THE Gizo-Raru local fishers association constitution is expected to be launched tomorrow in Gizo, Western province.
All fishers around Gizo and Rarumana Island are welcome to participate in the day’s activities.
Chairman Amon Tauman said the launching will be held at the Gizo main wharf area starting at 2pm.
“All fishers around Gizo and Rarumana Island are welcome to participate in the day’s activities. Registration for membership will be open and for fishers around Gizo and Rarumana Island subscription fee is $50.
“Other interested fishers group from other Islands affiliation fee is $100.”
Activities for the day include a float parade from Malakerava, PT109 to the wharf area. Losa’s Band and Tamure group will also be performing.
He said awareness on the overfishing problem, fishers’ registration and information on the Gizo-Raru fisheries association for sustainability fishers constitution are the highlights on the day.
CULTURE is one factor of attraction for overseas visitors, and the theme: Past Recollections, Future Connections is fitting for the 6th MSG Festival.
This is according to the Melanesian Arts and Festival’s (MACFEST) chairperson and Permanent Secretary for the Ministry Culture and Tourism Mr Andrew Nihopara.
He said this is indicated in the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau International Visitor surveys.
With The MACFEST’s theme, Nihopara said it is very fitting for the 6th MSG Festival as our cultures are our past.
“Not only that but also country’s future in terms of how people connect with other people around us and how we connection our past, current and future generations, he adds.
“As we are in a much globalised world with many external influences, our past in terms of our cultural heritage and practices must use embraced to help shape our future directions.”
Looking at the importance of designing the theme, Nihopara said Solomon Islands cannot ignore its past, “therefore the recollection of our past determines our future with each other”.
He said in terms of tourism development such event translates as very significant for tourism development because this is a very important avenue which our own people can involve and participate in the tourism sector.
The cultural industries provide a very important avenue for our women, youth, rural and urban people to engage in some forms of formal businesses that are culturally-based, he said.
On the national level, Nihopara said culture and tourism is growing, and it has already become a very significant sector for people’s engagement.
“While this will contribute towards tourism interest, on the reverse, tourism will also help to facilitate the growth of this sector as we get more and more visitors into Solomon Islands.”
Solomon Islands are counting down the days to the festival.
Honiara is expecting approximately 2000 visitors who will be attending the Melanesian Arts and Festival commence on July 1—14.
The event will also coincide with the country’s 40th Anniversary.
UNDERSECRETARY of the Ministry Of Health and Medical Services Dr Nemia Bainivalu says his ministry is deeply committed to ensuring health of women and girls through access to proper sanitary products.
He expressed this statement at the recent occasion of the World Menstrual Hygiene day commemorated this week in Honiara.
“My ministry is deeply committed in ensuring the health of women and girls through access to proper sanitary products to women and by improving access to safe sanitation facilities for women.
“This initiative of supporting them (women and girls) to have good Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) with regards to access safe sanitary products is one important aspect my ministry has considered.”
He said this is to assist them (women and girls) to manage menstruation hygienically and their dignity and on how they can improve their self-confidence while contributing to their health.
“Because good menstrual hygiene is therefore crucial for their (girls and women) health, education and dignity, which requires access to appropriate material and facilities,” said Bainivalu.
He furthered, they (women and girls) also sometimes unfortunate to articulate their needs and the problems of poor menstrual hygiene management health due to the taboo surrounding menstruation in the society and the lack of information on the process of menstruation, the physical and physiological changes associated with puberty and proper requirements for managing menstruations.
He said this shows that there is a need for his ministry and its partner ministry, donors and bilateral agencies to step in and work closely with them (women and girls) to address the needs and problems of poor menstrual hygiene management which have been ignored or misunderstood by the society.
Bainivalu also underscored that beliefs and norms of family and communities with regards to menstrual hygiene management needs a change as well.
“This is because women and girls have the right to know about so many issues which touch them directly or indirectly now or later,” he said.
DR Nemia Bainivalu, undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) has called on the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) to consider procuring re-usable pads and provide them at a subsidised rate for girls in every school across Solomon Islands.
He made this call seeing the importance of the Menstrual Hygiene Management for female students in every school in the country.
Bainivalu suggested that this idea can be achieved through including training programmes on the production of re-usable cloth pads in the curriculum of the Rural Training Centre (RTCs), at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) as a training programme and at other identified locally owned enterprises to enable the MEHRD to procure these needed materials and distribute them in every school.
He said this need indicates huge potential of inter-ministerial convergence and collaboration, especially between the MEHRD, MHMS and the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) to come together on this important issue to address it and help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“I am willing to discuss with my counterpart in MEHRD and work a way forward and am willing to work with donors and at how production of sanitary pads can be made into a productive social enterprise benefiting our females.
“I appeal to MEHRD to seriously consider providing re-usable pads in schools may be at a subsidised rate. This will hugely improve the convenience of girls,” Bainivalu said.
Moreover, he conveyed huge appreciation to the United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to have the Menstrual Hygiene Day recognised in Solomon Islands.
“I request them to provide support in raising the profile of this issue, support us with curriculum development on the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and take forward the recommendations from the study.”
Mr Saminela Fonua (far left), Mr Joe Horokou (fourth from right) and stakeholders at the BCH workshop.
BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
Mr Saminela Fonua (far left), Mr Joe Horokou (fourth from right) and stakeholders at the BCH workshop.
THE first national Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) Capacity Building workshop took place at Kairos Conference room on Wednesday.
Officially opening the program was Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology’s (MECDM) Director of Environment and Conservation Division, Mr Joe Horokou who emphasised the importance of protecting our biodiversity against threats posed by Living Modified Organisms (LMOs).
Initially, he stated that Solomon Islands ratified the Convention of Biodiversity (CBD) on October 3, 1995.
“In addition to the umbrella agreement, the CBD elaborates its obligations relating to biosafety in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Biosafety Protocol was adopted by the CBD COP in 2000 and entered into force on 11 September 2004.
“Solomon Islands ratified and signed the Cartagena Protocol to the Biosafety in July 2004,” said Horokou.
He said that a major reason for the country in signing the protocol was the recognition of the importance of protecting our biodiversity against threats posed from Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) taking into consideration that biodiversity is the basis of our people’s livelihoods.
“There are emerging and existing issues that our country faced with genetically modified organism or living modified organism and it should be a concern to all of us for our livelihood and well-being,” he said.
Horokou explained that as a starting point the country has developed a Biosafety Framework which is committed to the Cartagena Protocol and more importantly to the need of having a proper mechanism in place at the national level for coordination and dealing with modified organisms (LMO) issues.
In relation, he voiced that it sets a direction through policy, legal, administrative and technical instruments to ensure an adequate level of protection in the field of safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.
The Director mentioned that this was developed with the consideration of the potential adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and the risks to health of Solomon Islanders.
He said that there are many grey areas that relevant stakeholders need to identify and collaborate to address if we are to move forward in finding better ways to combat issues of GMOs and LMOs in the country.
Horokou stated that this workshop is a huge opportunity for Solomon Islands to improve its capacity in areas of information sharing, access and collation.
He appealed to partner ministries and relevant stakeholders at the workshop to make the most of the workshop and learn as much as possible about the protocol and its related issues of GMOs and LMOs.
The workshop was facilitated by Pacific region’s expert in Biosafety from Tonga, Mr Samiuela Fonua.
This BCH workshop is an UN Environment project funded by Global Environment Facility.
Director Joe Horokou addressing participants of the workshop.
BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
Mr Saminela Fonua (far left), Mr Joe Horokou (fourth from right) and stakeholders at the BCH workshop.
THE issue of addressing living modified organisms (LMOs) is a challenge for Pacific Island countries especially when many people don’t know what LMO is and consume food or products that contain it.
The above statement was expressed by Mr Samiuela Fonua, the Pacific region’s only expert on Biosafety working with UN Environment on the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) project funded by Global Environment Facility.
He voiced that the LMOs issue is a challenge for Pacific Island states given the simple reason that it isn’t something that people tend to worry much about.
However, he said that it lies within us to find solution to how we can better address the issue of LMOs in the country and referred to the workshop as a platform the government can embark on to further deal with LMOs.
Mr Fonua stressed that through this workshop, the Solomon Islands national government can through responsible stakeholders accommodate programs such as trainings, education and public awareness which are all part of the country’s obligation under the Cartagena Protocol.
Director Joe Horokou addressing participants of the workshop.
He said that once these initiatives roll out, people will be more informed about LMOs and be able to make choices and decisions.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure parties involve exercise safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs).
Solomon Islands ratified and signed the agreement in July 2004.
The workshop facilitated by Mr Fonua included presentations, questionnaire and an activity where participants were quizzed on aspects of BCH in respect to the Cartagena Protocol.
The two day workshop will conclude today (31st Thursday).
DEAR EDITOR, “Taken so soon and unexpected, but we believe that Collin is with the Lord in His kingdom.”
Born in June 1974 and called to rest of May 27, 2018.
The Holy Cross Cathedral was packed on May 28, 2018 by so many people who came to pay their tribute to Mr Collin.
The funeral Mass was officiated by Fr Peter Houhou, Administrator of the Holy Cross Cathedral.
The comforted words during the homily by Fr Peter befitting the life of this servant. Concelebrated were the priests from Friars of Preacher OP, Marist (SM) and Salesian (SDB).
The school body was well presented as the students with their school colors, orange and blue, flooded the Cathedral AT Holy Cross.
It was a very solemn celebration as everyone was in communion with the immediate family, relatives and his tribe.
The Mass celebration was MC by Mr Aloysius.
Some members of the government Honorable Mr John Maneniaru and wife and other dignitaries, representative of GP, Catholic Education schools and RTCs, colleagues of Mrs Helen Kokwasu, members of the Marist Past Pupils -MOSA, former students of Mr Collin and especially those of the educative community of St Joseph Catholic Secondary School.
The liturgy was animated with love and reverence by the students and staff of St. Joseph.
The laying of wreaths was so moved as his wife Helen and the children pay their respect to their beloved dad, people were flooded in to pay their last respect to late Mr Collin.
The voice of lamentation was heard as the heart feels the pain of death.
Loss of the loved one and the friendship has been suddenly cut short was felt in the whole church.
The eulogy was presented by the representative of the family, Secretary of the Catholic Education Authority, Fr Stephen from the Marist and School Principal.
There were not enough words to express how late Mr Collin inspired and touched the lives of so many people and he was well known as Mr Kool.
The students made a guard of honor while his casket arrived and left the Cathedral for his journey home in his beloved parish at Dala. Prayers were promised to continually support late Mr Collin’s family.
DEAR EDITOR, as a Tribal Chief, Member of a Tribe, Community member whom living along the Tina river since birth fall short to believe that the so-called Tina River Hydro development project is a real project.
It seems to most of us who still have “Land Outstanding Issues’’ whether pending in high court or chief hearing that government is using our resource for fundraising.
This short piece of script is meant to be given for purpose of the KK water, World Bank, Asian Development Bank or any Aid donors who committed their money for this project, please just don’t take the risk, our silence does not mean we fully support the undertaking, it simply means we are tired of being ignored, and tired of all the liars made by the Tina River Hydro Development project office and the Government of Solomon Islands our own Sovereign government.
Finally, stop any Tina River Hydro Development Related Activities.
DIVING expert in the Western province, Dive Gizo, has injected $10,000 toward a major clean-up planned in Gizo and nearby islands next week.
Western Province Network for Sustainable Environment (WPNFSE), a body coordinating non-government organisations and groups in the province, is organising this clean-up.
According to David Boseto, of the WPNFSE, the clean-up is part of activities they planned to hold to coincide with this year’s World Environment Day, World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Day which will be commemorated in Gizo next Wednesday and Thursday.
Boseto thanked Gizo Dive for the support and for its support toward prizes for the king and queen show that will also be held during the event.
The winning contender is expected to show innovation and great talent displaying concern for the environment. The prize is a diving package worth about $4,000.
Dive Gizo owner, Danny Kennedy, told Island Sun Gizo that he and his wife, Kerrie, have been rendering support towards clean-up and conservation efforts since they started Dive Gizo about 32 years ago.
Danny said the money they provided toward the clean-up comes from a donation made by Mr Jon and wife Mrs Tea Pollack.
He said the couple gave them the money and asked them to use it toward conservation and marine preservation.
Danny said it is fitting that they use this money to support the upcoming clean-up.
The clean-up is mainly to collect plastics underwater and to weed-out crown of thorns, a dangerous star fish that is posing a threat to the reefs.
MPA for Ward 18 South Rendova Hon. George Solingi Lilo
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
MPA for Ward 18 South Rendova Hon. George Solingi Lilo
MPA for Western province’s Ward 18 South Rendova George Solingi Lilo has proposed that MPAs, ward and electorate allowances be paid from the provincial fund.
Lilo spoke during the province’s Sine Die on Wednesday that an outdated motion under Standing Order 239 resolved that the Western Provincial Assembly allocates in its Annual Budget Estimates the provisions for MPAs Ward/Electorate allowances of $20,000 per ward to be paid from the provincial fund.
He said that as per section 34 of the PGA 1997 the amount may vary annually subject to a review report by the assembly office.
Lilo, who is a former premier, said, “This would allow our elected members to access equipment and accessories, together with related stationeries’ to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.
“This would be complimented by a policy guideline to ensure the facility is managed properly.
“This motion is forwarded looking and it is not only intended for those of us present here, today, but for those who are yet to come.”
Lilo explained that it is for the government and people of Western province now and the years to come.
He said that this should improve elected members’ competence to be able to respond to the growing demands of electorates’ aspirations and thereby promote good governance and accountability.
Lilo believes only those who know they would not retain their seat would object and oppose this motion.
A good number of MPAs have contributed at the Sine Die, and the motion of adjournment will continue today.
The current Assembly is being held at the Women Resource Centre and is expected to conclude the final sitting under Premier Wayne Maepioh’s capacity.
