BIOSECURITY Solomon Islands (BSI) has come up with strategies to battle the coconut rhinoceros beetle during a workshop with domestic shipping companies in Honiara recently.
Although the meeting was short, the outcome was positive as domestic shipping companies in the country agreed to help with slowing down the movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) around the country.
Coordinator of CRB, Bob Macfarlane said they hope that companies would take the issue seriously and suggest practical ideas that could be put in place without the need for legislation.
Mr Macfarlane said, “Industry is very willing to cooperate with Biosecurity Solomon Islands (BSI), and industry is interested in agreeing a MoU about management of CRB with MAL/BSI, perhaps via the Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association (SIMTA).”
He adds, the industry is happy for BSI to train captains and crews to recognise CRB and high risk cargoes.
Macfarlane said strategies recommended as outcome from the workshop is ship owners will consider trying to arrange all loading and departures for daylight hours whenever possible.
To slow movement of beetle, ship owners would educate public through displayed posters and stickers onboard and make announcements about the control of CRB.
Passenger boat owners will display videos about CRB when provided by BSI, he said.
Macfarlane said BSI will follow up on these ideas over the next few weeks and try to continue to interact with the industry, particularly the logging industry.
He said they hope to foster responsible shipping arrangements to slow down the spread of CRB without resorting to legislation.
More than 30 local shipping and logging companies were invited to attend the workshop but only four large shipping companies plus two small companies from Russell Islands and a canoe driver bothered to turn up. No logging company attended.
THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is set to open a new police post this week in the Western province.
Poetete police post opens tomorrow in Kolombangara Island.
The new station extends the reach and visibility of law enforcement in the communities at Poetete station.
Provincial Police Commander Western Province Chief Supt Mathias Lenialu together with the General Manager of the KFPL will officially open the new post.
Lenialu said, “The new police station located at Poetete station will allow us to further our efforts in providing superior law enforcement services within the surrounding communities to keep our law and order.
“We thank the RSIPF for continues support and contractors to completed the new police post building for Poetete community.
“As we continue to experience population increases, we will continue to engage and cultivate relationships with the community.
“Western Province Police will continue to provide security for people living around the province.”
He said invited guests from Munda, Noro and Gizo, RSIPF, senior executive members and KFPL management will witness the official opening ceremony.
He said guest of honour, Western province’s supervising Premier and the Deputy Commissioner of Police will take on the dais for the general salute, inspect parade and cutting ribbons.
RISKY DIGGING
Gravel digging near Lunga bridge illegal, endangers lives
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THE company currently digging gravel at the eastern side of the Lunga Bridge is said to be carrying out an illegal activity.
It is reported that the company does not have a permit to carry out this operation plus it is posing a great threat for the people living downstream because of the changes done to the river bed which will affect the flow and route of the river.
Upon consultation with the Mines and Mineral division, it is found that such digging operation for gravel is under the category of mining process in which one needs a permit under the Mines and Mineral Act to extract gravel from any river.
“Whether they are using any permit for building or construction services, they must have a Building Material Permit (BMP),” said the mines and mineral division.
Island Sun understands that to obtain a BMP, approval must come from the Mines and Mineral Board.
Only five companies in Honiara have a BMP and this BMP is valid for only one year, but renewable.
Apart from acquiring a BMP, the mines and minerals division said an applicant must also have a development consent from the Ministry of Environment before they can be awarded with a permit from the mines and mineral board.
The development consent from the Environment division is mainly on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
EIA is the process of examining the anticipated environmental effects of a proposed project - from consideration of environmental aspects at design stage, through consultation and preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).
The Mines and Mineral division revealed they have not seen any EIAR on the activity at Lunga Bridge and also questions the legitimacy of such activity.
“Such operation should be a kilometre away from the river in which that is not the case. They are only digging for gravel just beside the river.
“So it is not allowed for such operation to take place. The company does not have a work permit and there has not been any EIA process.
“They are breaking the law and operating illegally.”
The mines and mineral division added that operating beside the river currently is destabilising the normal flow of the river in which it will have an impact.
Island Sun has not been able to get comments from the Ministry of Environment on the EIA.
The Mines and Mineral Division said they understood the company is called AJ and they have already contacted them - but they (AJ) does not want to discuss with them (Mines and mineral division).
“They only said that they already have a permit from the landowners having spent money on the operation already also and they do not need any more permits,” said the Mines and Mineral Division.
AJ Company is said to have received the go-ahead for their operations by a former Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
Caption: The site at Lungga River that AJ Company is currently digging gravel at.
Gravel digging near Lunga bridge illegal, endangers lives
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THE company currently digging gravel at the eastern side of the Lunga Bridge is said to be carrying out an illegal activity.
It is reported that the company does not have a permit to carry out this operation plus it is posing a great threat for the people living downstream because of the changes done to the river bed which will affect the flow and route of the river.
Upon consultation with the Mines and Mineral division, it is found that such digging operation for gravel is under the category of mining process in which one needs a permit under the Mines and Mineral Act to extract gravel from any river.
“Whether they are using any permit for building or construction services, they must have a Building Material Permit (BMP),” said the mines and mineral division.
Island Sun understands that to obtain a BMP, approval must come from the Mines and Mineral Board.
Only five companies in Honiara have a BMP and this BMP is valid for only one year, but renewable.
Apart from acquiring a BMP, the mines and minerals division said an applicant must also have a development consent from the Ministry of Environment before they can be awarded with a permit from the mines and mineral board.
The development consent from the Environment division is mainly on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
EIA is the process of examining the anticipated environmental effects of a proposed project – from consideration of environmental aspects at design stage, through consultation and preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).
The Mines and Mineral division revealed they have not seen any EIAR on the activity at Lunga Bridge and also questions the legitimacy of such activity.
“Such operation should be a kilometre away from the river in which that is not the case. They are only digging for gravel just beside the river.
“So it is not allowed for such operation to take place. The company does not have a work permit and there has not been any EIA process.
“They are breaking the law and operating illegally.”
The mines and mineral division added that operating beside the river currently is destabilising the normal flow of the river in which it will have an impact.
Island Sun has not been able to get comments from the Ministry of Environment on the EIA.
The Mines and Mineral Division said they understood the company is called AJ and they have already contacted them – but they (AJ) does not want to discuss with them (Mines and mineral division).
“They only said that they already have a permit from the landowners having spent money on the operation already also and they do not need any more permits,” said the Mines and Mineral Division.
AJ Company is said to have received the go-ahead for their operations by a former Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID).
Max catering businesses deliver's food on site for his customers. These young people with speech and hearing impairment share their time eating what Max has provided
Max Webo on the right with Collin Albert the Group Leader for Y@W Young Entrepreneur’s Component, when decided to start his catering buiness, Y@W programme helped him with the materials he need.
IT is a local norm that the role of women and girls is limited to the kitchen in our male dominated society.
Picture a rare sight: a man in a kitchen, sweat perspiring from his forehead as he learns over a boiling soup, the aroma of onion and garlic seeping through his clothes and the air as he pinches off cabbage leaves from its stalk.
A practically extinct sight would be if that man is a youth who has lots of energy to do fun stuff with friends instead.
Seeing this is as an opportunity to start his business, Max Webo – a young man from Malaita has decided to take up catering.
His business, Hoodlum Catering, provides food on training sites and in offices for certain events.
Apart from spending time in the kitchen, Max, like many other young people his age, enjoys playing soccer and listening to music.
Max grew up in a family of six boys where his interest for cooking was bred, no doubt, in his mother’s kitchen.
From here, he fully embraced the skills learnt, inspiring him to become one of the best cooks in town.
When asked what is unique about his catering, the 20-year-old replied, “I am very reliable and always on time. Most of my dishes consist of local food which are sold at an affordable price.”
Speaking to one of his customers, Desmond Mane, who currently attends trainings under the Y@W programme, he said “I really like the food. Max’s catering team usually come and delivers every time at our training venue.”
He went on to say, “I do not have any preference on the dishes he delivers as I enjoyed the food every time it was brought here.”
Growing up, the young lad always admired the professional chefs he watched on TV and wanted to be like them in his later years.
Young Max was pushed out from high school due to disciplinary measures decided by the school and was not allowed to return because his parents would not agree to the idea of him going back to school.
Max’s mum is his biggest and only staff in the business. she does the delivery to the training sites, while Max stays back at home doing the wash up
He went on to attend vocational centres in the hope of finding work at the end of the day.
Unfortunately, this was to no avail.
“I was not able to get a job immediately after attending a vocational training centre because the course I took did not align with my interests.”
It was not until Max was involved in the Y@W programme that he decided to nourish his interest of cooking and earn a living out of it.
“The first kind of training I ever attended was organized by Y@W back in 2014. It was a training on how to bake cakes and create chicken dishes through deep frying.
“Afterwards, I came back in 2016 and joined a series of basic business training under Youth@Work. I then set out to do my business.
“One of my biggest Y@W gigs was doing catering for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). It was a four-day training and I was engaged to set up and provide food.”
He went on to explain that doing such big gigs gets very hectic and requires a lot of hard work.
“It’s a lot of pressure when I have to prepare and deliver on time. However, I quite enjoy the adrenaline, especially with the YWCA four days catering which included morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea,” he said.
He continued on, “The drive that keeps me going is my aim and goal at the end of the day.”
At the moment, Max gets help from his mum who usually delivers lunch for young people with disabilities who are doing their training at the Bahai’i centre.
Max and his mother have an agreement where they distribute catering responsibilities equally between them.
While Max’s mother does deliveries, Max himself does the dishes and cleans up.
Max’s unorthodox business has roused the interest of a number of his friends.
“Most of my peers earn their income by selling betel nut and cigarettes in small huts or in front of their homes so they become curious about the activity that I am involved in. I usually get a lot of questions about it,” Max said.
Max also shared that, at the area where he lives, there was a man who used to work at Pacific Casino as a chef.
“I would, at a number of occasions, go and help him out in his kitchen serving noodles and eggs. I really enjoyed it. That experience reaffirmed my interest in becoming a professional chef – a goal I am working towards achieving it at the moment.”
When asked where he sees himself in the next five months and how he is going to achieve it, the young lad replied, “Five months from where I started, I see myself having gained a good amount of experience and would have already paid for most of the utensils I would need in my kitchen.”
He went onto say, “Since starting up my catering business, I have tried to save up my profits. However, because I do not deposit my profits at a bank, I have a tendency to use it up again. This is a major challenge that I have been struggling with for a while.”
Max catering businesses deliver’s food on site for his customers. These young people with speech and hearing impairment share their time eating what Max has provided
Fortunately, he has found an antidote to this, “Whilst attending a refresher training for those of us who are registered under the Y@W Young Entrepreneur’s Component, I found out that I could save my sum of profits under the NPF initiative called YouSave.”
It was with the YouSave scheme that Max realised his profits were growing well, building him bridge to reaching his goals within his planned timeframe.
“At first I did not know what procedures to follow so I could properly save my money. When I came across it during one of our trainings, I knew I had the solution to my challenge.
“The YouSave scheme would allow me to successfully save money as it makes it difficult for me to withdraw whenever it suits me,” he laughed.
“So in five months from now, I would like to see myself opening up a kitchen serving fruits, veggies and local food,” Max said.
At the moment, Y@W and SPCSI are his main customers.
“I have difficulties promoting my set-up – not because I do not have much to show – but because I do not know how.
“My first attempt is to create a page on Facebook and share it with friends in order to build my client base.”
Max is available for business doing catering for any individuals or businesses who might be interested in his menu outline: local motu cabbage and chicken, fruit platters, soup, beef or fish stew, and vegetables.
He concluded by saying, “Work hard on your business – be faithful and committed to whatever you are doing. At the end of the day, you will be able to achieve your goals or for whatever you are aiming for.”
Max is a young entrepreneur who is growing and improving by the day.
His business is at a stage where he is building his client base and is open to anyone who is interested in supporting him.
Being young and venturing into the business world is tough.
He may need support in terms of mentoring on marketing and catering management to take his small scale business to another level where he can expand and develop.
Choiseul police detains man for illegally crossing SI-PNG border
POLICE Taro, Choiseul province, are holding a 28-year-old man from Ukraine who had illegally entered the country through the border with Papua New Guinea.
Police had been alerted by the Immigration Department alleging that the man entered Solomon Islands illegally through the border.
Provincial Police Commander, Choiseul Province, Superintendent Cedar Nevol said, “We were alerted by the Immigration Department on April 9, 2018 that the man had entered Solomon Islands through the Shortland Islands and was believed to be in Taro.”
Nevol said her officers tracked the Ukrainian down and invited him to the Taro police station, where they discovered that he was without passport.
“Following instructions from Immigration in Noro, Police instructed him to get on the Solomon Airlines flight on April 10, 2018 at his own expense to travel to Honiara to meet with Immigration Officials.
“The Ukraine national however failed to board the Solomon airline flight and took off to Fauro Islands in the Shortlands by boat.
“With information from members of the community, Police discovered he had travelled to Toumoa village on Fauro Islands in the Shortland Islands.
“My officers travelled by stabi craft to Toumoa where the man was picked up and brought back to taro the evening of Wednesday April 11, 2018.”
The Director of Immigration Solomon Islands has now instructed the PPC Choiseul Province to detain the Ukrainian national who has been held at Taro station.
According to the instruction of the Director Immigration, the Ukrainian will be detained until arrangement have been made for him to be transported back to the Papua New Guinea side of the common border with Solomon Islands.
“Police in Choiseul province as one of the border provinces will continue to assist the Immigration Department to ensure such alleged illegal entries are processed through the legal channels,” says Superintendent Nevol.
“I wish to thank members of the public for information which led to the location of the Ukrainian national and my officers for bringing him back to Taro after he escaped to Fauro Islands.”
Solomon Warriors FC forward Ian Paia with his Diploma of Business Finance certificate.
By Taromane Martin
FORMER and current national athletes were amongst the thousands of new graduates who graduated from the Solomon Islands National University yesterday.
Amongst the thousands of graduates was 1999 South Pacific Games beach volleyball silver medallist Suzie Leong who graduated with a Certificate in Business Finance while current national rugby 7s player Chris Saru graduated with a Diploma in Survey.
Solomon Islands Karate Federation 2015 Pacific Games representative, Harry Kima Marigeni also graduated yesterday graduating with a Diploma in Survey.
Solomon Warriors FC forward Ian Paia with his Diploma of Business Finance certificate.
Local football players KOSSA FC’s Johnson Wanefai and Solomon Warriors FC front man Ian Paia also received their certificates Wanefai graduating with a Certificate in Trade-Heavy Vehicles and Plant Mechanics.
Former Beach Volleyball silver medalist Suzie Leong graduated with a Certificate in Business Finance.
Speaking to SunSPORTS yesterday Paia who returned to country with Solomon Warriors FC on Tuesday after their quarterfinal exit, said it was a tough road, juggling study and play but says he now feels complete.
“It was tough juggling play and study but I’m pleased to finally graduate. Now I feel complete,” Paia said.
A total of 1858 students graduated from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) yesterday in a massive ceremony.
The graduating class was the University’s sixth since it became a university, with graduates receiving certificates, diplomas and degrees.
The ceremony was attended by the SINU Chancellor of the SI National University Hon. Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer, Attorney General – Guest of Honour/Speaker Hon. James Apaniai, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of SINU Council Hon.Dr. Culwick Togamana, Minister of Education and Human Resource Development Hon. John Dean Kuku, members of the SINU senior Management team, diplomats, Government officials and members of parliament, distinguished guests, staffs, students, graduates, their families and well – wishers.
National Karate athlete Harry Marigeni who represented the country at the 2015 Pacific Games in PNG also.KOSSA FC player Johnson Wanefai who graduated with a certificate in Trade-Heavy Vehiclesand Plant Mechanics.National rugby 7s player Chris Saru with his Diploma in Survey.
Three happy ladies with their well-deserved certificates.
By ELLISON.T.VAHI
1858 students graduated from Solomon Islands National University (SINU) yesterday in a massive ceremony.
This is the University’s sixth since it was established in 2012, with graduates receiving certificates, diplomas and degrees.
The ceremony was attended by the SINU Chancellor Hon Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer, Attorney General – Guest of Honour/Speaker James Apaniai, Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of SINU Council Dr Culwick Togamana, Minister of Education (MEHRD) Hon John Dean Kuku, members of the SINU senior management team, diplomats, government officials and members of parliament, distinguished guests, staffs, students, graduates, their families and well-wishers.
Speaking during the ceremony, Guest of Honour Mr Apaniai congratulated the students and urged them to use the knowledge gained from the school to help in the growth of the economy, keeping leadership roles in community, families and the nation.
Three happy ladies with their well-deserved certificates.
“This day is your day. As a Guest of Honour/Speaker for the ceremony, it is my great pleasure to offer you my congratulations on this very special graduation day as you have demonstrated courage, hard work and dedication to your learning. Hence, that the result of your hard works will be awarded with a qualification that is recognised nationally and internationally.
“Sure enough, that your sponsors either private or SIG sponsored are experiencing the same feeling today.
“You and your parents, guardians, relatives and friends have made a lot of sacrifices to ensure that you get this far and I am sure that they also happy and excited to witness your graduation this morning, knowing that their efforts and hard work, as well as their contributions, have paid off.”
He encourages the graduates not to be satisfied with the achievements that they have attained as there is so much opportunity for higher and greater achievements and success that still lie ahead of them.
He added that the road to greater achievement and success is narrow and there are few who travel it however, he said that he believes that they can be among those few that travel that road.
In their word of thanks, Ms Winnie Ashley, the graduates’ representative conveyed their gratitude for the experience of a wonderful graduation ceremony.
She thanked all family members of all graduates for all the support that they have given to each of them in their own ways.
She said that it is their support that has always inspired them to overcome challenges and obstacles to get to where they are today.
“Having to leave the comfort homes, having survived the core of our exams, due dates of assignments, and the early morning bus trips through Honiara’s dusty roads and pot holes, I think we should be proud to have made it here in one piece,” she said.
The graduates were challenged to live a life of integrity and filled with moral values and to uphold the most important principle of SINU – Educate to Inspire.
TRANSITION of the Solomon Islands National University five years ago has availed 10 Bachelor Degree programmes additional to its certificate and diplomas.
Yesterday, 1858 students graduated from Certificate, Diploma and Degree programmes at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) with remarkable results since its transition from SICHE.
Looking to the future, SINU is ambitious to improve the University to become a well recognised institution regionally and globally.
At the graduation ceremony, Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe said SINU now conducts 10 bachelor degree programmes and within the next 12 months, four to five more will be added.
In the latter part of 2016 and in early 2017 over 20 infrastructure projects costing over $250 million commenced, Mr Marasinghe said.
Medal recipients
Marasinghe said Solomon Islands Government, staffs and members of the community fully support SINU in its ambition to change the face of the University.
“While they agree that we have accomplished much, and that the university has significant momentum, they want us to attain even greater international prominence,” Marasinghe said.
He adds with their plans to developing SINU further, the country as a whole have shown tremendous willingness to help them achieve very high goals.
SINU’s overall goal, Marasinghe said they want SINU to become one of top 1000 universities in the world within the next five years – it is a realistic target.
Marasinghe explained SINU currently is operating under the stronghold of council members consisting of highly educated and experienced members including senior managers, academics and general staffs.
He also explained SINU can achieve its target because already they have set up a world-class fisheries complex, science teaching and research complex which will open in three months’ time.
Meanwhile, SINU thanked the SIG for continuous support including generosity from the KOICA, ROC, DFAT/Australia, WHO and UNDP.
COUNTRY’S Attorney General Mr James Apaniai has attributed his success in life to strong determination and mind in his field of law.
In the SINU’s graduation ceremony yesterday, Apaniai shared his life’s story with graduates to add further motivation for them.
He said 42 years ago in 1975; someone tried to derail his aspiration to become a lawyer when he was a form five student at St Joseph’s Tenaru.
At that time SIG offered three law scholarships, and there were 13 students from the three main high schools vying for them.
“As part of the selection process, we have to visit the office of the Attorney General and talk with boss himself who at that time was an Englishman.
“Two days later I was called by the school’s career master who told me that the AG had told the Overseas Training Unit (OTU now NTU) that I was not a suitable candidate for law.
“The Career Master said that OTU had suggested I change my first scholarship choice from law to another discipline. I refuse, I had my made my choice.
“In the end the OTU awarded me one of the three law scholarships.
“Today, I wish that AG was here for him to see me sitting in his chair and for me to remind him of the judgment he passed on me 42 years ago.”
To the graduating students and those to come after, the message in this story is that ‘people will look down on you and try to divert you from your destiny’.
“But the power to be what you want to be lies squarely on your shoulders,” he adds.
Apaniai encourages the young generation of Solomon Islands that God has given power to everyone, and he expects each to tap it in the face of adversity and discouragement.
“In my life’s journey, I have failed on many occasions in many areas.
“However, I have never regarded those failures as problem; I always regarded failures as challenges and part of the process towards success.”
AG Mr James Apaniai (front) and Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe
leaving the graduation ceremony area
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
AG Mr James Apaniai (front) and Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe leaving the graduation ceremony area
“AS I see you sitting down there ready to graduate, I see a nation graduating, I see Solomon Islands graduating and rising to new heights,” the country’s Attorney General said.
Attorney General Mr James Apaniai, as guest speaker for SINU’s 2018 graduation, says the graduating students of SINU this year are potential future leaders for Solomon Islands.
He was inspired to see a good number of Solomon Islanders graduating in the country’s own University with acquired unique knowledge and skills which the country needs for its development aspiration.
“I see the starting of a new revolution in your life, a resolution that does not end with what you have achieved but one that drives you to future and greater achievements,” Apaniai said.
He adds, achievement acquired now is a driving force towards students’ destiny and the destiny of Solomon Islands.
Apaniai encourages students to continue pressing on because this is just the beginning.
“Go higher, fly higher, put on the wings of eagle and fly above turbulences and storm comes your way,” Apaniai said.
“I am urging you to go further and obtain higher academic qualification than those of us who gone before you and always acknowledge God in your achievements and success.”
With the theme “Educate to Inspire” Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe said it is the duty of graduates to inspire changes and inspire the whole nation.
Inspiration can come from anywhere, he said.
Currently SINU is conducting research programmes leading to Masters and PhD.
From this year the University will be conducting a post graduate degree in Emergency Medicine, and the Senate has also approved a postgraduate programme in Health Leadership and Management.
