THERE is need for the government, churches, woman organisations and non-government organisations to help decrease family domestic violence at Northwest Choiseul.
This is according to Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru reporting.
Mr Ulemiki says the numbers of unreported cases of family domestic violence are increasing at Northwest Choiseul as from observation, there are many cases where women have become victims ending up at the rural clinics.
“Some of the main causes of domestic violence in Northwest Choiseul identified are poverty stress, excessive drinking of beer and homemade breweries situations, consumption of drugs, forced sex, gambling, outside logging activities and from other anti-social behaviours,” said Ulemiki.
“People of the area are suggesting the need for the government, churches, women organisations and non-government organisations to help control this situation.”
A man from Shortland Islands who wants to remain anonymous has raised his disagreement over the way certain landowners are wanting to sell war relics on Balalae Island.
He claimed that the landowners are currently in Honiara and are residing in an expensive hotel in town. The local from Shortland Islands says the landowners are currently having dialogue with a foreigner who is interested in buying the relics. He said the foreign businessman is paying for the expenses and hotel bills of the landowners in town.
The man said he is surprised to see the locals who see themselves as custodians of their own history, wanting to give the foreigner access to the warplanes and other heritage sites on Balalae.
“Personally, I would like to see the warplane material document on some level before it decomposes entirely again,” he said.
He said this raises an important question about heritage and culture. What exactly is heritage? He asked.
“If the people of Shortland Islands believe WWII relics are their heritage, they should appreciate and cherish it.”
War plane on Balalae island
He said historical sites like the one on Balalae should be kept for the local people to utilise as a tourist destination. He says history is important and Balalae is a crucial part of the country’s history during WWII.
He said the landowners have allowed their trees for logging and now they are allowing their history to be bought by foreigners.
“What more do they need”, he said.
Balalae has a rich history in the WWII era. From Pacific Wrecks it was said that Imperial Japanese Navy 18th Construction Battalion landed on Ballale on November 3, 1942 to begin building an airstrip with a contingent of 370 people, augmented later by 517 British POWs and local laborers. The Japanese code named Ballale Island and Ballale Airfield “RXZ”.
The island was bypassed by the Allies. After the war, the Australian Army 7th Infantry Battalion, toured the island on November 10, 1945. Australians immediately located the grave of 57 POWs buried in shallow trenches. An atrocities commission was carried out on the island, that led to the discovery of a mass grave of 436 bodies were exhumed with artifacts identifying them as British artillerymen. The remains were re-interred in individual graves at Bomama War Cemetery near Port Moresby. The remainder of the 517 British POWs have never been found.
War relic on Balalae island.
The anonymous person called on the landowners to refrain from selling their history. He said had the Famoa Council of Chiefs been in place, none of this would have happened.
He also called on the responsible authorities to quickly sort out the Famoa Council of Chiefs
Island Sun understands that 15 chiefs from the Western province will attend a workshop in Gizo next week to look at registering and restructuring of the Famoa Council of Chiefs.
Minister acting for Mines Ishmael Avui and Environment Minister Dr. Culwick Togamana being briefed on the function and status of the Mining Tailings dam during the site visitation
By Gary Hatigeva
Minister acting for Mines Ishmael Avui and Environment Minister Dr. Culwick Togamana being briefed on the function and status of the Mining Tailings dam during the site visitation
A government delegation consisting of two ministers and top level officials, yesterday held an informal visit to the Gold Ridge Mining site to see firsthand the progress in preparations done for the reopening of mining operations.
The one-day visit came as part of an invitation from the landowners represented by the Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL) and Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), who have now partnered with two merging investors.
The delegation led by the Minister for Peace and Reconciliation who is Acting for the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ishmael Avui, was received with a traditional Guadalcanal welcome ceremony (Chupu).
The Minister Acting, when receiving the Chupu gift, thanked the partnering parties for the invitation and gave assurance of the government’s strong support to see that operation resumes.
He shared that the mining project is also a priority area in the government’s scope of policies and therefore follow closely on the preparations and progress of getting the site to resume.
Also present at the ceremony was Minister for Communication & Aviation and Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal, Peter Shannel Agovaka, who reminded the gathering to look after and properly guide the project not just into its eventuation, but so as the operation’s ongoing status.
“This is a tripartite arrangement where we work together with the government, for without one, this mining project will not happen.
“The three are equally important. We need the government, we need the landowners and the investors,” the Central Guadalcanal MP explained.
Meanwhile, the Central Guadalcanal MP stressed and requested that the directors of the company put continuous efforts in maintaining its awareness and consultation programmes with the land owners.
He said this is to keep landowners updated on the ongoing developments and progress of the initiation, which he pointed out that though with little share, land owners are a key partner in the set up.
The visit also included a meeting between the parties and the government delegation, where they were briefed on matters regarding the structure of the setup, while at the same time heard presentations on the company’s development plans once operations are up and running.
Following the chupu ceremony and the closed meeting, the delegation was taken around the mine site to see various facilities and sites, with explanations on the processes that will be involved when they become operational.
The group also visited one of the much talked about locations, which holds the operation’s tailing dam.
While on site, questions were raised especially from the government’s team, mostly on the environmental aspects of the operation and other issues related to the infrastructures and facilities used.
The acting Minister of Mines and Energy was accompanied by the Minister for Environment Dr Culwick Togamana and his Permanent Secretary, the Environment Director, Prime Minister’s Office representatives and under-secretaries.
View from Oravae Cottage’s newly completed Jetty funded by SIG through Ministry of Culture and Tourism and
Western Provincial government.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
WESTERN province’s culture and tourism division officially has handed over one of its funded projects to Oravae Cottage in Gizo, Western province.
Yesterday’s handing over ceremony was organised at the Oravae Cottage, which is a 20-minute boat ride from Gizo Island.
The jetty is one of the tourism projects initiated by the province with support from the national ministry of culture and tourism (MCT).
From left Minister of Culture and Tourism Division Hon. Christian Mesepitu, Oravae Cottage rep Nagarita Baea, supervising Premier Hon Bruce Herick and WPTA chairman Ivan Mike cutting the ribbon to officially open the funded jetty project of Oravae Cottage on Thursday
In April 2016, Western province Premier Wayne Maepioh and his delegation submitted a $5-million proposal through the province’s tourism division to MCT.
Western province’s minister of culture and tourism, Christian Mesepitu yesterday said that a good number of projects were being funded. They include; the Njari Island Jetty, Kennedy Island, Saeragi jetty, Gizo town toilet facilities, BSP bank leaf huts and benches, MSG building extension, Gizo town Council rubbish compactor have been achieved.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Division Hon. Christian Mesepitu.
“Most of the projects was been handed to the recipients last year by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
“I would like to acknowledge the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the assistance rendered in the development of tourism sector in our province.
“Solomon Island National government and provincial and the current ruling government sincerely appreciate the fostering of such partnership.”
Mr Mesepitu said the handover ceremony testifies the commitment and mutual partnership between the two governments, and this is something which the current Western province government appreciates.
The owner of Oravae Cottage Patson Baea welcoming the official and guests at Oravae Cottage during the handing over ceremony.
Owner of Oravae Cottage Patson Baea acknowledged the Western province supervising Premier, Bruce Herick, Mr Mesepitu, provincial government officials and invited guests for witnessing the handing over ceremony.
He also acknowledged the contractors for completing the project.
The project cost $220,439.24.
Oravae Cottage has one bedroom with double beds, plus an additional four single beds in the spacious living area.
The cottage also contains a kitchenette and an indoor shower and toilet, plus an additional outdoor shower.
The highlight, undoubtedly, is the over-water verandah that leads right out over a beautiful blue lagoon, complete with hammocks and deck chairs.
Prime Minister Hou meeting his Australian counterpart for the bilateral.
Prime Minister Hou meeting his Australian counterpart for the bilateral.
PRIME Minister Rick Hou and Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull have strengthened their government’s commitment in the under-sea cable project.
In a joint statement between both leaders after their bilateral meeting yesterday, both prime ministers agreed;
“Today we affirm our commitment to deliver a high-speed undersea telecommunication cable between Australia and Solomon Islands.
“Australia will deliver and majority fund the project as part of a cable system that will connect both Honiara and Port Moresby to Australia, with a financial co-contribution from both Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019.
“The joint project will be a first for Solomon Islands, which is wholly reliant on satellite technology to access the internet.
“Ensuring stability, security and prosperity in the Pacific is one of the highest priorities of our two nations. Boosting connectivity in Solomon Islands will improve governance and security, and drive economic growth.
“Increased connectivity also exposes countries to risk. Through the Cyber Cooperation Programme, Australia is working with Solomon Islands to manage these risks by strengthening its cyber security architecture and combatting cybercrime.
“Australia’s strong support is a reflection of its stepped up engagement in the Pacific and commitment to promoting economic cooperation and integration in the region.
“It follows a long-standing commitment to peace and stability in the region, with Australia having led the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) over its 14 years of existence. We will continue to work together to sustain the gains made under RAMSI and support long-term stability and growth in Solomon Islands, such as through our bilateral security treaty.
“Together we can ensure these projects are transformational for Solomon Islands and foster a new phase in our strong bilateral relationship.”
PM Hou pledges SI commitment with other Commonwealth countries in the fight against Malaria.
PRIME Minister Rick Hou has joined Commonwealth Leaders around the world in advocating against Malaria by renewing the pledge to fight it.
Hou addressed the Malaria Summit London at the 8 Northumberland Avenue in a meeting that was attended by a range of heads of state as well as the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and Bill Gates – Microsoft founder, philanthropist and co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In his remarks during the occasion, Hou said it is an historic occasion in the fight against malaria in the Pacific, a region encompassing an area larger than China.
PM hou addressing the Malaria Summit
The Prime Minister was also joined by two Melanesian prime ministers – Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas, Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
“I am delighted to be joined here by my two Melanesian brothers. As leaders of some of the blue continents’ most populous nations, we have come here together to signal our unwavering commitment to malaria elimination. And, to endorse the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Roadmap,” he told the Summit.
Hou said in doing so, Solomon Islands has also pledged to join a powerful movement of now 21 heads of government; all united behind a common goal – to eliminate malaria from the Asia Pacific by 2030.
PM Hou and other commonwealth leaders ready to present their speeches
“Malaria negatively effects the macroeconomic performance of our countries. Growth rates of GDP per capita in malaria-endemic countries are significantly lower than those without malaria. It can trap the most disadvantaged in a spiral of sickness, and poverty,” Hou told the Summit.
Hou also informed the Summit that over the last two decades the Solomon Islands has achieved dramatic reductions in malaria.
Despite this, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea account for 92 percent of all cases in the WHO western Pacific region.
“Over the past decade, the Government of Solomon Islands has allocated 12 percent of our budget to the health sector. We are now showing stronger leadership than ever on malaria with a total of SBD$23 million of investment in 2018,” he said.
Prince of Wales calls for greater participation from Commonwealth heads.
The Prime Minister said Solomon Islands is also encouraged by the new partnership between the Global Fund and the Asian Development Bank.
He said these giants are now jointly working with countries to support sustainable financing.
“There is much to do. But, with our shared and renewed commitment, and with your support, we have no doubt we can eliminate this disease from Melanesia, and ultimately the world, for good,” he said.
Bill Gates on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who has convened the summit and led the world in efforts to eradicate the disease, urged Commonwealth leaders to play their part.
Pakistan PM delivering his speech.
“The commitments made today, from the UK, country leadership and the private sector, show that the world is ready to beat malaria.
“It’s a disease that is preventable, treatable and ultimately beatable, but progress against malaria is not inevitable.
“We hope today marks a turning point against the disease, and that the Commonwealth takes a leading role in saving lives and ending malaria for good.”
Microsoft founder Bill Gates opening the Malaria Summit.
Prince Charles used his speech at the summit to urge leaders to think about how efforts to fight malaria go hand in hand with the guardianship of the planet.
“We know that tropical deforestation and climate change are greatly complicating our attempts to eliminate malaria but, critically, they also threaten and reduce biodiversity, which holds some of the keys to a solution,” he said.
A total of £2.9bn was pledged to fight the disease which included £1.45bn from countries affected by malaria, £700m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and £160m from the UK government.
–OPMC PRESS
Bill Gates introduced a new drone technology to rapidly and accurately map malarial mosquito habitats.
COMMUNITIES on Kolombangara Island in Western province will benefit from a newly built police post at Poitete which was officially handed over to police on April 17, 2018.
Kolombangara Forest Plantation Limited (KFPL) built the new police post.
Representatives of the Western Provincial Government: the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services; the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force; Church representatives, community leaders and members of the public in and around Poitete attended the ceremony.
“Today marked a milestone for policing in Kolombangara Island with the opening of this Police Post. Our thanks to Kolombangara Forest Plantation Limited who assisted a lot in the completion of the building,” says Deputy Commissioner (DC) for Operations, Gabriel Manelusi of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
“The opening of this new police post highlights the importance of having a strong police presence in Kolombangara Island to provide effective police services to the communities in and around Poitete.”
Mr Manelusi and Western Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu received the keys of the Police Post on behalf of the RSIPF Executive from the representative of KFPL Management, Mr Redley Vaqo and caretaker Premier of Western province Herrick Rangoso during the opening ceremony.
The opening and the handing over ceremony of the new police post was highlighted by a parade hosted by Police officers from Ringi, Gizo, Noro and Munda.
The parade was inspected by the caretaker Premier Rangos, followed by a prayer from the Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Poitete.
Mr Lenialu says, “I appeal to members of the communities on Kolombangara Island to assist my officers who will be posted there with general information about alleged crimes in the area and ways of improving effective crime prevention on the Island.”
POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has condemned the alleged sexual offence committed by a police constable in Makira province.
Speaking during the Commissioner’s weekly media conference, Mr Varley said the case is another extremely serious issue which relates to the integrity of the police force.
“It is a grave concern and a grave offence if this allegation is proven in court I must stress that no police officer want to hear these types of allegation and it struck at the very heart of what police officers should be doing as role models in protecting the community,” Varley said.
He said the police constable is now suspended and investigation is currently ongoing and likely further possible charges will be laid.
Varley said members of the Professional Standard Internal Investigation team along with Makira provincial police have been investigating the report of the alleged sexual assault of the young girl in Makira province by the police officer.
And after that investigation the police constable has been arrested and interviewed and is charged with one count of unlawful sexual intercourse of a child under the age of 15 years.
Varley said the victim is a 13-year-old girl who is a relative of the police officer’s wife.
The alleged sexual offence took place over a period of some two years dating back to 2016 and that young girl being a relative lived with the police officer and his family at that time in various periods.
“This is a very serious allegation of child abuse,” Varley said.
He said the organisation will not entertain such behaviour in the police force and any officer caught on such serious misconduct will be seriously and thoroughly investigated.
Deputy Premier of Malaita Province, Hon Alick Maeaba after presenting a necklace (gift) to the Advisor for the Pacific countries based in the Israeli Ambassador’s office in Canberra, Mr Yaron Sultan Dadon during the 70th Anniversary dinner in Auki
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
Deputy Premier of Malaita Province, Hon Alick Maeaba after presenting a necklace (gift) to the Advisor for the Pacific countries based in the Israeli Ambassador’s office in Canberra, Mr Yaron Sultan Dadon during the 70th Anniversary dinner in Auki
MALAITA Provincial Government (MPG) and a representative from Israel’s Ambassador Office in Canberra celebrated the 70th Independence Anniversary of Israel in Auki.
An official dinner hosted representatives from various stakeholders in Auki and members of the provincial office in Malaita.
Speaking during the function, Advisor for the Pacific countries-base in the Israeli Ambassador office in Canberra, Mr Yaron Sultan Dadon applauded MPG and the Solomon Islands government for making the celebration possible.
He highlighted some important aspects of the history of Israel that led to where the country is now today.
Dadon said establishing the Israeli state 70 years ago was a great challenge; the country survived three major attacks from neighbouring Arab states, and countless skirmishes with terrorist groups.
There are still unresolved issues relating the Israel state’s establishment.
However, he highlighted that the very fast development of Israel is only through education.
“In Israel we don’t have any other resource apart from human resource. We live in desert where it has nothing at all except for the desert itself.
“So the mean is education. And priority we put in education that hundred percent of our children go to school.
“It is from there our children came back and develop the country and continue to the next generation to make Israel today,” Dadon said.
He added that another important factor about Israel is, Israelis are people of action.
Dadon said “We talk about something today, we do it the minute later.
“We don’t wait for time, we don’t waste time and we don’t just continue to plan without action.
Another thing is we don’t trust and lean on anyone for the development of Israel.”
He said those are some of the characters of the state of Israel and they reap the goodness of them.
On that note, Dadon encouraged the government of Solomon Islands and Malaita province to do the same.
REPRESENTATIVES of Pacific countries who are members of the Forum have gathered in Honiara over the past days to discuss issues surrounding maritime security threats in the region in an information sharing workshop at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) headquarter.
This workshop is being convened to provide baseline input to the development of a new Biketawa Plus regional security declaration. Also the session was held to advance broader maritime law enforcement cooperation for Forum members especially on monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing.
Pacific communities are said to be vulnerable to security threats thus leaders from the region are working vigorously to make sure relevant details are ready in time to provide the baseline input for the new Biketawa Plus.
FFA being a Pacific leader in information sharing together with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and Australia are committed to strengthen the region’s security in information sharing and to develop a regional Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) framework.
MDA is the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime field that could impact the security, economy and environment of the Pacific region. This includes understanding all maritime related activities like infrastructure, people, cargo, vessels and other transportations relating to the sea, ocean and other navigable waterway.
Speaking to Island Sun, FFA’s Director General, James Movick says what they are trying to achieve now is to address information sharing across and within sectors in the region.
“With cross sectorial analysis we are able to get a better picture, more targeted enforcement actions in the law enforcements and security area.”
Mr Movick says though FFA might be exemplary in its efforts to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in the future, surveillance and monitoring of maritime activities should be on a better coordinated basis and not just on FFA. But he says in order for better coordination to take place, information sharing is a must for regional countries. This is the only way countries can be able to analyse and understand how another country works.
Meanwhile Caroline Scott, Director Pacific Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), revealed that the Niue Treaty has been a focus of discussion in the information sharing workshop. The Niue Treaty is an agreement between FFA members about monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing. Ms Scott says the Niue Treaty is an example of how countries can share information for the betterment of the Pacific Ocean.
Niue Treaty includes provisions on exchange of fisheries data and information as well as procedures for cooperation in monitoring, prosecuting and penalising operators of the illegal fishing vessels. Once countries agree to establish a regional MDA, this will be able to better assist individual countries enhance surveillance and security in their own areas as well as for the Pacific region.
The Pacific leaders stressed that information sharing is only for the region and not to be shared externally.
“This is for the region, by the region.”
Paki Ormsby, who is the Policy Director in PIFS, says he is confident and hopeful that insights from the information sharing workshop will contribute a lot to the baseline input for the Biketawa Plus.
“This information sharing workshop is an important development of the Biketawa Plus. It follows the PIFS undertaking of a detailed policy consultation with its members over the past four months and we are looking to build upon that work and work of the information sharing workshop this week to inform the development of the Biketawa Plus for Leaders endorsement in September.”
The PIFS leaders will meet in Nauru this year, where information collected for the Biketawa Plus will be put across for them to consider. Biketawa Plus was proposed to expand and strengthen collective action for regional security due to emerging security threats to the Pacific region. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat was tasked to initiate consultations on developing this declaration.
Biketawa Plus is an outcome of the 48th PIFS Leaders’ summit held in Samoa in 2017.
