WESTERN Province Premier Wayne Maepioh has commended the first-ever women’s empowerment and transformation policy for the province.
Mr Maepio said this policy will empower and transform women to change their status quo and demand improved services and development for improved livelihood.
“This policy is not intended only for the Division of Women Youth and Sports but calls for a whole of government approach to ensure its effective implementation.
“A multisectoral approach to address gender and women issues calls for all sectors across the provincial government, civil society organizations, faith-based organisation, the private sector, and communities to take ownership of this policy and responsibility for the implementation of key strategies and actions spelt out in this policy, specific to their mandates.
“It is the hope of the Western Provincial Government that this policy will provide opportunities for further collaboration with the National Government particularly the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs.”
Maepio adds that he expects donors and development partners to provide support for the province in its endeavour to empower women.
He acknowledges that being the province’s first-ever policy on women, the Western province will meet its fair share of challenges, but reassures public that his government is prepared to counter and tackle these challenges.
Alumni of the PILP smile happily to the camera which they have enjoy their short stay in Honiara.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
THE Pacific Islands Leadership Programme (PILP) has wrapped up its community building workshop in an alumni reception at the Mendana Hotel on Sunday.
The event convened the US consulate in Solomon Islands, staff of Taiwan’s Embassy, Solomon Islands National University and participants from Pacific nations who joined the PILP training.
The workshop ended with the PILP alumni being encouraged to use social media as one community platform to utilise for networking, discussion and seeking help needed for a change Pacific nations want.
Taiwan Ambassador, HE Roger Luo and wife with other guest during the closing ceremony of PILP reception.
East West Centre President Dr Richard R Vuylsteke during the closing ceremony said their four-day stay in Honiara for the workshop is to ensure the PILP training continues and encourage more aspiring leaders to be involved.
He said now there is a strong connection between PILP participants which is an indication of success Taiwan and East West Centre have been trying to do for Pacific islands countries.
Mr Vuylsteke said the training aims to build personal competence, leadership capability, and the ability to have confidence.
“I am impressed participants not concerned with their own career development, but looking at ways to serve their community, NGOs, volunteer works and became citizen responsibility.”
Alumni of the PILP smile happily to the camera which they have enjoy their short stay in Honiara.
Deputy Counselor for Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands Mr Oliver Weng said the Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy knows the importance and value of capacity building for young leaders.
He said Taiwan, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, collaborates with the EWC to organise the PILP training course because they see its significance in changing the mindset of Pacific islands youths.
Weng said Taiwan appreciates EWC for supporting the idea and providing their best facilities and faculty for the programme.
Three locals of the PILP training enjoying their evening with the members of the PILP participants.
“We appreciate contributions and support of SI government, private sectors and through strong support from all participants, we will keep on sponsor PILP program in the future.
“This programme will really help to develop your capacity, and we encourage young leaders to apply and optimistic someday they can the backbone to country in near future.
“We value the friendship of our allies, appreciate the support of Solomon Islands, and know human resource is fundamental for the development,” Weng said.
A male Solomon Islander pose with alumni members of the PILP who are in Honiara for the Community Building workshop
One of the Solomon Islanders who was selected for the programme in 2015/2016 Mr Ednal Palmer said the programme is one of the best that prepares aspiring young Pacific leaders to realise their potentials and map their futures.
“As one of those selected for the East West Centre’s Pacific Islands Leadership Program in 2015 as the third generation of the program, I encouraged young aspiring Solomon Islands leaders to apply,” Palmer said.
PILP alumni participants their reception at the Mendana Hotel on Sunday 18.
“The programme by now produced a large number of young pacific leaders some of whom are now taking leadership roles in their societies and others who are striving to achieve their leadership goals and dreams.
“The training well- prepares individuals. It has a tough selection process, but it is worth joining because of its learning practicality that ensures everyone thrives.
“Last week’s gathering in Honiara is a clear testament of the active and rich networking that exists within the PILP programme,” Palmer said.
The programme includes spending two months in the United States, Hawaii and another month in the Republic of China (Taiwan).
MALATA provincial police has proposed a two-day awareness talk to communities in ward 24 in West Are’are, Malaita province.
Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Mr Timothy Apaesi told this paper yesterday that the talk is set for mid next month.
He said the awareness talk will be on the Crime Prevention Strategy (CRS) and Community Policing (CP) to communities of Pipisu and surroundings.
Mr Apaesi said the talk will cover important areas under the CRS and CP that help people to understand their responsibilities in keeping law and order in their communities.
He said the talk will also enlighten the communities on how they should work together with police to tackle anti-social behaviours in the communities.
Apaesi said his office proposed the talk upon a request made by communities for police to carry out awareness talks in their areas.
He said his office has drawn up a similar programme for the province this year, and will soon roll-out with it.
THE Solomon Islands Government has resolved to relinquish its shares as a major shareholder in the Tina Hydro Project, which is soon to eventuate.
Speaking on this on the floor of parliament yesterday, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare revealed when responding to former finance minister, Snyder Rini’s question on the issue of shareholding in the proposed operation.
Based on documents, Mr Rini pointed out that the government is seemingly pushing to take up all initiative to secure funds from international commercial institutions, but noted that it (government) has no record of shares in the project.
However, the Finance Minister explained that to take shares in such initiative especially when it is a national project is not hard for the government, but stressed that if it is to have all the shares in the company and not be able to achieve the main objective of the project, “then there is no point in getting all these shares”.
“If we allow for the Korean Water to do what the government is doing to secure loans and funds for the project, for sure, they will be pressured to repay and based on that, the company will be forced to push its cost of electricity tariff, and that would just kill the purpose of this initiative.
“Which is to ensure the people of this country is provided with the cheapest and lowest cost of power sources,” Mr Sogavare explained.
He added that the history of the government’s holding shares in commercial activities, we have a bad memory on that, looking at Solomon Taiyo as an example, which was a the government owned.
“But when it comes to the call on recapitalising the company when it had financial difficulties, the Solomon Islands government couldn’t do that.”
He further added that the intention to relinquish shares and government participation in commercial activities is based on analysis and advices from key stakeholders, with the likes of the World Bank and International Monitory Funds (IMF).
“Looking at this argument of government owning shares is not an issue.
“We have no difficulty in getting shares and if the government still participates in it and we still achieve the aim of creating the project, by all means, let’s take all shares in those,” Sogavare said.
However, he highlighted that with this project, the arrangement to let go of shares is only for a period of thirty years.
“Where we relinquish our shares on the project under this arrangement and after 30 years, the government will take it back, and whichever way we’d want to structure how the shareholding of the company, will be entirely up to the government when that day comes in 30 years’ time.
“Let’s not lose site of the intentions to achieve the lower tariff and that is what is in the mind of the government and we have continued to discuss with K-Water and that is the reason for the government to relinquish the share,” the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.
Deputy Counsellor for Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands Mr Oliver Weng with other PILP participant discussing during the alumni reception at the Mendana
Hotel
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Deputy Counsellor for Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands Mr Oliver Weng with other PILP participant discussing during the alumni reception at the Mendana Hotel
THE Republic of China (Taiwan) encourages aspiring leaderships across the Pacific including Solomon Islands to apply for the Pacific Islands Leadership Programme (PILP).
Taiwan made this call during a PILP alumni reception at the Mendana Hotel on Sunday March 18.
Deputy Counselor for Taiwan’s Embassy in Solomon Islands Mr Oliver Weng said PILP is an ideal platform designed to help Pacific island people build their capacity to become leaders.
He said there is a need of more Solomon Islanders to apply for this training programme because it covers a variety of interesting training programmes which will boost an individual’s capacity.
“This programme will really help to develop Solomon Islands young leaders’ capacity, and we encourage young leaders to apply for the PILP,” Mr Weng said.
“We hope to contribute in terms of capacity building and wish Solomon young leaders can be the backbone of the country someday in the near future.”
The East West Centre President Dr Richard R Vuylseke also encourages young people across the Pacific to apply for the PILP as one platform significant for developing the young generation to become good leaders in near future.
Mr Vuylseke further encouraged top leaders from Taiwan’s ally countries to market and advertise the PILP training and EWC about its roles to the Pacific island countries.
Mr Ednal Palmer who is one of the PILP said the training prepares individuals well.
He said it has a tough selection process, but it is worth joining because of its learning practicality that ensures everyone thrives.
The PILP is an annual programme; this year’s application is already closed.
It will open soon and interested applicants are encouraged to check the Taiwanese Embassy later this year.
The Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association (SIMTA) welcomes females to join in the shipping industry
Representative from SIMTA Mr David Faradatolo said it is good to have female folks through the newly launched woman in Maritime association
He said women’s presence in this sector will enable male folks to develop the industry
“As ship owners we welcome female seafarers and encourage them to work in this association to make it successful and grow.
“Because through the association you (women) will be able to advocate for innovative means and alternatives which the industry needs to develop,” Mr Faradatolo said.
He said the involvement of women in this sector will now help men to boost this industry to be recognised by other neighbouring countries in terms of working partnerships.
THE Solomon Islands Scouts Association has presented a roadmap comprising eight priority areas to work towards boosting the scout movement in the country.
It has a timeframe of two years starting this year and ending in 2020, which was lately presented in the Forum of Chief Commissioner held on March 8.
Outgoing Chairman of Council of the South Pacific Scout Association (CSPSA) Mr Joe Billy Oge, a Solomon Islander, said there are eight key priority areas the association will work towards.
“These are reestablishing an office space and administrations, to strengthen leadership and governance, to improve membership registration systems and Scout Land Property at Naha.
“Also to revise the Solomon Islands Scout Constitution, strengthening financial management, train leaders and seeking avenues to provide for youth development programme,” he said.
Oge said the priority areas will be achieved through undertaking an initiative of giving talks to places that will be interested to give the scout association a home to rehouse its administration for a start and to recreate the administration.
“Having the nerve of achieving the priority extents the association is now putting to gather a small budget to be part of other partners to see if they can support. This will include some of our internal sources.
“The second line of attack is to strengthen the leadership and governance of the scout’s association in terms of having an active Scout council with people who are willing to serve and to re appoint Scout leaders to key roles and functions of the association,” he said.
With this roadmap Solomon Islands is next on the radar to become a full member of the world organisation of the Scouts movement by 2020.
GALOVARANI tribe of Katupika, Ward 2, at South Choiseul Province recently received beneficial livelihood support from a logging company operating in their land.
Over the weekend, a land cruiser vehicle, an OBM with a 40 hp engine plus 23 Rotomould drinking water tanks (2000 litres) were shipped to South Choiseul after receiving the support from Malaysian logging company called Sktwawasan Limited.
According to the Chief, Trustees and spokesman for Galovarani tribe Mr Alva Galo, what their tribe has received should be an encouragement for landowners at their area to work positively with logging companies for tangible developments.
He said after disturbances to the logging company at where it was first operating during 2014, their tribe took partnership with Sktwawasan Ltd since 2016 in which they made a supplementary agreement for support seeing the company assisting much so far.
“First was a portable saw mill to provide housing scheme. Now we have received and OBM plus its engine, a land cruiser and water tanks,” said Galo.
The logging company is said to support the locals through education and medical areas as well. This includes providing development of sport fields and landscaping new villages to be built. Its operation so far is said to generate cash flow for the people.
Mr Galo wants to remind local landowners that what they are receiving is an example of working together rather than creating negativity all the time such as raising land dispute cases.
“Court will not sort development to take place in the country,” said Galo.
“Stop blaming investors for our downfall and let us work together. They have the potential for development so we should combine positively to achieve our goals.”
The water tanks recently received are said to be for the majority population living on islands because they are far from the main water sources of the mainland.
For the OBM and its engine, it is for the tribe trustees purposely to work with. The vehicle land cruiser is to help farmers and operation areas.
THE provincial elections for Choiseul and Western provinces has been earmarked for June this year, it is reported.
A source from the Western provincial government told this to Island Sun Gizo yesterday, but says that the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening is yet to confirm the actual dates of the elections.
He advises public in the two provinces to think wisely on who to vote for.
Western Provincial government Secretary (PS) Jeffrey Wickham, when asked, confirmed the month of June but could not give a specific date.
“This year’s biometric registration and update exercise has been success complete in Western and Choiseul provinces.
“Handing over of the Western and Choiseul province registration data and materials by the registration officials to the office of Revising Officer (RVO) and Registration Manager has already concluded.
“We are now waiting from the final confirmation from the Ministry of Provincial government and Institutions in Honiara, National government and Electoral Commission for this year provincial election for both Western and Choiseul.”
He said Western provincial government is now working on the supplementary budget for 2018 and 2019.
AN outspoken representative from the Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association (SIMTA) who is also a ship owner, Mr David Faradatolo, has called on government to develop the maritime industry.
He said if there is a plan on developing Solomon Islands, the government must first focus on developing the marine sector because many of the country’s economic developments is deposited in this particular sector.
“Anything to do with development in Solomon Islands has to be address through Maritime sector,” Mr Faradatolo said.
He said this country needs a lot of things to grow, and one segment that needs attention is the maritime sector.
