Minister Dr Culwick Togamana handing over the text book and teacher’s guide to the SINU’s Acting Dean for School of Natural Resources and Applied Science Dr Ramona Sulifo’oa along with PS Melchior Mataki and UNDP Country Manager Ms Azusa Kubota.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
GLOBAL Environment issues can now be taught at the Solomon Islands National University and secondary sectors across the country as additional materials.
Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology Dr Culwick Togamana officially launched and handed over the books to SINU’s Acting Dean on Thursday.
The textbook and Teacher Resource Guide entitled ‘Global Environment Awareness in Solomon Islands-Making the Connections’ is an outcome from the Integrating Global Environment Commitments in Investment and Development Decision Making (IGECIDDM) Project.
Ministry of Education and the SINU senate have endorsed the book materials to be used in the university and high schools throughout the country.
Officers signed up to collect the book materials
Togamana said they are useful materials and SINU lecturers and high school teachers should take ownership of it.
“I believe materials will enable students to think critically and understand how and why global environmental issues are affecting Solomon Islanders’ welfare socially, economically and environmentally,” he said.
He adds, the materials will better equip high school teachers to teach their pupils more effectively and enable the transfer of knowledge on environmental issues.
Togamana said environment taught at schools is necessary background knowledge to make informed decisions about use of the environment and the effect of human activities on the environment.
SINU’s Acting Dean for School of Natural Resources and Applied Science Dr Ramona Sulifo’oa said development of the materials is applicable to current and future generations.
She said the text book and teachers guide is important for SINU particularly the SNRAS and secondary sectors across the country.
“We thanked UNDP for organizing to give SINU 100 copies of the text book and the teachers resource guide and we look forward to future collaboration with the government and UNDP,” she said.
Minister Dr Culwick Togamana handing over the text book and teacher’s guide to the SINU’s Acting Dean for School of Natural Resources and Applied Science Dr Ramona Sulifo’oa along with PS Melchior Mataki and UNDP Country Manager Ms Azusa Kubota.
UNDP Country Manager Ms Azusa Kubota said, “Information in the text books will enable students to think critically about why global environmental issues (for instance global warming) should be a concern, how they affect our lives and what we can do as global citizens to mitigate the impact.
“The teacher’s resource guide will equip high school teachers to disseminate and transfer knowledge effectively, especially in the rural communities without access to resource materials.
“For citizens of a country that is vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, it is important to know that actions at the community level have direct impact on a global scale,” she said.
“Everything in today’s ever shrinking world is inter-connected, and attaining sustainable development requires citizens who think global, act local,” Kubota said.
Development of the materials is a result from the consultation of the REDD+/Rio Conventions awareness workshop conducted with teachers and student of Temotu in 2015.
Students shared environment topics are not taught much due to lack of resources such text books and internet catchment but with the books it ease the challenges.
GP-Minister of Education Lazarus Rina (L) and Finance Minister Keith Robu jointly hand over travel documents to Canada-bound workers. Photo by Macfaddean
Aoraunisaka
GP-Minister of Education Lazarus Rina (L) and Finance Minister Keith Robu jointly hand over travel documents to Canada-bound workers. Photo by Macfaddean Aoraunisaka
CANADA’s labour mobility partnership through Canadian International Training & Education (CITREC) is bringing more Solomon Islanders into Canada.
CITREC Chairman Ashwant Dwivedi believes that by the end of next year the numbers are expected to significantly grow as more Solomon Islands provinces are joining the programme.
He also said that Solomon Islanders dedication, good nature and work ethic are very well credited for by the Guadalcanal workers who are presently in Canada under GP-CITREC partnership which is resulting in more employers seeking workers from Solomon Islands.
On Thursday two more graduates of the GP-CITREC programme were handed their travel documents at the Guadalcanal provincial government headquarters for their travel into Canada to be employed in the dairy sector.
Mr Paul Labukode and Mr Peter Sagaru will be joining group of workers already working in the Agriculture section in Canada and were presented their immigration and travel documents before Guadalcanal ministers.
In a statement Guadalcanal province’s minister for education, Lazarus Rina, presented the travel documents to the graduates yesterday and reminded the two Canada-bound workers that when they arrive in Canada Guadalcanal province only expects the best from them and that they must uphold their commitment to their Canadian employer.
“I want to remind you that you both represent your families, community, province and Solomon Islands as a whole. I only expect the best from both of you. Remain committed and dedicated and make Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands proud,” Rina said.
Rina also reminded the two Canada-bound workers to be good ambassadors and display their identity as responsible Guadalcanal people.
“Also let me remind you that when you touch down on Canadian soil you must be willing and ready to be follow the Canadian law. You must always uphold the laws of Canada to your benefit and interest,” Rina said.
Guadalcanal Finance Minister Amaziah Keith Rubo said the GP-CITREC partnership is growing and that he wants to see the programme grow further.
“Therefore, you all act as important persons towards our partnership with Canada. As our partnership has already started to yield financial benefit we at the Guadalcanal government remain committed to see the human resources aspect of the program grow as well,” Rubo said.
“Be proud of yourself and of the opportunity and we only expect best of your performance.”
Guadalcanal’s Minister of Infrastructure Andrew Rayboy said that with the number of workers to Canada set to grow he is confident that with remittances that would be sent to the benefit of Guadalcanal province by the GP-CITREC workers, the province in future can improve its infrastructure.
“Therefore, it is very important that you all work hard and help build opportunity for others. The remittances we will receive will help our provincial government provide essential services to your people,” Rayboy said.
Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Godfrey Raubola who was also present at the handover ceremony said that the labour mobility partnership is the strong result of CITREC-Guadalcanal partnership and in future the province is only going to strengthen its partnership.
CITREC Chairman Dwivedi said that Canadian employers are hiring more GP-CITREC graduates and Canada’s foreign worker policy is also becoming an attractive part of the partnership.
“Canada’s foreign worker benefit is one of the best that is enjoyed by Guadalcanal workers. We in Canada treat our workers as families. And so far, our Guadalcanal workers have continued to show their dedication and commitment to their Canadian employers.”
Canada has started to issue Guadalcanal workers with 24-month work permits. Canada’s employment opportunity comes with Canadian standard wages, medical and housing, where a significant cost housing is paid for by the Canadian employer. Employees under the contract only pay $30 a week in rental cost.
Also, employers pay for return air fare for the workers as part of their arrangement under Canada’s employment regulation. The airline ticket cost is not deducted from employee salaries.
Last week it was announced that Solomon Islands nationals who are job-ready graduates of the CITREC programme from Guadalcanal have been included in a new stream of employment which includes employment in Canada’s food processing sector.
Also included in the pilot project will be the province of Makira-Ulawa, which has recently been added to list of eligible provinces alongside Guadalcanal as part of the labour mobility partnership with Canada.
Furthermore, this opportunity will also be extended to any province that will partner with CITREC.
Speaking on the achievement, Dwivedi said that “Solomon Islands and the people of Guadalcanal have created a very strong trust among Canadian employers through their performance that is helping to create more opportunity among many sectors across Canada. Guadalcanal people and province must be congratulated for their leadership in area of creating partnership with Canadian employers”.
Dwivedi also confirmed that Makira-Ulawa has also been included in the new stream of employment opportunity.
“I can confirm that apart from tourism, hospitality and agriculture labour opportunities that Makira-Ulawa province will be participating in it also has the opportunity to be part of the food processing sector.”
Dwivedi further added that his office is working closely with the food processing sector and food service retail industry to identify candidates that it would be immediately seeking for its industry across Canada.
“My intention is to make sure that women are equally represented. I want women from the provinces of Guadalcanal and Makira-Ulawa to be part of the pool of workers that would be bound for Canadian employment opportunities.”
Dwivedi also confirmed that presently his academic team is working closely with the Education authority of Makira-Ulawa province and its government to implement the programme in the province by mid-August.
“This partnership between CITREC and the Makira-Ulawa provincial government (MUPG) is for the benefit of the province and its people. What makes this partnership unique is that the province of Guadalcanal has extended its support and its assistance through its education department to help MUPG deliver the CITREC programme to its province and to the people of MUPG.
“We are aiming for implementation of the programme by August. Since the announcement a few weeks ago of MUPG partnership with CITREC we have received many inquiries from interested candidates. We ask all of the candidates from MUPG to contact the provincial government for further details.
“This partnership between CITREC and the Makira-Ulawa provincial government is for the benefit of the province and its people. What makes this partnership unique is that the province of Guadalcanal has extended its support and its assistance through its education department to help MUPG deliver the CITREC programme to its province and to the people of MUPG.
“This is what partnership is all about. For Guadalcanal to lead will help facilitate this programme.”
Meanwhile, Dwivedi confirmed that MUPG will also be a beneficiary of the Remittances Accord.
“I can confirm that MUPG will receive the same benefit that Guadalcanal province is entitled to under the Remittances Accord. We have as a matter of fact amended some of the contents of the Accord and have referred it to the legal counsel’s office and relevant government office in Canada for the final reading. Once this has been received we will be sending this document across to the MUPG government for its consideration.”
THE Parliamentary Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) will commence enquiries into four new Bills, starting with the Goods Tax (Amendment) Bill 2018 today.
The Good Tax (Amendment) Bill 2018 is an Act enacted by the National Parliament to amend the Good Tax Act (Cap.122) in relation to the way the sale value of certain goods is calculated, and for other related purposes.
As stated in the Bill’s objects and reasons, there are strong concerns that persons registered for goods tax purposes are undervaluing goods at the wholesale level to pay less goods tax.
As a tax compliance measure, for goods imported into Solomon Islands, the sale value on which goods tax is applied will be set at an uplifted value to represent the mark-up at the wholesale level.
The uplifted value is the customs value of the goods plus the amount of customs duty payable, all uplifted by 130 percent.
Currently the same uplifted value is used to charge goods tax on goods that are imported for home consumption by an unregistered person or a registered person who does not quote his certificate in respect of the entry.
The Commissioner of Taxation will still be responsible for the collection of Goods Tax from those registered for goods tax.
Despite the proposed amendments to the sale value used to determine the goods tax payable on imported goods, the Commissioner will retain the power to determine and where necessary alter the sale value of the goods.
The Bill has 12 clauses and witnesses that will appear before the BLC include: the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, the Comptroller of Customs, the Legal Draftsperson, Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce, Association of Clearance Agents, Chinese Association and Wholesalers Association.
BLC will also conduct hearings for another three new Bills in the coming weeks. These include the Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) Bill 2018, Payment System Bill 2018 and the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2018.
Meanwhile Parliament meeting will resume on Wednesday next week, after its last adjournment on Monday, April 9, 2018.
VERENAUE Community High School is an education institution to be established within Gao District in Isabel province.
According to the IPYF, on commenting, the Community High School interim committee chairman and Secretary to the people of Huali, Hageulu, Vara, Takutu, Hukamoto, Rasa and Tataba wish to make an appeal for contributions for the school capital.
The committee chairman and Secretary said that while letters will be disseminated to business houses, ministries and stakeholders for contributions, people responsible, (Mr Duddley Uata and Marshel Hiro) will be coming over to Honiara by the end of this month.
Verenaue Community High School was built by elders, chiefs and members of the communities around Glogu area.
The IPYF urges nearby communities to help and support, including community members of Hageulu and Huali who are based in Honiara.
In the meantime, bush clearing for the new school site will take place as of this month and onward.
INVESTIGATION into the case of a 23-year-old man alleged of raping a 20-year-old-girl on July 9 at Lungga area is ongoing.
Supervising Commissioner Juanita Matanga said the girl was on her way home from work when the alleged incident occurred.
She said from information gathered by police the man threatened the girl with a bush knife; from that threat the girl was frightened and she was raped by the accused.
Ms Matanga said the matter was reported on July 10 and the accused was arrested charged and placed in court to face the rule of law.
The girl worked as a shop assistance in one of Chinese shops in East Honiara.
IT is revealed that though short term, the new $40 note is a dedicatory bill, produced in dedication to the country’s 40 years in existence as a nation.
Following its official launching, a question was posed, which goes to question whether it was necessary to have a $40 note that is understandably produced to mark Solomon Islands’ 40th Independence Anniversary.
Many, who gave views on that and expressed disappointments over the decision to come up with the note, suggested that Solomon Islands wanted a stronger currency, “not new notes”.
“40 years already gone, yet the country’s economic status is still the same (slow), with so many challenges, of course that includes cash flaw crisis, and therefore does not deserve to be given any special treatment,” one expressed.
Others thought that instead of creating an odd note, the bank should have created higher valued notes, giving examples of a potential $200 or $300 bill (note).
Another also suggested that the country does not necessarily need to increase any note value, but rather increase the value in the country’s dollar.
Some reiterated that the Value of Solomon’s currency needs to be increase, and because of its weakness, they thought it was unnecessary to produce the independence note.
But following what they revealed as misreporting and misleading reports from the mainstream media over the launched notes and coin, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) came out with an official statement for retraction and correction.
The explanation has however shed strong lights to what many have highlighted and discussed in relation to the raised question, both on face book and in person.
Based on the reason as to why the new note, the statement explained that the $40 is a circulating commemorative note.
“As a circulating note people can use the note in their daily transactions like the existing circulating notes ($100, $50, $20, $10 and $5.)
“The commemorative nature of the note however, makes this denomination a collectible note or a memorabilia where individuals/firms etc. can use the note as a gift to their friends or visitors or retiring colleagues and so forth.
“People must note that there is also an element of rarity in this banknote issue as the Bank had only ordered a limited number of notes.
“This means that once the stock of $40 is all issued into circulation then that would be it – it is a one off production meant to celebrate the country’s 40 years of independence.
“The other issue that the report highlighted was that of a higher value denomination, particularly, why CBSI did not consider issuing a $150 or $200 denomination instead.
“In that connection, people need to be informed that the Central Bank continues to monitor the banknote structure and will introduce a higher value denomination as and when it is appropriate to do so. Currently there are five banknote denominations (i.e. $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5) and five coin denominations ($2, $1, 50c, 20c and 10c) in the country’s currency structure,” the statement explained.
The statement added that for Solomon Islands, this currency structure is considered ideal given the demand for cash in the economy and, for banknotes, their use pattern as payment and market notes.
“That said, the CBSI continues to monitor the value/volume of currency in circulation, the number of payment instruments used in the country, cash distribution issues to name a few issues,” the statement adds.
It is also revealed that CBSI will introduce a higher denomination as and when absolutely necessary. The public will be informed when this happens.
CBSI’s Acting Chief Manager for Currency Department, Joe Vasuni. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
CBSI’s Acting Chief Manager for Currency Department, Joe Vasuni. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS
CENTRAL Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) clarifies that the new $40 banknote and $2 coin launched is part of the country’s circulation currency.
This means that the public can exchange goods and services with this special commemorative currency as it has been officially declared as legal tender.
CBSI corrects an article published by Island Sun under the headline, ‘Commemorative $40 note produced is not part of circulation currency’.
According to CBSI, the article title has misled the general public.
From brief explanation given by CBSI, the $40 is a circulating commemorative note, which people can use in their daily transactions like the existing circulating notes of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5.
The commemorative nature of the note however makes the denomination a collectible note or a memorabilia where individuals/firms can use the note as a gift to their friends or visitors or retiring colleagues and so forth.
People must note that there is also an element of rarity in this banknote issue as the Bank had only ordered a limited number of notes meaning that once the stock of $40 is all issued into circulation then that would be it.
It is a one off production meant to celebrate the country’s 40 years of independence.
Another issue the report highlighted was that of a higher value denomination, particularly, why CBSI did not consider issuing a $150 or $200 denomination instead.
“In that connection, people need to be informed that the Central Bank continues to monitor the banknote structure and will introduce a higher value denomination as and when it is appropriate to do so.
“Currently there are five banknote denominations (i.e. $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5) and five coin denominations ($2, $1, 50c, 20c and 10c) in the country’s currency structure,” CBSI explains.
For Solomon Islands, this currency structure is considered ideal given the demand for cash in the economy, for banknotes, their use pattern as payment and market notes.
With these said, CBSI continues to monitor the value/volume of currency in circulation, the number of payment instruments used in the country and cash distribution issues to name a few issues.
CBSI will introduce a higher denomination as and when absolutely necessary as the public will be informed when this happens.
WESTERN Province’s Munda Airport, destined to become the nation’s second international Airport, may have failed the prescribed operational requirements under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules, it was revealed earlier this week.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela this week highlighted the importance of Munda Airport, which he said was critical to the growth of the tourism industry and the nation’s economy as a whole.
But sources told Island Sun the Airport has many issues in terms of compliance with international requirements.
“The aerodrome, built with New Zealand funding, does not even have an emergency plan, nor does it have an Air Traffic Control Tower,” sources told Island Sun earlier this week.
“Among other things the emergency plan must have appropriate level of fire fighting service, the number of hospital emergency standby beds and an effective Air Traffic Control Management regime,” one source said.
“Air Traffic Control Management is the body that would coordinate these different functions to ensure safe operations of aircraft in and out of the Airport. Unfortunately, this body does not even exist today,” the source said.
The source said Munda Airport runway is 1,950metres long – the same in terms of length of Nausori Airport in Suva, Fiji. To comply with international requirements, Munda Airport should have two fire-fighting units.
“The number of fire fighting units to be stationed at Munda Airport is determined by the type of aircraft and the fuselage of such aircraft that would be using the Airport.
“For example, if a Boeing 737-800 is the type of aircraft that would be using the Airfield, there must be two fire fighting units. The nearby hospital too must always have an x-number of standby beds for emergency,” the sources said.
The source said this is part of a safety management system, which is critical to the issue of safety.
The source said the absence of an Air Traffic Control Management body has increased the vulnerability of the Airport.
“It must be addressed immediately before Munda is qualified as a designated international Airport,” the source said.
Asked whether it was government to blame for this, the source said the government was not responsible.
“The problem lies with the fact that non-technical people are put in charge of Ministries responsible for coordinating safety compliance measures required by ICAO. As a result, the government is ill-advised about safety compliance requirements,” the source said.
PM Hou, PNG PM O’Neil and Australia PM Turnbull congratulating each other after the signing in Brisbane this week. Photo from PM Press Secretariat
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA P ODOKOLO
THE memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the funding of construction and installation of the Coral Sea Cable system has been signed in Brisbane on July 11, 2018 between Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela announced this during a press conference with local journalists yesterday.
He explains that this latest signing is a follow-up to the one inked on June 11 in Sydney regarding the landing agreement between Australia and Solomon Islands.
PM Hou said the signing activates an essential milestone in the development of this important project.
“As most of you would know the Coral Sea cable system comprises four pairs of submarine cable fibres that will link Honiara and Port Moresby directly to Sydney.
“It provides a new auto fast telecommunication network of which is reported to be 40 thousand times faster than our current services in Solomon Islands.
Three PM’s with the Coral Sea Cable company executives.
“The four pairs of fibre are run as one cable from Sydney, so there will be two pairs, one pair will be running to Port Moresby somewhere from in the middle of the Coral Sea the four pairs will separate.
“Two pairs will be branching off to Port Moresby and two pairs will be running from there to Honiara,” he said.
Hou said each pair of fibre has the capacity of 10 terabytes; Solomon Islands and PNG will have 20 terabytes each, which is equivalent to 20 million megabytes each.
He said the economic life span of the cable is 25 years.
“As expected we should see the price or the cost of the telecommunication reduce when this project com into operation early in 2020.
“The signing now clears the way to plan, construct and install the new cable system,” he said.
PM Hou, PNG PM O’Neil and Australia PM Turnbull congratulating each other after the signing in Brisbane this week. Photo from PM Press Secretariat
Hou said Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has carried out the selection of the vendors to implement the project and is nearing completion. Once appointed the vendor will first undertake a desktop study on the routine of the capable.
He said they will first work on mapping out where the cable will be running.
Hou said from there the selected vendor will take a more detailed marine survey on the route to lay the cable.
Following that will be a more detailed study on how the cable will be placed at the bottom of the ocean.
“If there is any unnecessary Ascertain dangers and risks discovered it will be dealt with or either diverted.
“They will also ascertain the total length of the capable needed and once it is done orders is going to be made to the manufacturer to provide us an exact time frame as to when we expect landing in Honiara,” Hou said.
The three PMs witnessing the signing this week.
He adds once the mapping is done the cable will be manufactured and laid starting from Sydney.
Hou said the laying of the cable will not take more than two and half months. It is estimated to be completed either in October or November next year, with the internet service available in early 2020.
“The total cost of the cable is about Australian$176,864,624. Australia is paying for $130.3million for the international link from Sydney to Port Moresby in Honiara which Australia is going to pay 66.7 percent of that amount and that works out to be just about AUD$92 million. Papua New Guinea is going to be paying of just below AUD$19.7 million and similar amounts Solomon Islands will be paying.
“There is a further amount of more than AUS$45.5million for the Solomon Islands domestic center that is Honiara joining up with Auki, Noro and Taro which again Australia is going to pay 66.7 percent of the total and the which workers out to be just above AUS$31.8million and Solomon Islands will be paying AUS$13.8million of that amount.
“Once the cable is laid Solomon Islands will have both the international and the national circuits,” he said.
Prime Minister Hou, PM O’Neil and PM Turnbull with officials after the signing.
PAYMENT of $566,000 for 32 contracted farmers and their labourers at the oil palm project in Wairokai, Malaita province, has reportedly gone missing.
The money is alleged to have disappeared within the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL). It is reported that the money has been paid to 32 ghost names, who had falsely represented the farmers.
One of the farmers, who wants his name withheld, said the issue of the missing money was made known last week when officers from MAL went over to Wairokai following up on continuous complaints over payment.
This is regarding payment owed to the farmers over work last year involving transplanting of oil palm plants from the nursery.
The payment was delayed last year with the promise to be made this year after the passing of the government budget 2018. That was the last the farmers heard of the payment.
“This is where we begin to launch our complaint to MAL to know about whether we’ll still get our payment or not.
“And it was upon our continuous grievances that officers from MAL came to Wairokai to explain the payment to us,” the farmer said.
The MAL officers went to Wairokai and showed the farmers a list of names to which payment have been made. The farmers recognised none of the names on the list.
It is understood that the 32 names on the MAL list are not that of the farmers who had been contracted. Furthermore, payment have already been made to the 32 ghost names.
Each reportedly received $18,000.
“An awful moment for us and maybe the MAL officers if they were cleaned from the deal.
“Even name of a single contracted farmer wasn’t on the list. All names on the list were strange to us and we knew anything about them for sure,” the person said.
“The MAL officers were also seen to be with surprise as well when they finally knew the payment has issued to wrong people,” the farmer said.
MAL is now being accused of carelessness which has victimised the farmers, and would likely cost the ministry.
