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Choiseul and Western elections in June

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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

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.

Call to develop Maritime industry

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Mr David Faradatolo.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

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.

Police traffic records nearly 300 cases January to March 2018 in Honiara

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THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Traffic Department recorded a total of 292 cases from January 12 – March 15, 2018 for Honiara City alone.

Acting Director of RSIPF Kukum Traffic Department, Inspector Brian Surimalefo says, “Out of the total cases recorded, 86 were for careless and inconsiderate driving which include vehicles creating extra third lane. Creating third lane comes in as careless and inconsiderate driving.

“Sixty seven cases were for using unlicensed motor vehicle, 23 for using uninsured motor vehicle, 47 for presence of alcohol, seven for permitting uninsured motor vehicle, nine for driving without a valid driver’s licence, 23 for driving without a driver’s license, 18 permitting unlicensed motor vehicle, seven permitting unlicensed driver, two for failing to display motor vehicle license and three for taking vehicle without lawful authority.

“Careless and inconsiderate driving still has the highest record and this shown in operation carried out from February 9-15 which recorded 22 cases, from 16-22 recorded 23 cases and from March 9-15 recorded 10 cases.

“The second highest record is for cases of using unlicensed motor vehicle and this indicate a lot of vehicles in Honiara require owners to have their vehicle licences validated and for those not yet licensed at all, do so, as well as the third party insurance cover.

“In order to reduce and avoid more accidents every vehicle owners, drivers, the police, other government ministries, Honiara City Council, private businesses and the general public at large must help spread the message.

“Always drive carefully and consider other road users, make sure your vehicle has a valid licence and do not drink alcohol if you are driving; put safety first.”

–POLICE MEDIA

MPs of 11th Parl urged to support unfinished projects

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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By Gary Hatigeva

MEBERS of parliament that will have the opportunity to serve in the next parliament house have been urged to support proposals and projects that are deemed to be put forward for the next governments or will not be achieved in the lifespan of the 10th Parliament.

The Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs and Member of Parliament for West Makira, Derrick Manuwari made this statement when commenting on the time limitation at hand for some of the government’s major projects and proposals, which includes the office complex for his Ministry.

When revealing outlined projects his ministry is working to see their completion including a revived scheme of service initiative that is expected to look after the welfare and conditions of staffs especially lawyers working both within the ministry and the government, Manuwari pointed out that it is unfortunate a lot of developed projects continue to be overlooked by governments that come and go.

The Justice Minister was questioned on projects under his ministry including that of the proposed office complex and projections for its completion, Manuwari explained on the floor of parliament that due to time and fund limitation, the proposal will be shelfed off and he is only hoping that any new government can take it on and see to its completion.

However, Minister Manuwari stressed that this project needs to be realized so to avoid the issue of renting spaces, which he added, are becoming very costly for not only the ministry, but the government.

“Indeed this is a big concern of the government and my ministry because to maintain an impartial, fair respectful and efficient justice system, the welfare and working conditions of our lawyers is an important area the must be properly considered and addressed by any government of the day.

“One of the biggest costs for the ministry is to rent all these offices and that hinders our efforts in trying to address important issues.

He said with those in hand, the Ministry is eager to move away from renting private buildings to be housed in its own complex, but pointed out that the budgetary limitation has made it a real challenge to his ministry’s programmes and plans.

The office complex was proposed in 2012 and has since its initiation as a proposal remained to sit idle and based on the Minister’s response, it will remain idle for the next 12 months or so.

The complex if completed according to the Minister, is expected to house all government legal services including government lawyers, which includes the Attorney General’s Chamber, the office of the Director Public Prosecution and other relevant government legal agencies.

West Papua ready for 2018 MACFest

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From L to R, Director of the Culture Department under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Dennis Marita and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Spokesman (2018-2021) Mr Jacob Rumbiak exchanging gifts yesterday after ULMWP’s spokesman visited the department purposely to represent ULMWP in all West Papua to receive invitation from the Melanesian Arts and Festival Committee for the upcoming MACFest soon in Solomon Islands. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

UNITED Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Spokesman (2018-2021) Mr Jacob Rumbiak sends a message to their people that they are welcome to take part in the 2018 Melanesian Arts & Cultural Festival (MACFest) soon in Solomon Islands.

Speaking with the Director of the Culture Department under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Dennis Marita yesterday, Mr Rumbiak received confirmation that West Papua is part of the MACFest and there is no exception culturally, socially and physically as all are Melanesians.

Marita said at the moment they are waiting for advice and confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get a correspondence to send the invitation through for West Papua.

“We do not wish to get political sentiments, we just want to see this festival as a cultural one being a time to share our cultures and remember them to learn and appreciate each other’s cultures. That is the main focus of the festival,” said Director Marita.

From L to R, Director of the Culture Department under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Dennis Marita and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Spokesman (2018-2021) Mr Jacob Rumbiak exchanging gifts on Monday after ULMWP’s spokesman visited the department purposely to represent ULMWP in all West Papua to receive invitation from the Melanesian Arts and Festival Committee for the upcoming MACFest soon in Solomon Islands. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

“The Theme of the festival is “Past Recollection for Future Connections. In that theme, the past connections is what we will be gathering together to showcase.”

“At the same time we look forward to get connected together as one Melanesian people. The festival goes for Melanesian’s throughout the world as well.”

The 2018 Melanesian Arts & Cultural Festival (MACFest) will take place on July 1-14, 2018, in Solomon Islands and will coincide with the country’s 40th Anniversary.

Rumbiak’s visit to the Culture Department under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was purposely to represent ULMWP in all West Papua to receive invitation from the Melanesian Arts and Festival Committee in Honiara.

Upon receiving confirmation, he said the Melanesian “Tumbuna” (God) and Christian God of Heaven will be happy for the union because their people have been separated for so long.

“We thank Fiji, Bougainville, Vanuatu, New Caledonia (Kanak), Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Solomon Islands, God bless,” said Rumbiak.

He said they are ready to participate in the upcoming event joining their brothers and sisters after 56 years of separation by colonial.”

Where is Solomon Islands heading now?

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DEAR Editor, after Solomon Islands gained independence in 1978 from the British, our leaders seem to take leadership for granted in terms of improving their wealth and not for indigenous Solomon Islanders.

It is irresponsible that our leaders to continue with the current system of having foreigners in the country, used as the advisors to pull the nose of the prominent leaders of Solomon Islands for their own interests and benefit.

The Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard in 2002, said to the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare when he blame him for the delay of 4 million loan from Asian board for the victims during the ethnic tension. Prime Minister John Howard on ABC Radio said to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare “Your leaders asked for independence from United Kingdom and they gave you independence and now you looking after your country for being an independent country is not an easy thing or ride.”

If our government is from the Almighty God Jehovah, Sadday and Yaweh, the mighty God Emmanuel and the God the Holy Ghost, then we should do the right thing and not bow down to the crocodile and shark which are not the creator but enemies that should not be placed in upper houses like in the Prime Minister’s building and court building. Image blo Jesus Redeemer lelebet.

I quote, Isaiah 1:7 reads, “Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire. Strangers devour your lands in your presence. And it is desolate, as over thrown by the foreigners. The indigenous people of Solomon Islands have had enough of having their casted votes thrown in the air.

It is time the government seriously considers how MV Solomon Islands is navigating its destination or one day Solomon Islands will be a mockery to our other neighboring countries. Last but not the least, fools never learn and stupidity is not ignorance.

Oh Lord our God in ages past, our hope for years to come and our shelter in the time of storm, may you have mercy upon our captains who are navigating MV Solomon Islands. May the public join me in expressing what you see and feel about how our leaders are piloting this country. This country seems to be under the curse of the Almighty God Jehovah. It is understood that every year, budget made is for office rental costs and not for the development of this country.

Third world countries are the ones who help build and develop the first world countries and in return receive aid and funds from those countries. Be careful, do not be blinded, economic wise.

This country is named after the wisest King of Israel, King Solomon and what about the leaders of Solomon Islands? Are they also wise to steer this ship MV Solomon Islands to its next destination?

Where is this country heading? Is Solomon Islands moving towards wealth or poverty? Or our leaders more worried about becoming wealthy?

Jessie Bobby

Honiara

Be responsible to your rubbish

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DEAR EDITOR, I think the above topic is not a new thing but I would like to share my opinion so that the public could rethink on how to behave and act when coming to rubbish disposal.

Firstly, I would share what I had witnessed.

Yesterday, I was travelling in a public bus with a woman and her three children sat beside me.

Along the way they ate some snacks and when they finished eating, the mother held those plastics nicely and threw them out off the window.

However, to my expectation she would take them nicely and dispose them at the right place but that scenario surprised me to see a woman in about her 30s for doing that and so I stared at her for a minute.

While staring at her, these three questions prompted at the back of my mind, firstly, what did she expect when leaving the rubbish behind?

Secondly, who will be responsible for that rubbish?

And finally did she know that she is educating her children for acting irresponsible?

Again, all good citizen of Solomon Islands, we must understand that the cleanliness of this country especially Honiara City depends on us, therefore, be mindful to our behaviours and act responsibly when coming to rubbish disposal.

I reiterate my call to be responsible by applying these 3 Rs, Reuse, Recycle and Reduce to stop littering and help keep our country clean.

ALICE PENLOPE HOTE

Honiara

Wastage of government funds on social events

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DEAR EDITOR, I strongly recommend that due to our current serious government’s financial constraint, all social events should be terminated ASAP from our national government budget for the next 5 years in order to cater for our vital economic development activities and needed services to help boost our economy and serve the livelihood of our people.

Example, national security, health and education are needed services for our current and future safe, educated and healthy society.

Social events such Melanesian Art festival, Pacific Games are some of the social events that are waste of public funds and do not bring into the country any sustainable and tangible benefits to our economy and people.

These events only bring our government and people huge burden on our government budget and burden on our needed services delivery.

A classic example was our hosted Pacific Art Festival that had resulted in the governments lack of funds which contributed to lack of appropriate medicines at our hospitals and clinics.

Such government action deprived our people rights to access the appropriate medications for our health and wellbeing.

Our people did not feel or see any sustainable and tangible benefits from this multimillion-dollar social events, instead more negative results overwhelmed the event positives such lack of appropriate government services, lack of medicines, increase of new diseases etc.

I therefore called on our current government and PM as the leader to withdraw all funding for any social events for that matter until our economy is strong enough to host such events.

Let us not hide ourselves from the truth and reality on the ground because at the ends of the day, our own people will suffer the ripple effects of those wrong and bad decisions.

J Diau

Honiara

Solomon Islands family seeking help after house disaster

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DEARE EDITOR, a family of seven luckily escaped being killed when two huge rocks came crashing down the hillside at Kena Hill last Friday instantly smashing their wooden home and destroying it completely.

The family are now homeless and have appealed to the community in the Solomon Islands for help.

The disaster occurred as Beverlyn Keniherea was alone in the house cleaning the bedroom. Her children had gone to school and her husband, Gideon, was away in Aoke.

Mrs Keniherea was very lucky not to have been killed and has been left in deep shock

I appeal to the Solomon Islands Red Cross Association to try and give some early assistance to the distressed and now homeless family and also appeal to the generous nature of the Solomon Islands business community and people to help the family.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Over 270,000 need immediate help in PNG quake zone

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DEAR EDITOR, quoting Radio New Zealand International – March 18, 2018 – “Over 270,000 people in Papua New Guinea are estimated to be requiring immediate humanitarian assitance after last month’s magnitude 7.5 earthquake.

“According to the latest situation report from the United Nations, the priority needs are medicine, tarpaulins and tents, blankets, food and water.

“At least 125 people have died and infrastructure has been severely damaged.

“Around 18,200 people have been displaced and are reported to have converged in 26 informal care centres.

“The UN also estimates that over 544-thousand are affected across the five most affected provinces.

“The provinces are Hela, Southern Highlands, Enga, Western and West Sepik.

“Papua New Guinea’s Health Department says more people will die in earthquake-hit districts if health issues are not urgently tackled.

“The head of Emergency Medicine says that following the 7.5 quake 17 days ago there’s a risk that food and water borne diseases could kill thousands of people.” Copyright: RNZI (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT