BY GEORGINA KEKEA

MEMBERS of Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) yesterday took part in a presentation and panel discussion on the Graduation of Solomon Islands from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status and the Interim Economic Partnership Agreements (iEPA).

Organised by SICCI, the discussion was the first of its kind for business houses on this topic. Presenting the LDC graduation, Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Matsuko Pelomo enlightens the participants on the LDC and Solomon Islands graduation from LDC to a Developing Country and also gave a brief roadmap of LDC and Solomon Islands graduation from it.

Ms Pelomo in her presentation said for the Solomon Islands to move forward, the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016 to 2035, has identified linkages and alignment of individual objectives, Medium Term Strategies and sector goals to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will help prepare Solomon Islands for a smooth transition post LDC.

“Government and the private sector needs to work in collaboration in implementing the NDS.”

Meanwhile speaking during the panel discussion, Trade Commissioner in MFAET says Solomon Islands will normally have a three year grace period during which it retains its LDC status and is expected to negotiate with its development partners a smooth transition to post LDC status.

“At the end of the grace period, Solomon Islands will officially graduate from LDC status.”

Also presenting the iEPA, Director Trade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, George Tuti gave a brief overview of the iEPA and made specific mention of Companies lack of access to information. He said because of this, they will also be carrying out awareness through the different mediums available to help people and businesses understand the trading sector.

Tuti says transparency and access to trade data and information is crucial to ensure greater participation of micro, small and medium sized enterprises in international value chains.

He also said the LDC links to the iEPA thus Solomon Islands needs to sign onto the iEPA.

The Economic Partnership Agreements are a scheme to create a free trade area between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States.

In the panel discussion yesterday, a number of questions and comments were raised with members appreciating the event organised by SICCI to bring to light the crucial stage the country is in, and the need for the private sector to be informed and be aware of the country’s transformation.

The event yesterday was sponsored by a number of SICCI’s Platinum and Gold members and presentation done officers of the Government’s ministries.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

THE ministry of fisheries and marine resources (MFMR) have begun a management workshop aimed at building confidence of public servants, capacity development and leadership potential

“This signifies the positive commitment of MFMR in ensuring its 65 fisheries officers are given another opportunity to discuss the essence and values of effective public service performance management in Solomon Islands Public Service,” said Public Service Under Secretary for Workforce Management and supervising Permanent Secretary, Mr David Suirara who officially opened MFMR’s second Performance Management Process (PMP) workshop yesterday.

He said with the programme’s theme “Effective Implementation of Public Management: Our strategic goal”, he wishes to acknowledge the efforts of MFMR’s Corporate Services Division (CSD) for organising the workshop with focuses on the development of MFMR Corporate Plan, Strategic Plan, Divisional and Annual Individual Plan.

On another note, Suirara stressed on how this PMP workshop is aligned with the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government’s (SIDCCG) priority on public services.

“At this juncture, organising this refreshing workshop is one that assists MPS and key line ministries to achieve the SIDCCG priorities targeting the public sector,” he said.

Suirara furthered that from his ministry’s perspective, the workshop is a milestone given that it involves the NPSI, MPS and MFMR working together to deliver a workshop focusing on building confidence of public servants, capacity development and leadership potential.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

THE ministry of public service (MPS) has applauded its sister ministry, the ministry of fisheries and marine resources for staging a management workshop for its officers.

“I wish to thank MFMR in leading other government ministries and institutions in organising such management workshop bridging its senior fisheries officers to acquire basic yet fundamental knowledge and skills of implementing public performance management at the ministerial level,” Ministry of Public Service’s (MPS) Under Secretary for Workforce Management and Supervising Permanent Secretary, Mr David Suirara said when addressing heads of Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, staff and guests at MFMR’s official opening of its Public Service Performance Management (PMP) workshop at the OG conference room yesterday.

He said that this platform should be utilised by MFMR officials to identify common challenges and shortfalls that hinder the delivery of PMP as the same time search for better simple practical ways of combating problems encountered in the implementation of PMP.

In relation, Suirara stressed that while aware restructuring with focus on organisational restructuring and increased capacity development remains a top priority for MFMR, for a ministry that settles as one of the productive sector ministries with the responsibility to generate income and offer fisheries, there are occasions where the welfare and conditions of public servants are perceived as second priority.

He added that it is his hope that as the workshop concludes, participants are well aware that one of the many official responsibilities of their deputy directors is to ensure that all fisheries officers who perform exceptionally well in leadership or in delivery of assigned projects and tasks in line to their respected JDs need to be recognised and rewarded both by MFMR and MPS.

“Hence, these public officers are expecting promotion and increments at the beginning of a new year. In order for this scenario to happen both senior and junior officers must understand the whole process of developing and collectively implementing PMP requirements,” said Suirara.

He noted that the workshop is a historic occasion given that it is the second refreshing workshop for representatives from MFMR’s 6 divisions with the inclusion of two bilateral and multilateral fisheries institutional strengthening projects, MSSIF and PROP.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

AN outspoken female representative of the Auki Market vendors association Ms Janet Ramo has called on the 14 members of Parliament for Malaita to support and facilitate saving schemes for rural women in Malaita province.

She said not all villages have the benefit of having a women’s savings club and what is needed most is for women to have financial opportunities to involve in small micro business.

“Provide our saving schemes with necessary equipment and materials and conduct financial literacy and management skills.

“We have made this call because there have some successful stories on how the saving schemes had improved the livelihood of women with the benefits of schools fees have been paid and unfortunate children have now gone of school, homes are being extended and repaired. Food is on the table and social needs are meet and sanitation have been improved,” said Ramo.

The call is based on the Malaita Women’s Empowerment and Development Policy 2018 to 2022 policy outcome one which is to improve economic status of women and increased economic empowerment initiatives.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

AS host of this second PMP refreshing workshop, the MFMR family is delighted to invite and have you share your views, expertise and experiences on the theme “Effective implementation of Public Management : Our Strategic Goal”.

This statement was made by Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Supervising Permanent Secretary and Under Secretary for Corporate Services, Mr Patteson Lusi who was speaking to guests and staff at the first day of their second Public Service Performance Management (PMP) workshop at OG Conference room yesterday.

Initially, he told participants that their prompt response to attend the workshop illustrates how important the outcome of the workshop is to the work of MFMR, Ministry of Public Service, the national government and the national parliament now and beyond.

On this note, Mr Lusi acknowledged the presence of National Parliament’s Deputy Clerk, Mr David Kusilifu adding that his attendance demonstrated the continuous commitment and support of his office on formal events organized to strengthen the professional services of MFMR and its fisheries officers.

He also welcome 55 plus MFMR officers representing 6 divisions within MFMR and two international funded fisheries projects, MISSIF and PROP who will attend the two day workshop.

“I am aware the two days program will be intensive but rewarding as it will allow participants to learn, discover and experience the real practice and procedure of delivering quality PMP in a government ministry”, said Lusi.

He added that participants will have the opportunity to hear from Ministry of Public Service’s facilitator about the corporate plan, divisional work plan and individual work plan and how these governing documents are reflected in the PMP form.

The Under Secretary told participants to engage and get as much as they can from the presentations, group discussions and mock sessions over the two day period.

Moreover, he went on to discuss the final day of the workshop which will take place today.

Mr Lusi explained that today’s outline will involve a presentation by National Parliament’s Deputy Clerk, Mr Davie Kusilifu.

“On the second and final day, we’ll have the chance to listen to Deputy Clerk of National Parliament on the experience of parliament as one of the few institutions used as a pilot project testing relevance of PMP in Solomon Islands public sector in 2012-2013”

“Furthermore, how parliament management and officers successfully delivered the PMP and outcomes of the PMP through evidence work promotions and annual individual increments”, he said.

Mr Lusi in final remarks stated that he is more excited to observe today’s session where participants and facilitators will take part in two interview mock sessions where selected officers representing MFMR’s six divisions will dramatize the best formal approach of when a supervisor meets a junior officer to discuss and translate the DAWP and IWP to a PMP document.

“As eluded earlier, I am happy to announce that this is the second occasion in 2018 for National Parliament, Ministry of Public Service and MFMR to collectively facilitate a workshop for the management and officers of MFMR”, he said.

THE Parliamentary Civic Education Unit (PCEU) will be taking Parliament down to the people of Isabel during the course of the province’s Kodili festival from June 25-29, 2018 in Buala.

The PCEU accepted the invitation to attend the Kodili festival since it is also part of its Education and Outreach programme to educate and inform rural citizens in the provinces on the functions of Parliament, roles of members of Parliament, separation of powers and professional supporting services of Parliament.

Men, women, boys and girls who will attend the festival are also urged to come and flock the Parliament stall in numbers to listen and learn more about our Parliamentary democracy.

To add a bit of excitement during the awareness programme will be the screening of the Parliament DVD which will sum up our Parliamentary democracy.

This include clips on functions of Parliament, responsibilities of MPs and professional supporting services of Parliament.

Taking Parliament to such a special occasion like Kodili festival is very important for ordinary Solomon Islanders, in this regard for Isabel people to hear from parliament what their MPs are doing in the big round house at Vavaya Ridge.

Furthermore, the outreach programme will enable PCEU team to promote the rich and valuable information on our Parliamentary democracy to Isabel constituents and vice-versa to allow the CIVIC team to mingle, interact and learn in depth about the unique cultures and customs of the people of Isabel province at the Kodili Festival.

Speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, Ajilon Jasper Nasiu once said in one of his speeches, that one of the many challenges of the Solomon Islands 21st century is that majority do not yet understand and appreciate the roles and functions of Parliament.

He said many still think that Parliament is the ruling government, which is not true.

Ajilon said, “As the national constitution outlines well, that there is separation of powers on the three arms of the state.

“Therefore, in order to understand this separation of powers, it is rewarding experience to engage with the general populace, through various civic activities and outreach program that will make them appreciate the mechanics of parliamentary procedures and processes and how these parliamentary mechanisms provide how the state governs its citizens.”

Last year the PCEU team had also took part in educating men, women, boys and girls about Parliament at the celebration of the 2nd appointed day of Guadalcanal province and weaving festival.

–PARLIAMENT MEDIA

THIS week, the Regional Eye Centre (REC) at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) received 3000 pairs of eye glasses, donated by the Lions Clubs of New Zealand.

The Head of the Ophthalmology Department, Dr Claude Posala, said the glasses had arrived at a crucial time for distribution to the provinces.

“The eye glasses will benefit the citizens in the rural areas who could not afford to buy them.

‘’I convey my gratitude to the Lions Clubs of New Zealand for their continuous support to the people of Solomon islands by donating a total of 3000 pairs of glasses, and I would like to extend my appreciation to the New Zealand ‘Take My hand charity’ for ensuring the boxes arrived safely,’’ said Posala.

‘Take My hand’ is a charitable organisation based in New Zealand that donates medical equipment to the National Referral Hospital and to other provincial hospitals and organisation.

At the handing over of the glasses, the Vice President of People with Disability in Solomon Islands, Mr Casper Fa’asala, expressed his thanks to the staff of REC for the work done to support the elders and the people with special need to access these glasses in the provinces and further to the rural and remote areas.

The REC Optical Supervisor, Mr Michael Siporu, noted that provinces are running out of common, low-powered eye glasses.

‘’As soon the first batch is ready and packed, the REC surgical team will take them for distribution when touring the provinces,” said Siporu.

NRH management acknowledges the Lions Clubs of New Zealand for the continuous kind donation of eye glasses to the Solomon Islands.

–NRH PRESS

WOMEN leaders representing all 14 constituencies in Malaita province and women’s organisations in Auki on Thursday shared their recommendations on key provincial women’s priorities that affect development and peace with members of Parliament.

The dialogue between the 20 Malaita women and eight MPs representing Malaita province aimed to highlight the issues and concerns of women in Malaita to ensure influence, information and resources are targeted at women’s empowerment and development initiatives.

“I see this national dialogue as a step forward for a prosperous Malaita,” participant and President of the Auki Market Vendors Association Janet Ramo said.

“It has brought us face-to-face with our MPs to urge them to hear the concerns of women from the grassroots. It is a positive and direct approach for them to seriously consider the needs of women in the rural areas.”

UN Women facilitated the dialogue in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) and the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP) through the UN Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) project as part of the implementation of the Malaita Women’s Empowerment and Development (MWED) Policy, which was launched in March.

In opening the dialogue, the Minister of Women, Youth and Sports of the Malaita provincial government, Rose Liata, presented the seven policy outcomes.

“The policy recognises that investing in women’s empowerment is vital to improving the wellbeing of families and communities as well as achieving gender equality. This means that strategies must recognise the need for women and men to work together to address attitudinal and institutional barriers to women’s empowerment and development,” Liata said.

“The MWED Policy provides a framework for all Malaitan women and men to embrace their development and contribute to the growing economy of Malaita.”

The women representatives drew on experiences in their communities to suggest policy interventions. They addressed the outcome areas, which include improved women’s access to land, water and sanitation; improved economic status of women; and building peaceful communities and acknowledging women’s role in peacebuilding and the preservation of cultural identity.

The MPs responded to each intervention, often citing examples from their own constituencies, and proposed ways to make them more achievable.

In his closing remarks, Prime Minister and MP for Small Malaita Rick Houenipwela said the participating MPs share the women representatives’ desire to progress the interventions.

“This is not just your agenda. This is the agenda of our communities, not only of Malaita but of the whole country. We want to make something that is good for all of us, and of course, you Malaita women representatives have taken the initiative to come and see us at the national Parliament to speak with us about this,” he said.

UN Women’s Solomon Islands Country Programme Coordinator, Alvina Erekali, highlighted that the issues Malaita women face are complex and can only be addressed through collaborative efforts that include support from members of the provincial and national governments.

“It is time we connect and raise the profile of the untapped resources — and I’m referring to the women right in front of us — of marginalized women, especially from the rural places, and empower them as game-changers with regards to the development aspirations of Solomon Islands,” Ms Erekali said.

The Malaita women’s dialogue with MPs was made possible through the UNPBF project, which is aiming to support peaceful and inclusive transition in Solomon Islands, jointly implemented by UNDP and UN Women in close collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.

–UN JOINT PRESENCE PRESS

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE 8th Solomon Islands National University (SINU) talk will be on State formation, state building and the unfinished task of nation building in Solomon Islands.

This topic seeks to address aspects of state building and the unfinished task of nation building in the Solomons.

The talk will be guided by five key questions; what is a state/state building? What is a nation? In the past 40 years, how have we engaged in state building and nation building? Why is nation building seen as the unfinished business in the Solomons? and, what are some of the steps involved in nation building?

Moreover, it is said that Solomon Islands has been involved more in state building than nation building.

Therefore, as the nation will be celebrating its 40th anniversary it is better to focus on nation building within the next 40 years.

It will be held today 5pm at the Kukum campus lecture theatre and Mr Sam Alasia will be addressing the topic with Dr David Gegeo as moderator.

Alasia graduated with a BA in politics from USP, 1982. He is currently pursuing PhD studies but on study leave. He worked in various ministries from 1983 to 1988 and became the MP for West Kwaraae – 1989 -1997. He is a writer and published a novel in 2003 and currently co-editing (with Professor Kabini Sanga) a book by Solomon Islanders.