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The ‘other side’ of Honiara central market

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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At central market

By Ezekiel Talatau

At central market

WHILE most times we hear reports concerning how the affairs at the Honiara central market affects the public, much less is reported on the other side of the coin – which is the plight of the farmers and sellers.

Speaking with a local market seller yesterday, a Ms Lensa Ngora, she said they face a lot of challenges when it comes to food price.

“The problem with the food price is that, people nowadays are only considered the cheap food price that fits their own pocket. If the prices is increase, most of our foods will not be paid,” she said.

“As farmers and a market sellers, we have face a lot of challenges on how we can meet our own expenses and our demand.

“If we decided to sale our foods with low price. It is most likely that we cannot meet our own demand but to save the need of the people. This is a big loss for us.

“For each day, we have to pay our town council fee and sometimes, at the end of the day, what we earn does not meet our fee expenses.”

Esau Ija, a local seller at the central market says, “Some of us are not from Guadalcanal, we are from other provinces, and we are here to sale our foods to help us, gain some profits so that we can find some things we need in town, when we go back to our provinces.

“The problem with us today is that, most of the prices of foods we sale is not worth us a profit, this is because, our expenses such as sea fare, sea freight and town council fee are increase and our food price is not supposed to be this low.

“For example, if we sell our cabbage for 15, most people well only go for the lower price which is 10. This is really unfair for us.

“There are growing concern on some of the some local farmers in Central market thinking that, the price of foods sales here must meet our expenses in order for us to sustain and continue to do marketing.

“If what we earn does not meet our expenses, then it likely that the most farmers will not be tolerated to do marketing in the future.”

MEHRD achieves government’s priorities

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

MINISTRY of Education and Human Resource Development has achieved government priorities and education reformed initiatives embedded in the National Education Action Plan 2016—2020, it is reported.

From the MEHRD’s annual report 2017, it stated that the Ministry has successfully delivered key government priorities and reform initiatives which were embedded in the NEAP 2016—2020.

According to the MEHRD, it said the achievements last year are shaped around three long term education outcomes.

The outcomes are; now girls and boy have safe and equitable access to complete education irrespective of social, economic and other status.

Girls and boys receive quality education with relevant outcomes, and management system and practices are embedded and sustained at school.

“These high-level outcomes are supported by a comprehensive set of performance measures and indictors across all MEHRD activities set out in the MEHRD Results Framework,” Ministry said.

However, Ministry adds its challenges are there is imbalance expenditure between education sectors in Solomon Islands.

In tertiary level, $425 Million spend for 2,756 students while ECE, Primary and Secondary budget is $224 million cater for 216, 137 students in the country which described imbalance share.

Besides that, Ministry also adds that teachers and students did not have enough learning resources.

Premier Gina says border issues urgent

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

WESTERN Province Premier David Gina says his government views the western border issues as an ‘urgent matter’ and recognises the need to find a ‘practical and lasting’ solution.

Gina on Tuesday said the matter has received strong backing by stakeholders during a workshop last week which brought together chiefs, the Western provincial government and other stakeholders.

He said the ongoing breaches of the territorial sovereignty and territorial integrity of Solomon Islands border by Papua New Guinea nationals is against the intent and spirit of the treaties.

He adds, there is an urgency to bring this to the attention of both governments.

“The status of the various treaties signed and ratified with Papua New Guinea Government and that both governments are now undertaking a comprehensive review of these treaties and agreements.

“The existence of province border committees and their participation in the senior officials meetings in the past but seems not to be effective now,” said Gina.

Gina also mentions that there is a strong desire among leaders in both sides of the border for the establishment of a permanent border post.

Government restricted to enter into new borrowings

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGINA KEKEA

IN its 2018 debt strategy and outlook, Government is committed to keeping the level of debt in Solomon Islands at a sustainable and affordable level.

Guided by the Debt Management Framework (DMF), the DMF provides guidelines for the Solomon Islands to enter into new borrowing.

Further to that, the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act restricted government to enter into any new borrowings.

Only the Minister for Finance has the sole authority to authorise any Government borrowing, which includes borrowing by the Central government, provincial government or a State Owned Enterprise (SOE).

In addition the provincial governments, SOEs and Honiara City Council shall require the consent of the Minister before undertaking Government borrowing.

To ensure that debt remains at a sustainable and affordable level, new debt should only be incurred incrementally, in a steady and predictable manner, the Budget outlook for 2018 says.

The Budget outlook says the Framework does not encourage large, one off borrowings, as they limit the Government’s ability to: a) adapt to economic shocks; and b) fund yet to be identified development initiatives that may exhibit high economic and social returns.

For 2018, Annual Borrowing Limit is $461.8 million a decrease from 2017. Last year the Annual Borrowing Limit was $900 million.

This comprises of $600 million for new Government borrowing related to the Tina River Hydropower Project and another $300 million for on-Tina River Hydropower Project Government borrowings.

Crop prices not profitable: farmers

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Local farmers display their pinnacles wir prices.

By Ezekiel Talatau

Local farmers display their pinnacles wir prices.

LOCAL farmer in Honiara Central Market are feeling that current prices to their products are not benefitting them as they should.

In other words, the prices are ‘not profitable’.

On Tuesday, Island Sun interviewed several farmers, who all shared the same view – that they are not getting enough for their produce.

There are many farmers out there who are struggling to sell their crops at a standard price but due to the fluctuation in prices, it affects some sellers not to earn profits at all.

One farmer said, “For instance, one local farmer selling his/her potatoes for $15 per heap whereas most are 10, this fluctuation of price creates a competition amongst us but at the end of the day, only some of us will earn profits and some are not.”

One farmer, who wanted to be anonymous, said, “Competition in price here in the central market needed to be address, this is because most of us here are come from different areas in towns and meeting our expenses is another thing.

“The differences in the price is depends on the expenses we calculated. If some of us here selling their crops or cabbage at a lower price, at the end of the day.

“We receive money that not profitable at us. What we sell must meet our expenses and at least we earn some interest. This is the main reason why we here to sell our markets.

“All farmers need to work together on crop price here in the central market so that, everyone can earn enough profit to sustain their daily needs.

“If this issue is still continue, it will affects most local’s sellers here in the main town.”

Meanwhile, a market customer says because of the difference in prices on offer, they have to scour the whole market in search of a priced produce that accommodates the money they have in their pockets.

Outgoing PNG High Commissioner happy with work done

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Outgoing PNG High Commissioner, Fred Yakasa, handing over documents and signing formatities with the incoming acting High Commissioner, Joseph Konu, at the PNG Chancery.

By Mike Puia

AFTER four years and seven months serving as Papua New Guinea’s High Commissioner to the country, Mr Fred Yakasa is preparing to leave for his country a satisfied man.

Yakasa handed his responsibilities to Mr Joseph Konu who will be acting PNG High Commissioner until someone takes up the post.

The handing over of responsibilities was done at a brief ceremony held at the PNG High Commission Chancery on Tuesday.

Outgoing High Commissioner Yakasa said the incoming acting High Commissioner, Konu, is not new to the role.

He said Konu has been acting High Commissioner for sometimes.

Outgoing PNG High Commissioner, Fred Yakasa.

Reflecting on the assignment he has completed, Yakasa said he took up the High Commissioner’s post in January 2014 at a “challenging time”.

It was a time when at least one PNG High Commissioner makes headline for the wrong thing. There was also this issue of the uncompleted PNG Chancery office in Honiara.

Prior to coming to the country, Yakasa said PNG image in the country went down to an unexpected level.

And so, Yakasa said his first task on taking up the post was to restore the integrity and reputation of his country.

He admitted it was a “big task”.

Outgoing PNG High Commissioner, Fred Yakasa, handing over documents and signing formatities with the incoming acting High Commissioner, Joseph
Konu, at the PNG Chancery.

Yakasa said he is happy that he has done what he had aimed to achieve well.

He said a lot has been done to date ranging from signing of agreements, attending meetings, completion of the Chancery office, meeting important dignitaries, restoring respect to connecting with people on a personal level.

Yakasa said restoring PNG’s image has been his key focus adding he is happy that PNG’s image is now at a good level.

He urged his successors to look into trade as there are potentials PNG and Solomon Islands can benefit from this area.

Yakasa said he also wanted to see PNG investments increases here.

At least 25 PNG investments are in Honiara. One notable PNG investment is the capital is the Heritage Park hotel.

In response, the incoming acting High Commissioner, Konu, said he will continue with what the outgoing High Commissioner had left.

Yakasa will be given a farewell dinner on Friday.

Outgoing PNG High Commissioner, Fred Yakasa, signing formatities with the incoming acting High Commissioner, Joseph Konu, at the PNG Chancery on Tuesday.
PNG Chancery office in Honiara.

Support article ‘grants hidden from public eyes’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, I write to support the Island sun newspaper headline written by former MP Mr Alfred Sasako dated Monday 09th July 2018 concerning the above headline subject.

It is really sad and shocking to see these hidden transactions by our honest members of parliaments I applaud Mr Sasako and his team for a job very well done, for informing the public at large, nation and the whole world that we are still way back in our fight against corruption.

Those transactions have been on the table for the past 5 years and the responsible authorities have done nothing about.

Without Mr. Sasako these unlawful transactions would be stay hidden forever.

Let’s review ourselves of the words of a former Priminister and speaker of parliament once   said during his term in office;

  • “No one is above the law
  • Government by the people and for the people
  • Without people there is no Government.

Solomon Island is an independence state with its legal system, I want to ask hence, it is our legal system functioning?

Or just for the ordernary citizen and not for the MPs this is disgracing and unbelievable.

We call on the current Government the MCC unite in the Priminister’s office and POLICE JANUS taskforce to forcefully and thoroughly investigate these serious allegations and severely deal with those responsible they must be brought to justice and punished like any other citizen of the happy isles

We want to take this opportunity to call on all eligible voters of this nation to be responsible in your voting, take note that some of our current MPs are selfish and worried only of building their empires.

We feather call on the Government to do away with RCDF and other funds and redirect through responsible ministries, so that the Rural People can benefit from what is really theirs.

Our good lord once said – ‘return unto Ceaser what is Ceaser’s.

Give back to the rural people what is theirs and not feed the MPs pockets.

Peter Wale

Randi Honiara

SIPCRRA Media Unit

How did the drugs shortage start?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THERE’S one thing Solomon Islands is known for – getting things down even at the last minute.

The recent two-week MACFEST event is a case in point. Work did not start until two weeks before the $7 million cultural bonanza begun. Perhaps it was not the best, but it took place.

Many visitors from our Melanesian neighbours were delighted. It is the way to be. So congratulations to all who helped contribute to its success. I am sure there have been lessons learned for the next one.

So well done for a great job.

In a way it was a relief that our visitors left before the drugs shortage debacle hit us.

Given there were no outbreak of some sort, we can assume the situation would be handled without any difficulties.

The drugs crisis provided an opportunity to begin the soul-searching within. How did it start? Was it allowed to reach the point we were in before authorities were aware of it?

In many countries, the situation would have been unforgiveable. Heads would have rolled, a massive clean would have ensued and total respect for patients’ well-being would have been slowly but surely restored.

It reminds me of a story I read a long time ago. A large company in Europe bought an engine which was installed in a factory. Sometime later the engine broken down, causing a lot of anxiety amongst staff.

There were exchanges of letters between the company and the head office of the firm that sold the engine. After searching the company records, the name of a young man came up as being the person responsible for installing the engine.

He was sent to fix the engine. But his arrival did not get the sort of reception expected. Many were asking how this tiny little fella was going to repair the engine.

Within days, the engine was firing.

There is a lesson in all of this. It’s no good rushing with the blame game, although I must admit, I was among those who were calling for the head of the Minister of Health and others.

In my mind, how could they allow such a situation to develop to saturation point? We had never ever experienced drugs shortage in this country before.

Naturally, the first reaction is to show the individuals the door. On second thought, it was good to give the guys who were responsible for the life-threatening situation to deal with it.

They know what to do. They know where to get it. They know what is needed, some urgently, others not so urgently. So there are merits in keeping them.

However, they must be given a clear and precise instruction as to what needs to be done to avoid a repeat in future. It is important that those on the frontline of defence, in this case in our healthcare system, must be sharp and clear about why they are there in the first place.

The terrifying ordeal which has been linked to some deaths at our National Referral Hospital must never be allowed to happen again ever. It merely shows lack of planning on the part of those dealing with the procurement process.

There’s disturbing reports that alleged theft of drugs from the Medical Store and the hospital pharmacy contributed substantially to the shortage. If there are merits in this rumor, it must be investigated.

Thieves should never be allowed to work in important institutions such these, especially institutions that are dealing with life and death. If anyone who deserves to be given the marching orders, it is those found to be stealing the drugs.

By Alfred Sasako

Communication breakdown

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

IT seems as if the health crisis is a result of communication breakdown or people not doing their job.

More than $900 million had been pumped into the health sector through external donors including government’s own budget for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

Now that we have hit a crisis stage before we start communicating with each other.

Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Senior Public servants all summoned to engage in a dialogue on the best way forward.

Do we have to wait for such crisis to happen before we communicate with each other?

Shouldn’t the Prime Minister have a meeting with his Ministers occasionally to be kept updated on issues and developments happening within each government Ministries?

Most often it seems as if issues and developments happening within the Ministries are not communicated properly through the right channels.

The Prime Minister should be well informed of what is happening in each and every government Ministry.

He shouldn’t be reading or hearing such occurrences through the Media or news outlet. In fact he should be well versed to respond to questions from the media on activities within the government Ministries.

What are we hiding or why are we withholding information?

Now and then we see developments popping up everywhere, media digging out stories unbeknown to our top leaders.

This is not the way it should be.

Communication is a vital tool and it should be utilised properly in its full sense so that we see less occurrence of such incidences and blame playing.

Let us not be complacent but serve our country to the best of our abilities.

Healthy diet highlighted as a solution to NCD in Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Dr Yu and Dr Fu explaining the diabetes disease.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SOLOMON Islands is still experiencing an increase in non-communicable diseases (NCD) but it can be controlled, it is reported.

Two specialists from Taiwan, Dr Li Cheng Yu and Dr Liu Kuan Fu have been helping the National Referral Hospital, Kukum Clinic, Rove Clinic and clinics in the Western province.

Both are supporting the health centre for four months.

During their service, they have found that NCD is an increasing burden in Solomon Islands similar to malaria cases.

Picture of a recommended healthy diet.

They say that in the four health centres they have worked in, they observe that majority of patients suffer from hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Patients include people above 40 years old and even children.

The challenge is more Solomon Islanders turn to ready-made foods rather than local foods; and adequate exercise is rarely promoted in societies while smoking and betel-nut eating can be seen among children.

Dr Yu said during their four-month they provided health awareness on NCD prevention, healthy diet and tobacco control to patients at clinics and helped review current referral protocol of diabetes and hypertension.

Dr Yu and Dr Fu explaining the diabetes disease.

To manage cases of NCD, Dr Yu and Dr Fu encourage citizens to do their shopping at the Honiara Central Market for garden foods rather than going to the shops.

Recommended steps to fight against diabetes include a 30 minute walk each day and drink more water and drink less soda.

Recommended healthy diet—amount per serve vegetable should half the plate at least two kinds, 1/4 starchy food such as rice, potato, bread and cassava etc.

Other 1/4 should include protein foods such as fish, lean meat, chicken and beans, etc.

“Do not forget to include low fat milk and fruits in your serve.”

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