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No plans yet to re-arm ‘other’ units

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PC Mathew Varley

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mathew Varley says there are no plans as yet to rearm other police units.

He said this in response to questions on whether officers in provincial stations which have the PRT stationed in are legible to be re-armed.

During the press conference yesterday, Varley downplayed rumours that the Auki police station has been rearmed.

He clarifies that the police response team were merely training the officers in Auki on less lethal weapons such as pepper sprays, baton usage and tear gas.

He stresses that there is a world of difference between non-lethal equipment and fire arms.

“We have what we call a response unit which the first line of public orders and these officers are well trained in capability such as riot control and public order incident and they use equipment such as shields, baton and helmets to be able to deal with first line of incident of riots and the PRT is the top level response behind them.”

No PPC at Tigoa police station

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

LOCALS in Rennell and Bellona capital Tigoa are raising concerns that there is no PPC looking after the police station there.

Speaking to Island Sun in anonymity, three prominent figures in Tigoa community say Renbel’s provincial police commander Inspector Aloysio Manegaua had left Tigoa early April and has not been seen since.

They add that there has not been a replacement for Manegaua since, and the station is being manned by constables.

The Tigoa community leaders say there is an observed increase in anti-social behaviour, especially related to drunk and disorderly and public rows, which they say police do not 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.

Island Sun had been following up the matter with the police media for clarification this week, but have not received any response.

Court dismisses Muaki’s review claim against LCC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE High Court has dismissed the Judicial Review of the Leadership Code Commission’s (LCC) determination process sought by former Special Secretary to the Prime Minister (SSPM), Andrew Muaki.

The former SSPM was found guilty of misconduct by the Leadership Code Commission in 2016 and penalised with a fine of $10,000.

According to report, the misconduct was said to have taken place within the Prime Minister’s Office during Muaki’s tenure as SSPM to then prime minister Manasseh Sogavare.

“High Court has dismissed his JR Claim on the ground because he did not satisfy the Court that there is no other available remedy that resolves that matter fully and directly,” said LCC in their press statement.

“In other words, Mr Muaki should have appealed the determination against him instead. This means that the LCC’s determination against Mr Muaki still stands.”

“However since the Court’s decision on 19 March 2018 to date, Mr Muaki had not paid his fine.”

Sick cows risk

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MAL orders cattle from farm with TB-outbreak history

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A cattle farm in Fiji the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) orders cattle from has a history of cattle tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks, it is reported.

Interestingly, MAL’s Livestock Division prefers to be tight-lipped over this allegation when approached by Island Sun for clarifications.

This was brought to attention by concerned farmers who learnt that the Yangara farm, in Tavua, Fiji, has reportedly experienced few outbreaks of TB in recent years.

This concern has been raised on social media’s ‘Solomon Farmers Corner’ and have sparked quite a debate.

It is currently questioned if anyone knows of any information regarding a current proposed shipment of cattle from Fiji to Solomon Islands.

“The cattle (250 heads) are from the Yangara Farm in Tavua, Fiji, and this shipment is proposed for a breeding farm in Western province,” explained a post on social media.

According to the local poster from Makira province, who is also part of a family farming cattle themselves, he recently spoke to senior veterinary officers in Fiji and they raised two concerns.

First is why the Agriculture Livestock Division in Solomon Islands would want to buy and import animals from a farm experiencing regular outbreaks of cattle TB when they (veterinary officers) know the lack of capacities with big animal vet services in Solomon Islands.

“They had mentioned that the DFAT funded Vet in the Livestock office in Solomon Islands had already been advised of the situation by them but preferred to listen to the Yangara Farm personnel’s that the animals destined for Solomon Islands have been quarantined and are disease free,” said the poster.

“This is where the second concern is as to why would one believe the seller and not independent professional advice?

“Yangara Farm has many issues with damaged fences and animals mixing even going as far-a-stray as Ba, so how would infected animals not come into contact?

“Whilst I am a strong supporter of reviving the cattle industry and the need for import of live animals, I think importing animals from Fiji are not our best option. Even the Fiji Government has had to put strong control measures against use of its own dairy produced products within Fiji.

“This is by subsidising farmers to kill off animals in infected farms and even do stronger checks and balances on slaughtered animals being allowed for consumption.

“Vanuatu’s Government stands ready to assist us, however we have not been able to produce a report on the first and second batch of breeding cattle imported to Guadalcanal and Malaita respectively.

“I think the Vanuatu Government deserves that much of a jester and respect, considering they had to amend laws around export of breeding animals in the goodwill of helping a fellow Melanesian country only to have the herds killed at will without any real monitoring and support by our Livestock department.”

With the lack of check and balance in the Solomon Islands Livestock sector, according to the local, speaking in his capacity as a cattle farmer, without any Government or donor assistance the repercussions of one infected animal anywhere in Solomon Islands will affect the current disease-free status enjoyed.

“Why would we a free from any serious cattle diseases country would want to risk any future development of the cattle industry? Kill it even before it starts I suppose?” posted the local.

Island Sun has followed up on this issue for more than two months, and it is loud and clear that no one in positions of responsibility is willing to talk. From Solomon Islands ministry of agriculture to Fiji’s veterinary and livestock officers, there is screaming silence.

The MAL Director of Livestock Barnabas Keqa said that he will not comment or respond to the issue raised on social media.

“I have already been directed by the MAL Permanent Secretary (PS) to not make any response to this issue,” Mr Keqa said.

Attempts to get response and information from authorities and the cattle farm in Fiji that MAL is said to be buying and importing cattle herd from has not been possible within the weeks.

Pacific journalist launch environment network

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PINA President Moses Stevens, left, EJN's Imelda Abano and PEJN Interim President Iliesa Tora cut the cake to mark the official launch of PEJN in Tonga, on Monday night.

BY ELLISON.T.VAHI

THE Pacific Environment Journalist Network officially launched a network that will act as a platform for the exchange of stories and news content on environment issues in the Pacific.

During the launching of the Network, Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) President Moses Steven said it is good that the Pacific tells its own stories instead of overseas media coming to report on issues of the Pacific.

“It is time Pacific islanders tell the world their own stories and this is a part of it. I would like to congratulate everyone behind it.”

He said PEJN should work with national media organisations to develop and grow reporting on environment issues ‘because we have to take ownership of our stories’.

PINA President Moses Stevens, left, EJN’s Imelda Abano and PEJN Interim President Iliesa Tora cut the cake to mark the official launch of PEJN in Tonga, on Monday night.

Earth Journalism Network’s Imelda Abano said it is important to have such networks to strengthen and improve the quality and quantity of environment reporting in the Pacific.

PEJN is registered in Tonga and will have its Secretariat in Tonga as well.

The Pacific Environment Journalist Network (PEJN) is made up of 10 Pacific journalists who had won awards to attend and report on the 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP23) in Bonn, Germany, in November last year.

Membership will be open to journalists from across the region.

Backed by a wide range of positive announcements from governments, cities, states, regions, companies and civil society, delegates from over 190 countries agreed to a 12-month engagement focusing on ‘Where are we, where do we want to go and how do we get there?’

The ‘Talanoa Dialogue’, inspired by the Pacific concept of constructive discussion, debate and story-telling, will set the stage in Poland in 2018 for the revising upwards of national climate action plans needed to put the world on track to meet pre-2020 ambition and the long-term goals of the two-year old Paris Agreement.

The Paris Agreement’s central goal is keep the global average temperature rise below 2 Celsius and as close as possible to 1.5. The lower limit is deemed crucial for survival by many small islands and vulnerable countries.

Over one degree of this rise has already occurred since pre-industrial times. The current set of national climate action plans, known as NDCs, are still heading for a path towards 3 Celsius, possibly more.

Frank Bainimarama, President of the conference also known as ‘COP23’ and Prime Minister of Fiji, said: “I’m very pleased that COP23 has been such a success, especially given the challenge to the multilateral consensus for decisive climate action. We have done the job we were given to do, which is to advance the implementation guidelines of the Paris Agreement and prepare for more ambitious action in the Talanoa Dialogue of 2018.”

“There has been positive momentum all around us. And Fiji is especially gratified how the global community has embraced our concept of a Grand Coalition for greater ambition linking national governments with states and cities, civil society, the private sector and ordinary men and women around the world,” he said.

“We leave Bonn having irregular up some notable achievements, including our Ocean Pathway, the historic agreement on agriculture and others on a Gender Action Plan and Indigenous People’s Platform.

“We have also secured more funding for climate adaptation and launched a global partnership to provide millions of climate-vulnerable people the world over with affordable access to insurance.

“I want to warmly thank our hosts, the German Government and the UNFCCC, as well as the residents of Bonn. We brought our Fijian Bula Spirit to COP and it’s been wonderful how people responded. Vinaka vakalevu. Let’s all leave rededicating ourselves to more ambitious action on climate change by moving Further, Faster, and Together in the year ahead.”

Positive impacts from SI cocoa entering world market

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rodrick Brazier standing alongside the winner of the recent cocoa competition during the SolChoc festival 2018.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rodrick Brazier standing alongside the winner of the recent cocoa competition during the SolChoc festival 2018.

PRESENCE of Solomon Islands cocoa in the world market is positively impacting the country’s capacity and economy.

The success of the country’s cocoa industry means increasing income for cocoa producing communities, more employment created and wellbeing of individuals involved in the trade are improved.

This was revealed by the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rodrick Brazier during the recent Solomon Islands Cocoa and Chocolate festival held in Honiara.

He applauds the country’s cocoa stakeholders especially the farmers for producing such fine quality cocoa.

“Production of quality dried cocoa beans for the international market has the capacity to increase incomes, create employment and improve the wellbeing of cocoa producing communities,” said Brazier.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Strongim Bisnis Mandy Whyte said the growth of Solomon Islands cocoa industry is something everyone can benefit from.

“With this in particular I would like to acknowledge the Solomon Islands Government and the contribution of the Australian Government and the spirit and labour of cocoa farming families and producers of Solomon Islands and the buyers who can connect them to this increased prosperity.

“It’s been a great way for cocoa farmers to connect with cocoa buyers and learn about innovations in cocoa farming and production,” she said.

Gizo dentists tour clinics, schools

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Gizo hospital dentists in action at Seghe hospital during their visit to the region.

By Mike Puia

Seghe

Gizo hospital dentists in action at Seghe hospital during their visit to the
region.

STAFF of the Gizo hospital dental department in the Western province are touring communities and schools in Marovo lagoon this week.

Island Sun Gizo met members of the visiting team at Seghe hospital yesterday. Leader of the team is Michael Piasi, chief dental therapist at Gizo hospital.

Piasi said their visit is part of their annual tour programme to the province’s six zones.

For their Seghe tour, the dental department is visiting zone four. Seghe hospital comes under zone four.

He said they have only visited and completed zone one, which covers Gizo, this year.

However, financial issues have prevented the department from reaching out further as hoped.

Besides visiting and offering dental services to remote communities, the team is also conducting awareness in selected schools.

Piasi said the awareness is to encourage students to ensure they are educated about oral hygiene.

According to Piasi, zone four has a long history of oral issues. He said diet and poor oral care is the main factor.

At the end of each awareness and demonstration in schools, the team also shared pairs of Colgate and toothbrush.

According to Piasi, they are checking on patients’ teeth and serious cases are referred to Gizo.

He encourages locals to go to dental clinics and departments for early check-up to save their teeth.

New office bearers for PEJN

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The PEJN Office bearers following their election Back (L – R) Mereoni Mili, Lice Movono, Elenoa Turagaiviu, Florence Jonduo & Anita Roberts. Front (L – R) Georgina Kekea, Iliesa Tora, Ofani Eremae

THE Pacific Environment Journalist Network (PEJN) has elected its new office bearers who will take the network forward in the next two years.

Former Fiijian Journalist and now Tongan media consultant Iliesa Tora has been unanimously elected to the position of President by members of the network in their first general meeting in Nukualofa, Tonga on Tuesday.

Tora worked in the Fijian media industry for almost 30 years before moving to Tonga. He has been in the Tongan media for six years now working in different capacities as communications and media consultant for the Tongan government and other agencies.

Speaking after the election, an emotional Tora said now that the PEJN is up and running, the main focus now will be to keep the ball rolling.

“I can’t do this by myself, I am not a team by myself. We are a team here and I hope we can work together.”

The PEJN Office bearers following their election Back (L – R) Mereoni Mili, Lice Movono, Elenoa Turagaiviu, Florence Jonduo & Anita Roberts. Front (L – R) Georgina Kekea, Iliesa Tora, Ofani Eremae

Solomon Island’s Island Sun Chief of Staff Georgina Kekea has been elected to the Vice President Position. Kekea has been working in the Solomon Islands media industry for 18 years now and has worked in all media mediums over the past years.

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation’s North Bureau Editor Elenoa Turagaiviu was elected unopposed to the Secretary position. Turagaiviu has been in the Fijian media industry for 13 years now.

Solomon Star News Editor Ofani Eremai was elected Treasurer for the Network. Eremae has been a newspaper journalist for 20 years now and studied journalism in New Zealand. He is also a current Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) Board Member.

The Executive Committee also has four members.

They are:

  1. Lice Movono, a senior journalist with the Fiji Times newspaper. Movono has been in the media for about 20 years now and has worked in various communications posts in the UN and EU over the past years.
  2. Anita Roberts, a journalist with the Vanuatu Daily Post and has been a journalist for four years now.
  3. Florence Jonduo, a journalist with Papua New Guinea’s biggest Television network EMTV and has been a journalist since 2014. She currently produces a weekly local documentary called “Olsem Wanem” that covers everyday issues PNG people are facing.
  4. Mereoni Mili, a University of the South Pacific Journalism Student and is currently the national news editor of the University’s newspaper Wansolwara.

During the meeting, the members, with the guidance of Pacific veteran journalists and communications specialists drew up and adopted the PEJN Constitution, which will be the guiding document for the Network.

Air Canada partnership to benefit Solomon Islanders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mr. James Howey [L] Business Development Manager Air Canada with Mr. Dwivedi during announcement of new partnership arrangement that will benefit Solomon Islanders travelling to Canada.
CITREC Chairman Ashwant Dwivedi smiles following Air Canada partnership arrangement that is set to benefit GP CITREC Graduates. Photos Canadian Government Communications.

SOLOMON Islands nationals travelling to Canada as part of the foreign worker programme or migrating under permanent residence nomination programme from Guadalcanal province, will be benefiting from a new partnership arrangement with Air Canada for their travel into Canada.

This partnership benefit will also be extended to any Solomon Islands province that is joining the education and training programme offered by Canadian International Training & Education (CITREC).

The proposed route will be from Brisbane, Australia into Vancouver, Canada. The arrangement becomes effective immediately and offers convenient travel for Solomon Islands nationals.

“Air Canada is pleased to be able to support Guadalcanal province CITREC graduates of Solomon Islands and their Foreign Worker Migration programme to Canada via Brisbane, Australia gateway which offers nonstop service to Vancouver and easy connections to the rest of Canada,” said Kevin Howlett, senior vice president Regional Markets & Government Relations.

“And we will soon add another year-round Australian gateway to our network with the addition of direct Melbourne service, adding to our ongoing flights from Sydney and Brisbane. With an unparalleled choice of three Australian gateways, we are delighted to be welcoming Solomon Islands nationals on board Air Canada.”

Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke has welcomed this opportunity.

“We welcome this opportunity with Canada’s national airline Air Canada and the support this arrangement will be providing to people of my province and other Solomon Islands provinces in the very near future,” Mr Veke said.

Veke said that Air Canada has embarked on a venture where it is transporting Solomon Islands citizens to new opportunities.

Mr. James Howey [L] Business Development Manager Air Canada with Mr. Dwivedi during announcement of new partnership arrangement that will benefit Solomon Islanders travelling to Canada.
“As Canada’s national airline, Air Canada is flying my people to new heights. New heights of opportunity. It is helping make dreams come true and I thank every staff member and management of Air Canada for this opportunity. I look forward to my people from Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands experiencing Canadian hospitality on Air Canada flights very soon as we prepare a pool of people for Canadian job opportunities.”

CITREC Chairman Mr Ashwant Dwivedi has welcomed the partnership saying the Air Canada partnership will help propel Solomon Islands’ partnership with Canadian’s.

Dwivedi who is also Solomon Islands Consul General to Canada said, “This partnership will become a great convenience for people travelling into Canada under the arrangement. Air Canada being Canada’s national airline has united families from across the world for many years. Now it is bringing the people of Solomon Islands into Canada. It is demonstrating its global commitment. This is a great achievement for our partnership with Canada and we look forward to growing this opportunity together with Air Canada.

“There is also cargo opportunity that we can discuss with Air Canada. There is great opportunity that this partnership brings with itself. Air Canada has Pacific reach and we can work in partnership with the airline to develop our export of goods and services from Solomon Islands into North America.”

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline serving more than 220 airports on six continents. Canada’s flagship carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2017 served close to 48 million customers.

Air Canada is also the first airline to voluntarily join the World Bank’s IMF Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition. Air Canada’s efforts to be environmentally responsible were recognised recently when Air Transport World named Air Canada Eco-Airline of the Year for 2018, global recognition that the airline says they are very proud of.

–CITREC PRESS.

Locals urged against processed foods

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

RAPID change in eating habits and lifestyle is believed to be a contributing factor to the rise of non-communicable diseases experienced at Northwest Choiseul.

Mr Nerio Ulemiki, the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru, said locals are urging citizens to make a change with commitment to decrease consuming refined foods from shops.

“Change from local foods and local cooking styles to refined foods and modern cooking styles contribute to people becoming ignorant from the fact that local foods are still healthy for our bodies,” said Ulemiki.

According to Mr Ulemiki, decreasing of consuming refined foods from shops should include heavy consumption of smoking and alcohol as well that contributes to a lot of violence incidents.

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