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SINU-DFL temporary coordinators conference

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SINU-DFL temporary coordinators conference

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

DISTANCE and Flexible Learning (DFL) Centre of Solomon Islands National University is spreading its wings into the provinces.

Temporary coordinators have been recruited from the provinces to facilitate the DFL programme.

A three-day conference workshop was held from April 9-11, organised by the Learner Support of SINU’s Distance and Flexible Learning Centre for the Provincial Coordinators.

The participants are those who will be coordinating the DFLC’s distance programme out in the provinces, and out of the nine provincial centre coordinators, six came to attend the conference.

During the first day of the conference, the provincial coordinators identified their weaknesses, strengths and challenges plus other issues that they face when coordinating distance learning in the provincial centres.

After identifying their weaknesses and strengths, the provincial coordinators and the DFL staff under the guidance of the Manager, discussed the way forward for the provincial coordinators.

Of paramount importance is the support that the distant learner looks to the provincial coordinators and the DFL office for.

In providing the support, most distant students will find encouragement to complete the programmes they started.

The three-day conference concluded with a closing remark from the Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Basil Marasinghe who conveyed SINU’s appreciation for the participants and the event.

Former North Guadalcanal MP questioned over constituency funds

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Ground view of the proposed building.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Ground view of the proposed building.

WE are curious to know where our constituency funds went when he was our member of parliament for two terms.

The above statement was made by North Guadalcanal’s Paramount Chief of Gaobata, Mr John Richard Saketala who said that their former MP, Mr Martin Sopage did not carry out any development initiatives while he was in office for two terms and yet today has his name associated to more than three buildings.

Speaking of three of them, he pointed out that the former MP has a motel at Naha Heights, a huge building at Henderson and one at GIPPOL.

In relation, Saketala emphasised that he is bringing this up because many people of North Guadalcanal constituency are seeking explanation from the former MP on whether or not these buildings are benefiting the constituency.

“If these buildings are up for rent, where does the money go?” he said.

The paramount chief added that they want to know whether the buildings are registered under the constituency’s name.

On another note, he said that they also want to know where the constituency funds went after Sopage finished his term as MP for North Guadalcanal.

Saketala furthered that as a paramount chief he must voice the concerns of his people of North Guadalcanal.

Business students support strike

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
SINUSA President Mr Reginald Ngati talks to students during their strike on Wednesday

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

STUDENTS of SINU’s business school have thrown their support for the ongoing strike at the institution, spearheaded by the student association SINUSA.

SINU students under School of Business and Management explained they are with SINUSA for the strike because they believe the association is the legal body for students and that the university has not been addressing student welfare issues.

They support SINUSA President Mr Reginald Ngati and his executive for their leadership which they say has opened their eyes to the importance of SINUSA and its constitution.

A representative student said, “Mr Reginald Ngati leadership aware us about SINUSA and its important function.

“Now that our Brains are open it is evident that SINU Pro-Vice chancellor (co-operate) fails to address our welfare.”

The student said since SINU increased its intake in 2016, demands for student welfare at SINU has also increased.

Such matter touches SINUSA’s heart which they propose for strike calling for extra classes or night classes till 9pm and improvement on hostel facilities such as study desk, wardrobe, chest drawers, tables, chairs, fans, mattress, pillows and curtains.

The strike also target areas include water tanks for drinking, affordable prices on canteens and cafeteria at SINU and safety and security at night.

According to Student Code of Conduct page 23, Philosophy of food service department is to promote good health and diet by providing meals that are simple and nutritious while the aim is to provide a clean and comfortable environment for eating, students explained.

However, attention has not paid much on this philosophy which imposed unfriendly environment to students and the University, they said.

“Therefore we strike because we want our association back, enough of Pro Vice chancellor (Co-operate) hold on our Association for three solid years while our welfare remain least priority to SINU.”

The choice is ours if the association has its constitution to run by; why SINU Vice chancellor office forces us to break it through By-election which is not stated on the constitution.

“Thank you Mr Ngati and your executive and student council for take a stand and bold for our Association constitutions 2013, together we the signatory stands with you,” the student said.

Truth about our strike

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, I respond to paper why we SINU student strike on April 4, 2018 only.

First of all thanks to other ignorant & important people who also comment into the paper or social media about our SINUSA Strike while sitting on your comfortable chairs?

When we face situation that affect our study, we cannot ignore it? While we paid our fees and receive poor service, poor learning result in incompetence.

14 day notice of strike on March 21.

In between, a meeting was called by SINU management at Pavilion which Pro-Vice Chancellor Donald Malasa was absent.

Agreement on special committee from SINU and student was agreed.

The committee sit and agree on 4 recommendation which then send to VC office to act on.

On Wednesday April 4, 2018 after our 14 day notice of strike lapse and SINU doesn’t respond to the recommendation we go into strike.

On the afternoon of the day, Police commission ask as to calm down and let the matter to them.

On April 5, 2018 Mr President Reginald Ngati announce to us to go back to our normal classes due to the fact that the matter is on police Commission.

On the same day Vice chancellor (acting) write to the police commission for a possible arrest to our leaders despite on that the police seen that matter should be sorted out.

On April 6, 2018 Police commissioner summoned our student leader delegation with SINU vice chancellor team to resolve matter however SINU vice Chancellor and his team fail to turn up.

Nevertheless we strike because of the following reason.

  1. a) Mr Reginald Ngati leadership aware us about SINUSA and its important function.

Now that our Brains are open It is evident that SINU Pro-Vice chancellor (corporate) fails to address our welfare.

Since SINU increases its intake 2016, 2017, 2018 the demands for student welfare at SINU also increase. i.e.

  1. Extra classes or night classes till 9pm
  2. Improvement on hostel facilities like study desk, wardrobe, chest drawers, tables, chairs, fans, mattress, pillows and curtains.
  3. IT services-Increase Wi-Fi or internet access
  4. Students ablution blocks
  5. Printing , typing & photocopy Services
  6. Water tanks for drinking
  7. Affordable prices on canteens & cafeteria at SINU
  8. Safety & security at night.
  9. SINUSA under the sponsor ship of BICS, SINUSA Office must beside BICS office – this means SINUSA Office must be establish at Panatina campus.
  10. According to Student Code of Conduct page 23. food service & catering

Philosophy of food service department is to promote good health and diet by providing meals that are simple and nutritious while the Aim is to provide a clean and comfortable environment for eating.

Sadly this is with limited effect. Breakfast, lunch & dinner is bread & tea. Rice ++, beef, chicken, sausage, mince, BBQ fish without fruits and vegetables. (Is this a balance diet? If no then how can we achieve our philosophy?) Student are digging their grave with this type of food.

Environment especially with increasing intake kitchen facilities for student usage e.g. sinks, soaps, and towels etc. no proper waste disposal.

These are but the important welfare each day on campus.

While we here to study we deserve the right to access these facilities & proper service that will promote better learning outcomes for us.

We are here to study and to earn as much as we could now and not tomorrow least Donald Malasa forget.

While we understand that SINU is on transitional period we SINUSA otherwise need one step further on our welfare?

Hence, Don’t blame us student for our miss behave but rather blame yourself or staff for not act upon student code of conduct & halls of residence.

Pick up on student fault to damage of property is a lame excuse of not to address student welfare.

Exercising disciplinary measure should be the best option. Otherwise we student should not be victims on past student behavior/attitude.

Not only that: we strike because we have pending issue which disrupted by Pro-Vice chancellor to nullify our Executive (student Body) that carry forward our pending issue.

Like 2017 Refunds for us SIG student not accessing accommodation and meals on campus due to SINU limited space.

SIG allowance, Student refund at SINU as of 2016 to 2017. SINU open day never happen since 2016, 2017. Etc.

Furthermore we strike because Donald Malasa (Pro-vice chancellor-co-operate) and its lawyer fails to respond to two correspondent that was handed on Feb 24 and 27, 2018 seeking explanation as to what part of SINU act & SINUSA constitution 2013 gives Pro-vice chancellor (corporate) powers to declared SINUSA election Null and void after listening to petitioner ie Ms Farlai F who was the first candidate to breach the constitution for having 9 Nominees.

Also in regards to this Donald Malasa fail to consider this as well as quoted different section of the SINUSA constitution 2013.

According to SINUSA constitution

  1. Membership of SINUSA is student who have duly registered whether full time or part time and have paid their membership fee of $50.

This means All SIG sponsored student have duly registered as of 2017.

  1. Student council is responsible for the implementation of SINUSA constitution and to ensure executive committee exercise its powers and responsibilities specified under SINUSA constitution. Not Pro- Vice Chancellor (Corporate)
  2. Conduct of election- the pro-Vice chancellor (corporate) shall appoint a returning officer for the purpose of conducting election for the student executive Committee. SINUSA election procedure are outline in SINUSA constitution 2013.
  3. Once Returning officer has declared the result it is conclusive.

Which means Pro-vice chancellor has no powers under SINUSA constitution 2013 to reconsider SINUSA election or appoint special selected committee to nullify the election.

Therefore we strike because we want our association back, enough of Pro Vice chancellor (Co-operate) hold on our Association for three solid years while our welfare remain least priority to SINU.

Let we run our association enough of tampering into our association.

Our presence in front of the gates is to verbally remind our day school student about the strike. We have the right to speak for grieves (welfare) that buried in our hearts for quite a while.

The choice is ours if the association have its constitution to run by; why SINU Vice chancellor office force us to break it through Bae election which is not stated on the constitution.

Thank you Reginald Ngati and your executive and student council for take a stand and bold for our Association constitutions 2013.

Together we the signatory stands with you.

While Solomon islands national university reserve the right to take disciplinary action against student who are accused of violating local, provincial, government laws or university policy, rules and procedure.

It is best not to neglect others rules it will not make any good for the student (injustice), University and the community.

All regulation is to be carried out fully and not partly.

On April 9, 2018 our student leader receive a termination letter by the SINUDC quoted on Student code of conduct. 1.9. “Inciting a boycott” riot or intimidation of other students regarding the boycott”.

Reginald Ngati and his executive and student council didn’t force us student to boycott our classes or we student into riot, harm to individual, student, staff or property etc.

Nobody is frightening students into strike but we knew that is our right before we go into strike (sitting protest).

Immediate dismissal of our student leaders is not accepted for us student.

There are a lot of offence previously done in this university which also can result in immediate dismissal eg.

  1. Use of Alcohol by student on campus
  2. Stealing/theft in hostel by student
  3. Possession of lethal weapon by student.
  4. Threatening behaviors
  5. Plagiarism of Assignments.
  6. incident that brings Disrepute to SINU
  7. Unauthorized presence in the dormitory
  8. Vandalism or willful damage of institutional property
  9. Misuse of internet
  10. Persistent refusal to adhere to the rules and regulation outlined in student handbook.
  11. Commercial activities. E.g. selling of betel-nut and cigarette in leaf hats and canteen.
  12. All night absence from residence hall without proper authorization.
  13. Violation of University regulation.

When these offence still becomes an issue hanging in front of your eyes, you decided not to take action but when we student demands our rights, VC office decide to put SINU laws into action.

Who will listen to our request and feeling despite we have exhaust all means and ways to dialogue SINU responsible department. Rather when we are frustrated with our demands, you decide to caught us on Student Code of Conduct etc. while despise other offence that has been committed in front of your eyes.

Eg. According to student code of conduct page 16. SINU is zero tolerance to consumption of alcohol or drug free policy and to promote both wellbeing of student and academic excellence.

“Violation of this policy will result in automatic suspension from the university. Despite student violate this policy nothing happen.

Security officer at SINU should focus on reviewing your job description and roles in maintaining these regulation enforce rather than involve in student matters.

On this note my good readers: We only demands our right to be educated well to serve this country well because Our future responsibility at our work place, community depends entirely on what we learn here at SINU. SINU leaders you know what is right do what is right.

Government leaders we are the future for this nation it is time to put a right people in SINU so that Government Institution can develop to promote excellent human resources for the nation.

Concerned student

SINU

PNG passes tougher gun laws

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, quoting Radio New Zealand International – April 11, 2018, “Papua New Guinea’s parliament has passed tougher gun laws to address the widespread use of such weapons in crimes and in tribal fights.

“The new penalties include over $US300,000 in fines or a jail term of up to five years for the use of unlicensed firearms and the misuse and abuse of licensed arms.

“The penalty for the manufacture of firearms has also increased to imprisonment of up to 10 years.

“Restrictions on the types of guns allowed have also been introduced including hefty penalties for possessing silencers.

“Police Minister Jelta Wong’s amendments to the Firearms Act were unanimously supported.

“Mr Wong said the aim is to regulate and control the licensing and use of firearms.

“He said the escalation of law and order problems across the country indicated the ineffectiveness of the previous penalties.” Copyright : RNZI 2018. (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Double jeopardy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, the Solomon Star newspaper on Tuesday, reported the court acquittal of four men for their alleged part in an armed robbery at Panatina last October.

All four were said to have been acquitted under a provision of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) due to insufficient evidence.

The Star’s article, from which I quote, then read, “The Prosecution on the other hand however wanted this matter to be withdrawn under section 190 (2) (b) (ii) of the CPC that provided for a discharge.

“The reason for this is that the prosecution wants to send the file back to the investigators.

“This is for police to fish for evidence and then reinstate the charges against the four accused.”

It is some years since I practiced as a Prosecutions Officer and in that time there have been some changes in the law, notably in some states in Australia and also in Canada, which might allow persons acquitted before the court of a crime to be re-tried for the same crime but as far as I am aware such changes have not been enacted in the Solomon Islands.

I am referring to what I call double jeopardy and an established legal principle that guarantee’s that a person will not be tried twice for the same crime in the same jurisdiction.

Double jeopardy occurs if someone is charged with a crime and found innocent, and then charged with the same crime a second time.

Double jeopardy protects against three different types of abuses:

A second prosecution for the same offense after conviction

A second prosecution for the same offence after acquittal

Multiple punishments for the same offence

An individual can be tried twice based on the same facts as long as the elements of each crime are different.

Double jeopardy prohibits only more than one criminal prosecution based on the same facts and same crime.

The changes to the double jeopardy rule in Australia are quoted as follows:

“On 30 July 2008, South Australia also introduced legislation to scrap parts of its double jeopardy law, legalising retrials for serious offences with “fresh and compelling” evidence, or if the acquittal was tainted.

“In Western Australia, on 8 September 2011 amendments were introduced that would allow also retrial if “new and compelling” evidence was found. It would apply to serious offences where the penalty was life imprisonment or imprisonment for 14 years or more.

“In Tasmania, on 19 August 2008, amendments were introduced to allow retrial in serious cases, if there is “fresh and compelling” evidence.

“In Victoria on 21 December 2011, legislation was passed allowing new trials where there is “fresh and compelling DNA evidence, where the person acquitted subsequently admits to the crime, or where it becomes clear that key witnesses have given false evidence” Retrial applications however could only be made for serious offences such as murder, manslaughter, arson causing death, serious drug offences and aggravated forms of rape and armed robbery.”

It will prove interesting to learn whether there will be “new and compelling’ evidence to see the four acquitted persons brought before the court again on different elements of the case; even assuming the law in the Solomon Islands has been changed to incorporate the kind of provisions introduced to double jeopardy principles in Australia,

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Support for nuclear veterans in the Pacific

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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1

Open letter to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), London, April 16-20, 2018

SIXTY years ago this month, the UK government exploded a 2.8 megatonne thermonuclear weapon, codename Grapple Y, at Christmas Island in the central Pacific.

This was one of nine atmospheric nuclear tests during Operation Grapple, the programme to develop the British hydrogen bomb.

As leaders gather in London for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), we call for justice for the survivors of these nuclear tests.

We write to you as participants in Operation Grapple – sailors and soldiers from New Zealand and Fiji who supported the British Empire in the 1950s.

Between May 1957 and September 1958, we served in the armed forces during the nuclear tests held at Malden Island and Christmas (Kiritimati) Island in the British Gilbert and Ellice Islands – today part of the Pacific nation of Kiribati.

We call on the British Prime Minister and government to fulfil promises made 60 years ago, to address the health and environmental consequences of the UK nuclear weapons programme.

Nearly 14,000 British troops travelled to the central Pacific for the H-bomb testing programme, but other Commonwealth countries were also involved.

New Zealand sent aircraft and two naval frigates with 551 New Zealand sailors to support the tests.

The British colony of Fiji supplied 276 Fijian participants from the Royal Fiji Military Force and the Fiji Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Dozens of Gilbertese islanders worked as labourers to support the military operation.

Commonwealth countries like Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji and Australia hosted radiation monitoring stations.

In the decades since the H-bomb tests, successive British governments have argued that there was no danger to participants from radioactive fallout.

But as survivors of the tests, we have lost friends and colleagues to cancer, leukaemia and other illnesses that can be caused by exposure to ionising radiation.

This includes Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, the distinguished Fijian leader who witnessed the second Grapple test on Malden Island and later served as Governor General and President of Fiji.

The UK government talks of the extensive safety precautions for the tests, to reduce exposure to radiation.

But we know the reality.

Many participants went without safety gear or radiation badges.

Some were used for difficult, dirty and dangerous tasks like dumping drums of nuclear material in the ocean or killing birds blinded by the flash of a megaton hydrogen bomb.

There were many pathways to ingest or inhale radioactive isotopes.

Independent medical studies, such as research conducted by Professor Al Rowland at Massey University in New Zealand, have documented significant chromosomal translocations amongst the New Zealand sailors who joined the naval task force for Operation Grapple.

This evidence of genetic damage raises concern about possible intergenerational effects for our children and grandchildren.

Children of Gilbertese plantation workers on the island suffered eye damage and other health effects from the nuclear detonations.

Survivors on Christmas (Kiritimati) Island have formed the ‘Association of Cancer Patients Affected by the British and American Bomb Tests.’

Today, governments and citizens across the Pacific region call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Many Pacific governments – Kiribati, Tuvalu, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and more – have signed the new UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

This treaty has important provisions which oblige countries to support environmental remediation and assistance for the victims of the use and testing of nuclear weapons.

We thank our own governments for the medical and financial support they have already given, but believe the primary responsibility lies with the UK government.

Sixty years after Operation Grapple, we call on Prime Minister Theresa May for urgent action:

-The British government should provide compensation, medical support and environmental rehabilitation to all people affected by Operation Grapple, including New Zealand and Fijian military personnel and i-Kiribati living on Kiritimati Island.

-The British government should provide funds for an independent medical study to investigate potential intergenerational health effects for the children and grandchildren of Operation Grapple participants from New Zealand, Kiribati and Fiji – as it has done for UK veterans.

-The British government should meet its obligations under Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) “to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective control”.

We call on all Commonwealth countries – including the three nuclear weapon states United Kingdom, India and Pakistan – to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, with its important provisions on assistance for survivors of nuclear testing.

As fellow citizens of the Commonwealth, we look to the citizens of the United Kingdom to support our call for justice.

Roy Sefton is a former sailor, HMNZS Pukaki, and is a witness to five nuclear tests. He is the chair to the New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Association (NZNTVA). He resides in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Paaul Ah Poy is a former sailor, Fiji Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and is a witness to seven nuclear tests. He is the president to the Fiji Nuclear Veterans Association (FNVA). He resides in Suva, Fiji.

 

Roy Sefton & Paul Ah Poy

We need leaders not politicians

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

FOR the upcoming national general election we need leaders not politicians, says Knoxly Atu, former East Fataleka president council of chiefs.

He said for the past years the people in the rural communities have been ill-informed and know nothing about what the government has in place for its people.

“We need people to think better and vote wise and choose good leaders not politicians.

Atu revealed that the country is currently facing hiccups in its leadership where it also affecting those that live in rural areas.

“Our country is not in a stable position in development purposes.

“For intending candidates that wish to contest in the national general election must first understand our current problem in the country and in rural areas before contesting this election early next year.

“We need proper and quality leaders to govern our country and our people in prosperity and justice.

“On behalf of the East Fataleka chiefs we need change in leadership.”

Border committee distances itself from association

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

THE Border police post committee has distanced itself from an association which is alleged to be representing former police officers who had served during the tension.

The isolated association has been promoted by a Mr Henry B Kahui in the media.

Spokesman of the Border police post committee, Mr Patrick Mundano said they are not part of the association dealing with the border and ethnic tension related claims.

As a retired police officer who served at the border from 1990-2000, he voices that he and those from the committee are not part of the association.

Moreover, Mundano stated that when the border crisis took place at that time, about 49 of them served at Taro and Korovou police stations but unlike the field police who were deployed there, they were not paid.

He explained that the ministry of police is dealing with their payments and had assured them that they are working on it.

Mundano stressed that the association’s president, Mr Henry B Kahui’s statement which expressed that former police officers who served at the border during the height of the ethnic tension are under members of the association under the association’s constitution is incorrect and not welcomed by their committee.

“Hearing that did not go well with us because we did not give him any mandate to speak of such,” he said.

He suggests Kahui refrains from generalising and assuming that everyone is under his association.

Henry Kahui, chairman of so-called association being isolated by the Border police post committee.

Airlines and CAASI defend new captain

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Solomon Airlines corporate manager Mr Bill Tyson.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Airlines Corporate Manager Bill Tyson says their earlier response together with CAASI over underestimation of their new air training Captain stands the same.

Claim within the airlines continues over the new air training Captain that his recruitment was not proper and only Bill Tyson knows about it.

They say the response given by Solomon Airlines Limited (SAL) Corporate Manager and Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI) Acting Director that the expatriate holds an Air Transport Pilots License (ATPL) which no local pilots have at this time and is experienced with approvals as a trainer and checker from other Civil Aviation Authorities is very shallow from the fact in not being Pilots themselves regarding experience and requirements a pilot needs.

Further adding, sources have it that the training Captain’s initial training was delayed too because his flying documents were never available for verification.

“If a proper recruitment was carried out, all verified documents will be provided during interview,” said sources.

“That new training Pilot they are referring to is only a line training Captain being revealed.

“Talking about the good and best of him, all best pilots are out in the greener part of the world. At the age of 50 with 8K plus hours does not speak well of an aspiring aviator.”

However Bill Tyson in response to Island Sun yesterday said that these sources were not present at the interview when the Captain provided the panel with sufficient evidence that he had Check and Training approval on the Twin Otter aircraft in which the panel was more than satisfied with his qualifications.

“He holds an Air Transport Pilots License unlike our current Twin Otter Check and Training Captains although I hasten to point out one is in the process of gaining his ATPL,” said Tyson.

In his earlier response over this issue, Tyson also added that the Captain’s knowledge of aviation far exceeds that of the average pilot and was one of the reasons he stood out during the intensive interview process they went through.

“The Captain also came highly recommended and is very well respected by his peers in aviation,” reminded Tyson.

CAASI Acting Director Brian Halisanau in his earlier response over the issue said that it is SAL who is answerable for this, as CAASI does not deal directly with the recruitment matters.

“However, after assessing previous work records and qualifications in which the authority has written to SAL informing the airlines of the requirements that he needs to satisfy as required by the civil aviation rules, CAASI is confident that the Captain is competent enough to perform duties as an instructor and examiner as he has held similar approvals from other authorities as well,” said the CAASI Acting Director.

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