The 48 hospital beds will be the first consignment of 100 hospital beds destined for the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and two provincial hospitals, one in Malaita and the other Isabel Province.

The Solomon Islands Forest Association (SFA) kindly responded to an appeal for funds to acquire and transport the beds to the Solomon Islands.

Take My Hands Charity Trust (TMH) has acquired the first 48 beds and the remaining ones are in the process of being collected from New Zealand hospitals where the type of beds, although in extremely good condition, are surplus to the hospitals requirements.

I express my sincere thanks to the SFA and to TMH for continuing to help the MOHMS in the Solomon Islands and local NGO organizations

A MOU was signed more than a year ago between the NRH and TMH for the annual supply of medical equipment and medical supplies but currently the arrangements for the shipment of up to 10 twenty foot containers per year is suspended as the second phase payment in terms of the MOU is outstanding.

The SFA stepped up to get the urgently needed hospital beds because of the current state of the MOU.

I will give notice of the shipment of the second 40 foot container with the additional hospital beds when I get more information from TMH.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

DEAR EDITOR, since the launching of the 5 volumes of the TRC report by the Lilo government in 2012.

There has never been an attempt to allow the TRC Commissioner to inform the government to set up the CRP committee (comprehensive reparation plan) on what has to be done in the implementation on the recommendation for the Rehabilitation Reparation programme for the victims of the ethnic tension.

Unfortunately, it seems that our MPs of the government have never spoken or mention anything about the TRC report for the past six years.

However If they could have look into it, they should have now set a budget or seek funding for these recommendation.

As a concern victim in the crises, may I call on the Prime Minister and the leaders of this nation that we should also bear in mind that ignorance on very serious issue can cause an uprising in any country, which we don’t want to see.

We have experience that eighteen years ago in 1998 – 2000.

Our nation was named as a failed state by an Australian reporter.

We were almost down to ground zero. There was bloodshed.

The reason was, cos past government leaders have ignore sensitive issues and concerns raise by our indigenous people of this country.

A wound must be treated with proper antibiotic, otherwise more bacteria of politics will seriously infect the wound that could be harmful and unhealthy for this nation.

Forgetting and failing and deliberately ignoring the TRC report, could create a very serious problem.

Generally speaking, we should also be reminded and consider. When victims are silent, it doesn’t mean that they have forgotten the past; No, they’re waiting patiently and hoping for the government’s response, in fulfilling their promises to them.

A number of cases, it has been painful and heartbreaking to those hoping victims from the tension who have to died, without receiving his or her reparation rehabilitations benefits from the government.

Due to the fact, the government have delayed and prolong these recommendations that they should have benefit from.

Imagine, think about it, If you government leaders would put on one of those victims shoe. How would you feel… when hope is gone. This is realitiy.

Therefore the government must set up the CRP committee and get to work and try to implement what has to be done according to the recommendation in the TRC report.

Many times, speeches were given by honorable ministers. Begging victim to forget the pass. Yet the question is… have you done what you promise them..?

The United Nation General Assembly has adopted the “Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violation of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law” (Resolution 60/147 of December 2005)

As Solomon Islands is a member of the United Nations, the government is obliged to provide adequate effective and prompt reparation for its victims according to the International human rights law.

Those victims from the tension have the constitutional right even to sue the government for failing and delaying to implement recommendation from the report.

The TRC act that was passed by the National Parliament on 28 August 2008, must be respected.

The Governor General New Year message 2018 was clear that peace is still fragile.

In other words, there are issues from the ethnic tension that must be address.

Issues that could hinder the peace building process for lasting peace in our nation.

We have donors who a willingly want to assist Solomon Islands government to resolves its financial obstacles to address these long outstanding issues.

However there is lack of confidence from these donor partners towards our government. The fear is that these funds could be misuse as seen in some cases.

Some ministries have not demonstrated transparence and accountability when handling funds.

MPs are using constituency funds for their own benefits and claiming them for constituency purposes and the list goes on.

This is bad reputation. Corruption has to be stop.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Peace Truth and Reconciliation seems to have no power to address these outstanding ethnic tension issues anymore. When in fact the ministry was purposely set up and given mandated to take care of the ethnic tension relating issues. So to be clear, can the Government inform the public, which government ministry is responsible to take care of these issues..? These a sensitive matter that needs attention to the Government by the people of this nation.

In conclusion, the 3rd volume in the TRC report page 760/761 are reparation programme that must be implemented.

I suggest the current government therefore, should look into this or review and start making some serious discussion and considerations.

By doing so, this will be a big relief to those victim from the bloody ethnic tension a hope that has come true.

To lead is to serve. God bless Solomon Islands.

Andrew fioga

Honiara

DEAR EDITOR, I have read with great interest stories about farmers on Guadalcanal and Malaita being assisted by agriculturists to learn new skills in farming techniques.

I am very happy this is done for my fellow farmers. I am very sad however, that this is not the case for us the farmers of Makira-Ulawa Province.

Our officers are sitting idle and not interested in giving us such opportunities.

In this era of climate change affecting our traditional crops, I want to make a strong call on our officers to look for ways to help us.

I have visited the Kira Kira office and asked in the recent months and the advice was for me to report to an officer based in my area of east Makira.

Sadly, with due respect, my efforts were futile because the officer seems uninterested in doing his work.

It seemed our officers are just there for their salary and nothing else.

I would like a change of attitude from these officers because we are at the peril of climate change.

It is not a time to continue to be complacement but to be proactive.

Thank you for the opportunity to raise my concerns.

Matthew Sau,

Tawaroga village

East Makira

DEAR EDITOR, this is a call for change of leadership in Gao-Bugotu constituency by one Stephen Mazza in one of your recent publication.

In fact it was understood and worth considered as we prepare to go to the polls again in early next year.

I believe, as far as all the literate and right minded people of Gao-Bugotu are concerned, the constituency is still looking in terms of tangible developments.

Developments that could be of benefits to the livelihood of GB constituents are yet to be seen of felt.

In other words, most people in GBC are yet to see real mind-convincing changes within their own lives, their own societies and constituency as a whole development plans under the current MP’s leadership for the last 12years doesn’t make any impacts at all on lives of the majority of the people in GBC.

While some may be benefiting very much under his leadership, it was crystal clear many voters are still struggling for better life. Dishing out of assistance and funding of projects is always unfair and is still an issue in GBC.

It evidently seems, the MP is cantering and prioritising his focus on his voters only and no the rest of the populace in GBC that he’s been mandated to represent. I therefore, sees it fit and thinks it’s timely to join others in signalling the urgent need for change leadership in GBC coming January election. GBC needs change for the better. GBC meeds a more visionary leader with great plans for a better and brighter future. GBC needs a leader that unites people and not division, that is a leader that cares for all, not selective.

GBC needs a creative leader who can be able to tap in funding’s to support the livelihood of its people, not always relying on the governments rural constituency development fund, and the list goes on.

As responsible people of Gao-Bugotu, we must break the systematic chain of the right getting richer and the poor getting poorer by responsibly electing a qualify leader that can narrow that gap.

I’m appealing to youths within GBC in the strongest term as well to be seriously responsible and fully committed in our decision makings and choose right quality leader that can help deliver us a better tomorrow in this upcoming elections.

Enough of being manipulated all the time and for always bowing down to the influence of the dying generation when it comes to making decision on matters of interests and concern.

We (youths) really need to take a stand and actively lead the call for change, because we ae the backbones of our various communities and certainly we are what matters tomorrow.

The choices we will make in this coming election will certainly determine our future destiny for the next four years and its likely impact thereafter, whether it be for better or for worse. So let us vote responsibly, consciously and wisely for our future. Consider change if we are to see Gao-Bugotu constituency prosper in the coming years ahead.

BS Junior

Honiara

DEAR EDITOR, a 40 foot container with 48 hospital beds and some other hospital furniture, such a side tables, will be shipped from Wellington in New Zealand in June.

The 48 hospital beds will be the first consignment of 100 hospital beds destined for the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and two provincial hospitals, one in Malaita and the other Isabel Province.

The Solomon Islands Forest Association (SFA) kindly responded to an appeal for funds to acquire and transport the beds to the Solomon Islands.

Take My Hands Charity Trust (TMH) has acquired the first 48 beds and the remaining ones are in the process of being collected from New Zealand hospitals where the type of beds, although in extremely good condition, are surplus to the hospitals requirements.

I express my sincere thanks to the SFA and to TMH for continuing to help the MOHMS in the Solomon Islands and local NGO organisations

A MOU was signed more than a year ago between the NRH and TMH for the annual supply of medical equipment and medical supplies but currently the arrangements for the shipment of up to 10 twenty foot containers per year is suspended as the second phase payment in terms of the MOU is outstanding.

The SFA stepped up to get the urgently needed hospital beds because of the current state of the MOU.

I will give notice of the shipment of the second 40 foot container with the additional hospital beds when I get more information from TMH.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT