Home Blog Page 1319

Equipment and money for Atoifi hospital

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY ELLISON.T.VAHI

BE Happy Ministry in aid of Atoifi Hospital have received donated equipment and money from companies and members of Parliament recently.

BE Happy Ministry representative Mr Mambo Fangaria received the equipment on behalf of the hospital.

The money and the equipment were part of the direct response from appeals made by the Be Happy Ministry.

Speaking to the paper Fangaria said that whilst having the opportunity to thank all donators for the good heart they have in responding and for the donations, appeal still stands for those who have yet to give in their donations.

He said that the group have been appealing to 25 companies however, only few responded to the appeals.

To date he said that only one company donated a sum of $1000 with others; Telekom 1 umbrella/2mobiles, Sol Rice- 2 bags of rice, Origin gas- 1 cooking burner and Cheng Store $200.

In emphasising the importance of health, he said that health is everyone’s business.

“Often the services available depend on the needs of individuals, families and the community living in the area.

Most community health programme funding supports flexibility in the delivery of services, and enables develop models of care that meet the needs of their local communities.”

He said that Atoifi Hospital plays an important role to this nation.

“Atoifi has been gone through hard times, however, she still continues to be available in helping the sick.”

He added Be Happy Ministry has been supporting Atoifi Hospital in all aspects of healthcare for the past years in close collaboration providing support upon requests from them.

“The importance of this equipment and money is to fill a need where they can be utilised immediately in the hospital and as such would enable the Government to spend money on other items in need for the hospital,” he said.

He said that the equipment are currently with the Be Happy Ministry and will be handed over to Atoifi Hospital on a later date.

“All of the equipment is of the highest standard. The donations is required to meet Atoifi standards. Additionally, the usage rate of the equipment was minimal and as such is near new.”

Continuing and disturbing reports of basic shortages at the NRH

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, it was disturbing to read Radio New Zealand’s early morning news bulletin broadcast throughout the Pacific region this morning, Thursday, June 21, 2018.

The news report mentioned (quote): “Pregnant women in Solomon Islands are being told to bring their own supplies when they go to hospital to give birth.

“Women in labour are being asked to bring their own gauze, bed sheets and latex gloves to the country’s main hospital in Honiara.”

As I wrote in my recent letter to media sources in Honiara the MHMS/NRH/TMH signed a MOU to supply between 8 to 10 containers of medical equipment and supplies per year but shipments stopped being sent by Take My Hands Charity Trust in New Zealand when the MHMS failed to meet the second stage payment of NZ$25,000 required by the agreed terms of the MOU.

As the co-ordinator and a party to the MOU I sought some assistance for the MHMS/NRH and the management of TMH gave permission for the MHMS to pay just 50 percent of the outstanding money (NZ$12,500) to facilitate the freightage of the medical equipment and medical supplies now said to be in critical short supply at the NRH.

In the absence of that reduced contribution, and given the desperate shortage of hospital beds at the NRH and two provincial hospitals, I sought assistance from likely donors and the SFA swiftly came to the rescue and donated over US$11,000 to ship two forty foot containers with 100 beds.

Those beds are being collected from several NZ hospitals and the first batch of fifty or so will be shipped towards the end of this month or in early July.

The second batch of 50 more beds will be freighted very soon afterwards.

TMH carefully matches the needs of the hospital authorities and collates what is requested, including in the past beds, mattresses, bed sheets, latex clothes, mobility aids, items of hospital equipment, including some furniture items, thermometers, blood pressure equipment and the kind of things the hospital needs as daily disposable items.

TMH did the same in recently sending HOH second hand clothing and extra items for local NGO representatives.

3000 pairs of eye glasses, the second batch of eye glasses in recent times I requested from Lions Clubs in New Zealand, are ready for distribution to needy people throughout the provinces and TMH managed to load the 20 boxes of those glasses in an earlier container which was also funded by the SFA.

I and TMH remain committed to aiding the MOHMS/NRH but resolving the issue of basic shortages at the NRH should not have to rely on the continuing kindness of private donors no matter how receptive and kind hearted past donors have been in responding to my pleas.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Solomon Islands Security Treaty – Putting words into action in the Pacific

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

By Roderick Brazier,

Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands

WORKING together to ensure economic growth, security and stability in the Pacific is at the cornerstone of Australia’s strengthened engagement in the Pacific as highlighted in Australia’s new Foreign Policy White Paper.

For after all, Pacific island countries are some of Australia’s nearest neighbours; their sea lanes are our sea lanes; their security challenges are our security challenges; and their prosperity helps drive our own.

The White Paper states that the Pacific is of fundamental importance to Australia and that we will pursue stronger partnerships for security in the region.

As Australia’s Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, said at the 2nd Annual Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ meeting on August 12, 2017, our goal should be to have all our regional organisations and national agencies sharing information, training together and operating seamlessly, as no one country and no one agency working alone can meet the challenges we face.

Backing up these words with action, just two days later, on August 14, 2017, she signed a new security treaty with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, Milner Tozaka.

This is the first security treaty signed in the Pacific after the conclusion of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

The new treaty allows Australia to deploy rapidly to Solomon Islands in times of crises, and, where both countries consent.

The treaty covers a range of potential security challenges, including maritime security and responses to catastrophic natural disasters.

During the 14 years of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), Australia joined its Pacific Islands Forum partners to help a close neighbour in need.

Several thousand police, military, advisers and diplomats from over ten Australia federal agencies worked in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government and 14 other Pacific Island Forum countries to secure and rebuild a nation.

RAMSI has also highlighted the need for regional cooperation to tackle the many challenges facing the Pacific.

As the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has noted, the end of RAMSI was a milestone, not only for Solomon Islands. Secretary General of the PIFS, Dame Meg Taylor, called it a truly regional exercise in solidarity and a shining example of Pacific diplomacy and cooperation.

She rightly noted that RAMSI’s regional character was a defining element of its success and a source of pride for Pacific nations.

Although RAMSI has ended, regional security challenges remain.

So it is pleasing that the PIFS is advancing consultations for a ‘Biketawa Plus’ regional security declaration.

This declaration aims to guide future regional responses to emerging security issues. Challenges such as climate change, illegal and unregulated fishing, narcotics, people trafficking and cybercrime require us to work closer together.

Building on the original Biketawa Declaration developed almost two decades ago, the new security declaration aims to assist the region to respond more effectively to the emerging challenges ahead.

The Solomon Islands Government viewed the end of RAMSI as a vote of confidence, a sign that the country was once again ready to write its own future.

As Foreign Minister, Milner Tozaka said, with a new security treaty, Solomon Islands can “confidently move forward with the region’s full support behind them”.

Australia has now also signed bilateral security partnerships with Tuvalu and Nauru.

These new partnerships provide umbrella arrangements covering existing areas of security cooperation with these countries on maritime surveillance, police, border and legal capacity building. Work on a similar partnership with Kiribati is underway.

We will always be there for our friends in Solomon Islands and the rest of the Pacific, to support them to overcome constraints to economic growth, and cross-border challenges including transnational crime, natural disasters, climate change and disease outbreaks.

Regional assistance is often the best way to respond to these shared challenges and Australia’s regional assistance reflects our commitment to the Pacific as a whole.

 

1 pic////////////

RSIPF Officers at the Art Gallery in June 2017. Photo from the Australian High Commission.

History made and milestone for all

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has created another history with the deployment of two female officers to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur, South Sudan.

Sergeant Andrea Kierre and Inspector Agnes Ape are the first RSIPF female officers to be deployed to a UN peacekeeping mission. Sgt Charles Alisineuli is the lone male colleague in the three-man team which leaves the country tomorrow for Darfur.

Sgt Kierre and Insp Ape’s deployment is not only cause for celebration for the RSIPF alone, but for the women of Solomon Islands, the duo’s respective communities, their families, and the country as a whole.

More importantly Kierre and Ape’s feat is a boost for the cause, so to speak. It is a step forward for equality and equity for women of Solomon Islands. It is a reinforcement to the ongoing gender campaign to have women’s voices be heard with impartiality in the nation.

Above all, it is a stark ‘Yes We Can’ reminder for us of the immense potentials our women and girls have.

The evolution of women involvement in international peacekeeping is a motivating testimony which reflects sheer steel-willed determination to rise up and be equal.

According to UN’s peacekeeping website (peacekeeping.un.org), for 32 years (1957- 1989) a total of only 20 uniformed women served as peacekeepers.

Today there are more than 7,000 women actively involved in UN peacekeeping duties.

UN peacekeeping says, “In all fields of peacekeeping, women peacekeepers have proven that they can perform the same roles, to the same standards and under the same difficult conditions, as their male counterparts. It is an operational imperative that we recruit and retain female peacekeepers.”

Kierre and Ape will join more than 1,000 women peacekeepers stationed in Darfur.

And, the RSIPF can give itself a pat on the back for producing its first female peacekeepers. RSIPF has done mighty well to get here within a span of only two years. This proves RSIPF’s commitment to the gender equality and progress of women in the police force, and is a manifest of Commissioner Varley’s encouragement for RSIPF women officers to be role models for other women and girls.

For Kierre and Ape, the road to Darfur may have understandably been a struggle, and may continue to be so. But, they can take on board the powerful words of the first woman to lead a UN Peacekeeping Mission, Maj Gen Kristin Lund of Norway, as she recounts how she ‘shattered the glass ceiling’ on her appointment in 2014.

“I felt that I had to work twice as hard as the men so that they noticed my work.

“… I was given a temporary promotion to major, and some people didn’t like that – plus, I was a woman. They tried to hamper my work, but they were unsuccessful.” She had begun her illustrious career as a transport officer for the UN.

Island Sun joins the rest of the country in congratulating Sgt Kierre and Insp Ape, and looks forward to documenting reports of accomplishments in their mission and a successful return home in a year’s time.

Why we should celebrate SI National Archives milestone achievement

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

By Gary Hatigeva

THE National Archive of Solomon Islands (NASI) is amongst two Pacific Island nations that now have sections from its collection of historical documents approved for safekeeping in one of the world’s largest archiving programmes, the Memory of the World for Asia and Pacific (MOWCAP) Register.

This was declared following the MOWCAP Secretariat’s 8th General Assembly Meeting in South Korea’s Gwangju City, late last month.

In a low key ceremony, marking the achievement, Minister for Culture and Tourism Bartholomew Parapolo proudly announced to the local media and stakeholders, the inscription of the Solomon’s World War II Records in the global system, something he described as a milestone achievement for the country.

In an official statement, NASI explained that because of its rich heritage and significance to the nation and the world, the institute decided to nominate the World War II Records to be inscribed in the UNESCO Register programme.

“The WWII Records are the Administrative records created during the time of the war and the aftermath of the war.

“These documents are of immense significance to the Solomon Islands, Pacific region, the Japanese, the United States and the British Colonial history, and the world generally,” the statement explains.

Speaking during yesterday’s occasion, NASI Supervising Director, Mrs Margret Inifiri revealed that amongst 10 nominations that were voted on during the recent General Meeting, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands were the only Pacific Island countries that were voted for inscription, while the rest were from Asia.

She explained that to make it in is not that easy, and Solomon Islands is very fortunate to have its nomination considered and voted on.

When questioned on the process of getting recognition for inscription, Inifiri further explained that nominations are to be submitted to the MOWCAP Secretariat, which then go before a Sub-Committee for indepth research and assessment.

The Sub-Committee will then make the recommendations for the Assembly to vote on to be inscribed in the MOWCAP Register.

Meanwhile, the institute in its official statement added that as for the NASI’s nomination, it was submitted to the MOWCAP Secretariat in 2016, where training was provided by the UNESCO for nominator, where they were assisted and were guided by experts from the Secretariat of their prescribed format.

“E-copies of nominations were submitted to the Secretariat as they have biennial intakes. Nominations then goes before the Register Sub-Committee (RSC) which undertakes initial in-depth research and assessment of nominations.

“The RSC makes recommendation, referrals or rejection and to the nominations. NASI’s nomination was recommended for inscription to the Memory of the World for Asia and Pacific Register to be voted on during the MOWCAP General Meeting,” the statement adds.

NASI was represented by Inifiri who according to the statement, did a presentation on the nomination before the 8th General Assembly before it was voted for it to be inscribed in the Memory of the World for Asia and Pacific.

But when questioned on the beneficial aspect of being part of the Register, the NASI Supervising Director pointed out that by having the WWII Records inscribed, it means that UNESCO has said that these documents are significant to the World.

And inscription also gives one the right to use the MOWCAP (UNESCO) logo when it is directly associated with the inscribed documents (eg in an exhibition).

“Inscription to the register is also useful if you are applying for funds associated with the care and accessibility of the inscribed collection,” the excited Director explained.

On the question of rights or ownership status over the inscribed documents, the NASI statement clarified that they (documents) remain under NASI ownership.

“However, MOWCAP will take opportunities to highlight the inscription so that the world is aware of the significant documents held at National Archive of Solomon Islands. Eg news items, Facebook page, Instagram and website, and the documents will be permanently on the MOWCAP register.

“The only reason to remove them from the register would be if MOWCAP became aware that the descriptions, preservation and access to the inscribed documents was not consistent with information provided on the nomination,” the NASI statement further clarifies.

Suspect arrested, investigation continues on Koloale death

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE say investigation into the death incident at Koloale is continuing.

Supervising Police Commissioner Juanita Matanga said that the suspect in the killing has already been arrested but investigation continues.

Ms Matanga said from information received the suspect in the early evening was together with the deceased and whether or not the suspect is a neighbour or is living with the deceased is not yet confirmed.

She said the incident occurred around 7pm on June 17, the 31-year-old deceased is an employee of the Solomon Islands Government was found outside his rented home with a wound on his chest.

In relation to the death as the investigators continue to do their work the post mortem has been carried out, the Supervising Police Commissioner said.

Malaita women call for support to access land, water and sanitation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
An MPA of Malaita province Hon Rose Liata.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

An MPA of Malaita province Hon Rose Liata.

MALAITA women have called on their members of Parliament to support them access land, water and sanitation.

This call was made during the recent dialogue between 20 Malaita women representatives and the 14 members of Parliament for Malaita province in Honiara.

Speaking on behalf of the women, provincial minister for women, youth, children and sports of the Malaita, Rose Liata, said the basic needs to many rural communities in Malaita province is water and sanitation – ‘but are not often met’.

“Therefore we are calling on the honourable members of Parliament for Malaita based on the women’s empowerment and development policy outcomes to support and strengthen the participation of women in planning and decision making to access to land, water and sanitation for communities, schools and public facilities.

“As well as ensure that clean and safe drinking water is available to all communities and strengthened women association to promote leadership for decision making on water and sanitation management and to ensure that gender based approach is adopted for WATSAN programmes,” she said.

Liata said during the consultation process in the making of the policy, most Malaita women expressed the need to have water in close proximity within their community and reach.

Due to cultural reasons and practices, women often are the primary collectors, transporters and users of water in Malaita.

She said without access to proper sanitation or latrines, many women become prisoners of daylight, using only the night as privacy

Liata said water is usually closely tied with accessibility and availability of land.

Culturally obligations may become a hindrance to women owning land where women can build on or access water from, or even contribute to decision making for water and sanitation development.

In response, the Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said they have made attempts to implement development with regards to infrastructures like market house, road, wharfs and as well as the basic needs like water supplies and sanitation projects but have failed due to land disputes from resource owners and people from the communities.

“Hence we need you women and men of Malaita to work cooperatively with us so that we can actively and peacefully address these issues,” he said.

Japanese national died of natural cause: Police

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE have confirmed that the Japanese national who died on Monday, June 18, had died of natural cause.

Supervising Police Commissioner Juanita Matanga said the Japanese was in the country with four others to do search on World War II dead bodies and unfortunately the deceased died.

Ms Matanga said the deceased is 64 years old and currently arrangements are in progress with the relevant embassy to send the body back to his country.

She said police received a report on Monday that a foreigner had died at the Mendana Hotel.

Matanga said that his four other colleagues checked on him on the next day when he did not show up and found him motionless in his room.

The body was taken to the National Referral Hospital and was officially pronounced dead by Hospital authorities.

Solomon Telekom embarks on massive redundancy exercise

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY ALFRED SASAKO

SOLOMON Telekom Company Ltd (STCL), the nation’s top telco carrier, has embarked on a massive redundancy exercise, with up to 120 staff across the board being laid off.

Chief Executive Officer, Loyley Ngira, declined discussing details of the redundancy exercise, when Island Sun contacted him yesterday.

However, an internal Memo to staff on the matter had been leaked to Island Sun. In it, Mr Ngira, said a 28-day redundancy notice has been issued to staff, effective from June 18, 2018,

“It’s an internal matter. We have not issued a press statement on this. For now, I would not be making any other comments,” Mr Ngira said.

Internal or not, the proposed redundancy exercise appears to be the first tangible evidence of a downturn in the economy. Others statutory bodies may follow.

In the Memo titled, Message from Loyley Ngira, Chief Executive Officer, Our Telekom, the management said the redundancy came as a result of an internal “organisational review conducted by Solomon Telekom Company Ltd”. It was approved by the Board, the Memo said.

“… a 28-days’ redundancy notice has been issued individually to all staff as of 18th June,” it said.

“During this period, STCL will be enforcing the following process to manage the last stages of the organisation review exercise as explained during staff presentations.

“This is to ensure staff have an opportunity to continue their employment with the company before exiting through Redundancy,” the Memo, dated June 20, said.

“STCL may directly support you to a role under new employment terms and conditions during the 28-day notice. Should you decline the offer you may be offered a new role within the new organisational structure.

“Should you decline both offers during the 28-day period, you will be paid a redundancy payment and your employment with the company will be terminated,” the Memo said.

“If your current role has been made redundant, STCL will try to deploy you to other jobs within STCL that match your experience and skills. If during the 28-day period STCL has not found a new role for your or you decline the redeployment offer, you will then be paid a redundancy payment and your employment with the company will be terminated.”

Ngira acknowledged the magnitude of the exercise, saying it is not an easy challenge for all.

However, he said “the objective is to have a workforce that will take Our Telekom into the future and to be competitive and to ensure that Our Telekom continues to be successful in the face of growing stiff competition.”

He appealed for staff support.

“In spite of the uncertainties as we go through the implementation of the reorganisation, I seek your full support to continue to support our customers in the best possible manner,” the Memo said.

Solomon Telekom Company Limited (Our Telekom) is a joint venture company between the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund, (SINPF) which holds 97.32 percent of the shares, and the government’s business arm, the Investment Corporation of the Solomon Islands (ICSI) which owns 2.68 percent of the shares.

It has a Board of directors comprising,

Adrian Wickham

Chairman

George Kuper

Director

Jerry Tegemoana

Director

 

Harry Kuma

Director

Kunal Nandan

Director

Bernadine Manuia

Board Secretary

Increasing informal settlements in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

By Ezekiel Talatau

INFORMAL urban settlements are rapidly growing in Honiara and along the city’s periphery, and government is taking an inclusive approach by accepting several well established settlements.

Within Honiara boundary, settlers have occupied about 36 informal settlements, informal household of about 4,000 and the population of 28,000 or around 40 percent of the Honiara Population, according to a report from the ministry of lands (MLHS).

Most of the informal settlements residents do not have legal tenure, adding to urban inequalities.

Luke Kiddle, an independent researcher from UN-habitat stated that informal settlements in Solomon Island like elsewhere in the Pacific are poorly provided with services. Infrastructure is limited, water supply is patchy. Electricity is also patchy and the sanitation and toilet services are limited at best.

Responding to the growing pressure, the Solomon Islands government is expanding its deep-seated urban management challenges.

The ministry of lands, housing and survey (MLHS) are now committed to upgrading the informal settlements through subdivision planning. The plan is to allow most informal settlements to settle within the Honiara boundary. The government has now accepted the permanence of many informal settlements on base lands.

The informal settlements upgrading strategies supported by UN-habitat is taking first initiative, addressing the nexus between land, services and governance issues, although progress has been mired by unclear roles and responsibilities from the local level up and concerns about how interventions may affect (informal) land access and power relations.

Better opportunities for urban management are exist. Coordination between key agencies, including national government, Honiara City Council (HCC), the utilities and non-government organisations could be greatly strengthened. Financial shortfalls mean that development partners, both private and donors, will be needed for a timely and comprehensive settlement upgrade programme, although cultural fit and sensitivity will be key.

The urban management are exist yet they are weak in enforcement, lack of national lead agency for urban reform, corruption and wantok businis. Reported by UN-Habitat.

Improve and strengthen urban government, established a national leading agency to advance the urban agenda and strengthen the technical capacity of planning board at the local is something the government and the responsible authority need to addresses.

1...1,3181,3191,320...1,669Page 1,319 of 1,669