THE Minister for Civil Aviation
and Communications, Peter Shanel
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
MINISTER Peter Shanel is looking for greater collaboration amongst Pacific island countries to address challenges related to Maritime Communication and Regulation.
Solomon Islands is among Pacific island countries highly prone to natural disaster and impacts of climate change, described as major challenges towards development.
Communication and Civil Aviation Minister Shanel said Solomon Islands like other islands in the region, faces geographical spread and isolation challenges.
With that it also highly prone to natural disasters and impacts of climate change, he adds.
“Solomon Islands have experienced a new trend in high loss of lives in maritime high seas as compared to other natural disaster causes such as tsunami, flooding, earth quakes and cyclones, which am certain is similar to other pacific island countries in the region.”
With the three-day workshop on Pacific Radio Communication currently underway in Honiara, Shanel said it is fitting to provide sessions on Maritime Communication and Regulations which could provide solutions in addressing loss of lives in maritime high seas.
He is hoping such workshop will bring about valuable and positive discussion outcome for the participants in terms of managing spectrum as a finite resource.
Besides, the need for greater collaboration amongst the pacific islands in the region in spectrum harmonisation, he said.
THE second youth peace building innovation forum is currently hosted in Auki, starting yesterday.
During the official opening ceremony, guest speaker Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stressed the importance of the forum saying that it is an important avenue for youths to discuss issues affecting them.
“We have been under British protectorate for 85 years where they have been protecting us under their supervisions.
“As we have been gaining independence in 1978 we are now 40 years old where we should look after ourselves and try to create our opportunities especially in sustainability.
“Since we become the member of the united nation we have adopted many ways by launching policies but the real key issue is to implement those policies to become reality.
“We do not rely on policy alone but we must work hard to find answers for our own needs.”
The population of this country is dominated by youths.
“You are the leaders of this nation and you must be good positive thinkers and visionaries when doing things, Sogavare said.
“If you are a school dropout and adequate, don’t give up when you face hiccups, sufferings and challenges on your way.
“I was once a school dropout like you but I have a strong mind and believe that one day I will become somebody in the future.
“Do not have low esteem in yourselves but work hard and focus on what is ahead of you.
“Today is the time to make up your decision and mind on what will your future will be.”
Sogavare thanked UNDP and the MWYCFA for their support towards this programme.
Dagnal Dereveke (Tourism Solomons); Franklin Forau (Strongim Bisnis); Josefa Tuamoto (Tourism Solomons); Cass
Grant (Australian High Commission); Freda Unusi (Tourism Solomons).
Dagnal Dereveke (Tourism Solomons); Franklin Forau (Strongim Bisnis); Josefa Tuamoto (Tourism Solomons); Cass Grant (Australian High Commission); Freda Unusi (Tourism Solomons).
A major milestone was achieved earlier this week in welcoming a formal partnership agreement between Tourism Solomons and Strongim Bisnis, an Australian Aid private sector development initiative.
The partnership will work to increase awareness of Solomon Islands as a destination to holidaymakers in key markets such as Australia and New Zealand.
The partnership is a boost to the national tourism development strategy, which identifies tourism as a national investment priority to be led by Tourism Solomons.
Strongim Bisnis will support Tourism Solomons to increase online marketing and promotion of Solomon Islands as a holiday destination, and increase market intelligence for use by businesses and potential investors.
Tourism Solomons CEO, Josefa Tuamoto said the new partnership with Strongim Bisnis was timely given the recent rebranding of the national tourist office to attracting more international visits to Solomon Islands, particularly in the leisure sector.
“In addition to providing us with access to a wealth of tourism-heavy market research, which will be used to attract further investment into the tourism sector, this partnership complements ongoing promotion of our wealth of unique natural, historical and cultural attractions that set our Solomon Islands so far apart from our South Pacific neighbours,” he said.
In addition to marketing, training and market research, Tourism Solomons will host international bloggers to showcase Solomon Islands as an adventure travel destination boasting unique land and marine environments, as well local cultures.
The partnership will update the Lonely Planet Guidebook 2019 and extend the Tourism Solomons – TripAdvisor Partnership which targets travellers from Australia, New Zealand and USA.
Cass Grant of the Australian High Commission said Strongim Bisnis’s partnership with Tourism Solomons would bring about opportunities to showcase this extraordinary destination in the region.
“Investment in digital tourism marketing will attract more international visitors to Solomon Islands, bringing great benefits for local communities, including women and young people beyond the capital Honiara.”
Strongim Business is an economic development program funded by the Australian Government in Solomon Islands.
Its goal is to stimulate growth in the tourism, cocoa and coconut sectors through activities that strengthen business and increase women’s participation and empowerment.
A five-day workshop for community liaison officers in Malaita is underway, beginning on Monday in Auki.
Malaita province’s minister for community governance, Mr Fred Wai, said the workshop aims to strengthen community governance by increasing the knowledge of the community officers on the important roles that they will be playing.
“Am certain that what we will be learning here during these five days will surely strengthen the knowledge and participation skills of the participants, and will provide you guide lines on how we can work together with the provincial government and the national government in ensuring that the objectives of this project are achieved.
“We aware the Malaita MART led government have five pillars, these are Traditional governance, customary land reform, Economic investment, Education and Resources management.
The most relevant pillar he is Traditional Governance, this truly reflects the plight of Malaita government in recognising the significance and important role played by our traditional governance structure.
The Malaita provincial government truly believes that with the involvement of all stakeholders within our communities, we can surely deliver what is required for the need of our people.
Recognition of traditional governance is also embedded with the significant role played by our cultural norms and customs.
We have certain ways of managing the affairs of our people; we have certain rules where we recognise the rights of others.
We also have respect for laws and customs and ways where problem any problems encountered by our community members can be solve easily.
We have ways of solving disputes and ways of making sure there is justice and fairness promoted by our traditional systems.
I believe by investing in our traditional and existing structures, we can be sure that stakeholders within our communities can perform their job better.
If we train our youth leaders, women and our traditional leaders, am sure they can be effective in the role they play as managers in our communities.
Am happy that one of the issues promoted by this project is that of linkages and connections where we need to connect with each other in corporation and working together.
In this manner we can easily resolve issues and share in the benefits our provincial and national government is offering.
Community liaison officers, chiefs, church leaders and police your roles might be clear but am certain this induction will help you to make your roles stronger and effective.
I thank the World Bank and the MPGIS for the support for making this programme possible here in Auki.
Let me assure you that our provincial government will continue to support this community governance project in its obligation and make sure the project also spread to the other provincial wards in Malaita.
Solomon Warriors wing forward player and new signing Alwin Hou attempts to drive upfield as he is being tightly marked by the Marist player in yesterday's match of the Telekom S-League at Lawson Tama. Warriors won 2-0. PICTURE: ROMULUS HUTA
NATIONAL soccer caretaker coach Moses Toata will rely on their speed as they head into tonight’s international friendly encounter against Fiji at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Speaking to SunSPORTS from Suva yesterday, Toata said they know what to expect from Fiji given the size of their players and insists on employing a fast attacking game which will be one of their key strengths.
“Fiji is more prepared than us and will be tough given but we hope to give them a good contest.
“We must use our strength which is speed and try to get the ball into the last third more often. If we can do that more often, we can score and win.”
The match against Fiji will be the second one during this FIFA International window since last week’s 4-1 thrashing of Asian side Macau.
Toata had made three inclusions added onto his 15- man team which played against Macau.
The new additions comprised Fiji-based duo Mathias Iani and Jeffrey Bule, along with New Zealand-based Micah Lea’alafa.
The trio has joined the rest of the squad members in Fiji.
Toata also rated youngster Alwin Hou as one of his key members in the tour.
Hou, a member of the national futsal side, Kurukuru, made his senior debut appearance in the match against Macau and put up an impressive performance and to further extent, he also added his name onto the scoresheet.
The match against Fiji will be the second appearance on his card.
“Alwin is ready for tomorrow (today).
“Against bigger opponents he must try to avoid contact, use his speed for counter attacks and that goes to everyone as well. Alwin since his inception into the team has done well and has proven himself in the Macau trip and must try to keep improving,” Toata stated.
Meanwhile, a few changes are expected to be made by Toata in tonight’s line-up given with the inclusion of Lea’alafa.
Central Islands Provincial Government and Tourism Division Office are called on to work closely with tourism operators entering the province, especially taking lead with activities.
From understanding, it comes to the people’s interest to see their provincial tourism Office taking the lead in strategic partnership with stakeholders in the tourism industry having seeing many tourism operators entering the province and benefitting from CIP’s resources.
Sighted on Ngella’s famous Forum (NGF), statement has it that CIP should be smart enough to catch sources where the province very own local tour guides or operators can gain income from.
“It’s creating a network of people who sees ways to generate money that matters in a free market, not whether or not the location and resources are ours.
“You can do it and you can benefit from it. You have to be creative in today’s environment to benefit from what we own and preserve.
“So work along with tourism operators or be left alone. Let’s stop being bystanders and make our lives a lot easier,” stated on NGF.
GIZO Community High School in Western province has been forced to shut down after students posted profanity and threats against their teachers on Facebook.
The school teachers have declared the school closed until further notice.
A member of staff on Tuesday told Island Sun, “The school board members and Police are actively investigating this issue with the highest priority.
“Posting an injurious message on the internet against teachers is our number one priority.”
He said there are right procedures to raise complaints against teachers, not in the social media by using bad words.
The teacher said they are now working closely with Police on the issue.
When contacted the Deputy Principal of the Gizo CHS on Tuesday said that he will not comment over the issue until any approval from the school principal.
Meanwhile, some students spoken to have expressed dismay and shock over what has happened and condemn what the students have done on social media.
PM Hou was applauded by Ms Scotland for his support towards the Blue Charter.
PM Hou was applauded by Ms Scotland for his support towards the Blue Charter.
THE Secretary General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland has acknowledged Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela and his Government’s policy shift to place more emphasis on youth development.
Ms Scotland made this acknowledgement after she was briefed by the Prime Minister on the Government’s new youth policy.
Prime Minister Hou and Ms Scotland had a brief bilateral meeting on Monday.
“My government has placed more emphasis on youth entrepreneurship and programs. We believe that if we educate and provide opportunities for our youths, then we are addressing 80 percent of our challenges,” he said.
Ms Scotland said the Secretariat will continue to support youth programmes in the pacific islands and will provide education opportunities for countries like Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General has also congratulated the Prime Minister and his Government for passing the Anti-Corruption Bill, Whistle-Blowers Bill and the recent passing of the Electoral Reform Bill.
Ms Scotland has also acknowledged the Prime Minister for his support towards the Commonwealth Blue Charter initiative.
“I also thank the Government of Solomon Islands for continuing the support to the Commonwealth Secretariat,” she said.
Prime Minister Hou in response also acknowledged the support by the Commonwealth to Solomon Islands over the years.
Foreign Minister Milner Tozaka sharing a word with the Commonwealth SG.PM Hou met with NZ DPM Hon Winston Peters on Tuesday.
COURT has ordered for proper application to be filed for bail variation on the case against a man involved in a fraud case.
The accused, Peter Rockson, through his lawyer applied for bail variation for him to travel to Lordhowe on Sunday.
Daniel Kwalai of the Public Solicitor’s Office told the court that Rockson was represented by Serah Karani of their office and instructed him that her client wants his bail condition be varied.
However Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea said that the trial has already been set for September 18 and since Lordhowe has difficulties in shipping services; the court is reluctant to grant the variation of bail.
Magistrate Iomea said there should be proper application made and also if the accused can come back to Honiara before September 18.
He said the trial will not be vacated anymore and for the accused to travel to Lordhowe will likely disturb the court dates.
This is the case which involves corruption related offences of fraudulent falsification, false pretences and embezzlement.
The accused on the case Ms Malia Katalake, a former employee of the Solomon Tropical Product who worked as a plant manager when the alleged incident occurred.
She is charged with two other co-accused; her husband Peter Rockson, 30, of Lord Howe, Malaita Outer Island and 29-year-old Junior Morris Bolas from Choiseul.
Rockson faces four counts of receiving and soliciting while Bolas faces seven counts of receiving.
Katalake was responsible for receiving copra from local farmers, scaling and writing on receivable company document (copra inspections and payment forms) for farmers who came from the province.
The allegation said that between January 1, 2008 and June 21, 2008 Malia and Bolas made up false copra payments sheet under the ghost name Sisi David and fraudulently withdrawn a total of $152,570.80 from the company.
Police alleged Katalake was the mastermind of the company scandal and she at her own discretion before submitting to the office receptionist to have them calculate and raise the payment according to what names appear on the copra sheet.
Most payments were alleged to have been done on cheques at the National Bank of Solomon Islands now the Bank of South Pacific and Malia and Bolas were the ones who collected and cashed the cheques at the Bank.
The matter was reported to police by the complainant John Vollrat who is the general manager of the Solomon Tropical Products, a company that deals with local farms by purchasing, processing and exporting of copra.
Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the state.
DEAR EDITOR, many candidates are using vehicles for transporting voters from place to place. But many of such activities involving voters carrying elements of corruptions, people and law abiding citizens must be cautious.
Is what we are doing illegal or unethical? Are we breaking legislation and regulation?
