Facilitator of the Project Management training currently in Auki,
Steven Shadrach Amasia from IPAM.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
Facilitator of the Project Management training currently in Auki, Steven Shadrach Amasia from IPAM.
IT is identified that there is a need for government officers to train or further their knowledge and skills on project management.
Mr Steven Shadrach Amasia from IPAM under the Ministry of Public Service who is currently facilitating a training on project management in Auki made the statement yesterday.
He said according to experience by Solomon Islands government the country has lots of failed projects.
Amasia said the failures came about because those who are managing or implementing the projects lack proper skills and knowledge on project management.
He said it can seen anywhere with government projects as lots of them fail to reach completion.
This directly impedes development in the country.
“So the MPS sees when projects were failed or project funds were not properly executed, this is because people don’t have knowledge, skills, competency and capacity.
“However, the importance is to equip these people with necessary skills and knowledge so that they can successfully manage the projects,” he said.
Amasia said this is the area of improvement the ministry is looking at and came up with the training for government officers.
“One general important aspect of project management is if we able to successfully completed projects it will encourage donors for assistance.
“The same is also when we don’t have proper skills and knowledge and continued to fails, it will discourage donors from assistance,” he said.
Amasia said those are the areas the training is targeting to ensure people have proper capacity to do the work.
Young people with the HCC Youth Desk Officer Mrs Mary Tuhaika and HYC Coordinator Mr Bobby Siarani
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
THE Youth Development Division of the Honiara City Council held an ‘HCC Community Youth Group Orientation workshop’ which opened learning opportunities for young people.
The youth group orientation workshop is aiming young people to understand the functions, mandates and youth development programme of the Honiara City Council.
HCC-Youth Officer Mrs Mary Tuhaika said the orientation marked an opportunity for the community youth groups to learn and be informed about how Honiara youth development work fits into HCC’s ‘bigger picture’.
Young people listen attentively to the presentation about HCC’s functions and mandates at the HCC Chamber
She adds youth groups will have clear insights about HCC management and politics and be informed about the function of the HCC political arm and administration level.
Tuhaika explained that the four-day workshop will enable community youth groups to learn and be informed about how youth desks work and the rationale behind the establishment of the Honiara Youth Council.
She also adds participants will be given the opportunity to learn about key stakeholders’ role in youth development work, and the specific projects and programme that target young people in Honiara.
Throughout the four days, youth groups will undergo sessions regarding successful stories and projects, sharing lessons learnt and tips on how to work with donor partners and management of a youth project, she said.
Young people with the HCC Youth Desk Officer Mrs Mary Tuhaika and HYC Coordinator Mr Bobby Siarani
Tuhaika said she will have a session on presenting the priorities for the remaining six months in order for youth groups to be informed about upcoming programme and events.
On the other hand, she adds youth groups will also be requested to present a realistic priority programme to identify where the Youth Desk could assist with, in terms of usage, technical advice and materials and equipment usage.
Acting City Mayor, Mr Eddie Ngava encourages young people to make use of the four days and ensure they advance with a good understanding of the HCC’s functions and mandates.
Ngava acknowledges Tuhaika and team for facilitating the four-day youth orientation.
“This four-day workshop are going well and I want to acknowledged all of you and by stepping forward be counted in your city, my city, our city,” Ngava said.
Today, youth groups will visit the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.
Participants of the HCC Community Youth Group Orientation workshop
THE police station in Tigoa, Rennell and Bellona province is reportedly running without a commander.
The provincial police commander, Inspector Aloysio Manegaua is said to have left the station in early April and has not been seen since, according to reports from concerned elders of the Tigoa community.
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) meanwhile, clarifies that the PPC for Renbel has been away from the province’s only police station to attend to his sick wife in Guadalcanal province.
“He was given permission by RSIPF to be absent for this purpose. An officer at Tigoa Police Station has been given authority to be in charge while the PPC is away,” said RSIPF Media Unit in response to Island Sun yesterday.
Speaking to Island Sun in anonymity, three prominent figures amongst Tigoa community say PPC Manegaua had left Tigoa early April and has not been seen since.
They add that there has not been a replacement for Manegaua and the station is being manned by constables.
Tigoa community leaders say there is an observed increase in anti-social behaviour, especially related to drunk and disorderly and public rows in which they call on police to act upon.
They are calling on the RSIPF HQ in Honiara to seriously consider Tigoa police station because Rennell island needs a working, visible and active police presence since it is a hub for extractive operations.
A MEMORANDUM of understanding (MOU) has been signed between elders of Niumada and Titiana communities and the Western provincial government and Solomon Power in Gizo, Western province.
Signatories of the MOU include the Western provincial secretary (PS) Jeffrey Wickham, elders of Titiana Village, elders of Nuka Motu, elders of Niumada and Hon Atkin Kamaka, Chairman of Government Caucus and MPA for ward 19, North Rendova.
This MOU was signed on April 24.
Wickham yesterday said Solomon Power, an authority mandated to provide electricity to the people of Solomon Islands, will immediately embark on providing the service to the communities in the MOU.
“This MOU is for Solomon Power to carry out such activities along the road to these Villages.”
“This will continue to consult with each other on the matters relating to this project, and to solve problems that might arise amicably.
“The MOU that the elders of Titiana and New Manda agreed for the project to continue and that no further dispute will be experience.”
THE closing submission into the case of a man charged with one count of attempted murder will be made in the next 14 days.
The case was adjourned yesterday because the prosecution responsible had been busy with another case in the High Court.
Defence Lawyer Rodgers Tovosia having heard that prosecution has sought to adjourn the case, made no objection and the court granted adjournment on the case for the next 14 days.
This is the case against John Kebol who was charged in relation to an incident which occurred in Sukiki village, Weathercoast of Guadalcanal.
Prosecution said the accused on June 13, 2015 had an argument with his nephew regarding a bicycle, their argument heated up in which the accused intended to stab the victim with a kitchen knife.
The allegation said when the knife missed the victim all others who were present during the argument reacted and stoned the accused and he fell onto the ground having sustained injuries.
Office of the Director Public Prosecution prosecutes the matter in court while Rodgers Tovosia is representing the accused.
CONSTITUENTS of the Gizo/Kolombangara constituency are reminded to ensure they participate in the democratic process of electing their new Member of Parliament in the upcoming by-election.
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) in a press statement said May 23 (Wednesday next week) is the polling day therefore those who have been registered to vote should go to their respective polling stations to cast their vote.
SIEC encouraged registered voters to check the final notice which should by now be pinned up at polling centres.
“The final notice should be put up as of yesterday (May 15) at polling centres by Assistant Returning Officers.
“The notice is accompanied by the voters list, therefore it is important that you check and see the polling centre that you will be casting your vote at.”
SIEC also reminded the Gizo/Kolombangara constituents that the voting process is the same as the 2014 National General Election.
“Place your tick in only one box against the candidate of your choice.”
SIEC encourages new eligible voters who were registered during last year’s registration update, to check out the final notice for important information on voting.
Meanwhile SIEC officials will travel to Gizo next week to prepare polling officials who will be dispatched to help out at polling stations during the polling day.
Polling stations will open at 7am and close 5pm; therefore people are urged to turn up during that time to cast their vote.
Five candidates have been nominated to contest the Gizo/Kolombangara constituency by-election.
They are: Lanelle OlandreaTanangada, Gordon Darcy Lilo, Peter Soqoilo, Ronald Philips Dive, and Kenneth Bulehite
Returning Officer Christian Siale acknowledges people of Gizo Kolombangara for respecting and allowing the process to reach this far and called for the same support and cooperation for the remaining campaign period and during the polling and counting period.
Governor General Sir Frank Kabui officially proclaimed Wednesday, May 23, 2018 as the date for the Gizo Kolombangara By-Election.
SIEC advises voters from Gizo Kolombangara constituency, to be prepared to choose their representative Wednesday next week.
Nafinua Island in Star Harbour, Makira Ulawa province. Photo by Frigate Bird Island Lodge, Facbook.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
A Memorandum of Agreement is in the pipeline for landowners of Star Harbour and tourism investors in Australia towards the integration of a resort in Nafinua Island.
This is welcomed news for tourism in Makira-Ulawa province because when penned, will open the way for more development to the industry.
Owner of Star Beach Resort, Mr Alfred Murray told this paper yesterday that the agreement will be signed on the 24th of this month at Nafinua Island.
He said the investor is expected in the country the day before signing.
He said under the agreement there will be signing of a 25-year lease of the island to four Australian tourism investors who will develop the island.
Murray said all ground work have been carried out and that landowners are anticipating the signing with fervour.
He explained there is a part in the agreement which calls for stakeholders to meet every five years to revisit the 25-year lease.
He said tourism activity in the country is only known for certain provinces, however, the proposed agreement is a milestone as it will pave way for development of the industry in Makira.
“We want it and we can allow our resources for the operation of the industry in Makira province,” Murray said.
Commissioner of Royal-Solomon Island Police Force Matthew Varley
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
ROYAL Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has rebuffed allegations that Police Commissioner Mathew Varley is ‘not happy’ with his Executive.
This response follows media queries over allegations sourced from insiders, who say that Commissioner Varley is ‘not happy with his executive for withholding vital information of elements in various issues that have been served to him on a platter when he assumed the role of Commissioner of Police’.
Insiders alleged a disappointed Mr Varley has also mentioned his intention to ‘not renew his contract once his term lapses’.
Speaking on terms of anonymity, a senior officer says he doesn’t blame Varley’s frustrations because he is not being told the whole set of facts regarding issues of interest to the Commissioner’s Office.
“When he is briefed, Commissioner Varley will only be told part of the issue, with important elements being withheld whether deliberately or not. And this is not going down well with the commissioner, because he then tends to hear additional info from somewhere else,” Island Sun source says.
However, the media unit of the RSIPF has issued a strong response, saying that the allegations are false.
“Allegation that Commissioner Varley is angry with the Royal Solomon Island Police Force Executive is not true,” said RSIPF Media Unit.
The WWII US Marines 4D Lunga underground tunnel that is said to be currently disrespected by construction. Photo from Facebook
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
The WWII US Marines 4D Lunga underground tunnel that is said to be currently disrespected by construction. Photo from Facebook
A current construction taking place at Lunga has raised calls for a halt to the development as it is said to have disrespected an American WWII underground tunnel site used by code talkers.
The Lunga Underground Tunnel said to be known as Lt Cnl: Vandergrith is a US Marines 4D underground tunnel which was the Navahor Red Indian Code Talkers Observation Position during World War II (Lunga River Bunker).
However in recent days, the underground tunnel has been constructed over by a group said to be from Asia.
Concerned citizens now demand for the tunnel site to be protected first before any construction takes place or else historical sites of value will continue to be destroyed in Solomon Islands.
The people’s concern being fed up from such usual practice has even now got them into such idea as taking the law into their own hands. This is because they say there seems to be no responsible authority being concerned over the disrespectful construction currently.
In querying to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Permanent Secretary Andrew Nihopara over the issue, he said to Island Sun that the WWII underground tunnel threat by the construction only came to their attention yesterday.
He affirms that they were never consulted over the development.
“I had already met with the Museum Director in which we have already consulted the Guadalcanal Province police as the matter is now at the Attorney General (AG) Chamber,” said Nihopara.
“If we were first consulted then we would had fenced the underground tunnel site before any construction took place around it.”
According to the PS, a protection order had already been given during 2004 (designated restricted areas order) under the protection of wreck and relic site areas in which there should be a map showing sites that should not be destroyed.
The ministry of Tourism is now waiting for a response over the matter from the AG’s Chamber before they will continue in their move to address the concerned issue.
On social media’s Yumi Toktok Forum, the situation has received a lot of criticism over the destroyed WWII historical site.
“This is a historical site, HCC, G-Province and the Government must step in to stop this work! These people do not care about our heritage,” said one comment on social media.
“What can we say or do guys? We are so helpless. Our people don’t see the importance of such sites. And where are the authorities who have power over such sites? They should have secured and kept this site,” raised another concern.
In whichever way the outcome of this issue will be, Solomon Islanders are not happy and they stand their ground that taboo or historical sites of this country should not be destroyed.
“These sites are our history as they also have the potential to build the economy of Solomon Islands,” said locals.
“We now call for a halt to the development and responsible authorities must step in to solve this issue even if it takes to have to go to court.
“This is one of the US Marines very famous respectable sites from WWII’s relics.”
Citizens are appealing for investors that they must get more advises from Solomon Islands National Museum who is the owner of the country’s protected historical sites.
“The historical sites must be seriously cared for as these are our local attraction sites for visitors, so we urgently want the construction to be called by responsible authorities so that they tell them to respect the Lunga underground tunnel.”
Locals added that destroying such significant sites and continuous causing of unnecessary pollution by such constructions is also not good for Solomon Islands preparations towards the 2023 Pacific Games.
THE birth rate of Solomon Islands has increase to 2.3 percent as of last year, it is reported. This is likened to 39 babies per day.
A report by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services revealed based on figures from the last population and housing census, it is estimated the 2017 population for Solomon Islands is 620,084 people.
With country’s demographic population, Solomon Islands has a relatively young age structure with a medium age of 22 years in 2015.
Around 41 percent of the population is aged less than 15 years, 49 percent 15 to 49 years and only 10 percent aged 50 years and above, according to the MHMS report.
“Compared regionally, men and women in the Solomon’s now live almost as long as in other countries,” MHMS said.
In terms of the level of urbanisation, the report highlights Solomon Islands sits at 22 percent and the urban population grows at five percent per annum, more than twice the overall rate of population growth.
The challenges facing the government has thus doubled; servicing a widely dispersed and remote set of rural communities while responding to the pressures of urban growth.
Moreover, the nine province range in both population size and health outcomes with considerable variation within the country.
In terms of life expectancy at birth, Solomon Islands has increased up to 68 years for males and 71 years for females in 2015 (from 61 and 62 years respectively in 1999).
However, while having a relatively high level of health expenditure in the region, Solomon Islands remains one of the poorest countries in terms of GDP per capita.
