ACCORDING to a nationwide study focused on litter, plastic is the most common waste material found in our rivers and lakes, with non-biodegradable cigarette butts approaching in second.
Between April 2017 and March 2018, some 1,052 measurements were made at 112 locations for the first instalment of the Swiss Litter Report external link. The effort was led by ‘STOPPP’- Stop Plastic Pollution CH, an environmentalist group focused on plastic waste reduction.
In relation to the study, they found that 65.4 percent of litter items on our shores were made of plastic. Non-biodegradable cigarette butts came in second at 34.1 percent.
Litter items larger than 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) were classified into 89 waste categories and broken down into nine material types. Common items include plastic fragments, Styrofoam, glass, paper, sweet wrappers, metal bottle caps, aluminium lids, pull tabs and plastic sheets.
Small litter made up the majority of items found, suggesting that municipal cleaning teams did not have the capacity to clear them.
CONCERNED members of public in Auki, capital of Malaita province, are questioning the decision by the province’s government to hold this year’s second appointed day celebrations in Afio station, Small Malaita.
They say they prefer the event be held in Auki so that they may get to hear what the challenges and achievements of their provincial government are.
“We appeal to the Malaita province government that the people in Malaita province especially in Auki also want to witness the final celebration with the malaita provincial government members because of their final term in office where the public need to know their achievements and what they will be living behind for the next leadership of the next new government that will be elected.”
They further that celebrating the event in Afio means that only the few in Afio station will get to hear what the provincial leaders have to say.
“Auki where the provincial capital town was located is right in the centre of malaita province where people from south, East, North and the central part of the island will have access to Auki by trucks and boats.
“We want to farewell our great leaders in the Malaita provincial government, the executive and all our ward members for what they have achieved for the past four years.”
It is understood that this is the second time the event will be held in a station in the province. The rest of the time it has been held in Auki. In 2014, it was hosted in Maluu, north Malaita. This was during Premier Edwin Suibaea’s tenure.
Mwadoa Community doing a drama of Clement Marau and Walter Waaro’s church history on Ulawa Island last week.
PHOTOS BY MANEBONA BARNABAS.
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THE significance of Ulawa Island’s Anglican Church history is noted towards its contributions to the life and work of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) in the past and to today.
It is an important story in the overall history of the movement, establishment, and growth of ACOM according to the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), the Right Reverend George Takeli last week at Ulawa, Mwadoa, joining the celebration remembering Ulawa’s pioneer missionaries, Fr. Clement Marau and Walter Waaro.
Clement Marau was the youngest son of Chief Qoqoe from Merelav Island in the Vanuatu Group.
He was taken by Bishop Patterson to New Zealand to train for Christian work in year 1869 at the age of 12.
Clement Marau was later moved to Norfolk in 1875 being a man of great faith in God, and whose life and work stood out as a leader and father to all Melanesian students. He was confirmed and baptised in the same year and made Deacon by Bishop John Richardson Selwyn in 1890 and Priested by Bishop Cecil Wilson in 1903.
Walter Waaro met Clement Marau at Norfolk Island School and was so affected by his life, character and leadership that he asked Fr Codrington to have Clement accompany him to do mission work on Ulawa Island in which Fr Codrington agreed.
Mwadoa Community doing a drama of Clement Marau and Walter Waaro’s church history on Ulawa Island last week. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS.
They made their first visit to Ulawa in 1877 and established the first Christian School running it for three months before returning to Norfolk Island.
Marau returned to Ulawa in 1878 and continued with the Christian work. He faced challenges for three years because of heathen beliefs and customs. He was able to advance the Christian work on Ulawa from 1881, became Priest of Ulawa from 1903, and supervised the building of a chapel which still stands to this day.
Seen in the life of Clement Marau are faith, leadership and work that helped him bring love, joy, unity and peace to establish the church in communities around Ulawa Island.
The 140th Anniversary of Christianity on Ulawa Island had taken place for three days at Mwadoa, starting on Wednesday and closing on Friday.
Within the program witnessed the official unveiling of the statues of Clement Marau and Walter Waaro at Mwadoa.
A visit was also followed by the Official Guests to Su’utaluhia to witness the remains of Clement Marau’s retirement house and stone Alter.
Dramas including of Clement Marau and Walter Waaro’s were being played during the night program of day two while on the last day of the celebration saw the proceeding to bless the cross on the seaside rock where Clement Marau and Walter Waaro spent for three years because of heathen beliefs.
This included proceeding on to blessing the graves of Clement Marau, Susan Marau (his wife) and Walter Waaro, closing the anniversary with a grand feast.
CIVIL society organisations (CSO) yesterday held an open day to commemorate achievements and challenges faced.
CSO plays the important role in enhancing transparency and good governance in the country.
General Secretary of Development Service Exchange Jennifer Wate on behalf of the CSO said this event has provide an opportunity for CSO and NGOs to collaborate and networking with partnership with other organisations.
“It is also a juncture for organsaitions to reflect on the roles we played with regards to our achievements, positive stories and challenges and on how we can find solution for the way forward of our country to continue to grow as we journey through whatever development phases we have,” she said.
The celebration was held at the National Auditorium building in Honiara which is spearheaded by the Development Services Exchange (DSE).
The day features activities including information dissemination, entertainments, games and prices.
It started at 8am till 4pm in the evening with the theme – Reflecting, Rethinking, Developing Solomon Islands.
The programme is sponsored by existing local non–governmental organisations in the country.
LEADERS of Mothers Union within Keava region under the Anglican Diocese of Malaita have successfully completed a weeklong training on gender-based violence and simple book keeping.
Facilitator of the workshop Ms Rebecca Tahosanau from ACOM office in Honiara said the purpose of the workshop was for the women leaders to upskill themselves with knowledge and skills on needed areas.
She said the workshop focussed on gender base violence and saving clubs.
Tahosanau said gender base violence was included in the workshop as it is one domestic upheaval many women face.
She said ACOM encourages women to, while accessing other avenues of help, also consider turning to the church for help when faced challenges.
Tahosanau said the workshop strengthens the spiritual being of the women.
She said each leader attending the workshop represents groups in their communities, which have their own savings club.
Tahosanau said providing them with the training will boost the knowledge and skills needed to manage their saving clubs.
She thanked the women leaders for their attendance and the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) office in Honiara for making the workshop possible.
Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), the Right Reverend George Takeli.
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), the Right Reverend George Takeli.
ULAWA Community is challenged having been warned over a new wave of heathenism called secularism affecting communities of the island today.
Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), the Right Reverend George Takeli during the opening of last week’s three day celebration remembering Ulawa’s pioneer missionaries (Clement Marau and Walter Waaro) and marking 140th Anniversary of Christianity said such experience is through new lifestyles, customs and spirits that promote self than others thus creating a culture of self and greed in the communities today.
“We need to rise and take up the gift of leadership and service given by Clement Marau and Walter Waaro to build a new Ulawa for our people today and in the future,” said ACOM’s Archbishop.
IMPROVEMENT of needed areas within Auki market is the priority for new market master Mr James Hagi.
Hagi, who is new in the public sector after a good many years in the private sector, he is planning to work with other authorities and stakeholders to this fulfil this priority.
He highlights the Auki fish market as one of the urgent areas under focus. He said it needs proper facilities.
But, since proposed improvements might take time, Hagi has suggested installing concrete slabs as a temporary measure.
He said this is to ensure the fish within the fish-market be displayed or sold in a clean and tidy environment.
Hagi added that another area is the market’s ablution which is in a dilapidated condition.
He said water is the problem with the ablution, and he will work closely with responsible authorities to pursue addressing the matter.
Hagi also stressed that waste management is another major issue and he’ll work closely with the Malaita local council to address.
He said the set of these plans are already known by responsible authority especially the Malaita province and they will work together on addressing them for the improvement of the market.
Hagi said together with the proposed development his office also prioritise other jobs delegated by his office for the smooth running of the market.
SOMATA Village in the Russell Islands, Central province has become the latest village on the island to set up rules to prevent crime from happening in their community.
The Somata Village rules were launched during an awareness talk at Somata Village conducted by police officers from Yandina Police Station on July 22, 2018.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Central Province Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “The Village Chiefs and Crime Prevention Committee (CPC) Members of Somata village came up with their Village rules.
“The rules are to discourage youth from playing loud music after late hours, using abusive words and unnecessary disturbances in the village while under the influence of liquor.
“These are the main issues happening in their communities. A fine will be imposed on those breaching the rules.
“A village Chief, Mark Rangilaoi decided to come up with the village rules to resolve minor cases within their communities. Any fines paid for breaching the rules will assist the community to meet the expenses as members of the Crime Prevention Committee move from place to place to resolve issues.
“I would like to thank the members of the CPC and Village chiefs for this great initiative and I to appeal to all the good people of Central Province to follow this great example. It is a high time that we make changes within our own communities. We don’t wait for changes to come. We should initiate changes ourselves.”
So far three communities within the Russell Islands already have their village rules. They are Losioleni, Sifola and Somata.
Speaking during the launch of the Somata Village rules, Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Yandina, Staff Sergeant Thomas Fakatonu says, “I would like to thank you for taking such initiative so that you have control over anti-social behavior happening within your community. I urge you all to adhere to these rules.”
Fakatonu also spoke about law and order and the expectation of the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIPF) for members of the community to assist police prevent crime.
CDO for West Honiara Constituency Mr Brian Taupiri hands over medical drugs donated by Member of Parliament
Mr Namson Tran to Mrs Rosie Anga, Nurse in charge for Mbokona clinic, and behind are other Nurses in Charge with
Acting Mayor Mr Eddie Ngava: Photo by Lynton Aaron Filia
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
CDO for West Honiara Constituency Mr Brian Taupiri hands over medical drugs donated by Member of Parliament Mr Namson Tran to Mrs Rosie Anga, Nurse in charge for Mbokona clinic, and behind are other Nurses in Charge with Acting Mayor Mr Eddie Ngava: Photo by Lynton Aaron Filia
MEMBER of Parliament for West Honiara Constituency Namson Tran has stepped in to support three clinics with medical supplies as the country faces shortage in medicine.
Mr Tran rendered support to three clinics under his constituency including Mbokona, Rove Area Health Centre and White River clinic with medical drugs.
Yesterday West Honiara Constituency Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Brain Taupiri officially handed over the drugs to nurses in charge of the three clinics.
Taupiri says the medical supplies purchased by Tran are only to be distributed amongst the three clinics under his constituency.
“These medical supplies donated are basic medications which will provide support to treat patients until the National Medical store is back to normal.
“On behalf of Tran he said he acknowledges that this is a national issue, a crisis, a life threatening and the main focus is the National Referral Hospital (NRH) but he decided to do this for his own constituency,” he said.
Taupiri revealed the total cost of the drugs is $250,000 and this amount of money came directly from Tran’s personal funds purposely to help people under his constituency.
Acting City Mayor Eddie Ngava said “this donation is a very good gesture and I am sure the clinical officers of the three clinics are very grateful”.
He said the three clinics may be located in west Honiara, but they serve people from as far as west Guadalcanal.
Ngava reiterated that this is a national crisis and it’s everybody’s responsibility, which means not only medical supplies are given but all must try to live in a healthy manner to minimise the attention of going to clinics.
Geoffrey Hou Clinical Nurse in charge of Rove Area Health Centre on behalf of the three clinics said they are thankful and grateful to have received the medical supplies provided by Tran.
“Without these medical drugs other services we provide will not satisfy our patients but we hope theses donations will help us (health workers) to render better health services to the patients,” he said.
HONIARA City Council (HCC) and Friends of the City (FOTC) have collaborated to enforce the 2009 Littering Ordinance next week, on August 1.
This is a step forward for the current anti-litter campaign.
The HCC’s Environment Division has partnered with the Friends of the City (FOTC) whole of this week to conduct awareness campaign.
HCC strongly advises l public and shops within Honiara that its Littering Ordinance will be enforced.
This week’s awareness aims to educate people and shops about the 2009 Litter Ordinance before it will be in enforced next week by HCC’s Environment Division and FOTC.
The awareness was held at five spots in the city; HCC Headquarter, Central Market, Hot Bread Roundabout, City Centre and Town Ground Roundabout.
Officiating the street awareness are young people from the Youth@Work programme and members of the FOTC with support from the HCC Law Enforcement.
HCC’s Chief Health Inspector, George Titiulu said they will enforce the litter ordinance starting next week with help from their Law Enforcement, FOTC and Youth@Work.
Whole of this week, Mr Titiulu said Environment Division and FOTC will preach to public and shops about stop littering within the city awareness basically letting city dwellers informed that the 2009 Litter Ordinance will effective next week.
Titiulu explained there are two types of littering under the ordinance known as minor and major littering.
He said minor littering is when one throws a cigarette butt, small plastic or tin can; major littering refers to rubbish bins and other rubbish capacity that is off the limit for the drum to hold.
Titiulu said fines are $10,000 for major littering and $1000 for minor littering.
Leader for the Friends of the City Judah Suimae said on five selected locations there will be a ‘No Littering Zone’ as of August 1, 2018.
He urges everyone to be role models by taking responsibilities to stop littering and throw rubbish at the right place.
“This is not an easy task but if we can united for a clean city, then it’s possible,” Suimae said.
“We are already mindful of its sustainability, however we need to spark and start something someway.”
