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Meeting the challenge of vocational education and training in the Solomons

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, as one who has been keen to follow the good work of the Youth@Work programme in the Solomon Islands in providing vocational skills training aiding the job prospects for young Solomon Islanders, I was pleased to read an article in the Island Sun last week about a proposal for a new rural training centre.

The proposed rural training centre was raised by Pastor John Hugo when he was speaking at the official handover of a newly built six room double story building providing extra classrooms at the Global Harvest School in Gilbert Camp.

Pastor Hugo envisaged the concept of a new rural training centre, although still seen as a dream, could lead to an upgrade of the east Honiara school.

The Pastor likened his dream as a challenge to educational stakeholders for he felt the development of a rural training centre would enhance the Human Resource development aspirations of many in the Solomon Islands in the years to come.

Importantly, Pastor Hugo was reported to have said, “Once established, vocational education and training (VET) would aim at creating opportunities for productive employment and provide access to adequately paid work, which could enable people to lead a self-determined life.”

Citing the need for a rural training centre, the Pastor told his audience, “The demand results from the outcomes of primary education, which has placed heavier pressure on secondary educational systems, because a growing number of primary school-leavers are entering the labour market directly or need further training.”

“The steady growth of the informal sector is also coming to the attention of international education policy debate”, he had added.

The proposal for a rural training centre is a sound idea given a growing focus locally on secondary and tertiary education and I would hope Pastor Hugo’s dream will be realized and coupled with job creation, added gender equity and much better health and environmental improvements.

 

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Health sector support a missing factor in ADB aid to the Solomons

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, looking at the Asia Development Banks (ADB) operational strategy for partnership with the Solomon Islands till 2020 I see the overall plan is to help the Solomon Islands with transport infrastructure assistance, to help with improved internet connectivity by providing power to provincial centres and asset management, all reportedly relevant in the context of development challenges, government priorities, and the division of labour among development partners.

In terms of the ADB’s country operations plan (COBP) till 2019 the COPB will support three sectors: energy, public sector management and transport in the Solomons.

Noting that ADB assistance both overall and in terms of the COPB is guided and relevant to SIG priorities I am somewhat disappointed that there is nothing envisaged to support the delivery of health services in the Solomon Islands, especially health service delivery by rehabilitating rural healthcare infrastructure, improving the availability of medical supplies, supporting new health partnerships, and using smart technologies to support digital information systems.

With such concerns in mind, it came as a surprise, today, to read that The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors has approved a total financing package of $195 million to support the delivery of accessible, affordable, and high-quality health services in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Quoting Radio New Zealand this is what I read of the aid assistance: “The delivery of accessible, affordable, and high-quality health services in Papua New Guinea is the target of an Asian Development Bank finance package.

“The ADB Board of Directors has approved a total financing package of $US195 million to support PNG’s efforts towards achieving universal health coverage

“The ADB Health Specialist for the Pacific said PNG’s poor health outcomes are the result of deteriorating healthcare services caused by volatile and unpredictable health financing as well as weaknesses in government systems and in health sector capacities.

“Inez Mikkelsen-Lopez said this program builds on the Bank’s long-term engagement in PNG in the health sector.

“Deficiencies in health sector governance, weak public financial management, and fragmented funds flows will also be addressed.

The financing package is comprised of two regular loans worth $100 million and $45.10 million and a $49.90 million concessional loan-all sourced from ADB’s ordinary capital resources balance sheet-to help PNG’s efforts in achieving universal health coverage.

“In a statement, the ABD said despite a period of high economic growth in recent years, averaging 6% annually from 2006-2015, PNG failed to achieve its targets for the Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health.

“Limited investments in the country’s health infrastructure as well as suboptimal health sector governance also undermine service delivery.

“The Health Services Sector Development Program combines a policy-based operation and project financing to support critical sector reforms and investments in PNG, enabling the long-term sustainability and effective use of the country’s health sector financing.

“The program will support the implementation of an integrated public health model linking primary and secondary health facilities in rural areas to improve patient health outcomes.

“It will also support decentralized health service delivery by focusing on capacity building of staff at the sub-national level in public financial management and reporting to better plan and budget.”

While the ADB views the SIG’s key development challenge as (quote) “Controlling recurrent expenditure amid modest growth in revenues. The economy is based on primary commodities, and alternative opportunities to generate income are scarce. Economic growth prospects rest on the private sector and on developments in mining, agriculture, and fishing, with some potential for tourism.”

Given such a development challenge it is inherent that the Solomon Islands also, like PNG, has deficiencies in health care as manifest in recent reports about drugs shortages at the National Rural Hospital (NRH), alleged shortages of equipment and facilities there, and to say nothing about the poor state of the country’s rural health clinics and the fact that many communities across the country are experiencing great difficulties in accessing basic medical care.

I am aware of the many ADB’s country strategies and business plans in the Solomon Island, both current and past, but am not aware of any support for the ailing health sector.   If that is the real situation then I pose the question why not?

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

SI-PNG POLICE DEAL

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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RPNGC Commissioner Baki and RSIPF Commissioner Varley sign the MoU

RSIPF & RPNGC sign cooperation MOU

 

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to govern future cooperation between the two police forces.

RSIPF Commissioner Matthew Varley and the RPNGC Commissioner, Gari Baki signed the MoU during a ceremony at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara following a bilateral discussion between the two commissioners.

The MoU sets out the framework between the parties in relation to cooperation on law enforcement issues and the exchange of information between the two police forces.

Commissioners Baki and Varley display copies of the MoU. Photo by Police Media.

Areas of cooperation that both parties will be focus on includes: Joint or coordinated operations; Training; Secondment or exchange of personnel; Community policing; Border security; Transnational crime; Investigation; Prosecution; and Any other areas of shared priorities and common interest as may be agreed to by the two.

RSIPF Police Commissioner Matthew Varley praises the MOU as a symbolic step forward between the two forces.

He explains that in the modern age cooperation between two police forces is absolutely central to national security for both domestically and regionally.

RPNGC Commissioner Baki and RSIPF Commissioner Varley sign the MoU

“We both agreed today that much more that can be done to step up our cooperation to look for ways to share skills, to share training and to share our abilities and basically to target our common enemy of crime between us,” Mr Varley said.

Varley said Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have shared a special bond for many years in history across Melanesia and through the RAMSI programme.

“It’s a great honour one year on Commissioner from RAMSI June 30 last year was the end of RAMSI and you were here on the June 4, 2018 so one year on so it’s our chance to say thank you to you for the contribution, support you might made and your officers made to help re-build the new RSIPF but more importantly it’s our opportunity and privilege to help out your police force where we can and we know that today we show that with some of the trainings that RSIPF is already providing to RPNGC officers particularly on Operation Safety Tactics and Firearm training

Commissioner Gari Baki inspects parade by RSIPF officers. Photo by Police Media.

“This MOU is very important for us as we said it’s the first MOU for RSIPF with one our MSG partners and we are very grateful to your leadership and for your commitment making sure this came about today,” Varley said.

Meanwhile RPNGC Police Commissioner Gari Baki said it is a great opportunity particularly within the MSG countries and police forces within the MSG that they have a guiding principle documented that at some stage will allow them to interacting with policing responsibilities and relationship.

“I’m happy as the Commissioner for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to be able to sign the MOU today with the RSIPF it’s something we wanted to achieve long time ago but it’s taken us long and we said the fact that the RSIPF has been going through reformation through RAMSI and now it’s able to stand on its own feet on what they have to do”, Commissioner Baki said.

He also said MOU will also cater in exchanging of their experiences in both countries in allowing those from RPNGC and RSIPF be attached to both countries to experience and expose and also broaden their in terms of policing.

RPNGC officers at the Rove Parade. Photo by Police Media
Brief visit to RSIPF Forensic laboratory. Photo by Police Media

Logging operation in Ngella accused of serious breach

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

BREACH of Licensee has been made by a logging operation at Ngella having operating outside of the concession area where the Timber Rights have approved initially.

The land area of concern is Maleali which also hosts the water supply for Tulaghi Township, making it automatically an issue of major public interest.

According to Central Islands Province (CIP) Provincial Secretary (PS), Christian Siale, they have already submitted report to the Commissioner of Forest highlighting that there is a logging operation outside of the concession area approved.

However, the notice to cancel is within the power of the Commissioner under the Forestry Act.

In clarification, the PS said that there are two distinct issues, one is the power of the Commissioner of Forest going in to play as the guardian of the Forestry Act as a response done to the reports done by the province and the other separate issue is trespassing into government land under the Crown.

The PS and Premier of CIP Hon Patrick Vasuni took the opportunity to reveal one of the survey reports confirming the encroachment into the registered land which is about a hector into it that is within the harvesting plan of the accused logging company.

Report shown confirmed that the operation is taking place outside of the concession area where the Timber Rights have approved initially.

“What the province has put out is not purposely for the Commissioner to enforce but to confirm the trespassing into the land of the Crown, this is the purpose of the report,” clarified CIP’s PS.

“But the Commissioner has picked out that there is a breach of the license so that is why this is being exercised, the notice to cancel is within the power of the Commissioner under the Forestry Act.”

It is understood that the logging licensee and contractor accused is the same person by entity and shareholding arrangements, it is owned by a person having 100 percent shares.

So there is no difference as the CIP PS said that there is no room for era.

“The onus is just too heavy in which such mistake is uncalled for, how can you ignore what the requirements of the licensee and harvesting plan are,” said the PS.

PS Siale elaborated that only two reports are left, the quantification of logging volume on trees as well as the environmental report.

“The latest consultation with two of these ministries (Environment and Forestry) should be available by next week and the Attorney General (AG) is very much on top of this issue being well aware of it and that he is only waiting for instructions from the province for whether we will put a case against the contractor and licensee or we will negotiate out of court settlement with the licensee and contractor,” said the PS.

Currently the water supply is not yet a threat at this point of time for Tulaghi Township as it is situated on a different front where encroachment is, but there are reports that activities are going on there where the source of water is.

Water shortage returns to Gizo

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

 

GIZO town is reportedly facing water shortage, which is worsening by the week.

It is said to result from prolonged dry spells, which the island is currently going through.

A Mr Andrew Koke told Island Sun yesterday areas most affected include TC, Top Hill, Corner-shop area, Banana Valley, China Town areas and District areas.

“Some of the residents in the town have worried so they only buying water from shops for drinking at exorbitant prices.

“We are experienced the erratic rains for the past months due to the effect of climate change that have not only affect water sources but also our plants and food gardens.

“We encourage the responsible government, NGOs and line ministries to quickly addressing this water shortage in the province.”

He said streams, boreholes, wells and water supply have dried up.

Koke said that residents around Gizo town are resorting to bottled mineral water in the shops.

Koke said residents are hoping that rain will soon come.

SI postal corporation on a special bonus payout?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

 

THE Solomon Islands Postal Corporation (SIPC), the smallest of the nation’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), is believed to have approved a special bonus payout for staff and board members.

The payout range from $10, 000 to $30, 000 per individual, according to information provided to Island Sun yesterday.

The Corporation’s Chairman, Robert Bokelema and its Chief Executive Officer, Allan Arafoa were both tight-lipped about whether or not the one-off special bonus had been approved.

Asked yesterday, Mr Bokelema said all questions relating to the matter should be referred to CEO Arafoa, who is in Samoa on duty travel.

“Alfred, your question earlier. Please speak with our CEO Allan Arafoa when he returns from overseas [later] this week,” Mr Bokelema said in a text message.

Island Sun also made contact via email with Mr Arafoa yesterday afternoon. He responded by saying:

“Thank you for your email. I am still on duty travel and upon my return we will discuss the matter.”

It is understood the Solomon Islands Postal Corporation has a Long Service Benefits (LBS) scheme. However, the special bonus which has reportedly been approved is quite separate and could just be a one-off payment.

It is not clear whether or not the SIPC Board had approved the payment, and if so, if it had been paid.

SIPC has a Board of Directors whose terms appear to have lapsed, according to its website. The website shows the position each director holds and when it expires:

 

Director                                  Position          Expiry

Robert Bokelema                  Chairman      10/10/2015

Benjiman Oatasia                Member         16/09/2016

Christian Alan Siale              Member         10/10/2012

Patrick Taloboe                    Member         10/10/2014

George Selwyn Kiriau          Member         16/09/2015

Mr. Gideon Zoleveke          Member         16/09/2016

 

The directors are accountable to the Minister of Finance & Treasury as well as the Minister for Aviation and Communications.

Solomon Islands Postal Corporation (SIPC) is a state-owned enterprise established by an Act of Parliament in 1996 to provide postal services within Solomon Islands and to other countries.

As an SOE, it is subject to the State-owned Enterprises Act 2007 and State-owned Enterprises Regulations 2010.

SIPC is governed by a board of directors that is responsible to the Accountable Ministers.

Its Vision is to be “a trusted leading provider of world-class postal services and other related innovative services and to be recognized as the best model of SOE in the South Pacific,”

Its Mission, on the other hand, is to “provide high quality and modern postal services within Solomon Islands and other countries, carry on any business or activity relating to postal services to bridge customers, provide telecommunications, value added services including electronic mail, electronic data interchange, internet services, electronic funds transfer services, financial services, e-commerce services and any other appropriate or related services for customers’ better life”, according to its website.

Malaita peacekeeping force clarifies itself

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

THE Malaita Peacekeeping Force has come out clarifying its objective and purpose following criticism by members of public.

Speaking to this paper Moses Akote’e said that the main aim of his group’s establishment is to work alongside and support the police in Auki, and Malaita province as a whole.

“I know some members from the public have criticizes this group where we are here to work closely with the police.

“Our aim is to re-organise from our past failures and to have concern and reduce crime in our communities and Auki township area.

“We want to live in peace and harmony and discourage unlawful activities in our societies today.”

He says the group is voluntary and members join purely out of their own desire to see peace and security established and maintained in Auki and Malaita.

“Our group however is a voluntary group where we will work closely with the police to fight against crime in Malaita province.

“The Malaita peacekeeping force is not a special unit or a security firm that will work according to their structures or policies but it is a group that will provide more information to police and to create peace in the lovely isles of malaita voluntarily.

“The word peace is a state of tranquility, quiet and harmony. For instance, a state free from civil disturbance and a state free of oppressive and unpleasant thoughts and emotions.

“Force is anything to make a big change in a person, communities or in a nation.

“If we want lasting peace and a safe environment in our communities and our society we must work together not to hate the other.”

Prosecutor overseas, case adjourns

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of men alleged to be possession of firearms in relation to an incident in Malaita in July last year has adjourned to June 18 for pre-trial conference and setting of trial date.

Appearing on behalf of the Prosecutor in carriage, Dalcy Belapitu of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution said that the prosecutor in carriage will return on June 9 therefore sought adjournment on the case.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea granted the application and adjourned the case to June 18.

Magistrate Iomea also cancelled the warrant of arrest against Simon Fiusiale issued on the previous occasion since Mr Fiusiale turned up in court yesterday.

Simon Fiusale and Iki Olomea were charged together with three other accused who are currently under warrants of arrest.

They were charged for being in possession of a fire-arm and threatening violence.

Three other accused men currently under warrant are Leonard Ofaka, Bredley Abarai and Jimmy Eno Bana and they are jointly charged with another two of one count of possession of firearm and threatening violence each.

Police said that the men were drunk and threatened the employees of Dalgro Construction Company that won the bid for Bridge Construction at the Tabaa Bridge in North Malaita on July 21, 2016.

It was alleged that one of the men who hold the gun which is a 303 rifle black in colour put in a bullet and then cocked the gun pointing it at the workers.

Police also ceased the alleged weapon believed to be used by the accused.

Airlines smoking action

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Smoking pilot

Solair management accused of unfairness in handling ‘smoking captain’ incident

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Solomon Airlines executive is being accused for not taking immediate action on reports that exposed one of its expatriate pilots who was caught smoking in the twin otter’s cockpit while the plane was loading for its return flight to Honiara from Rennell Island, in Renbel province last week.

The ‘smoking incident’ first made headlines on local online media forums and later in the mainstream media.

Airline Management said last week that they were taking action on the matter.

However, despite the reports and claims of action on the matter, the expatriate pilot according to our sources is still working, and this, the management, and even the board could not give a direct explanation to.

It is understood that the captain had been employed as a check n trainer, whose duty is to uphold flight standards for domestic pilots.

It is also understood that smoking in the cockpit of Solomon Airlines aircraft is illegal and unsafe and a serious breach of aviation rules.

Meanwhile, sources argued that the manner in which the board and management is handling the case is ‘uncalled for as it is very discriminative’.

Sources say it is discriminative in nature because in the past, local pilots have been fired in short circuited processes for much less serious breaches, citing the recent sacking of a local engineer for a serious incident at Munda, who was sacked on the spot.

The Board was contacted over this yesterday and questioned over what the management’s legal position on the captain’s serious breach of aviation law, and on the basis they have decided to continue the employment of the pilot, who according to our sources, is still with the company.

“Is there a different treatment for expatriate and local staff?” “Because if no proper action is done straight away given that evidences are already there, then it shows a management that operates with a discriminative operation.

“And it also looks like the management is probably considering making smoking in Solomon Airlines, acceptable for the airline,” sources stressed.

In his response, Acting CEO Bill Tyson referred to an earlier media response, which he said has clearly set out the company’s standard operating procedures to be followed in these circumstances.

Tyson added that the procedures referred to include the submission of the Company Safety Reporting System, “AIRS” report which was immediately directed to the affected managers and to CAASI.

Tyson did not deny claims of the pilot’s current working status as revealed by our sources, but explained that an internal investigation is being carried out.

“The matter will be discussed by EXCO when all responses are at hand and appropriate action will be taken,” Tyson furthered.

“In the case of the Munda incident, the former staff member involved willfully damaged the aircraft making it unflyable.

“This incident caused a serious disruption in the schedule and cost a significant amount of money,” the Chairman of the Airline Board explained.

But sources say the board and management are still not being honest about the situation and suggested that the right thing for them to do was to suspend the pilot if the evidence is not enough, while the investigation is ongoing.

“Unfortunately, that is not the case, because he is still working and getting his normal expat salary, like there was no serious breach in aviation laws here,” sources claimed.

Sources label SolAir management’s lethargic action as unfair, especially with the usage of the term ‘willfully’ by Tyson to describe the engineer’s action in the Munda incident.

Sources say the ‘smoking pilot’ had also willfully breached protocols by ‘willfully smoking in the cockpit’ therefore due action should be taken impartially.

Private company constructs undersea cable from Vanuatu to SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister for Aviation and Communications Peter Shanel visiting the Darwin site.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

WORK on the construction of a submarine cable from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands is currently underway. Interchange Limited, a private company based in Vanuatu is funding the ICN2 cable to connect Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Interchange Limited also owns and operates the ICN1 cable between Vanuatu and Fiji.

In a statement to Island Sun, Simon Fletcher, CEO of Interchange Limited says construction phase of their project has commenced and this cable should be brought into service by the end of 2019.

Mr Fletcher says the total project costs USD30million but there are plenty of good reasons why ICN2 is important for the region.

“Vanuatu is currently served by a single cable ‘ICN1’ and should ICN1 fail for any reason, then ICN2 shall provide backup solution for consumers in Vanuatu.

“ICN2 shall also act as a backup solution for the Australia to Solomons and PNG cable.”

ICN2 Overview_ 1,632km in length

Fletcher says it was only a few months ago that all internet traffic in and out of Sydney via the Southern Cross cable to USA suffered a major service outage for more than 12 hours due to a cable breakage in Sydney.

“In the future once ICN2 and the Coral Sea Cable are both completed, this traffic can be rerouted via Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.”

Meanwhile the Australian Government is aware of the announcement of the ICN2 undersea telecommunications cable, linking Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

A spokesperson from the Australian High Commission says development -friendly IT infrastructure in the region improves interconnectedness and the potential for economic growth.

“The new proposed cable would complement the undersea telecommunications cable linking Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Australia which is due for completion by end of 2019,” the spokesperson said.

At the same time Fletcher of Interchange Limited says ICN2 will also offer an alternate route path for Australian users connecting the USA.

Australia earlier has qualms on the undersea cable construction from Australia to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and to Solomon Islands but this time round accept Interchange Limited’s construction of undersea cable from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands.

Minister for Aviation and Communications Peter Shanel visiting the Darwin site.

Interchange Limited though based in Vanuatu, currently has a valid licence to operate in Solomon Islands.

“They’ve submitted their application for a licence to the Telecommunications Commission in Honiara in 2013 and since approved have kept and renewed their licence,” a spokesperson from Telecommunications Commission SI (TCSI) confirmed.

“This project is long overdue and ever since their application, they’ve continuously renewed their licence every year,” the spokesperson said.

When making formal announcement of this contract, Simon Fletcher says Interchange is committed to improved ICT infrastructure to communities they serve throughout the Melanesia region.

“The ICN2 cable truly supports our mission and is the first submarine cable to the Solomon Islands. With the planned future systems in the region, we feel confident they will be complementary and serve to build a redundant and reliable network. This should provide some confidence to regional investors and datacenter partners,” Fletcher said.

Island Sun understands that the relevant Government ministry overseeing ICT in Solomon Islands is still to be formally briefed on this new development.

Interchange Limited’s project on the undersea cable from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands is privately funded and different to the Australian government funded cable.

Both are anticipating completion by the end of 2019.

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