YOUTHS in Temotu province are benefiting from the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) projects which were implemented in 2008.
In a report by the provincial government of the two projects implemented for youths and sports sector, 4,051 female and 4,108 males have benefited by way of employment.
Since the inception of Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) in July 2008, there has been positive impact of development successfully implemented, and youths and sports is one of them.
Other benefits include a new dormitory for 120 boys at Luesalemba Secondary School.
Two new sixth form classroom blocks provide a lot of opportunities to students to complete their sixth form in Temotu.
More than 500 students have gone through sixth form and few have made it to various universities of higher education.
A concerned citizen voices that Solomon Islands after 40 years of independence still hasn’t changed much.
Mr Solomon Wala of Malaita province expressed this to the paper yesterday.
He explained that back in 1978, when the country first gained its independence, the independence celebration back then was not just colorful from Henderson to White River, but the capital was also clean.
Wala added that Solomon Islands is now 40 years old but Honiara remains very dirty and the peace experienced in the past is non-existent today.
He emphasised that some recent developments also indicate that the country is also moving backwards.
Wala referred to CBSI’s newly introduced $40 note as an example.
He pointed out that instead of a new $40 note, why not the announcements of a new $200 note to show that we are moving forward.
“40 years after independence and we are moving backwards,” said Wala.
He mentioned that if Honiara benefited from previous governments we should see changes.
Wala furthered that our capital should look better and much cleaner after 40 years of being an independent country yet this is not the case.
“This means that something is not right,” said Wala.
THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) has congratulated the people and Government of Solomon Islands on the occasion of the country’s 40th Independence Anniversary on July 7, 2018.
As the peak body representing the private sector in Solomon Islands, SICCI acknowledged the positive and tremendous changes that have occurred in the economy in the last 40 years.
SICCI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dennis Meone highlighted that the private sector has grown with huge investments occurring in the country, underpinned by a lot of foreign direct investment but also many Solomon Islanders venturing into business which is a very positive thing.
“We should celebrate the fact that a lot of Solomon Islanders are into entrepreneurship and commercial activities,” he said.
One of the key features of the private sector is, the sector has expanded and grown from a very small sector – “In fact the private sector is now is very different from that in the past,” Mr Meone said.
Although small compared to other regional countries and internationally, the private sector is still the mainstay of the economy because it is where jobs are created and it is where goods and services are being marketed.
SICCI is also conscious of the realties the country is faced with including the fast-growing population. Our economy has huge potential but in order to maximize these huge potentials we must ensure that our priorities are right.
Policy dialogue between government and private sector has to happen and has already happened. The Advisory Group has been functioning and is an excellent start but the work has just begun. “The biggest question is where we see ourselves in 20 to 40 years’ time,” says the CEO.
PM Hon Rick Hou (center), SICCI CEO Dennis Meone (left) and SICCI Chair Jay Bartlett (right).
A lot hinges on the relationship and interaction that the private sector has with the government, to ensure that investments (big or small) do happen and the benefits are actually felt in the economy.
The CEO highlighted that SICCI’s relationship with Government is really important.
Meanwhile, SICCI Chair Jay Bartlett highlighted the very need for getting our vision and priorities right, reinforcing that as a country we need to be vigilant in realizing what changes we want to see and what changes we believe we need to develop into in the next forty years.
“As a country that is heavily dependent on aid, we are blessed with all the resources, we are blessed with population.
“We have a young population and that is a good opportunity that we have a young population that can work and create economic growth,” says the SICCI Chair.
Mr Bartlett said geographically Solomon Islands is located in a strategic position in the Pacific where it can become a hub for aviation, shipping and transportation.
“We have got the elements to become a successful country and with our human capital we need to uplift our education standards and this human capital can drive this growth.
“We need the leadership and the political will to be able to implement and carry out the reforms that will create this growth that we desperately need. I think we can do it, 100 percent,” Mr Bartlett boldly said.
RECENT published studies from Australia says that five islands in the Solomon Islands are dropping below the ocean surface and some others are severely eroded.
The researchers carried out the study based on monitoring system using satellite and aerial images of 33 islands made from 1947 to 2014 and drew additional accounts by local residents.
The five islands that had vanished were all vegetated reed islands of noteworthy sizes and were uninhabited, but subject to occasional use by fisherman, the study reveal.
Between 2011 and 2014, 10 houses were swept in to the sea on one of the six reef islands that have undergone severe erosion damage from the rising sea – result from global warming.
In addition, the receding shorelines of two sides had forced communities that had existed since 1935 to relocate, the researcher said.
Sea level rise has risen three times than the global average, making the islands an ideal place to study such phenomena.
IMPACTS of forest loss on community and ecosystem in some of our provinces in SI divulge a significant threat to our wildlife ecosystem.
University of Queensland wildlife conservation society research team (WCS) have stated that Solomon Islands has been found to increase land clearing for logging. Even if the best manageable practice is in place, the country has already experienced unsustainable levels of soil erosion, and significant impacts of downstream water quality.
WCS added that these impacts will compromise the integrity of the lands for future agriculture uses, interrupt access to clean drinking water and degrade important downstream ecosystems.
Impacts of Logging does not only affects our forest but it also affects animals living within the forest.
Dr Christopher Fillardi of the American Museum of Natural History has also exposed that the poorly managed logging operation has a clue to an extinction of a population of birds. He added that, for 20 years, they have search for a bird which he describe as a Ghost bird (Moustached Kingfisher). A rare species found in Solomon Islands only.
He added that increased logging could result in the decline of this species.
A concerned citizen also reveal that logging in Isabel province (Medoru) has influence in extinction of one of the unique mangrove shells that was used for red money and the nearby communities are struggling to find mud crabs.
The permanent secretary of forestry and research has also declared that Solomon Islands forest ecosystem has suffered from the massive harvest.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela during the 40th Independence anniversary on Friday last week paid a special tribute to the men and women who served in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
He said through RAMSI our Pacific brothers and sisters were part of the journey in these forty years of independence.
“To the brave men and women of RAMSI, your families, your nations, we owe a deep sense of gratitude.
“To the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that our people can now enjoy peace and stability again, your sacrifices will never be forgotten, and we offer our most sincere and heart felt gratitude for sacrifices you have made,” PM Houenipwela said.
He said now that law and order has maintained it is Government’s core responsibility to always ensure that Law and order is maintained.
And is being carried out through the RSIPF crime prevention and community strategy.
In terms of our Border security issues, the Government is currently working on a new strategy for enhancement of the Border Security and Management System.
PM Hou also highlighted that the international scene, RSIPF is now linked with Interpol, regional and international police, security and intelligence agencies.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela says corruption must be prevented otherwise it will deprive people’s benefits expected from the country’s resources.
“We must prevent the culture of corruption from taking hold in our country.
“If we do not, it will lead us down a path that will deprive our people of the benefits they should rightly expect from our country’s resources.
“In this regard I am happy to inform the nation that the Anti – Corruption Bill (2018) and the Associated Whistle-Blower Protection Bill (2018) will be tabled in Parliament this year,” PM Houenipwela said.
He also said in a relatively short period the SIDCC Government has driven a number of key legislative and policy reforms and economic opportunities.
And some of those reforms were also championed by the previous DCC government with bipartisan support. These reforms represent important milestones in our journey since Independence and going forward into the next 40 years, PM Houenipwela said.
Olevugha (Olex) Women Dancing Group who performed during the 2018 Independence Cruise Pana Festival as well. PHOTO CREDIT
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
Olevugha (Olex) Women Dancing Group who performed during the 2018 Independence Cruise Pana Festival as well. PHOTO CREDIT
THE next Pana Festival at Ngella to be organised soon coming next year according to its organizing committee should be more in terms of its showcases and set-ups.
Kenneth Sagupari speaking to Island Sun said plans will not delay as they will be going according to plans as soon as possible within coming days meaning they are starting preparations now.
The ‘Pana Festival’ held for the first time at Ngella by the Haroro Community and its surrounding communities coinciding with the 2018 Independence Cruise to mark Solomon Islands 40th Anniversary is history in the making for Ngella people to showcase a root crop having significant value in their tradition being part of their culture.
Many witnessing the showcases during the one day event included visitors attending the MACFest in Honiara as well.
It is understood that Ngella’s Pana Festival will be an annual event.
Local Dancing group entertaining a dance foretelling a custom story of the
Fantail Bird during the 2018 Independence Cruise Pana Festival
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
IMERIAL Travel Service 2018 cruise to Ngella marking Solomon Islands 40th Anniversary created history coinciding with the one day ‘Pana Festival’ held for the first time at Haroro Village.
Occurring during Friday last week, Imperial Travel Service cruise and traditional Pana Festival (root crop) got visitors from Honiara and overseas enjoying the day with local communities of Sandfly and Big Ngella showcasing 14 different varieties of Pana and the different styles they are prepared for eating.
Along with the showcasing were traditional dance performances as well entertaining all throughout the day.
Haroro Community being the host reminded stakeholders and everyone attending the special event that the cultural celebration is meant to bring the world together, a little closer in front of their doorsteps.
“In this case we are trying to contribute in promoting the tourism industry of the country so that it can be reachable to our rural areas,” said Haroro Community’s rep.
“This year’s 2018 Imperial Cruise and Pana Festival are not on a trial basis as we are beginning to show ourselves that we too own the future and there are factors to embrace it.”
“With this peaceful state of mind, we urge you to spread news of the ‘Pana Festival’ out to the world, in any means of communication that is applicable. For the responsible authorities this is very important.”
Haroro Community and Sandfly (Big Ngella) as a whole are grateful that despite the fact of hiccups faced, they thank everyone who has assisted in one way or another along with Imperial Travel Service to make the festival take place into reality.
The Managing Director of Imperial Travel Service, Ender Rence, and the hardworking committee behind the Pana Festival coinciding with the 2018 Independence Cruise last week Friday
This includes the Tulaghi police and business houses who have contributed in kind such as the Solomon Star, Tropic Aluminium and Glass, 8 Note, Sunday Isles Media and Fair West Shipping.
Ender Rence the Managing Director of Imperial Travel Service during the festival celebration expressed that as the country turn’s 40 years old, she urged everyone to know and see their purpose being something lacking in Solomon Islands.
“My message for today in this 40th Anniversary is we must look back to our purpose and ask why we are here. Know our history as we have to own a purpose before our future is focused,” reminded Ender.
“To not lose the traditional purpose of Pana, we have to activate and cultivate the purpose of this unique root crop. These resources as such will help clear the pathway for the future of our country’s development.
“We are now 40 years old and we should be delivered from the wilderness. Our shores should be open embracing our resources owned to recognize their values and purpose.
“If we do not understand their purpose yet then we will not know how to evaluate our resources. Solomon Islands is full of natural resources.”
She elaborated that during the last 40 years, the country has been robbed by activities such as logging and so everyone needs to sit back and evaluate what has happened.
“Recently we have come to recognise one of what we have and that is the root crop Pana, one of our valuable resources,” said Ender.
Local Dancing group entertaining a dance foretelling a custom story of the Fantail Bird during the 2018 Independence Cruise Pana Festival
“The likes of Yam, Banana and Kodili Festivals are pictures of how unique our valuable scattered resources and traditions are.”
“So as the famous saying goes, ‘United we stand Divided we fall’, in order to promote our valuable resources, our eyes must be open to link all the available resources and logistics that we have to jointly enjoy the value and the purpose of our resources.
“We have to be mobilised so that our eyes can be open, we have been stagnant in the last 40 years so it is about time to break free and move forward in enabling ourselves as we have been locked up behind our own shelves for a long time now.”
“Solomon Islands is a very rich country in terms of natural and human resources but we have to recognise what we have so that we utilise.
During tasting different recipes made out of the different varieties of Pana
“Pana is a resource that is contributing in giving colours to this nation so let us all promote it, let us show the world and let us market it being the purpose of us being here today.
“Let us take pride of this event, let us show our uniqueness and reveal to the world that what we have promotes our purpose of existence. Let’s build, collaborate and link what we have in order to evaluate so that we can all promote our resources.
“By working together, we will be able to see on the other side the good things that we have.
“Pana Festival is the first of its kind to happen here at Haroro Village as we have to acknowledge our effort in bringing back the uniqueness of the culture in order to evaluate parts of its varieties, contents and beauty that is fading away.”
“Let the wonders of Pana explode during when its event such as today takes place.”
She added that the Pana Festival is a memorable occasion thanking everyone attending and enjoying the cruise that their presence is part of recognising the natural resources of the country meaning they must promote the showcase and purpose of Pana including the festival’s vision.
“We are here to promote and embrace our natural resources as such will help boost our tourism industry in the country,” said Enda.
Because of the uniqueness of the festival is why Imperial Travel Service has collaborated with the Haroro Community being headed by local senior Mr Peter Sagupari to organise the memorable event.
Such event is also dubbed to promote peace, happiness and unity within Solomon Islands.
“Imperial Travel Service is proud to be part of this festival as we will do more collaboration throughout the years to come and market the event that also contributes in promoting tourism,” encouraged Enda.
The Guest of Honour and Deputy Premier of Central Islands Province (CIP) Hon Selwyn Luga before declaring the Official opening of the festival said the theme of the festival; ‘Own your future, Embrace it’, reminds everyone to make analysis of the society’s current situation and then meaningfully lay out their destiny through realistic planning, sustainable development and conservation of resources for the future generation.
He assured that the provincial government of the day pledge support and priority on its productive sectors like the fisheries, agriculture, forestry and commerce in accordance with their visions and goals.
“Tourism has been targeted to be developed, improved and enhanced so as to provide effective services of delivery to our people,” said Hon Luga.
“In this context, we will continue to encourage, support and assist our rural communities and operators in their development aspirations to realise their potentials and benefits that would be gained from the sustainable use of their resources.”
A sample of Pana from different varieties showcased during the ‘Pana Festival’ at Ngella last week. PHOTOS BY MANEBONA BARNABAS
The Pana Festival will be an annual event being suggested.
Haroro community and its surrounding celebrated the local food crop for the first time (Pana) being culturally significant to the custom of Ngella people.
Explaining the significance and history of Pana at Ngella during the event was local elder and leader Mr Ray Mano.
Speaking to Island Sun, local Ngella women appreciating the event said the festival gives them the chance to showcase Pana’s significant value of life in how it is planted, harvested, eaten and respected by the people of Ngella being similar to how other food crop festivals are showcased around the country.
Local senior leader of Sandfly Mr Ray Mano giving a brief history of Ngella’s
Pana during the 2018 Independence Cruise to Ngella marking Solomon
Islands 40th Anniversary coinciding with the one day ‘Pana Festival’
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THE first ‘Pana Festival’ being held on the 6th of July at Haroro Village, Big Ngella, should be a living memory for the people of Ngella.
These are the words of Mr Ray Mano a local senior leader of Sandfly who was preferred to give a brief history talk of Ngella’s Pana (root crop) explaining its significance for the people of Ngella during the 2018 Independence Cruise to Ngella marking Solomon Islands 40th Anniversary coinciding with the one day ‘Pana Festival’.
“Historically Pana is not a discovered root crop but a traditional crop on its own in the history of Ngella people,” explained Mr Mano.
“In Ngella it is usually grown in large scale being a staple food bearing a significant merit in the culture and tradition of Ngella people’s lifestyle.”
“Its absence in any traditional ceremonies and occasions such as over land, hand-over’s, marriages, feasts and other important occasions is regarded as of low morale.”
Different varieties of Pana being displayed at Haroro Village during the ‘Pana Festival’ at Ngella last week 6th July. Photos by Barnabas Manebona
Mr Mano elaborated that Pana is grown from local gardens of slash and burn traditional method, rotationally of crops system.
“Pana has many different varieties with different names according to their behaviour and characteristics of taste, appearance, size and growth. There is the preservation need from harvesting to the next new planting which usually takes about six to seven months to harvest after new planting,” said Mr Mano.
Some of the different Pana recipe’s in Ngella being also displayed during last week’s Pana Festival includes flavours such as in puddings (Ghola) mixed with coconut creams or dried Ngali nuts and Tutu Pana (a special Pana recipe being cooled with dried nuts).
Local senior leader of Sandfly Mr Ray Mano giving a brief history of Ngella’s Pana during the 2018 Independence Cruise to Ngella marking Solomon Islands 40th Anniversary coinciding with the one day ‘Pana Festival’
Some of the types of Pana amongst the 14 different varieties in Ngella are Pana Tina, Gani, Pana Sisi, Kavu meme, Roma, Pana Vohe, Pana lusemu, Pana Uvi, Pana Rumaga, Pana Tutupi and Pana Moli.
“Go around the stalls and ask for information if you are interested in the different types of Pana with their recipes,” encouraged a happy Mr Mano to the visitors to Haroro last week through which from observation, many tasted from the different recipes of Pana Varieties enjoying their time.
“A Ngella family’s wealth is measured also by ranking through the number of Pana gardens and Pana sizes they have,” said Mr Mano.
“The larger a family is set-up with their Pana determines how they will be honoured in Ngella.”
“Any family who has less or none of such will be regarded as of low standard.”
Pana in Ngella context is also used for bartering and being the custom food to welcome Chiefs and high ranking people.
