MALAITA provincial agriculture office reports that there is a positive outlook for cattle farming in the province.
The onus is now on the national agriculture and livestock ministry to supply cattle.
A staff from the livestock department under Malaita Provincial Agriculture Office, Mr Carlos Fa’alimae made the statement in light of the growing demand for cattle farming by people in the province.
He said a lot of people have visited their office enquiring and registering interest to farm cattle.
Fa’alimae said every interested person have shown that they have everything and what is left is the cattle themselves.
He said some farmers have already been distributed with cattle and Malaita agriculture office has proved their commitment.
Fa’alimae said all these farmers were working without help from the government, as they met their own expenses to accomplish their interest. They did all they can on their own.
He said there are more than 20 cattle farmers in the province, and most of them are gathering farmers – farming one or two cattle.
Fa’alimae said the office continues to receive positive report from the farmers.
He said apart from those already engaged in the business, there are lots of people coming to their office with the interest of engaging in the business.
Fa’alimae said the office has carefully noted down their interests, and as long as MAL arranges for cattle they would distribute cattle to the interested farmers.
He said they had distributed more than 50 heads of cattle to farmers around the province some time ago.
Fa’alimae said the province’s cattle breeding head at Maoa farm in West Kwaio is reportedly flourishing.
Member for South Bougainvile Hon Timothy Masiu handing over the cheque to the Solomon Islands PNG Association President Denyse Ealedona flanked by HC to PNG Barnabas Anga and North Fly MP James Donald and SIPNGA executives.
Photo from SIPNGA.
THE Member of Parliament for South Bougainville has donated 40,000 Kina towards the appeal by Solomon Islands community in PNG for the purchase of medical equipment for the national referral hospital in Honiara.
In a media statement, the Solomon Islands PNG Association thanks the Hon Member Timothy Masiu for donating the money towards its appeal.
President of the Solomon Islands PNG Association Denyse Ealedona expressed gratitude towards the kind gesture by Hon Masiu.
The SIPNGA used the occasion of its country’s 40th Independence anniversary celebrations to raise funds towards the purchase of an ECG Machine and a Suction Machine.
Member for South Bougainvile Hon Timothy Masiu handing over the cheque to the Solomon Islands PNG Association President Denyse Ealedona flanked by HC to PNG Barnabas Anga and North Fly MP James Donald and SIPNGA executives. Photo from SIPNGA.
Masiu who was the guest speaker at the 40th Independence anniversary celebrations by the Solomon Islands community in Port Moresby pledged financial support towards the appeal and handed over the cheque to the association during a cheque presentation ceremony on Wednesday this week.
Ms Ealedona said, the Solomon Islands PNG Association is very grateful for the financial support by Mr Masiu, who had also used the occasion to apologise to Solomon Islands for the spill over effects of the Bougainville crisis.
She said, “On behalf of the Association I would like to acknowledge this huge and significant contribution which will go a long way to assist NRH and the people of Solomon Islands.
“Bougainvilleans have always had a long relationship with Solomon Islands given its close proximity and its links to the Shortland Islanders sharing the border.
“We hope that the gesture by Hon Masiu will further strengthen our ties and the long relationship that Solomon Islands has with Bouginville and its people.”
Masiu used the occasion at the Solomon Islands High Commission office in Port Moresby to urge the Solomon Islands people especially at the Border with Bougainville to continue to foster harmonious relations .
He said he has been in contact with the Solomon Islands Reconciliation Task Force team and his officers will be joining the team for mediation talks and set dates for reconciliation with the Bougainville people.
“I want this to happen quickly because this should have been the first thing to happen for people to reconcile and bring back for us to reconcile.”
He thanked the Solomon Islands people for their relationships and support during the crisis period to today.
THREE male persons have been sentenced to four months in prison after they were found guilty by the Honiara Central Magistrates court on July 23, 2018 for causing disturbances at Lengakiki in West Honiara on July 22, 2018.
The trio was playing very loud music from the booth of their car causing disturbances to the nearby residents that night.
“The defendants were warned twice by a member of the community to turn their music down, but did not comply,” says Provincial Police Commander Honiara City, Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga.
“Police officers were notified of this report and the trio was arrested and charged for the offence of Common Nuisance contrary to Section 172 as read with Section 21 (a) of the Penal Code and were brought to court and found guilty of the charge.”
They were all sentenced to four months in prison.
“Common nuisance is an offence that is commonly committed by many especially at night time causing disturbances to community members.
“I urge members of our communities to continue to work together with the police to curb such unwanted practices,” says Uiga.
PEOPLE who will be involved in or will choose to report matters of corruption to the Anti-Corruption Commission or Integrity officers have been reminded to take note of procedures and requirements that come with the new Anti-Corruption Legislation.
Deputy Prime Minister and the MP who had championed the AC Bill to its realistion, and now passed, Manasseh Sogavare made this reminder, following questions of anonymity raised in parliament yesterday, in relation to the AC Bill.
The DPM and Finance Minister reminded that people who will make complaints must be prepared to face it, and therefore take heed of the fact that their identity will at some point along the investigation, be revealed.
In his contribution on the area of anonymity, the Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga, Matthew Wale suggested for the identity of the complainant so that the accused know who their accusers are.
Also sharing similar sentiments, the Leader of Opposition and Member of Parliament for East Malaita, Manasseh Maelanga highlighted that the issue of revealing the identity of accusers should be well spelt in the bill because the accused has the right to sue people for what might be seen as defamation of characters.
He said so many have used similar opportunities to tarnish others only because of jealousy and personal grudges, as well as petty issues.
“That is why this issue needs clear indications as to how the clauses are laid in the proposed legislation regarding the issue of anonymity.”
In addition, Member of Parliament for Shortlands, Chris Laore questioned whether people with special needs especially, those who can’t speak for themselves, if the bill has captured the recognition of usage of sign languages for their reporting of complaints.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General, James Apaniai in support the Deputy Prime Minister’s explanations, referred to clause 57 in the Act, as a defence for officers to disclose identity of complainants in the process of the investigation of reported cases if required.
The Attorney General added that in the case where officers of the commission tempered with the information or secrecy of complainants without approval or being required, those who wish to take legal actions due to damages felt, the subjected persons can camouflage the AC Commission in it.
Therefore, people who feel their rights have been abused and images been tarnish, can take action against the commission in general and not the officers.
This is similar in nature in the case where information to protect both the anonymity and the matter against the accused are leaked through lower ranked officers, take for example, by a cleaner, the Prime Minister said it is the officer who carelessly left the documents exposed, will be held responsible.
THE National Referral Hospital (NRH) is still without blood analyser machines, despite government assurances that the storm over drugs shortage has blown over, it was revealed this week.
“The NRH is without blood analyser machines. Clinicians are now relying on a private laboratory and manual analysis, which takes a lot longer for the result to come through,” sources told Island Sun.
Despite the urgency to get the machines, the procurement requirements by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury in buying the machines are adding delays to these life-saving machines to Honiara, NRH Chief Executive Officer, Steve Aumanu, told Island Sun from Fiji on Wednesday night.
“For reasons of wear and tear over prolonged heavy usage, three laboratory analysers broke down at different times during the last 6 months. This is unusual and very unfortunate,” Dr Aumanu said.
“These analysers are: 1 Haematology 2. Biochemistry and 3. Electrolyte,” Dr Aumanu who is on annual leave told Island in an email from Suva.
“NRH Laboratory services are affected and tests are being done manually or are being sent to VanuLab (private lab) for analysis whilst steps were taken to find funding to procure new replacement analysers,” he said.
“Other tests not at all done here have always been sent to Australia.”
“The services provided to NRH by the VanuLab are at times irregular and costly but they are analysing patient blood tests in the meantime and supporting the NRH Clinicians,” Dr Aumanu said.
He blamed reduced funding for what is what is happening at the NRH, which he said was allocated only $3 million in our Development Budget for 2018 which has been used for other priorities at the beginning of 2018.
“This is the budget line for such capital Medical equipments,” he said.
“Faced with this no-funds problem, I sought direct consultation with the Prime Minister’s Officials to source direct funding approval to purchase these three life-saving analysers.
“In less than a week, through a cabinet paper; Cabinet approved funding under Contingency Warrant (CW) of about NZ$238,200.00 to purchase the three analysers.
“This cabinet approval was confirmed in the second week of July.
“I was extremely happy but it is the SIG Procurement process/ Finance instructions that must be complied with and that frustrate everyone. The procurement process is now being progressed through Ministry of Health and Medical Services and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“These analysers will require REAGENTS to function. There is SBD$2M for this sitting with National Medical Stores budget which must also be sourced separately to procure these specific reagents.
“Again, I am doing the right things always with concern and urgency but the normal Finance, Procurement compliance SIG systems are beyond my control,” Dr Aumanu said.
“… if NRH ( CEO) has powers over its own budget; I can react briskly to the regular emergencies occurring at NRH without having to face these delays which are unacceptable for a Hospital.
“There is so much that needs to be done for the NRH ( I can give a whole lecture on these needs) but there is not enough resources allocated to it every year in the budget. In fact NRH Budget continues to be reduced.
“Maybe the recent medicines & supplies ‘commotion’ and the NRH Visit by (the) Prime Minister was an opportunity for the public to demand better resourcing to Health and NRH,” Dr Aumanu said.
Acting City Mayor Eddie Ngava has called on members of Parliament to
provide support towards medical drug shortage.
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
Acting City Mayor Eddie Ngava has called on members of Parliament to provide support towards medical drug shortage.
ACTING City Mayor Eddie Ngava has called on members of Parliament to step in and render support in the national issue – medical drug shortage.
He expressed this sentiment at the officially handing over of medical supplies by Namson Tran (MP for West Honiara) to three clinics in his constituency.
Ngava said the donations of the medical drugs are from one MP but if the 49 others step in with the same initiative it will lessen the country’s medical crisis.
“Hence I hereby challenge the other Parliamentarians who if on their own way rendered support to our clinics in each of the constituency then we’ll have gone a long way,” he said.
The total cost of the medical drugs is $250,000 and this amount of money came directly from Tran’s personal funds, purposely to help address the country’s drug shortage problem.
The three clinics Tran supported are Mbokona Clinc, Rove Area Health Centre and Whit River Clinic.
The medical drugs supplied to Mbokona Clinic include; Benzathine Penicillin injection 24s, Cloxacillin Capsules 250mg 1000’s, Cloxacillin Susp 125mg/5ml 100ml,Sterile Water for injection, Needle gauze #23, Salbutamol inhaler 5mg 500’s, Crepe Bandage 10cm x 5m, Crepe Bandage 7.5cm x 5m, Crepe Bandage 5m x 1.5m, Procaine Penicillin 24’s, Paracetamol 500mg 1000’s, Paracetamol 100mg 1000’s, Septrin tablet 480mg 1000’s, Cotton Wool roll 50g, Ibuprofen tablet 200mg 1000’s, Magnesium Trisilicate tablet 1000’s, Zinc Oxide plasters 6’s.
A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after being found guilty in the Honiara Central Magistrates Court on July 23, 2018 for stealing.
The young man was convicted on charges of house breaking and committing felony contrary to Section 300 (a) of the Penal Code for which he was sentenced for two years in prison and a further nine months for a count of simple Larceny contrary to Section 261 (1) of the Penal Code.
Both sentences are to run concurrently which means he will serve two years and nine months in prison.
“On July 20, 2018, the complainant left her home for the Central Market in Honiara. Before she left, she securely locked the door of her home before leaving for the market,” says Provincial Police Commander, Honiara City Chief superintendent Alfred Uiga.
“After she left the accused went to her house and forced the door open and went in and stole $1,600 belonging to the complainant’s sister and bought beers for his friends.
“The victim returned home and found that the door of her home was half opened and it was in a mess.
“She then reported the matter to police. Following investigations, the suspect was arrested, interviewed and taken to court on July 23, 2018 and found guilty of the incident and sentenced to prison.
“I want to remind young people that stealing is an offence that carries serious penalties. Refrain from doing such illegal activities.”
Reporting corruption cases requires physical presence: AG
By Gary Hatigeva
THE government was questioned if the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 has any provisions that looks at the nature of which complaints on corruption matters are reported, other than the current form.
This was raised as there were concerns over issues of accessibility and distances, which most from both the Opposition and Independent groups share similar sentiments.
According to Clause 35, which looks at how corruption complaints are made, sub section one of it explained that a corruption complaint may be made by any person to the Commission, either directly or through an integrity officer.
But the Aoke/Langalanga Member of Parliament, Matthew Wale questioned whether there were other provisions that provide for other forms of reporting of complaints to be made.
“Especially, for those in the rural areas or where there is lack of accessibility to both the commission and integrity officers,” the Aoke/Langalanga MP said.
Wale further asked if other means have been looked at especially with regards to usage of technology to report complaints on corruption, especially in the usage of mobile phones and emails.
However, when responding to the questions and concerns, Prime Minister Rick Hounipwela explained that the points are well noted, unfortunately, for the time being, what’s highlighted are the only means factored to be used.
Hou suggested that maybe sometimes in the future, things as such, including usage of videos and other forms, are incorporated.
But in the case of reporting orally, as questioned by the Member of Parliament for Northeast Guadalcanal, the Attorney General explained that complainants must report matters in the sense they must appear before the commission or the integrity officer.
The Northeast Guadalcanal MP during his contribution in the proceedings of the Anti-Corruption Bill, was asking whether reporting orally as stated in the Bill (Act) also covers reporting of complaints through phones.
It was explained that the information given by parties implicated could be exposed or tempered with and therefore the physical presence of complainants on corruption is important, but the government is confident that after its passage, areas highlighted can be added if needed or necessary.
THE Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) is in the process of reviewing and finalising its National Energy Policy Framework (NEPF).
The Ministry, particularly its Energy Division, hopes the revised NEPF will go before cabinet for endorsement during the 3rd quarter of this year.
The Ministry’s Energy Division, yesterday, hold a two-days gathering to review and finalize its 2014 NEPF draft. Government ministries and stakeholders attended the review.
Director of the Mines Division, John Korihihona, told Island Sun the policy they are reviewing will have amendments to the Petroleum Act and that they will formulate the Energy Act that should give their Ministry the direction it should take with regards to energy.
Korihihona said once cabinet endorsed the framework, their Division can easily review it as the document will become a government property.
He said the review they are conducting looks into areas including governance of the energy sector, electric power, urban, rural and retail supply and distribution of energy, energy efficiency, financing of programs and projects, environment, renewable energy etc.
Korihihona said the overall goal of the policy they are reviewing is to help people access sustainable and affordable fuel.
Even with that, he said getting people to access sustainable and affordable fuel will continue to be a challenge as the country depends on fuel from outside, the population continues to grow and people have low income.
But, he said they want to make sure all aspects of the energy sector are captured in the framework.
Korihihona added this will help people, even those in rural areas, to participate in economic activities and health facilities and learning institutions operating.
