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Hydroponic crop cultivation in old shipping containers

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, as a follow-up to recent articles I have written to your newspaper on hydroponic farming methods I believe could usefully be undertaken in the Solomon Island to provide jobs, exports and improve livelihoods if adopted on a commercial scale with either SIG or foreign investment, I came across a very interesting promotional feature on Linkedin which I am happy to share with your readership.

Here is what the feature read (quote)

I would suggest any interested parties take a look at the website which I have mentioned.

“Make your farm inside refurbished old used shipping container. Retrofit 40-foot-long shipping containers and turn them into farms that yield as many leafy greens as 5 acres of farmland using very less water. 25 gallons of water a day is all it needs. Climate controls and LED grow lights also help nurture crops including butterhead lettuce, baby kale, Italian basil, and arugula with a wasabi-like kick. 4000 heads of lettuce can come from a single farm every 10 to 12 days. They grow from seed to full maturity in 30 days whereas outdoor farming takes at least 60 days. Containers can be placed near to the distribution/retail centers to save travel on supply chain. With an additional 2.5 billion people expected to live on planet earth by 2050, along with increased environmental stresses, productive farmland shrinking and a population migrating to cities, efficient urban farms have the opportunity to help feed the world. Reference TerraFarms, Local Roots.

Watch https://lnkd.in/f32ZVrN

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Foreign direct aid to SI delivering tangible outcomes

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, over the weekend I was gratified to read from a press release issued by the OPMC that medical drug supplies have started to arrive at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and deliveries made to several Honiara Medical Clinics.

It was good to read too that the SIG had offered to help neighbouring Papua New Guinea (PNG)with stocks of medical drugs and supplies as PNG, also, has been undergoing a similar problem with shortages of essential drugs and medical supplies.

According to a news item broadcast by Radio New Zealand last week, Daru General Hospital in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province was on the verge of shutting down due to a critical shortage of medical supplies.

The hospital serves a province of over 200,000 people, where the capital Daru has a high number of people with tuberculosis.

The governments of Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have all been instrumental in helping the SIG overcome the recent shortages by offering supplies and with transportation of essentials and are thanked for such timely assistance.

In the course of looking at what I tend to term ‘direct aid’ I noted a statement to the media issued by the Acting Australian High Commissioner in Honiara last week

In that statement the acting High Commissioner wrote, in part, “The Australian Government is committed to supporting the Solomon Islands Government to deliver health services to the people of Solomon Islands.

“Australia will provide up to AUD47.8 million as direct budget support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services over the period 2016 – 2020 to support the delivery of health services including the purchase of drugs and medical supplies. The Solomon Islands Government is responsible for the administration of these funds.”

The Australian Government also has a somewhat different form of Direct Aid Program which is a flexible small grants program funded by Australia’s aid budget, aimed at supporting small scale development projects with tangible outcomes.

Areas for DAP support cover community health, education, sport, rural development, capacity building, governance, human rights, gender equity, indigenous, youth, environment, agriculture, disaster relief and small scale infrastructure.

An example of DAP support in very recent years was the provision of AU$17,000 for kitchen equipment and training to the Solomon Islands Red Cross Special Development Centre.

Examples of direct aid having tangible outcomes received from the Republic of China (Taiwan) in most recent months, I would cite as having including practical farming advice and nutritional educational training and a specialist medical team’s visit to the rural communities in Malaita.

The promised gift of US$1 million for a solar power project to benefit the Solomon National University and the promised aid to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Environment and Meteorology and the National Department of Disaster Management will also result in tangible benefits when fully delivered.

New Zealand’s aid program to the Solomon Islands is helping to reach sustainable growth, improve the quality of education and make communities safer.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

EU to retain official residence in SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Jeremiah Manele presenting a gift to outgoing EU Ambassador Leonidas Tezapsidies

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Jeremiah Manele presenting a gift to outgoing EU Ambassador Leonidas Tezapsidies

THE European Union (EU) despite its decision to shut down its Honiara Office will still retain its official residence in the country.

Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) Jeremiah Manele during his Ministry’s farewell luncheon to the EU Ambassador to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, His Excellency Leonidas Tezapsidis, yesterday at the Mendana Hotel encouraged him to review the idea of leaving Solomon Islands permanently.

“I am glad that you are retaining your residence and I hope in the next coming years, your bosses in Brussels will be able to review positions,” said Manele.

“We know that there are job political considerations and developments in the world that do determine some of these actions but we hope that you will one day think seriously to return.”

Tezapsidis during his farewell remarks reminded that though EU is closing its office, they hope that it will not be forever.

“And the move to keep the residence is a first step,” he said.

“Things go in cycles, the houring is to improve as a matter of fact our efficiency by not spreading. That was a decision taken to not spread our limited resources especially in the Pacific in many countries, but concentrate in one and two countries (PNG and Fiji) in order to be more efficient and effective.”

He explained that in Fiji, they now have practically all the expertise.

“While here, we have the Ambassador and the administration but not all the experts that are needed,” said Tezapsidis.

“So I hope even now from Fiji that things will work better. It is even better to be close to our partners.”

 

 

ENDS/////////////////// USE A PIC OF AMBASSADOR TEZAPSIDIS

WWII monument removal investigated

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PS for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara.

By Mike Puia

THE Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) confirms investigation is underway into reports that some Guadalcanal landowners removed a USA war memorial at Red Beach, in the Tenaru area, on North Guadalcanal.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Andrew Nihopara said his Ministry will work closely with the Guadalcanal police to investigate this matter. The investigation starts today.

Reports reaching this paper confirmed some Guadalcanal landowners in the Foxwood area entered a land owned by Solomon islanders of Kiribati origin and removed a white pillar monument that was planted there to mark the USA Marine Corps 1st and 5th landing spot on Guadalcanal.

The USA consulate office in Honiara, yesterday, expressed dismay over this reports.

US consul, Mrs Keithie Saunders, said “…US is very disappointed to see these important land marks destroyed.”

Saunders said military tourism is very important, not only for historical value but also as a viable income for villagers where the monuments are installed.

War monuments in the country come under the care of the MCT. As for the US monuments, the US consulate office only looks after the US war memorial at Skyline.

Members of the Kiribati community there expressed their dismay over the action.

Secretary of the Te I Tungara Association, John Bakeua, said the monument has been moved to a new site 800 meters inland from where it originally stood.

Bakeua said the monument was removed with the help of Dalgro loaders, truck and drivers.

He said they decided to file a case against those who removed the monument but Guadalcanal police advised not to as the monument does not belong to them.

On social media, the issue attracted interest.

One of them, Joseph Waleanisia said national monuments are national assets regardless of location and whoever destroys it should be charged.

He said lease hold title does not denote ownership of monuments.

Waleanisia said the action should be condemned and the culprit charged for criminal act and civil disloyalty saying “this is an irresponsible and selfish act and someone must be taught a lesson”.

Nihopara said any World War II monument or related relic falls under the Protection of Wreck and Relic Act CAP 150, which is enforceable by the National Museum.

Communication & power supply – major challenges

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

THERE are many challenges not just here but also in Taiwan but the two major challenges in Solomon Islands is communication and power supply.

This was stressed by Professor Yue-Gau Chen of National Taiwan University (NTU) when speaking to the media after attending a reception with other members of the NTU delegation, the Taiwanese Central Weather Bureau (CWB) delegation and officials from Ministry of Environment’s Meteorology Department on July 18.

They are currently working together under the signed MOU on Meteorology Cooperation by Taiwan and Solomon Islands in April last for cooperation in meteorology and earthquake prevention.

Speaking of weather stations and challenges faced, he voiced that while there are a lot of challenges both in Taiwan and Solomon Islands, two major challenges they have come across in Solomon Islands are communication and power supply.

In terms of communication, he said translation is the challenge as languages vary given the number of different islands across the country.

Power supply deemed the most challenging with Professor Chen pointing out that sometimes when the power goes out, they can’t work out anything.

Henceforth, he added that those responsible to ensure that the power supply is maintained have an emergent task to perform so that they can keep the system running.

All the more, Professor Chen said that it is all about working together.

Recently, the Central Weather Bureau delegation travelled to Auki where they visited the Met station and the National Disaster Management Office and installed an A900A seismometer while National Taiwan University’s delegation travelled to Savo’s seismic station to review facilities and collect data.

Malaita environment health team to embark for Atoifi

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A team from the Malaita provincial environmental health department will go to Atoifi Hospital in East Kwaio soon

The team will be led by the Malaita province’s Chief Environmental Health Inspector on a number of areas upon request by the management of Atoifi Hospital.

Chief Environmental Health Inspector of Malaita Province, Ms Gloria Siwainao told this paper yesterday that the tour is mainly to deal with two areas the hospital has requested assistance in.

She said they are food handling safety training for hospital’s food vendors and to see the status of the water piping system in the hospital.

Siwainao said as has been requested there was a need especially for women selling food at the hospital to be trained on food hygiene and safety.

She said the women need to acquire proper knowledge on the area and the training will be to upskill their food hygiene and skills knowledge.

Siwainao said upon request, the piping system of the hospital is old and has been recommended for inspection before renovation.

Siwainao said her office has been prepared for the trip for three weeks, but have been hampered by unfavourable weather.

She assured that they will immediately embark when weather permits.

Gov’t embarks on ‘revenue-sharing’ scheme

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister Rick Hou delivering his speech during the occassion marking Renbel’s 25th anniversary.

By Mike Puia

Prime Minister Rick Hou delivering his speech during the occassion marking Renbel’s 25th anniversary.

THE national government, through the Ministry of provincial Government and Institutional Straightening (MPGIS), will embark on a study to look at how to share revenue from resources among provinces.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela, revealed this when addressing Renbel’s 25th anniversary celebration at Tigoa, Renbel’s provincial centre, over the weekend.

Houenipwela said a ‘Revenue Sharing Scheme’ study will be conducted to study and formulate an appropriate formula to be applied in terms of revenue sharing.

He said this was one of the resolutions put to the national government by the provincial premiers after the Premiers Conference in Auki, Malaita’s provincial centre, last November.

He revealed the MPGIS will engage a ‘Revenue Sharing Scheme’ expert to conduct the study.

Houenipwela said he hopes the revenue sharing study will provide a policy initiative to be incorporated into the review of the Provincial Government Act.

He said he hopes the study find a way to get everyone to receive fair share of their resources.

“Our people have been sidelined when it comes to receiving a fair share of their resources. As such, this study will enable our Government to have a policy in place to address this issue,” Houenipwela said.

He said it is the wish of the government that services are effectively delivered and that people get maximum benefit from their own resources.

The Prime Minister said the government will need everybody’s support in the development of this key policy initiative.

In terms of legislative review, Houenipwela said Cabinet has already endorsed the continual work on the Provincial Government Act review and the Draft Federal Constitution.

Further consultation on the review of these reviews will be carried out later this year.

PM Hou to have a taste of the noni magic

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Noni fruits ready for transportation

By Alfred Sasako

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela is to be given a full briefing on Noni farming later this week by none other than North West Guadalcanal Constituency MP Hon Bodo Dettke.

A spokesman said the meeting with the Prime Minister would take place at the Sir Paul Tovua Complex at Vavaya Ridge tomorrow (Wednesday).

It is understood Hon Dettke would brief the Prime Minister, focussing on the positive outcome from Noni Farming, particularly in addressing unemployment amongst women and young people.

Hon Dettke is expected to raise the issue of duty exemptions with the Prime Minister, given that the project is designed to provide employment to people who would otherwise be without a job.

Hon Dettke has always maintained that Noni farming is the answer to providing work or employment for those in the rural areas.

Noni farming has taken the North West Guadalcanal Constituency by storm since Hon Dettke, a businessman turned politician, introduced it about two years ago. He has never looked back.

This week Noni farming took another leap – this time by introducing an Out-Grower Scheme targeting some 300 farmers who are being given free land to grow or farm Noni.

Some 140 plots were signed off on Sunday to take part in the five-year scheme. An estimated 700 farmers would soon move into the land which shared a common boundary with Gilbert Camp in East Honiara.

Maeaba attends civil society leadership training in Israel

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Group that is attending the Leadership for Civil Society Activism in Israel from 15th to 31st this month.

By Mike Puia

Malaita deputy Premier, Hon Alick Maeaba, posed for a photo with the deputy director of the Golda Meir International Training Center, Ms Shachar Re’em.

DEPUTY Premier of Malaita Province, Mr Alick Maeaba, is one of the 26 people from around the world who are currently attending a 16-day leadership for civil society activism training in Israel.

The training, which started on July 15, is undertaken by the Israeli Agency for International Cooperation and Development (MASHAV) in collaboration with the Golda Meir International Training Centre in Haifa, Israel.

The aim of the training is to equip participants to build and strengthen their civil society. It designed to develop and strengthen local leadership and organisations to address issues of public concern through collective activity.

Among other things, the training cover areas like community leadership models and skills, voluntarism for community development, gender mainstreaming, strategic and financial planning, communication and presentation skills, coalition building and networking.

Whilst in Israel, Maeaba hopes to attend specific meetings on other matters of interest to his Province with relevant stakeholders in Israel.

Group that is attending the Leadership for Civil Society Activism in Israel from 15th to 31st this month.

The training Maeaba attends is one of the many training covering different areas MASHAV is offering each year.

Given the level these training programs are delivered, it will be of great benefit to Maeaba in his leadership career. He will return to the country on the first week of next month.

Deputy Director of the Golda Meir International Training Centre, Ms Shachar Re’em, provided information and photos about the training Maeaba is attending.

Empowering citizens

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
The launch included the attendance of government officials, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Ministry of Police, the Leadership Code Commission and Ombudsman.

Oxfam and partners launch EU-funded social accountability project

 

OXFAM Solomon Islands and members of the Solomon Islands Social Accountability Coalition (SISAC) have launched a new project that aims to empower citizens the ability to influence and hold service providers and key government actors accountable to their work.

The project “Improving Social Accountability in the Solomon Islands” is the first of its kind in the country courtesy to funding by the European Union.

Oxfam aim to collaborate and to strengthen the capacity of the coalition (SISAC) and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) over the next three years to promote inclusive development and enhance democratic governance and accountability among government and civil society institutions in the country.

SISAC is made up of members; Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI), Development Services Exchange (DSE), Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII), Young Women’s Parliamentary Group (YWPG), Honiara Youth Council (HYC), National Youth Congress, National Scouts Association (NSA) and Oxfam Solomon Islands.

The launch included the attendance of government officials, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Ministry of Police, the Leadership Code Commission and Ombudsman, SISAC members and other CSO organisations.

Oxfam Solomon Islands Program Director, Doreen Fernando officially launched the project this morning thanking SISAC members for their tireless efforts toward social accountability and governance. She acknowledged the support from the European Union through a funding contribution over the next three years to support the work of CSOs in Solomon Islands.

“The project will work with all stakeholders in the implementation of the project; donor partners, CSOs, government ministries, private sector and communities,” said Ms Fernando.

“It is a new approach and we hope that there is understanding, trust and accountability throughout the implementation period.”

She said the project will further support SISAC to provide a platform for CSOs to work collaboratively and strategically as well as resourced to do research, tests and adapt social accountability tools that are contextually appropriate for Solomon Islanders.

The initiative aim is to enable CSOs and citizens to strategically influence national development, public funding policies and processes that enable sustainable growth.

It will also enhance and support CSO collaboration on social accountability and support the creation of public awareness campaigns on government funding, expenditure tracking and budget effectiveness.

European Union funding

Oxfam was one of the successful applicants and was awarded Grant Contract following the EU Delegation Solomon Islands Call for Proposals in 2017 under EU’s Civil Society Organisation.t line.

The priority area of the call for proposal focuses on enhancing the CSOs contributions to governance and development. In the Pacific, the European Union has been very active in engaging and supporting Non State Actors for many years, throughout bilateral and regional cooperation. This commitment has been translated by significant increase in terms of budget with specific financial envelops under the 11th European development Fund, allocated in country as well as regional allocations.

European Union commitment to support CSOs, was also recently reiterated in the European Consensus on Development, adopted in November 2016. The new Consensus updates the EU’s development’s response to current global challenges and promotes the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda in partnership with developing countries.

–OXFAM SI PRESS

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