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Atori wants more police officers

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A group shot of the RSIPF officers at the Auki Police Station

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

COMMUNITIES around Atori substation in East Malaita are calling on the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) to increase the number of police officers in Atori.

Currently only one probationary police officer is manning the station.

Villagers reported that the Officer commanding station (OCS) in Atori has not been able to frequent the station and they are concerned. They demand that the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Malaita province clarify to them, the rural people of East Malaita whether the OCS is still in office.

“In situations concerning security we believe and put our trust in police as our law keepers in the country,” the villagers said.

However it is understood that the OCS of Atori is currently said to be in Honiara doing procurement works for the Atori office whilst the other two officers are currently on compassionate leave.

Moreover according to PPC for Malaita province Timothy Apaesi, at the moment they have lesser number of police officers serving Malaita province.

“We understand that we have four police officers looking after the Atori police post last year but now we have only one officer manning the station. We need more police officers to look after the eastern part of Malaita rather than only four officers.

“The problem of posting more police officers to Atori is, there are only five resident houses for Police at Atori. One building is used for office work and the other four buildings are occupied by the four officers. If we have a good number of houses then more police officers will be posted to our police post.

“My office will be looking at increasing the number of officers depending on numbers we have here in Malaita.”

We are being robbed

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Opposition Leader and MP for Aoke Langalanga Hon Matthew Wale. Photo Credit; Pacificwin NZ Aus Pacific on LinkedIn.

‘Calls to reform Forestry Regulations’

By Gary Hatigeva

MEMBER of Parliament for Aoke/Langalanga and member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Matthew Wale has described Solomon Islands’ situation in the forestry-logging industry as a daylight robbery, having been robbed off its resources for less benefits.

The Aoke/Langalanga MP made this statement following presentations of reports before the PAC in the Committee’s hearings by officials from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury arguing their case in the 2018 National Budget.

Wale expressed and stressed that it is sad to see that a comparisons of national and global determined prices of resources and minerals have huge variations.

He said based on global prices of resources and used log as an example, the prices out there are twice higher than so-called increases being announced and reported on.

He added that from these findings and seeing things first hand, it had cautioned one to question the credibility of laws and regulations governing the functions of the ministries responsible regarding resources and how much landowners and the country have been losing out on for so many years.

“We are being robbed,” Wale said.

Also sharing similar sentiments, Former Minister of Forestry and Member of Parliament for Shortland Islands, also member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Chris Laore raised concerns over the quality of the existing regulations within the Ministry of Forestry, question their effectiveness as to how much they protect and made for the country in terms of revenue.

Laore highlighted an “alarming lack of attention to details of what he suggested to have affected the industry and its returns to the national economy.

He also said that the regulations have “struggled to override the influence of manipulations and other areas said to have been main factors to the low returns having compared to what goes out.

In addition, the Shortland MP called on the government to respond more quickly to what he also felt is now becoming a public concern, particularly whistle-blowers as regulations in place to ensure revenue collections shine, are being bypassed as a matter of foul play.

He further added that being one of the key players in the growth of the country’s economy as compared to the global, there is need for quick reforms to strengthen the regulations, ensuring the country gets maximum benefits from its resources.

The MPs also shared that the issues are raised and directed at the Finance Ministry officials because the customs division within its wings is pretty much the last responsible government entity to deal with the resources and dealers before they are shipped out.

They warned that officers in charge need to demonstrate how they would cope with “substantial” potentials and benefits the country has been missing out on, taking duly care of duty into account for the country’s economic sake.

Meanwhile, both leaders suggested that these things they raised are areas the government need to seriously consider and take actions on.

Forestry brief stakeholders of REDD+ progress

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Government through the Ministry of Forest and Research (MOFR) is informing stakeholders of the progress made on the components of meeting full REDD+ initiative; the historical annual forest and land use change assessment including the reference level in the country.

REDD+ initially means Reducing Emission from Deforestation and forest Degradation with the plus sign covering Conservation of forest carbon stocks; Sustainable management of forests and Enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

This is the second consultation workshop to update and get feedbacks on a scope of 2-by-2 hectares of preliminary findings assessment carried out by the Ministry with technical support and advice from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)/UNREDD.

Stakeholders include government line ministries, The Nature Conversancy (TNC), Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Word Wide Fund (WWF), Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), MFAT (NZAid), DFAT (AusAid), SPC/GIZ, SPREP, JICA, KOICA, UNDP – CB 2 Project, Integrated Forest Management (IFM), NRDF and SICCP.

Opening the one day workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel, MOFR Permanent Secretary Dr Vaeno Vigulu says amongst other priorities, the Solomon Islands Government has joined the international community to report on the status and trends of biodiversity and climate change.

However, the Government has no comprehensive, robust, quantitative and transparent national level information about the forest and other land cover extent; includes forest health and condition, biodiversity and carbon stocks – all themes that the Government has committed to monitor and report within the international community.

That is the sole reason as to why this assessment undertaking has been carried out with technical support from FAO/UNREDD, he says.

“It is a privilege to receive such technical training from FAO/UNREDD; more importantly on the determination of our forest cover loss or gain overtime using remote sensing, and also develop relevant field assessment procedures.

“This had, and will assist Solomon Islands to estimate and be able to report on our carbon emissions and removals over the last period; more so be able to monitor thereon.”

He adds these preliminary findings are important for Solomon Islands as a party to the Climate Change Conventions particularly the REDD+ program which was established around 2012.

With a roadmap developed under the UNREDD programme back then, and cabinet endorsement in 2015.

It allows Solomon Islands Government under Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Environment to continue implement activities to fulfil the requirements on preparing the country to fully participate in the REDD+ initiative.

Today we are at this stage of assessment and we are making progress along the roadmap, said the Permanent Secretary.

“During this one day workshop, results of the forest and land use change will be shared.

“You will also involve in the discussion and agreeing to formalisation or forest and land use classification definitions, discuss on the information and construction of the Forest Reference Level (FRL).

“Your contributions will be captured to shape the action plan and the roadmap 2018 for submissions of Forest Reference Emission Level and Forest Reference Level (FREL/FRL) in early 2019, our current proposed target.”

–MOFR PRESS

Commercial Centre is to earn benefit from: Vasuni

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CENTRAL Islands Province (CIP) Provincial Government’s plan for a Commercial Centre at Tulaghi is one of the plans for them to earn benefit according to Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.

He said the Commercial Centre planned is to meet the demands for lock-up shops and Office rooms now increasing in the provincial capital.

“The Commercial Centre will be a two storey building having around 10 rooms or more for renting.

“Its top floor will have rooms for Offices while downstairs will accommodate other purposes such as for lock-up shops,” said the Premier.

Tulaghi Township at present is slowly progressing with new developments taking place.

 

Demand for coconut water high in global market

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

COCONUT water has become a fast growing beverage in the global market, according to the APCC.

The Asia and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) in a workshop with Solomon Islands’ coconut sector in Honiara reveals that coconut water is high in demand in global markets.

It is widely sought for due to its health benefits.

APCC Director General Dr Uron Salum said Brazil is the leading exporting country for coconut with annual increase production of over 20 percent in 2015, and USA sales is at over USD$350 million annually.

Mr Salum said the Philippines’ export volume of coconut water is peaked at 61 million litres in 2015, which is described as growing major export destination – and USA is at 25 million litres.

This is followed by the United Kingdom at 38.6 percent, Netherlands 3.8 percent; and other destinations are Canada, Australia, Singapore, China and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He adds, export price increase from USD$0.8 litres in 2008 to USD$1.13 litres in 2015.

Salum describes coconut juice as the fluid of life which contains health benefit.

It contains protein, amino acid, sugars, vitamins, biological growth factors and enzymes promoting anti-aging, healthy cell growth and rehydration, Salum said.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Mr Jimmi Saelea thanked Salum for giving such information to alert the coconut sector in the country to look seriously about coconut production.

He said challenge now is rhino beetle and re-planting is other alternative to revive coconut production in Solomon Islands and looking at tapping such opportunities.

 

DPP office expected to discharge duties professionally

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Director of Public Prosecution has been accused of lazy and sloppy prosecution on the case against Harry Lilimae.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi made the points in court yesterday when the prosecutor did not give any positive feedback on the case of Mr Lilimae.

Mr Lilimae was alleged of being involved in the armed robbery case on January 18, 2015.

Prosecution on previous appearances told the court that the case against Lilimae has insufficient evidence to proceed with and on previous appearance the prosecution withdrew the charge under section 190 (2) b (II) of the penal code.

Magistrate Taeburi said that the DPP cannot have the charge hanging over Lilimae when there is insufficient evidence it is now three years after the incident and nothing has been on the case.

“I wonder what evidence can be obtained after three years,” Ms Taeburi said in court.

The office of the Director Public Prosecution is expected to perform discharge its duties professionally rather lazy and sloppy prosecution.

The delay in dealing with this case is a disgrace to the DPP’s office, Taeburi added.

Honiara market with new lighting

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Market Master for Honiara Central Market, Jimmy Hanson Riunga. PICTURE BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE Honiara central market has had its lightings improved recently.

The improved lights installed include the security lights across the four corners of the market building and few other electric light bulbs within the building.

Honiara Central Market head Mr Jimmy Hanson Riunga said having the electric lights bulbs installed has been another achievement of the Honiara Central Market.

He explained that having enhanced security lighting would deter intruders from breaking into the market premises.

He adds that it also brings beauty and dimensions to the market’s settings, minimises hiding spots and shadow corners, and more importantly increases the sense of safety in market venders and workers.

Mr Riunga said now the improved level of lights at the market premises will discourage unwanted activities that usually take place after official hours at night

He said, apart from this improvement achieved, his office will now focus on minor works within the market in terms of facilities, like painting.

Melanesian festival committee calls for theme song entries

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THE Melanesian Arts & Cultural Festival (MACFest) Committee is calling on musicians around the country to submit entries for the Festival Theme Song completion which opens this week.

To qualify for the competition, the musician or artist must be a Solomon Islander by origin with a background in music and song writing or musical arrangement.

The winning entry will remain the property of MACFNOC and the Solomon Islands Government while all other entries will be returned to their respective owners and not to be reproduced in anyway.

To enter the competition, a participant has to accept the above cash price award and its related Intellectual Property Rights condition before entering the competition.

The lyrics of the theme song must be reflective of the theme of the festival “Past Recollections; Future Connections”, and relates to the people and culture of Melanesia.

The lyrics may be in English, however, can be able to use some inserts of pijin, Tok Pisin and Bislama as well as French (provided that the meaning is absolutely clear).

The competition will close on April 6, 2018. A Cash Prize of SBD$10,000 will be awarded to the winning entry which covers the outright payment of the Intellectual Property Rights of the song.

Details of entry requirements and musical arrangements can be obtained from the Director of the Culture Division of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Honiara.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Student calls for more computer labs at USP

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A concerned student is calling on responsible authorities to consider providing USP (University of the South Pacific) Honiara based campus with more computers.

The student who wishes to remain anonymous expressed that the campus only has one computer lab which is not enough to cater for the growing number of students.

She adds that not all of the computers are functioning properly. At the same time she said this will affect the ability of the students to carry out their studies more or so do their research and assignments.

The concerned student stressed that one way of addressing this is to ensure that all computers are working properly with a plan on the table to provide the campus with an additional computer lab.

On top of that, she explained that if this made possible, it would not only help our students but also be very helpful for other students who may enroll at the campus in the future.

She emphasised that at the end of the day, we must look at ways to help our students and better develop how we provide education services we provide in the country.

Tenants of Auki Plaza await repatriation payment

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

TENANTS of Auki Plaza are awaiting repatriation payments before moving out from the building.

A member of Malaita People’s Power Association told this paper yesterday on the tenant’s agreement on the issue.

The person said after everything that has happened with the issues, they have come to an understanding with the Malaita Provincial Government to settle the issue.

The person said the province has held dialogue with them and they have agreed with the assurances given by the province for repatriation.

The person said tenants acknowledged the province for the initiative and they are hoping to solve the issue soon.

“During the discussion both the province and the tenants agreed for a repatriation of $5,000 per head of the tenants.

“So currently this is what the tenants are waiting. They are not ignorant however if the repatriation happens they will leave as agreed,” the person said.

Information sighted by this paper stated that Auki Plaza repatriation is among other priorities Malaita provincial government is currently pursuing.

However, it depends on the service grant and if funds are available the province will proceed with the payment.

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