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Conflict sensitized training eyes capacity development for community leaders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NSIHIMURA PODOKOLO

A four-day training on conflict sensitivity eyes developing community leaders capacity to embrace a culture of peace, justice and non-violence.

Addressing the workshop Executive director of the Pacific Centre for Peace building and facilitator of the training Florence Swamy explained the training eyes emerging community leaders capacity in terms of peace building in any conflict.

She said this is a way forward to strengthen the coordination and cooperation towards nation building in relation to peace building for leaders capacities to embrace a culture of peace.

“With this at the end of this peace building exercise women’s capacity in the development of strategies that fosters inclusivity, transformative making and increased participation of women, youth and marginalised groups in a decision making structures will be strengthened.”

She adds the intended outcome of this activity is to trained participants to help educate communities and as well as advocate for peace.

Swamy said the knowledge imparted upon the trained participants will be implemented and extended to the community level to work out issues that are point of conflicts.

Hence the four days training will mainly focuses on peace building tools, such as conflict mapping, mediation and restoration of justice to name a few,” she said.

Swamy said they have chosen Solomon Islands to run this training as their work has included working in Solomon Islands and also Papua New Guinea.

The activity got its support from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariats and the action was funded by the European Union.

It starts yesterday with the theme; Strengthening women’s peacebuilding leadership programme and will ends on Thursday with a peace visual.

Sevev land trust board’s forfeiture of RIPEL FTEs on Russell “void and of no effect”: Attorney General

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

THE Attorney General, James Apaniai, has dealt a heavy blow to Sevev Land Trust Board (SLTB), which claims it has forfeited all Fixed Term Estates (FTEs) on Russell Islands in Central Province.

“SLTB’s purported forfeiture is … invalid and of no effect”, Mr Apaniai said in an email dated 27 June 2018.

Island Sun has obtained a copy of the email, which apparently was in response to queries by government officials following a declaration by Sevev Land Trust Board that it has forfeited all FTEs on Russell.

Island Sun published the story last month.

In what it described as a “historical milestone”, Sevev Tribal Chief and Chairman of the Sevev Land Trust Board, Leslie Norris, confirmed the takeover to Island Sun at the time.

“We are finally in control. The people of Russell Islands and indeed Solomon Islands should be relieved that after 100 years of foreign ownership of the plantations on Russell, the Sevev Tribe has resolved the ownership issue,” Mr Norris said then.

He also said that his Board had resorted to the action because Lever Solomons Ltd failed to pay up its rentals for the entire Russell Islands Plantation Estates Ltd (RIPEL).

But in his email dated 27th June 2018, Attorney General Apaniai said:

“Section 139 of the Land and Titles Act provides for relief against forfeiture. It does not give power to forfeit FTEs,” Mr Apaniai said in his email, which was sent to a number of officials including Cabinet Secretary James Remobatu, Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, John Usuramo, his predecessor Robson Tana Djokovic and a Mr Leonard Rotu.

“That relief is in respect of forfeiture by the Commissioner of Lands under section 136. Forfeiture under section 136 applies only to FTEs granted by the Commissioner of Lands. Section 138 makes it mandatory for the Commissioner of Lands to give notice to the FTE holder before forfeiting the FTE,” the Attorney General said.

“Section 12 of the Land and Titles (Amendment) Act 2014 only amends section 139(2) of the Land and Titles Act by reducing the six (6) months’ period within which any challenge to the forfeiture is to be made to 1 month only.

“Reading all these provisions together, it is clear that the position in regards to the actions by Sevev Land Trust Board (SLTB) is as follows:

[a]            the power of forfeiture under section 136 only applies to Grant of land given

by the Commissioner of Lands;

[b]            Section 139 does not give SLTB the power to forfeit land. That section gives a

person aggrieved by the forfeiture to apply to the High Court for remedy within six (6) months from the date of forfeiture;

[c]             Section 12 of the Land and Titles (Amendment) Act 2014 only reduces the six (6) months mentioned in (b) to one (1) month. It does not give power to forfeit FTEs; and

[d]            SLTB’s purported forfeiture is therefore invalid and of no effect, “the Attorney General said.

A tribal land owner said last week the Sevev group was never a land-owning tribe on Russell.

It is understood a recent meeting of the local tribal group has found the Sevev group was never part of the land owning tribal group on Russell.

MEHRD reforming early childhood education

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

MINISTRY of Education and Human Resource Development is working on reforming the Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Solomon Islands with aim to offer quality education, it is reported.

According to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) It is the right of all Solomon Island children to have access to quality early childhood development and preprimary education.

Ministry stated it is their intention to ensure access to quality early childhood development and preprimary education happens to ECE schools across the province.

“We need to understand how our education system can continue to advance so that our dream of all children starting and completing their basic education becomes real,” MEHRD said.

In MEHRD’s report, it stated this is to be achieved through a reform program lead by the ECE unit in MERHD with many progressive activities towards this target already completed.

It also add last year Ministry completed an ECE Road Map as the key document to create a pathway for re-organization and improvement.

The materials were develop as a consequent through consultations undertaken in Malaita, Makira, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara and Western Province.

Following that another consultation was done with other key stakeholders with the team also carried out an awareness program on the current development of the ECE Road Map.

This road map has been completed by the ECE Task Force and supported by the ECE Technical Advisor including ECE Unit, and consultation done over the past years.As part of this program, MEHRD will provide regulatory guidelines, parenting support to ECE programs for three and four year olds, establish quality standards, monitor and register centres in communities.

The road map also forms the basis for the ECE curriculum review and development.

There are three forums organised by MEHRD for HODs and other stakeholders such as UNICEF and SINU to look into its viability.The ECE team has also compiled a Draft Pre-Primary Year (PPY) curriculum framework.

The draft curriculum was completed and undergoing final review for implementation in this year and this framework will provide pathway for linking ECE into Primary Education.

The PPY curriculum had been planned to be trialed in Malaita, Guadalcanal and Honiara in this year.

Solomon Islands by 2030 aimed to achieve its goal under the Sustainable Development Goals under goal 4—ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

SIG launches Rapid e-Trade Readiness Assessment in SI

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Milton Ragaruma
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SIG launches Rapid e-Trade Readiness Assessment in SI

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Solomon Islands government together with its stakeholders from both, the private and public sector have yesterday launched what has been described as the much awaited E-Trade Readiness Assessment report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

With seven policy areas, the report highlights e-commerce readiness assessment and strategy formulation, ICT infrastructure and services, trade logistics and facilitation, payment systems, legal and regulatory framework, e-commerce skills development, and access to financing, as some of the key findings under the e-trade for all system.

In officially launching the report, Mbaye Ndiaye of Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) highlighted the importance of the report and the significance of e-commerce to Solomon Islands, which he felt a system that has always been practiced by the private sector, but in a smaller scale.

He said Solomon Islands can fully adapt the system if those responsible ensure that government stakeholders are involved in all its processes and more is taken out to the mass population in the provinces.

The call was also shared by other speakers, who believed the system has the potential to strengthen the vast collection of cultures, languages and geographical differences.

They also believed that with a developed and effective ICT environment, it can strengthen the bonds, and overcome whatever obstacles that Solomon’s geography and other factors pose, which should also help the country to become a genuine player in the global value chain.

Acting PS and Trade Commissioner for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Joseph Ma’ahanua, who was also guest speaker, pointed out that by identifying the gaps and opportunities in the country’s ICT structure and working together towards developing the system.

“This will ensure that we are able to effectively participate in the world economy. It will help us to develop the many economically viable industries we have, including tourism, agriculture, and fisheries, to name a few, and take advantage of the opportunities they pose for our country’s economic and social prosperity,” the Acting Permanent Secretary explained.

He added that a developed e-commerce environment in Solomon Islands will have spill over effects on the trade, finance, manufacturing, and services sectors, amongst others.

He further added that having the system in place will positively affect the incomes of skilled and unskilled labour in the long run, and will effectively integrate the country into the global value chain.

“The e-trade sector provides numerous and far reaching benefits for the country,” Ma’ahanua further explained with much anticipation and eagerness to go through the findings and recommendations of the report.

Solomon Islands now join some of the small island nations within the Pacific region to have had a Rapid E-Trade Readiness Assessment done on its status regarding the application of the system, which according to experts, best suits the Least Developed Countries.

E-commerce according to experts, is one of the key drivers of growth and innovation in the world today, and has significant potential for Micro, Small, and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

If applied properly, experts revealed that the e-commerce can make MSMEs more competitive and allow them to grow and thrive in what is becoming a highly competitive global market place.

UNCTAD has created a “Rapid e-Trade Readiness Assessment” to help countries to quickly identify barriers to further e-commerce development.

These demand-driven assessments provide a basic analysis of the current e-commerce situation in the countries concerned to identify opportunities and barriers.

The resulting reports serve as a valuable input to these countries’ involvement in various discussions related to e-commerce and digital trade.

The launch according to UNCTAD representative, Sven Callebaut, is also a reminder that Solomon Islands can now move from assessment to implementation the action matrix, which many agreed that this is the stage where working together is vital.

Meanwhile, Ma’ahanua while touching on the next phase, he shared similar sentiments stressing that as was seen, this system will need the involvement and inputs of various ministries across th government, and in the private sector.

“It is a highly holistic process, and cannot be put in a single organisation or person’s hands. Thus, it is the duty of each one of us, to take responsibility of this report, and work towards implementing the activities that our skills are best suited,” the Foreign Affairs and External Trade official added.

Also emphasising on the implementation stage, the report suggests the role of international partners in support will be important, and Solomon Islands will continue to require technical and financial support in ensuring that e-commerce is firmly integrated in the private sector and trade development initiatives, and of course within the overall national development agenda.

Traditional knowledge good for environment  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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TePuke on the way from Taumako to Ndeni in 2017

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

TePuke on the way from Taumako to Ndeni in 2017

TRADITIONAL skills and knowledge are now considered endangered with only a small group of people still practising ancient wayfinding methods.

In the easternmost of Solomon Islands lies Taumako. Occasionally called the Wilson Islands, the islands of Duff are thought to have first been settled in the ninth century BC, around the same time as Anuta and Tikopia.

The people there depend on traditional farming through slash-and-burn cultivation and are well known for their traditional voyaging skills. However, this way of life is now under threat of trailing out.

“I came here to the festival with the purpose for people to see that we need to preserve our traditional way of doing things.”

Ambrose Miki comes from Taumako. He comes from a long line of builders and is a skilled sailor and navigator.

Though originated from Polynesia, the group of islanders from Temotu province felt that it is their duty to spread the word of retaining the traditional way of doing things, thus their attendance at the 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival (MACFEST).

“I come from the far eastern part of the country and our islands are vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

“I see a lot of people in the rural area now using outboard motors and I asked, why are they using OBMs? Use of OBM is not good for our environment and they too contribute to the effects of climate change,” Ambrose says.

The people of Duff islands are well known for their skill in voyaging.

‘Vaka Te Puke’ is a traditional voyaging canoe that was used by the people of Taumako for many years.

This style of craft is unique and not found elsewhere in the Solomon Islands or the Pacific.

‘Vaka Valo’ association was established to preserve the traditional ways and methods of building a Vaka Tepuke amidst the lamentation of this skill dying out.

“The traditional way of doing things can help save the world and not just Solomon Islands. It can help us live a sustainable life, become resilient and help save the environment,” says Mimi George.

Dr Mimi George is an anthropologist, sailor and writer specialized in voyaging cultures. In the Vaka Taumako Project she studies Polynesians building vessels and making voyages using ancient technology, materials, tools, and navigation methods.

For some time she had been carrying out research and working with the people of Taumako and says traditional knowledge is very important.

“We must learn and have the opportunity to learn. Because in the future, we will save the world. I am a scientist but I know, traditional knowledge is more than science.

“Everyone must work together. Because in the past, there were the traditional way of doing things already that has helped us live sustainably and in harmony with nature and each other and we know how to make peace.”

The Vaka Te Puke is built mainly from bush materials. It is described as an outrigger canoe with a crab claw sail.

In MACFest, the group from Taumako demonstrated how the Te Puke is built.

Women were tasked to weave the sail mat panels and the men were tasked to sew the panels into a sail as well as adze a steering blade for the Te Puke.

Sail weaving and oar carving were part of the demonstrations done by the group from Taumako.

“Our culture is very important. We must try to preserve and promote our culture. For these sort of voyaging, government must recognize such projects and assist in some ways,” Ambrose Miki, founder of ‘Vaka Valo’ Association says.

It saddens him that while the issue of climate change is rife, we continue to contribute to its effects through the influence of western culture thus forgetting our own way of doing things that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

“For future festivals as this, I want it to be custom and culture in its whole sense. Like now, we are here trying to promote our culture and traditions but most young ones are drawn to the live band music that are being performed on the other side of the village.

“How are we to promote our custom and traditions when there is live band music being played at the same time!

“Government should have a contemporary festival of its own so that traditions and culture are left alone to just that so that we will have more people appreciating what we do,” Miki says.

He then encouraged people to engage more in our traditional way of doing things rather than flocking to the city.

“Go back to your home village and get involved in such projects and save the environment. Each one of us originates from the village and all of us have customs.

“Learn, acknowledge, appreciate and accept our traditional way of doing things. It is worth more than money.”

Supported by UNESCO, Ambrose was able to attend MACFest all the way from Temotu.

The Pacific Traditions Society, UNESCO Office for the Pacific States and the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage under the auspices of UNESCO were pleased to support the elders and youths from Taumako to showcase their skills and knowledge at the MACFest.

Balancing Country economic demands with environmental challenges

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deligation attending the green pacific ports.

By Ezekiel Talatau

Deligation attending the green pacific ports.

THERE is growing pressure on ports and shipping to slash emissions in the Pacific region.

Reaction to this, the South Pacific commission (SPC) and the Secretariat of the South Pacific Regional Environmental Protection (SPREP), implanting fund under the green pacific ports pilot projects.

Solomon Islands as one of the pacific countries along with Tonga to boost an initiative to promote balance environmental challenges with economic demands in ports, by (SPREP) and (SPC).

A green pacific ports project manager and a maritime port advisor Mr Sitalingi Payne told Island Sun that, the green pacific port is a 1 year pilot project implemented to improve environment with in the ports area.

He added that, the project will also focus on development of strategic, legal and quality legal framework to meet a proficiency and sustainability of ports operation.

The project will also dealing with the energy efficiency and carbon footprint, implementing climate changes and disaster risk management.

This initiative project will also change ports to green and low carbon pacific maritime industry, he added.

Green pacific ports this year is their first visit. After 1 year of working, the team will be back to monitor the progress of the projects.

In terms of policy, Mr Yoli Tom’taravala a Policy and Legal advisor stated that, he is working on the policy to support the environmental laws, marine pollution and handling of waste in the ports area. This will guide ports authority when dealing with the environmental issue within the ports boundary, he added.

With response to energy resources, an Energy consultant Mr Bruce Rowse, stated that, reducing use of energy is significant. Last year, average of 8% of carbon been emitted, which approximately to 15 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

Changes of staff, reduce of use of energy can contributes in reduction of greenhouse gases he added.

Mr Sitalingi Payne also said that, The Solomon Islands ports Authority (SIPA) are very cooperative in supporting this project with the same concept which is also a significant sights the country a currently addressing locally.

SOEs sign CSO agreement  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SOE Board Chairpersons, CEOs and GMs.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

SOE Board Chairpersons, CEOs and GMs.

IN the SIG 2018 Budget, government has anticipated to implement the provision of SBD14 million for State Owned Enterprises (SOE’s).

This has been reduced from $25 million from the 2017 budget for Community Service Obligation (CSO) payments.

Initially in the government’s 2018 budget allocation, the 2018 CSO allocations are based on their 2017 CSO proposal.

Solomon Airlines Limited $6m, Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation $2.5m, Solomon Water Authority $1.5m, Solomon Electricity Authority $1m, Solomon Islands Postal Corporation $2m and Commodity Export Marketing Authority $1m.

These CSO provisions are to ensure key essential services such as electricity, water, transportation, and communication services are provided in the provincial areas.

The 2018 CSO provision reflects positive progress of financial and service delivery of the SOEs.

The implementation of the CSO framework has benefited SOEs in terms of funding their non-commercial activities.

The CSO payment subsidise mostly operational cost of SOEs to keep essential services operational.

In the past, governments have provided fiscal transfers to SOEs to address losses from poor financial and business performance.

The SOE Borrowing Policy is an important recent development in the fiscal relationship between SOEs and the shareholder.

This policy provides limits to SOEs borrowing provision and enhances government to make viable decision on lending.

It also protects the government from excess debt arears.

Owing to the poor debt history of Solomon Islands SOEs, SOEs come within the scope of the Government’s Debt Management Framework.

Yesterday six of the SOEs are said to sign a contract agreement with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

Public servants issued empty traveling cheques

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 EMPLOYEES of the Solomon Islands Government have been issued with empty cheques for their holiday lately.

A number of public servants had their cheques returned by shipping companies because there simply is no money in the Government coffers.

The problem encountered is, their cheque holds the bulk of money for travelling expenses were bounce back says the seafarer when checked at the domestic wharf.

A person who requested anonymity said they should go for a holiday now but they were stopped by ship workers because their cheque has no money inside and the government did not pay their sea and air ticket.

The person also adds they encountered problem since June to date and never been address despite its continuous checking at the Finance and Treasury.

“We are not happy about such payment, and we are curious about what is happening with the current government, are we alright?” the person asks.

It said this is the first time such have happen to them this year unlike last year or years before everything flow as soon you receive holiday permit.

The payment includes shipment and air fare and travelling expenses such as trucks and boats.

Call for BSP extension to Malaita substation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Bank of the South Pacific has been questioned whether they plan to extend their agents to substations in Malaita province.

A teacher from East Malaita made the query following the need for banking services in the rural areas of the province.

He said at the moment only BSP Auki is serving the whole of the province; this is a source of inconvenience for many who live far away.

“For us teachers especially, we have to travel to Auki or Honiara for the service. And how costly it was to get for the service is always our concern.

“Also there were people in rural areas need to benefit from the service, but with the limit services BSP provided in the province it doesn’t allow them to be part of it.

“So what always remains our priority on the service is for BSP to establish their banking service at the substations in Malaita, so that people in those various regions will easily get there for the service,” the teacher said.

Meanwhile, he encourages other commercial banks to expand to Malaita province.

Teacher said currently only BSP is serving the province and having two or more bank services will sort out some of the issues people face with the service in the province.

New Zealand ODA Budget Raised to Further Aid Regional Countries

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, according to the most recent news from Radio New Zealand the New Zealand Government has increased its Overseas Development Assistance budget by $US488 million, lifting the total to $US1.5 billion over the current four year funding cycle.

“The ministry’s deputy secretary of Pacific and development, Jonathan Kings, said $US124 million would be dedicated to a strategic development investment fund for the big issues in the region, including climate change resilience and a land reclamation project in Kiribati.

“But as well as that we are re-orienting the aid programme to reflect this government’s priorities and some of the resources will go to address the challenges that this government has identified that they want to see addressed in the Pacific,” Mr Kings said.

“For example, health and education. gender issues and women’s empowerment issues,” Mr King was claimed to have added.

Commenting on the new development assistance, a research academic at the Australian National University reportedly said using aid to foster a stronger and more prosperous neighbourhood benefited the entire region.

It is understood that Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Timor L’Este are considered by New Zealand as most in need of aid funding. Source – Radio New Zealand

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

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