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Locals supported by JICA share action plans

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Mike Puia

FIVE locals who attended training in Japan and are members of the Solomon Nihon (JICA) Alumni Association presented their action plans yesterday.

The presentation of action plans was done at a session organised by the Association.

In fact, the session is a follow-up to the first one that was held last year where seven individuals presented their action plans.

When introducing the session, President of the Association, Michael Larui, said shortly after their election to the Association one of their goal was to follow-up on action plans of those who went and attended study in various learning institutes in Japan.

Every local who went and study in Japan through JICA produced action plans outlining when they will do on their return to their country, especially to their various workplace.

Some have implemented part of their action plans while others have almost implemented most things in their action plans.

Alison Sio, for instance, during her presentation, confirmed that most of the things she outlined in her action plan have been fulfilled.

Alison represented and Public Health Emergency & Surveillance Unit within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

She said the main challenge she is encountering while implementing her plan in the lack of working togetherness.

The Association’s president said getting scholars to share their plans will allow other members of the Association and staff of JICA to listen and learn about these plans and give inputs.

“Such program allows us to listen and to participate in outcome proposed by the scholars. This is a learning opportunity as it allows scholars to share they experiences and challenges,” Larui said.

Information dissemination crucial to everyday decisions

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Government Communication Officers during the workshop yesterday

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

THE challenge is to breach the existing gap between the government and its people through effective communication strategies.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela expressed this yesterday whilst speaking at the government communication officers’ workshop held at the Iron Bottom Sound Hotel.

In earlier remarks, he stressed that providing information for the public is indeed a challenge and emphasised to the communication officers that the public is the main consumer of information.

The Prime Minister also shed light on the three day workshop’s theme “Breaching the government with people through effective communication” and added that the theme reflects the importance of communication between inter-government departments and divisions.

Government Communication Officers during the workshop yesterday

He said that the theme recognises the existing gap between the government and its people while embodying the fundamental challenge the government is facing of which is to breach that gap through effective communication strategies.

“I believe that only through effective dissemination of information we can be able to breach this gap and it has to be done through the various media platforms,” said Prime Minister Hou.

On another note, he briefly touched on important functions of the government communications noting that it is important that they are understood.

Prime Minister Houenipwela explained that there are three significant functions with the first settling on ensuring that citizens are informed of the government’s policies and programmes.

The second he adds is that a platform for advocacy for government policies and reforms is provided and the third function is to effectively engage citizens.

Addressing the various ministerial communication officers present at the workshop, he strongly stated that they play an important role in the government, most especially in safeguarding democracy and achieving social economic development at all levels of our society.

“As such discharging your duties to the best of your abilities enables our people to make well informed decisions on matters that will have an impact on their daily lives,” said Prime Minister Hou.

 

I put myself in the victims’ shoes: Sgt Nester Qoloni

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Police Sergeant Nester Qoloni

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

WHILE today is Women’s International Day a Police Sergeant Nester Qoloni who has been in the Police force for 35 years said caring and listening to sexual violence victims is her interest and passion.

Speaking to Island Sun recently she said whenever a victim of sexual violence appears at her work place she always feels for the victim and also puts herself in their shoes.

“I always welcome them and felt sorry for victims of sexual violence in our country and been working in the force for 35 years it is become part of me to listen and care for victims.

“When victim came to my office seeking assistance about their problem I always listen to their stories and then made referrals to stakeholders like hospital, Seif place and the Christian Care centre.

“It is a very challenging job for me but because I love what am doing I enjoyed it,” Mrs Qoloni said.

She said sometimes her fellow officers can make comments when victims go to the station for help, good comments and bad comments, but she always told them that they are all human beings and need support.

“I always say to my fellow colleague they are just human beings like us and they need our help, it is us who knows about the law,” Qoloni said.

Women do not deserve to be raped. Most times people blame the victims and not the perpetrator who should be blamed because of his abusive or violent behaviour.

The perpetrator should be blamed and hold responsible for their abusive actions and girls and women should never be blamed.

It’s about time men respect women and girls because all these violence and sexual assault that is happening is just because the men are not respecting them.

Qoloni said the recent training they had on how to improve the management of sexual violence victims is a bonus to her knowledge and skills to better manage such cases.

She said that by attending the training it gives a bright future for police officers to investigate and also properly manage victims of sexual violence.

Qoloni said dealing with sexual violence victims in a country like Solomon Islands is challenging in terms of logistics support and others.

“Sometimes in cases where the victims need to go to the hospital I sometimes use my own money to feed the victims as hospital queue is one thing.

“This job is not an easy job because we are dealing with human beings, but I have a very supportive husband and family supporting me all throughout.

“And I salute them for that,” Qoloni said.

Qoloni also said sometimes though she was posted at the Guadalcanal Police victims always find her for assistance and help when they encountered problems.

She said victims of sexual violence can only share their problems to people they trust.

Therefore she encourages all her fellow colleagues to have a heart and care for sexual violence victims.

Police Sergeant Nester Qoloni is currently the Family Violence Coordinator for Guadalcanal Province Police.

Police and stakeholders are working very hard to end such happening in the country and they always call on communities and individual to work together with police to end sexual violence against women, girls and children.

SICFA, READ SI and Huawei bring high tech world to Solomon Islands students

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SICFA, READ SI and Huawei have brought the high tech world to Solomon Islands students. (Pictured) READ SI’s Joyce Boykin (left) and Sir Thomas Chan with some of the 927 sets of tablets donated by Telco giant Huawei under the umbrella of SICFA.

By Alfred Sasako

THE high tech world has come to some Solomon Islands’ students, thanks to a partnership with China’s largest information technology company, Huawei, the 9th in global revenue rankings.

Under the arrangement, Huawei has donated some 927 sets of tablets following a request by the Treasurer of the Solomon Islands-China Friendship Association (SICFA), Diana Yates, who last year requested the Telco giant to consider providing up to 300 sets for students and schools under the umbrella of SICFA.

SICFA is an NGO established in 2016 to promote friendship and cultural exchanges between the peoples of Solomon Islands and Mainland China.

Huawei responded by providing 927 sets through the new partnership with SICFA and Read SI.

READ SI is already piloting the effectiveness of the technology with Brilliant Star, a primary school on Guadalcanal, READ SI founder/director, Joyce Boykin told Island Sun earlier this week.

READ SI will be sending some of the tablets with library books to selected villages on Malaita as well. In fact, the tablets will be going to 91 villages located on Guadalcanal, in Malaita, Makira and the Western Provinces in April for Phase 3 of the National Literacy Campaign,” she said.

“We have given 20 to be used by upper primary students when they do reading class. The goal is to train people how to use this new tool and have these tablets contribute to the acquisition of practical knowledge and learning,” Mrs Boykin said.

SICFA President, Sir Thomas Chan, said Huawei’s donation is a pleasant surprise.

“We are overwhelmed by the size of the donation, which are being giving away to students and teachers including those in remote schools.

SICFA, READ SI and Huawei have brought the high tech world to Solomon Islands students. (Pictured) READ SI’s Joyce Boykin (left) and Sir Thomas Chan with some of the 927 sets of tablets donated by Telco giant Huawei under the umbrella of SICFA.

“We are very grateful to Huawei for responding positively to our request in providing the tablets, which we know would be a great help in aiding students in their learning and acquisition of practical knowledge,” Sir Thomas said.

“I would also like to record SICFA’s gratitude to each and every one including the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, for facilitating Customs clearance of the donation.

“It’s the future of the young people of Solomon Islands that matters. I am grateful that Huawei has donated the tablets which would make an enormous contribution towards the future of Solomon Islands students who would be using the new gadgets,” he said.

Sir Thomas said the donation by Huawei was only possible through the help of the Kingdom of Tonga, which helped Solomon Islands become a Member of the Pacific-China Friendship Association (PCFA).

Solomon Islands has since established its own association, known as Solomon Islands-China Friendship Association (SICFA).

“These tablets will definitely bring the world of technology a whole lot closer to the students even in remote areas,” Sir Thomas said.

Crystal Serenity’s positive visit feedback is tourism boost: Maepioh

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Crystal Serenity

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

INTEREST shown for return by recent visitors on board the cruise liner Crystal Serenity that recently visited Western Province has got Premier Maepioh applauding the province.

The behaviour shown and friendship created by locals to the recent visitors is a boost to the promoting of tourism in the province said the Premier of Western.

He said the main highlight during the visit day was the memorable farewell organised by locals for the visitors in which they showed gesture of why they had to leave so soon.

“I would like to thank all the visiting friends reaching Gizo for the first time on Crystal Serenity as we heard that they really enjoyed their stay,” said Maepioh.

“Reports saying that they would like to return sometime to visit is a positive response for the province in terms of tourism development.”

He elaborated that if any visitor in the future would like to visit the province then go see, feel and make the choice to love Western Province.

It is understood that the section road beginning from Gizo MSG Building to the BSP Building was closed during the day of visit.

This was to allow pedestrians and local carvers to showcase traditional talents along the main road.

Entertainments were done at the old Gizo Market site as a brief welcome greeted by local warriors was staged in front of the Gizo Hotel upon the landing of the first tender boat.

Other sites said to be visited also were Saeragi Village, Oravae Cottage and tourism resorts surrounding Gizo.

It is understood that Crystal Serenity’s visit to the country was also its first time in Solomon Islands.

 

GP builds new market facility at Hells Point

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Provincial Secretary for Guadalcanal Provincial Government, Mr John Steward said development of this new market important for its people and Provincial government

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

A new crops market is being built at the Hells Point area, east Honiara, by the Guadalcanal provincial government.

The market targets women of the province by providing a safe and accessible avenue to sell their garden and farm products.

The Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) under its six month project of PCDF—(Provincial Capacity Development Fund) is currently digging the drainage system and setting the foundation for the market building. Building of the market house begins soon after.

Work is expected to complete this year depending on the availability of funds.

The land was secured from Levers Company.

The project is GPG’s concept after assessment and consultation conducted in communities around Guadalcanal with recommendation from women to establish a proper market complex.

Deputy Provincial Secretary for Guadalcanal Provincial Government, Mr John Steward said the project stands to benefit the province as well as the citizens of Honiara.

Steward said over the years GP women faced challenges in accessing the Honiara Central Market in terms of space, transportation and crowded.

This has forced them to turn to their provincial government to build for them a market facility.

“I think this is one of the project people on east side and town dweller would excited about because we have another avenue as we know fresh produce are coming from rural areas,” Steward said.

Guadalcanal minister for works, infrastructure and telecommunication, Mr Andrew Rayboy said the province plans to build two markets at both ends of Honiara.

He says they are still working on securing a piece of land for the west Honiara market.

He said the market is open for public and anyone can access the facility to sell their goods if the market infrastructure is complete.

The market will be under GPG administration – they will be responsible for recruitments, safety and security and legal affairs.

As times goes GP will look at other alternatives.

 

Response to IRD Auki reports

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, I wish to take this opportunity to respond to an article titled “Inland Revenue Auki criticised” which appeared in your paper yesterday on March 7.

The author made a number of points which I address below.

Firstly, I thank you for the article as it is in the best interest of the public that these matters are reported openly so that we can action them.

I apologise to those persons effected especially the public transport owners who were trying to do the right thing in attempting to renew their licences.

Secondly, I can assure you that IRD has in the last few months been aware of the issue and a replacement has been identified to replace the concerned officer in a week’s time.

We will be sending some of our officers from Head Office to Auki to identify issues of concern as well talking to the staff concerned to account for their behaviour.

IRD is also aware of continually problems with our record systems especially Transport Management System (TMS) and we will continue to work with Information Communication Technology Support Unit (ICTSU) so that systems issues are resolved to better serve the people of Auki.

Finally IRD takes these criticisms seriously and we are always contactable to receive complaints.

I will be setting up a complaints line in the near future but in the meantime if any member of the public has any complaint please contact by phone on 28245 or email on [email protected]

Joseph Dokekana

Commissioner

Inland Revenue Division

International Women’s Day – focus on leadership and EVAWG

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day, every March 8, is a time for people in Solomon Islands and across the Pacific region to celebrate the progress made towards gender equality.

It’s a day to commit ourselves to redouble our efforts to achieve equal access for Pacific women to education, employment, health, leadership, prosperity and other opportunities – and to realise the rights and benefits that women’s empowerment brings to women and girls, to their communities and nations.

We celebrate the courage and determination of women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their Pacific countries and communities, including our women leaders who make a daily impact in their families, villages, businesses, workplaces, marketplaces, cities and nations.

And we acknowledge the strong commitment by Pacific governments, community organisations and the dedicated and talented women activists and leaders, who are all working to advance gender equality across the Pacific region – to ensure women enjoy the same rights and opportunities as men.

Although there is much to celebrate, March 8 is also a day to reflect and to recognise that we have a long journey ahead to realise empowerment, safety and equality for women in the Pacific.

Notable achievements to close the gap in gender equality in the Pacific include the fact that there are now more girls then ever enrolled in schools and graduating. There are more women running businesses, and women taking up senior professional roles. Another big achievement in recent years was the passing of legislation to protect women and girls from domestic violence.

Despite these gains, there is still a lot of work ahead. While women are increasingly active in the business sector, they are still more likely to be in low wage or unpaid family employment. Higher female enrolment and more female graduates in education has yet to translate to equal numbers of women professionals and leaders. The Pacific still has the lowest global percentages of women in leadership roles including the world’s lowest overall average of women in parliament at only 15 percent. And although women are now more protected by domestic violence laws passed in 10 Pacific States between 2008 and 2014, still, the Pacific still has twice the global average of violence against women. Violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights, which threatens to stop women achieving their potential and limits the development of their family, community and nation.

We have significant work to do to ensure women’s rights and improve gender equality across the Pacific region.

Today I am heartened to see that the commitment and dedication to this work in the Pacific continues to escalate with more new initiatives evolving to promote gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG), and increase access to quality response services for survivors.

VAWG is a significant barrier for women and girls in completing education, taking up professional roles and realising their goals. As such it is a key factor in closing the gender gap and improving the lives of not only women and girls, but their families, communities and nations.

And we know now that closing the gender gap is not only a basic human right, but it also makes the best economic sense. Research and statistics clearly indicate that improving gender equality not only improves the lives of women and girls but also generates significant economic benefits for nations and the Pacific region. Global data indicates that if we invested equally into women in the economy, the world economy could gain $US28 trillion dollars by 2025 .

As Pacific nations move progressively towards closing the gap in gender equality and ensuring all our population – both women and men – are able to participate and contribute equally to community decisions and development, then we’ll see commensurate improvements in the Pacific’s overall development and the quality of life for our wonderful women and our girls.

Let us use this International Women’s Day to reflect on our progress in the Pacific but to also prepare for the ongoing challenges ahead. There is still much work to be done to come close to achieving gender equality for the women and men of the Pacific. The time is now.

By Aleta Miller,

Representative of the UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO), Fiji

 

Be responsible to your rubbish

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, I believe 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 those rubbish? And, finally did she knows 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

PM encourages ministerial weekly press statements

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Hon Rick Hou

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

CABINET Ministers may soon hold weekly press conferences under their “Meet the Press” calendar.

This is according to Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela who after presenting his speech launched a workshop at the Iron Bottom Sound conference room organised for government communication and press officers.

He revealed that he had instructed the press secretary’s office and the government communication unit late last year to draw up a communications strategy for the government.

The Prime Minister then explained that part of the strategy was the “Meet the Press” initiative he introduced which aims to encourage his cabinet ministers including himself, to hold regular press conferences as means to engage with the public.

He added that the idea behind the initiative is to encourage each ministry to adopt a “Meet the Press” calendar for their respective ministries so that they can consistently through their communications officers inform people of government policies and programmes through weekly press statements.

Prime Minister Hou furthers that he has also encouraged all his cabinet ministers to make good use of this opportunity and to build their relationship with the media and our people.

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