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‘MID strives for quality road maintenance’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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(Second from right) MID Permanent Secretary, Stephen Maesiola with participants from the training.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

(Second from right) MID Permanent Secretary, Stephen Maesiola with participants from the training.

THE Ministry of Infrastructure Development says it is committed to providing quality roads for the country.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Stephen Maesiola said there is a training underway which involves experts from Australia training local personnel on road work.

“The purpose of this training is for contractors to understand the quality of roadwork construction the ministry wants.”

Speaking to the paper yesterday, he said experts from Australian’s Performance Training organisation are currently carrying out a training programme for staff of local and private contractors and MID project managers.

He explained that they are being trained important road ethics such as on how to manage construction on roadworks and how to identify the type of gravel suitable for use on the road.

Maesiola added that they are currently at the practical stage of the training where they are putting to use what they have learned from the training which began in February.

He said they will also be awarded certificates which will qualify them to assess and manage roadwork carried out in the country.

The permanent secretary furthered that the ministry is strengthening its Central Projects Implementation Unit (CPIU) to make sure that road maintenance is done according to the standard MID wants.

“The ministry is happy with this engagement which will ensure that the quality of road maintenance is improved to the standard we want,” he said.

Changes to election law

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Election

Parliament accepts amendments, passes Constitutional Amendment Electoral Reform Bill 2018

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Government’s electoral reform laws have passed through both houses of parliament, after politicians spent more than two weeks debating the changes in the chamber.

This was done after the bill came through slight turmoil due to disagreements from members of the Independent and Opposition groups, who thought certain changes that were included in the bill are unacceptable.

The nine clause (section) bill (Act) is to amend the Constitution in relation to electoral matters, and had proposed to regulate the registration of electors and the election of members of the National Parliament and for related purposes.

Its objects and reasons are to repeal and replace the National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (Cap.87), to improve the registration system of electors, to further regulate nomination process of candidates, to further improve the conduct of voting, to improve the counting process and to ensure there is a comprehensive range of electoral offences with appropriate penalties.

Additionally, it intends to provide an additional requirement that a candidate for election be a registered elector and to allow an Act to prescribe the term “ordinarily resident”; furthermore, to provide for a 12 month stand down period for a member of the Electoral Commission or staff to involved in the election process if he or she intends to stand as a candidate.

The Bill also caters for the increase of membership of the Electoral Commission to five members who will also deal with registration of political parties currently undertaken by the Political Parties Commission under the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014.

Other areas that however received heavy opposition from those from the other side of the house includes the merger of the Political Parties Commissioner, which exists under the Political Parties Integrity Act, and the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission.

Opposition and Independent groups have also rejected proposals for the establishment of a new position of Commissioner of Elections as the administrative head of the merged office that was projected to be responsible for elections and will also act as the Registrar for Political Parties under the Political Parties Integrity Act 2014.

A division was put to order for the final voting of the bill after its third reading and the speaker pointed out that based on the constitution, and requirements are too be followed in order to vote on any changes into any section of the national constitution.

The bill was then passed after it was again put to vote and the house used section 61 of the constitution to get a three quarter of the house, with an equivalent of 38 members, which was just the exact number received in the end, and the bill was passed.

In its second reading before it was committed to the Committee of the Whole House for its proceedings, a similar vote was ordered and 39 votes were received in support of the bill.

PM responds to Solomon Games postponement claims

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Hou takes a tour around the swimming facility July this year.
PM Hou takes a tour around the swimming facility July this year.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has come out to clarify the issue surrounding the postponement of the Solomon Games in Rennell/Bellona province.

This is in response to an article in the Island Sun yesterday and concerns raised on social media claiming that the Prime Minister sent a text message to the Member of Parliament of Rennell/Bellona Dr Tautai Kaitu’u, stating that the Solomon Games in Renbel has been postponed and moved to Honiara.

“I wish to clarify that my text to the MP for Renbel was in response to his query regarding the Caucus conclusion in regards to the Solomon Games. The MP for Renbel was not present at Caucus that time and requested an update on that matter,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the decision made by the MP to post it on Facebook was unfortunate and unintended which only the MP himself can answer.

However, the Prime Minister further clarified that the Caucus decision was not final and to be decided by Cabinet.

The statement said that the Prime Minister and his delegation were at Rennell for the second appointed day celebrations in July this year, including some Cabinet Ministers that visited Rennell earlier, which all have raised concerns regarding the preparations on the ground.

The Prime Minister’s statement said Caucus was very concerned with reports that preparations for the Solomon Games is very slow.

Members of Caucus were also disappointed that NOCSI were not able to appear before Caucus to report on their assessment on the progress of preparations.

“The decision taken by Caucus is based on a report by NOCSI. It would be necessary for NOCSI to come out clear and inform all sportsmen and women in Solomon Islands, if the facilities and all preparations are ready for the Games in November this year. That report is necessary for Cabinet to make its final considerations,” the Prime Minister said.

–OPMC PRESS

Renbel looks good to host games: Maitaki

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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NOCSI Events Commission Chairman Mr Morris Maitaki says Renbel looks good to host the Solomon Games as work is progressing well according to reports received.

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

NOCSI Events Commission Chairman Mr Morris Maitaki says Renbel looks good to host the Solomon Games as work is progressing well according to reports received.

CHAIRMAN for Events Commission Mr Morris Maitaki says all the necessary facilities to host the 2018 Solomon Games in Rennell and Bellona Province looks good.

Mr Maitaki told SunSPORTS yesterday that NOCSI is planning to visit the province again end of September for their second round assessment on the provinces’ preparations.

Maitaki said the recent announcement that the Solomon Games has been postponed and moved to Honiara for 2019, comes as a surprise because they have not received feedback from caucus or the government after delivering their first assessment early this year.

He said NOCSI has been planning to visit the province for their final assessment on their preparation end of September and believes the province has everything it needs to host the games.

“It was a surprise to us because we did not had or hear any feed back after handing our first report from caucus,” Mr Maitaki said.

“It was shocking decision. There should have been a joint collaboration between the government, Ministry of Home Affairs, NOCSI and the local organizing committee for the games.

“Our first visit was good. The swimming pool, touch rugby, rugby beach volleyball and football venues are almost finished, only about 20 percent to be completed

“NOCSI has an arranged visit to the province end of September. Already about 70 percent of the ground work has been completed.

“But we want to visit them end of September to see the progress, come back and then finalize the report for the games. That was always been the plan

“After our visit end of September then we will continue to advise authorities on what should be done.

“But the LOC still have six weeks to finalize the preparation for the games after our proposed visit next month.

“Otherwise seeing and currently hearing what is currently going on the ground from the LOC there we assured Renbel can host the games,” Maitaki said.

Meanwhile NOCSI President Mr Martin Rara is expected to arrive in the country today after attending the Asian Games held in India.

Scoping awareness workshop on Reparation Bill at Buma

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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US Admin for MNURP, Mr Gregory Rofeta making his remark during official opening of the scoping awareness for Reparation Bill yesterdat at Buma village, Malaita province

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

US Admin for MNURP, Mr Gregory Rofeta making his remark during official opening of the scoping awareness for Reparation Bill yesterdat at Buma village, Malaita province

A two-day scoping awareness workshop towards the preparation of the Reparation Bill officially started on Tuesday at Buma village in West Kware’ae, Malaita province.

Malaita province is the third province to conduct with the awareness after Guadalcanal and Choiseul provinces.

Under Secretary Administration of the Ministry of National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation, Mr Gregory Rofeta said yesterday the awareness is to enlighten stakeholders on the reparation policy framework and get feedback from them.

“As you may aware the exercise was important to collect information and data that will form the basis of a Reparation Policy which is an important component of the TRC recommendation,” he said.

Adding that views and opinions discussed during the programme will be helpful for documenting the reparation policy into bill.

Rofeta said for Solomon Islands the need for this dialogue is not only to deal with issues relating to the tension, but also any injustice that may have taken place prior to the ethnic tension.

He assured that the process will not only stop at the policy level, but will continue until the country has developed a legal framework for all reparation claims.

“Thus, I call on all stakeholders in Malaita province to support the government in the process in preparing the bill to the end.

“We need to be at the forefront of the discussion to find the policy very helpful for the stability and peaceful existence of our nation,” Rofeta said.

He reiterated his call to the participants that their contribution is very important as it will help address the targeted goals of the bill.

The programme is funded through the United Nations Peace Building project and implemented by UNDP and UNWomen with the supported of the Solomon Island government.

‘Old laws must be reviewed’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants attending the Reparation Bill Scoping Awareness Workshop at Buma village in Malaita province.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Participants attending the Reparation Bill Scoping Awareness Workshop at Buma village in Malaita province.

FORMER Member of Parliament for East Are Are, Mr Dickson Warakohia has expressed the need to review old laws of the country.

Warakohia made the appeal when contributing during the scoping awareness workshop in preparation towards the Reparation Bill underway in Malaita province.

Warakohia said many laws are outdated and need to be updated.

He said application of old laws tend to conflict with how people live, do things and think today.

“Those old laws showed the hard-work of our old men, and they made them suitable for the situation of the country during those times.

“Now it’s another generation and law must be designed according to the currently standard of living.

“Some of our old laws had been adopted from the British colonial laws during the independence, and definitely they need overhauling,” Warakohia said.

He said if the old laws still exist, they will continue to pull back the newly drafted laws because of the fact that every law relates to each other.

“So no greater change will expect from the laws of the country if old laws not overhaul or updated,” Warakohia said.

He also pointed out that another important area law makers and government should consider is to make laws in advance for the future.

Meanwhile, Warakohia applauded the MNURP for the great initiative to carry-on this bill as it look at healing long standing issues people faced with injustice in the country.

Malaita supports reparation policy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants attending the Reparation Bill scoping awareness workshop that will ends today.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Participants attending the Reparation Bill scoping awareness workshop that will ends today.

THE first day of the scoping awareness workshop towards the Reparation Bill has seen great support from the participants.

The two-day workshop is being held at Buma village in West Kwara’ae, Malaita province.

The participants shared sentiments on experiences during the past ethnic crisis and the need to address issues associating it.

As a province directly involved in the disagreement, participants shared views and opinions that truly come from their heart for the implementation of the reparation bill.

One participant said pursuing this Bill is no mistake, as it’s time to heal every outstanding injustice issue in the country.

The person said despite how old some issues may be, wounds have not yet healed, and this mechanism is the only way that healing can be achieved.

Yesterday a brief introduction was made on the execution of the bill and explanation of the legal policy framework set for the bill.

Today, they expect an in-depth explanation of the policy framework, as participants expect to go deep into the comprehensive policy.

Almost 100 participants attended the workshop represented various organisations or groups within the regions of Malaita province.

Lucrative money in agriculture, only needs willpower

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Patrick Nati from Savo island usually stays in town for a month to sell his melons.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Slippery cabbage selling at $5 with fewer stalks.

AGRICULTURE is said to be the backbone of the country. The same sentiment was raised by a local farmer from Savo Island, Patrick Nati.

Patrick comes from Pokilo village. He was selling watermelons at the Honiara’s central market and his watermelons ranges from the price of$30 to $130.

Speaking to Island Sun, Nati says money earned from this produce is far more than the expenses he had incurred.

Though it caused him $800 to get his melons to the market, at the end of his sell, he still have a lot of money left to sustain him and his family.

All his life he had been a farmer. A job he is passionate about and continues to share with people in his community.

He said farming and agriculture is good money and people only need to have the will power to labor in the gardens.

He said his farming techniques are organic in nature and he uses chicken manure as fertiliser.

“Once upon a time, Taiwan organised a competition and I won first, second and third prize and so they gave me a certificate,” he said.

He said he was happy to receive that certificate from Taiwan and looks forward for more competitions of this sort for farmers.

Patrick Nati from Savo island usually stays in town for a month to sell his melons.

Being a farmer most his life, Nati had been helping the people around his community on how to make fertilizers and how to look after their gardens. The melons that he sells are evidence of how he had looked after his gardens.

“I wrap them in a bag before placing them in a box so as not to spoil them so that when we come in the boat, it is intact and will not roll around.”

Nati said he is happy to assist and share his knowledge with his people because only through farming and agriculture will one in the rural area will be able to earn money.

Perseverance and dedication are values that needs to be practised if one wants to survive.

“Big money here. I spent $150 for melon seeds. $800 for transportation, $60 storage fee and a little more money on market fee but the returns are huge. I usually get around $10,000 after I sell my water melons. I do the labor as well so there is no labor cost involved.”

Nati says for a packet of seed, he can get around 150 seeds.

He said as a farmer, he is happy and content and there is nothing much he would like to ask for. Except to work hard and be willing in order to earn a living.

Law of demand and supply currently affects market venders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Goreti Vathagi originally from Monga village in East Central Guadalcanal, now resides in Honiara.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Goreti Vathagi originally from Monga village in East Central Guadalcanal, now resides in Honiara.

THE price of produce at the Honiara’s Central Market is said to slightly drop.

Speaking to vendors on Tuesday it was found that currently there is a low demand of market produce and that the supply of produce are also high.

The slippery cabbages that usually costs $10 are now selling for $5 per parcel.

The same goes for a parcel of shallot that usually costs $10 to $15 are now selling at $5 per parcel.

Pumpkins go as low as $2 for the smallest ones and $15 for a big pumpkin.

All the way from Malaita, a ball cabbage ranges from $15 to $30 while a $10 heap potato has a fair amount of potatoes in it.

Resellers at the market says currently there is minimal profit while a seller from the Guadalcanal plains say for her, it will be good.

“This is because I get to sell the produce myself, instead of having middle market people, buying my produce. I do not earn much profit when I do that. But if I sell the produce myself, I will be able to get good profit.”

Another reseller who reside at Tuvaruhu says for her, this is the only income generating activity for her.

“So whether it is good or bad time, I have to do this. I have no option.”

Asked why she didn’t do what other resellers usually do, that is to go back to their area of residence to sell, she said she doesn’t want to do that because it is better for her to sell at the market where no one knows her then to sell from her place of residence.

Ball cabbages from Malaita province arrives yesterday.

“Because I want to avoid people getting my produce on credit. This is the only income generating activity for me and sometimes people do not repay what they owe,” she said.

For these vendors, this is their livelihood and they often smile when there are events happening in the city.

“Because this is when we have caterers coming to the market and some buy most of our produce. We also have people from the hotels but most times we are shy to approach them with our produce,” the venders say.

For those from Tathiboko in North East Guadalcanal when asked what will happen to them if they have leftover market produce they pointed to the walkway in front of the Bulk shop and say, “that is our bedroom. We sleep there at night”.

They say it is quite safe and they rather stay close to the market so that they can get there early in the morning before someone take up their space.

“They should build a proper dormitory for us here,” they jokingly say.

National Youth Policy launch today sets new beginning

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

NATIONAL leaders and Youth in Honiara will witness the launching of a new National Youth Policy at the Mendana Hotel today.

The National Youth Policy lists three sectors that the country will work upon so that youths will have a better future—Strategic Framework for Youth Development and Empowerment in Solomon Islands and the National Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship strategy.

The document points out that it is essential that every policy that is implemented considers youths’ needs and it also envisages a youth policy for the next 14 years.

In Solomon Islands, Youth are a significant segment of the population with seven out of 10 Solomon Islanders under 30 years old.

However, obstacles prevent this demographic from fully participating in employment, politics and decision-making.

Now, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs will launch the Solomon Islands National Youth Policy 2017-2030 which will guide the government in efforts to develop and empower the country’s youth.

According to the MWYCFA, the National Youth Policy2017-2030 is the first of the documents from the new 3- tier policy framework for youth development in Solomon Islands.

MWYCFA said such new 3 tier policy framework for youth exemplifies the government’s commitment to transform Solomon Islands youths and adolescents into effective and positive force for nation building.

The document also ensures every young person is given the opportunity to contribute to the social, cultural and economic, political and spiritual development of the country, it said.

The event today will convened PM Rick Houenipwela, Minister for MWYCFA Freda Tuki and his Permanent Secretary Dr Cedrick Alependava and former UNDP Administrator and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

UNDP representative, Youth stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations and young people in Honiara will also part of the launching today.

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