigation.

Meanwhile defence said that partial disclosures were already served and they are waiting on the prosecution for full disclosures.

This is the case against an accused who is charged in relation to amendment (SEXUAL OFFENCE) ACT 136F (3)(a) Sexual Intercourse or Indecent Act – Child under 15.

On the previous occasion the prosecutor who appeared told the court that the only outstanding issue is the investigator’s statements, in which the court raised disappointment over the delay of the police investigators statement.

The case yesterday was adjourned to September 26 for prosecution to update the court on the status of the investigation.

Attempted murder case adjourns to September 19

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a man convicted of one count of attempted murder is adjourned to September 19 to appear before the presiding Magistrate.

The case was called before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti and since the case was presided by the Deputy Chief Magistrate, Ms Beneteti adjourned the case to allow the presiding Magistrate to hear the case.

The Deputy Chief Magistrate is currently in Buala, Isabel province, and will be back at the end of this week.

This is the case against an accused man Rex Langoni who pleaded not guilty to the charge and a trial was conducted on his case.

After the trial was completed the accused was found guilty and the court convicted him of his charge.

The case is for sentencing and mitigation submission.

The case then adjourned and to be heard before the Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea.

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