DEAR EDITOR, last week, several women from communities surrounding the Aaliua Taiwan Technical Mission farm in Central Kwara’ae were given farming and technical advice to add to their own practical knowledge of local farming practices.

The manager of the mission, Samson Hsu, reportedly gave the women detailed advice on the three vital aspects of farming, namely nutrition, water and adequate sunlight. Mr. Hsu also gave guidance on crop rotation, fertilization and soil quality.

A similar Technical Mission exists in Swaziland where Taiwanese instructors give similar, practical advice on farming methods and procedures to local people.

From my knowledge of the Taiwan Technical Mission’s work in Swaziland, I can say how beneficial the mission’s work has been to improving the quantity and quality of locally grown food crops, including strawberries.

Taiwan’s assistance to farmers in the Solomon Islands, especially in the rural areas, is important to helping rural people cope with food production at a time when climate change is thought to be responsible for changing weather situations that affect the cultivation and harvesting of stable foods.

I hope the ROC Government will continue to help rural communities in the Solomon Islands in practical ways that have tangible and positive outcomes for the people generally considered to be struggling to make ends meet.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

DEAR EDITOR, more than 20 years ago when I worked in the Solomons, I frequently raised concerns about waste disposal, littering and rubbish in Honiara and coined the phrase, ‘Civic Pride’ as being a necessary element to motivate and encourage its citizens to properly dispose of their garbage and to ensure the city environment was clean and pollution free.

Judging from the comments of the Deputy Prime Minister last week when he participated, along with other volunteers, in cleaning-up the beach at the Yacht Club, I rather gather that not much has changed in the intervening 20 years since I left.

Mr. Sogavare was quoted in one local newspaper as saying that rubbish or waste management and marine pollution are depressing formidable challenges.

The Deputy PM went on to say, “I must admit we in Solomon Islands have a very long way to go. Just look around Honiara and you can see litter especially plastics everywhere, along the roads and streets, in the drains and waterways, drainage system and along our beaches and seashores.”

Much could be achieved if only people would dispose of their rubbish properly in bins provided by the Honiara City Council and desist from polluting the streets, rivers, waterways and streams with plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic of all kinds, from wrapping to containers.

Perhaps the HCC does not yet provide enough bins and, should that be the case, more should be supplied, and extra efforts put into stopping vandalism of municipal property, often the reason for there not being enough rubbish disposal bins on the streets.

Papua New Guinea has just introduced legislation, following the lead set earlier by Vanuatu, in banning plastic bags and similar moves are being considered in other small Pacific nations.

Many in the Solomon Islands have said banning plastics at home should also be given consideration, but enforcement of such a ban might need careful study if indeed legislation was to be examined.

In March this year, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, signaled that the New Zealand Government would invest more time and resources in being a “true partner” to Pacific Island countries.   He mentioned in particular NZ requiring making global efforts in curbing the inundation of plastic waste.

He commented that it was important to reduce the amount of damaging waste in the Pacific arising from New Zealand’s use of plastic and the lack of adequate waste management systems was sorely evident throughout the Pacific He explained that New Zealand was looking to assist Pacific Island countries with better waste (management).

It could be opportune for the Solomon Islands Government to seek New Zealand advice and possible assistance, following on Mr. Peter’s words, to improve local waste management systems and procedures.

First and foremost, however, people at home must be more concerned about disposing of their personal garbage with an eye to a cleaner, healthier environment and the concept of ‘Civic Pride’ in their national capital and indeed throughout the Solomon Islands.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

DEAR EDITOR, I have also shared the same concerns raised by Mr Dausabea regarding the significant increase of NPF management salaries.

This is too much and quite alarming for NPF to pay that huge salary package for its managers, hence the board must be crazy and out of its mind to endorse such incompetence financial management decision.

There are bigger issues which NPF needs to immediately address and one of the major ones is lack of maintaining its properties conditions in order to sustain its physical structure and improve its book value.

Furthermore, there is no further improved innovation of investments strategies and accomplishments.

Besides, as Solomon Islander, I don’t want to see NPF go down the same pathway of the former Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI).

So sad to say that the action taken by NPF board and management is just like a shadow or copy paste strategy which killed off DBSI forever.

NPF board needs to make decisions based on its duty of care and due diligence to act and protect the interests of NPF, its members and stakeholders.

PM Hou and Minister of Finance must act and intervene asap to save our Provident Fund’s lifesaving scheme.

J Diau

Honiara

DEAR EDITOR, many issues in the media pertain to this tiny province, especially the mining issue and the construction issue that are hotly debated in Facebook as I wish to contribute.

Yes, while agreed with you (critics), one thing we must not forget and that is Renbel province is not capable in all facets. My critics, on day one, Renbel province was not qualified to take up its political status, due to our small population, lack of infrastructures development, lack of technical resources personal, lack of everything. So really the basis of our political status, both province and constituency was due to nothing but total disqualification. For information many from other sister provinces have expressed their dissatisfaction as to why are we given this political status, when we are too small. That question remains unanswered up until today. So my critics, talking about disqualified and incapability, that where we are includes you (Critics).

The province then now trying to deliver its services via various sections and divisions. However, construction industry is just one of many industries that are available and used to deliver the much needed services to our people. Comes, the Education sector which has the biggest work force in the province, yet comparing its output, it was not that match. Few teachers who are quite vocal about those issues failed to realise that you are also contributed to the failure, and should voluntarily withdraw from the teaching services as you really failed the education division. Comes the Agriculture and Fisheries, which are again, unnoticed until today. Another area is the Security Services. Evidence shows that our force are not capable, critics, why not you call for foreigner to take over our force? Medical Services, although they are doing their best, many areas are still failed, critics why not you call for foreign intervention? I can continue but critics, call for a total overhaul, because as you’ve perceived, we are all incapable.

Anyway, those of us who look beyond, despite of failures, and strong criticism, we cannot just give up! We have to try it again, otherwise, as mentioned, not only the construction industry but all sectors in the province are all failed, therefore we must not give up.

Suggestions made by most critics to give away the opportunity to foreigners (other provinces) has just shows their misconception, delusion and misapprehension. On that note, I just wish to suggest to all critics, that if you think that our people are incapable and cannot perform, then why don’t you try it. This is an open tender, and again, it is more advice that you try it.

Winning a project or awarding a project is one thing and having this opportunity is another. The opportunity of awarding such project to our own people, will help our own resource people to participate in our infrastructure developments. It will give us the opportunity to build our own capacity building and improve our skills and knowledges. The cash will remain in our island and will boost other small businesses. It will bring employment opportunity to our own people. Last but not the least, if we are to prepare for the state government then it has to start now. Let alone failures as part and parcel of the whole process but doesn’t have to stop our progress, and our desire to move forward as a province.

To those who have failed your project(s) in the province, now we have a task to do, complete your project so that we can silence our critics. Not because we are subject to them, but know most of your one-talks, are very good at talking without contributing anything to the province.

Yes, whether we accept it or not, this is our project and our share in the national distribution, as you will hardly see any of our local contractors contracting in other provinces. Those provinces will always prioritize their own local contractors. My friend, we need to understand that our people need this employment opportunities just as much as they need these infrastructure development here in Rennell and Bellona province. You will also note that unlike other provinces, our people do not have that much to drive our economic activities in this province besides carvings. Actually this is one of the earning means is through this industry but if this inducement and tipping practices are taking it course, then we’ll continue to deny and suppress our people’s determination to progress.

Finally to our leading government, Hon Singamoana, and your executive, we cannot allow this opportunity to slip off. You just have to take some pride of the people that you’ve represented and allow our resource contractors to take up the challenges as we hope for the best.

Thank you

Fredric Puia

White River

DEAR EDITOR, this is my concern about the rapid growth of urbanisation in Honiara.

As a concerned citizen and a student studying abroad, I urge the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey to look closely on how to plan urban areas properly to lessen the impacts of rapid urbanisation.

Currently, there has been concerns about rapid urbanisation in Honiara.

A total lack of Urban Planning is putting pressure on land, housing, services and transport but many people have to face the risk because they have no other choice but to move to Honiara mostly for employment and education purposes.

Reports have showed that population growth in Honiara will triple from its current figure in the near future.

Proper Urban Planning would allow national development if well managed and would also minimise the challenges it has brought today.

People could have enough space to settle in and find new jobs to improve their standard of living and students could get access to proper education.

Transportation and other communication services could be a win-win situation for urban and rural areas suppose there is strength to have them improved through planning.

I urge the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey together with the public and the Government to engage in supportive partnership by expanding access to services, investing markets in Honiara and supporting proper urban planning processes for communities experiencing rapid urban growth.

Sincerely,

Maria Fa’arodo

USP Emalus Campus

DEAR EDITOR, may I through your newspaper convey hearty congratulations to one, Walton Naeson, for having almost single-handedly resurrected the Gold Ridge Mine?

It is not an easy feat. But he did it.

It must have been particularly difficult and very discouraging when politicians were steadfast in their opposition against you. Naeson persevered and won, if you like to call it that. The reason is clear. Naeson was determined and focussed in his endeavour to achieve for his people what others might have ignored.

It is my sincere hope that current Members of Parliament of Guadalcanal work closely with Mr Naeson for the good of all the people of Guadalcanal and indeed for the common good of the people of Solomon Islands at large through the government.

I know Naeson and a number of us worked hard in years gone by to resurrect what is now GPPOL. GPPOL is what it is today because someone had a vision to turn things around. Naeson did and I congratulate him unreservedly.

Alfred Sasako

West Honiara