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Striding forward

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Milton Ragaruma
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Participants and Officials who took part in the one-day Organisational Capacity Workshop on Monday in Honiara.

Paralympic organisational capacity workshop a success

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Participants and Officials who took part in the one-day Organisational Capacity Workshop on Monday in Honiara.

A one-day organisational capacity workshop held on Monday in Honiara ended with a success.

The workshop is organised by the Oceania Paralympic Committee (OCP) in collaboration with the Solomon Islands National Paralympic Committee.

The workshop, held at the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) conference room at Town Ground was facilitated by Casper Pule of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sports division and Collin Bynon of the OCP.

Pule is an accredited OCP educator.

The insightful workshop brings together representatives from such federations as Archery, Swimming, Table Tennis, Triathlon and other stakeholders to discuss vital issues pertaining to the significant questions as to why the Solomon Islands National Paralympic Committee (SINPC) need to properly set up here in the country to move forward.

Pule said the importance of the workshop is to get the concerned federations to understand how they can fit in and involve in the important process of setting up a proper body for the sporting Paralympic members.

This is to cater for the growing demands of the sporting people with disability in Solomon Islands.

Bynon said the workshop is about promoting good governance in the Paralympic movement.

“Actually we’ve got few different outcomes we want to achieve.

“These programmes are funded by the Agitos Foundation who is the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

“The idea is to work towards improving the governance of the National Paralympic Committees which in turn will empower to raise the profile of Para sport within Solomon Islands communities.

“Of course it is also to develop key people in Solomon Islands by training them with the capacity to empower them to carry on with the important task ahead.

“Countries in Oceania have different situations. In Solomon Islands, it needs a lot of work in good governance because of the history that the Paralympic movement in Solomon Islands is driven by people who have passion to see this going.

“But I think this is a time to move forward and we’d like to see on-running work on the ground align with the desired patterns of good governance as required by the IPC and OPC,” Bynon, who is also a member of the OPC said.

After the completion of the workshop, the next step is to properly organise the Paralympic movement in Solomon Islands where an entity which would be called and officially recognised as the Solomon Islands National Paralympic Committee (SINPC) by the OCP and IPC be formed to carry out immense task ahead.

Renewal pivotal for all aspects of life

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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His grace Archbishhop George Takeli declare the re-launching of the decade of evangelism & renewal with fellow bishops. Photos by Daniel Kakadi.

By LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

ACoM Archbishop George Takeli giving his address.

THE overall goal of the Re-launching of the Decade of Evangelism and Renewal from 2017 – 2027 is to renew and revitalise the mission and ministry of the Church.

This is according to Rev Canon John Kafwanka, Director for Mission of the Anglican Communion Office in London who was speaking at ACOM’s first night of a two week teaching session at Lawson Tama for the re-launching of the Decade of and Renewal from 2017 – 2027.

Speaking to the crowd, he voiced that the re-launch is a period for them to be intentional about their faith in Jesus Christ and how that faith must have implications in their daily lives for the ten year period and beyond.

Rev Kafwanka emphasised that it is a time to renew and strengthen all members of the Anglican Church of Melanesia so that they can become more committed with their time, money, skills, knowledge, wisdom, courage, strength, understanding, patience, humility and the earthly possessions and properties for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

He explained that this is also a renewal period to help them to be in the right shape, right place and right relationship with God, with other people and the rest of creation.

His grace Archbishhop George Takeli declare the re-launching of the decade of evangelism & renewal with fellow bishops. Photos by Daniel Kakadi.

“That once the followers of Jesus are renewed then there will be renewal of families and family life, politics, government, business and industry; that God’s presence can be experienced and acknowledged by all in society, even those who do not believe in God, there is something special among these Anglican Christians,” said Rev Kafwanka.

He stressed that there is a need to rekindle their passion and love for Jesus so that they can appreciate what he has already done and is able to now do in and with their lives and mentioned that a personal relationship with Jesus shapes our understanding of his values, power and their part in it all.

Rev Kafwanka furthered that in Solomon Islands, there is the need to think of the 95 percent Christian population of all traditions and question ourselves of how this 95 percent Christian influences us in terms of our family life, business, industry, education, health, politics, government, media, work places in general, art, entertainment and leisure.

“If our answer is less than 50 percent, or less than 60 percent, or less than 70 percent, then something is seriously worrying,” he said.

Population served by Solomon Water expected to increase by 2047

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

POPULATION served by Solomon Water in Honiara and surrounding villages is projected to increase to approximately 295,000 people by 2047.

Solomon Water currently provides water services to 58,000 people in Honiara and surrounding areas in Guadalcanal according to their 30 Year Strategic Plan.

The increase is reported to be driven primarily by migration from the rural communities to urban areas and the provision of backlog services to existing communities.

Projected population increase over the next 30 years will have a significant impact on current water supply and wastewater systems including increased health, environmental and water quality impacts of wastewater discharge, the need for additional water sources due to increased water supply demand and the need to extend reticulation systems and improve the capacity of transfer systems.

Brain behind HYC official logo

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Milton Ragaruma
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Mr Lemuel Steve Rauona holding up his designed logo that made legal for HYC- a youth-led organization in Honiara City.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Mr Lemuel Steve Rauona holding up his designed logo that made legal for
HYC- a youth-led organization in Honiara City.

DESIGNING an official logo for the Honiara Youth Council would be Mr Lemuel Steve Rauona’s legacy for young people in Honiara as his contribution for youth development in Solomon Islands.

Mr Lemuel Steve Rauona is from the Central Youth of the South Sea Evangelical Church (CY-SSEC), and the HYC’s executive member are proud of his work in creating a logo for the HYC which will remain a legacy for generations to come.

Last week, HYC and relevant stakeholders in Honiara convened at the OG conference room to officially launch the logo, and the event begins a history for HYC and Mr Rauona – logo designer.

When asked what would be the one thing he will support young people in the community with, Rauona said, it is the logo because embedded is a thousand words which signifies inclusiveness of youths in Honiara.

Rauona is an artist with a background in abstract painting.

Over the years HYC has been in operation as an ad hoc entity which has raised confusion between Honiara City Council and Honiara Youth Council, which are two different bodies.

To clear out the confusion among organisations and youths within Honiara, HYC tasked Rauona to create a logo with instructions from the HYC executive and community youth group.

Due to time limitations, financial reasons and resources, HYC did away with the idea of a competition and had the executive select within its cycle instead.

The logo embodies a light green complexion to represent young people’s energy and amazing potentials for development both in the community and national level.

Inside the logo, reflected is the local and national government colour which symbolises HYC and community youth groups strong partnership towards youth development in the country.

In the centre, there is a HYC designed word flattered with a youth friendly style where the letter Y is drawn depicting a person flying, a reflection of young people.

HYC and young people are satisfied with the logo, and now it can be used in any form of their activities as youth-led organisation in the Honiara City to voice and channel their concerns to the local and national government.

Rauona said, he was humble and proud at the same time to take up the responsibility and used his artistry as his contribution to HYC and youths in Solomon Islands.

He said his drawing inside the logo speaks louder of youth’s inclusiveness toward economic and social development in Honiara or Solomon Islands as a whole.

Rauona adds that he was happy and thanked the HYC executive for the trust given to design the logo although challenging, he is happy that his work was noticed, all the more, involved in something like this.

He grew up to the artist that he is today, with interest in the art he does dating back to his primary school days up to his completion of secondary education at King George Sixth.

His specialty, abstract painting, became a passion and one which sprung strongly from influence of Mr Douglas Rae, who was a well-known artist and graphic designer in the country.

“I am not good at imagination but I’m good in observation,” Rauona said.

Recently, he attended a graffiti workshop facilitated by a renowned artist, Mr Justin also known as “Julla” who is a professional graffiti writer and street artist from Australia.

The workshop was organised by Oxfam Solomon Islands.

That was what made Mr Rauona today, and now he is slowly pushing his way up—dreaming of becoming a renowned artist in the country and region as well someday.

HYC launches social media network

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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(L-R) HYC president Mr Harry James, Mrs Mary Tuhaika and Bobby Siarani during launching of the HYC Face Book page.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

(L-R) HYC president Mr Harry James, Mrs Mary Tuhaika and Bobby Siarani during launching of the HYC Face Book page.

YOUNG people can now get connected and interact with Honiara Youth Council anywhere in Solomon Islands through its social media which was launched last week.

On Friday last week, HYC launched its Facebook page named Honiara Youth Council with a photo profile of its newly launched official logo.

Since the launch last week, the page and the logo is now in use to disseminate information about HYC’s programmes and activities.

Creating a social media platform such as Facebook, HYC see as an important avenue for engaging young people.

HYC will use its social page to disseminate information about their works, service deliveries and exchange of ideas and interaction between young people

HYC President Mr Harry James Olikwailafa said the page is really useful for young people because some of the young people will use that page to get information, get opportunities that will be uploaded to the page.

“We feel that establishing social media page is one key media platform in the context of Solomon Islands to dissemination of information to young people,” Mr Olikwailafa said.

HCC-Youth Development Officer Mrs Mary Tuhaika said the social media platform HYC create is important for young people within Honiara to know about HYC as their legal body to voice their interests.

She said majority of youths accessing the internet live in Honiara and such platform is effective for young people to get information and connected with HYC.

Mrs Tuhaika adds HYC has created a social media arena to inform and will create more awareness among young people.

Also let other organisations and young people aware that there is a youth governing body existing in Honiara, represents youths’ voices to the local and national government and advocate on issues affecting young people, she said.

Content in the HYC’s Facebook page will consist of activities and programmes HYC has done, youth opportunities locally, regionally and internationally from other firm youth organisations.

There will also be news on the country’s current affairs, feature stories about youth achievements, community programme and campaigns of young people on their issues of concern.

HYC are calling individual young people and organizations in Solomon Islands to click LIKE on their Face Book page following the link: http://www.facebook.com/Honiara-Youth-Council

Craft market centre to complete in time for MACFest

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The craft market center taking shape at the Art gallery grounds
The craft market center taking shape at the Art gallery grounds

THE Craft Market Centre at the National Art Gallery grounds is expected to complete in time for the upcoming 6th Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) in July.

Construction of the facility began early this year and is expected to complete in the third week of June just before the opening of the festival on July 1.

The center will host the bulk of Traditional and Contemporary Arts exhibitions. This category includes sculptor (carving), weaving/ handicrafts, body ornamentation/ local jewellery, traditional currencies, tattooing, fire-walking, canoeing and navigational art, traditional healing, culinary arts , floral arts and pottery.

Visiting artists from Melanesia will join our local artists to exhibit their products during the 10 days festival.

“We are impressed with the progress of the project and we are confident it will complete in time for the upcoming festival,” said Chairman of the festival Programmes and Events and Director of Culture, Dennis Marita.

Mr Marita said the facility will provide a permanent home for our local arts and crafts practitioners in the near future.

“This is indeed a welcoming development for our arts and crafts industry. It will certainly provide a proper home for our arts and craft practitioners as well as a boost for our tourism industry,” Marita said.

He added that a Crafts Centre Management team will be established to manage and run the center to ensure that there is equal opportunities for those engaged in this sector to use this facility.

“The facility will certainly generate revenue for the government through rental by eligible vendors and relevant associations or charitable organisations and groups,” he added.

The project costs more than SB$10 million with fifty percent of the cost funded by the Solomon Islands Government, thirty percent by the Republic China on Taiwan and thirty percent from the EIF/EU Programme under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

–SIG, MSG & NOC JOINT PRESS

Shipment for logs continues raising anger

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A third shipment for logs only within recent weeks arriving ashore of Tulaghi Island at Big Ngella yesterday. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A third shipment for logs only within recent weeks arriving ashore of Tulaghi Island at Big Ngella yesterday. PHOTO
BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

LOGS now shipped are said to be of not good size trees but this is the third shipment within recent weeks ashore of Tulaghi Island at Big Ngella raising grave concern for locals.

Whoever behind these shipments amongst local landowners does not go down well with Ngella citizens as negative impacts from the tree resources and environment is growing.

Not only certain specific trees are said to be now logged on Ngella but all sorts of trees as well seeing loggers making use of their chance.

The majority of people at Ngella are now fed up of logging activities in which they threat to form mobs of groups to attack and destroy logging machines and chase out Asian operators if they land on their shores.

Some are blaming the provincial authorities while others call for precaution and there is the majority planning and urging to make a one way move for destroying and chasing the logging operators out of their islands.

This issue is currently heavily debated on the famous Ngella Forum on social media as well.

With this understanding, Central Islands Provincial Government is uniting with its citizens in Ngella to stop logging activities on their islands purposely to protect the environment.

The Provincial Secretary (PS) of CIP, Alan Christian Siale, when contacted recently over the rising issue of logging operations and landings confirmed this.

He elaborated in revealing that he is aware of recent landings by logging groups but there has been a cause of breakdown in the line of communication between them and the Department of Forestry through the Forestry Office in the province for such landings to take place.

“The issue of the province with the Forestry Division is they (Forestry) are issuing permits for logging companies to land but the condition for a permit to land must have proof that they have paid the provincial business license which is the conditions of the Forestry,” said the PS.

“That to this day has never been done by the Forestry Division.”

From radical suggestions now rising from locals, the PS suggests for their people that they can move against these operations but in a more awareness way to educate landowners to not sign documents of such for logging operations which includes mining processes.

CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni had also recently announced that the Provincial Government will be banning all logging operations on Ngella.

His Provincial Executive will be imposing the ban at their next Executive meeting if survey confirms over-harvesting and destructions to the environment.

High rate of alcohol consumption raises concern

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

ALCOHOL Consumption at Choiseul Province is raising grave concern.

Recently, Ms Jenny Onoto the Women’s Coordinator at Christ the King Parish Voruvoru Mission Station, Northwest Choiseul, during a Chiefs Leadership summit workshop highlighted the concern showing in her report that alcohol consumption is one of the biggest contributing factors to a lot of anti-social behaviours amongst their communities.

“Consuming alcohol at public places and family residences is causing high disturbances and insecurity to women and children. Continuous practise also contributes to financial problems,” said Ms Onoto.

Ms Onoto is calling on local Chiefs and the police to help decrease the rate of alcohol consumption in their area and the province as a whole.

According to women and children of the province going forward in raising their concern, Ms Onoto said they expressed the high practise experienced as a huge threat to their society.

Voters arrive for Gizo/Kolo by-election

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Milton Ragaruma
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Former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo Supporters and Voters upon their arrival onboard MV Fair Lady and MV Fair Chief at the Gizo wharf on Monday.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

 

Former Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo Supporters and Voters upon their arrival onboard MV Fair Lady and MV Fair Chief at the Gizo wharf on Monday.

HUNDREDS of voters have arrived in Gizo for the Gizo/Kolombangara by-election.

On Wednesday 23rd May, polling stations will open at 7am and close at 5pm.

In an interview with Mr Christian Siale, the Western Province Registration Manager yesterday, he said voters are being urged to get to the polling station within this time.

He said the 12 polling stations are Saeragi, Bibolo, Titiana, Gizo A and Gizo B, Logha Island, Vanga, Poetete, Jack Harbor, Ringi, Hunda and Kukudu.

“Once the polling stations are closed the sealed ballot boxes will be sent to the Gizo election commission office.

“Since there were no to count the ballot boxes, the ballot boxes should be count early on Thursday morning.

“The results are expected to be announced after counting on Thursday.”

Siale calls on the Gizo/ Kolombangara constituents to be calm and vote peacefully to elect the leader who will represent them in parliament.

PM expresses need to purchase CT scan, medical container facility

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Milton Ragaruma
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PM Hou is intoduced to the Micro-Hydro Electric Power Generating System. This program will be rolled out under JICA end of this month in the country.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has expressed the need for the Government to begin the process in seriously purchasing a CT scan for the country.

The Prime Minister highlighted this when he visited Sony’s Medical Container Facility in Iwaki City, Fukushima, Japan recently.

The Sony’s medical container is the latest state of the art innovation by Sony whereby medical equipment’s are set up in a mobile container.

PM and Foreign Minister Tozaka toured inside the facility

The container can either be an operating theatre or specific medical equipment or facility depending on the request needs.

These medical facilities are mobile and can be transported and set up by Sony.

The unavailability of a CT scan in the country is an issue that has been discussed over the years but to no avail to date.

The Prime Minister said it is time the Government needs to seriously consider options to purchase one.

He said it is an issue he will take up in Cabinet when he returns and the responsible ministry can start the process in looking at alternatives on the best options.

PM Hou is intoduced to the Micro-Hydro Electric Power Generating System. This program will be rolled out under JICA
end of this month in the country.

“I am overwhelmed that Sony a powerhouse company in the world has offered to assist in any way possible. Therefore, I hope responsible authorities can start looking at these different options. The ball is in our court,” he said.

The Prime Minister was also introduced to a movable Micro-Hydro Electric Power Generating System which can easily be installed easily in at least 55cm wide water channels.

It has an independent power supply system by connecting its own battery system. This means this that this generating system contributes to local production for consumption of electricity and works as a safety net for electrical power at time of disasters.

PM is introduced to the CT Scan which was also one of the facility in the container.

“This is an interesting innovation that can be very useful for rural areas in Solomon Islands,” he said.

In fact, the interest has paved the way for the manufacturing company of the generating system to come and start introducing the system in the country next month under the JICA program.

Meanwhile, the PALM 8 meeting which the Prime Minister attended concluded on Saturday.

–OPMC PRESS.

One of the mobile facilities
A Sony execurive displaying tne Canon Medical System sign.
The mobile medical facility

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