A concerned citizen expresses that with potential in the country’s tourism sector, particularly in accommodation the National Provident Fund (NPF) should build a 5 star resort at Munda, Western Province.
A Mr George Notoibae said that NPF should make a franchise agreement with a company that carries a brand name to take care of their marketing, promotions, know-how etc.
In this regard, he explains that such companies are not only well known around the world but are also very popular to tourists all due to their status of providing the best services.
“Companies with brand names are well known and these are companies that are most favored by tourists because they are the best when it comes to what they represent in terms of their services, hospitality and image”, Mr Notoibae said.
He furthers that hotels are potentially capable of contributing to the country’s tourism sector.
“So if the Ministry of Tourism and the government can seriously look into prioritizing this then we should be well off as compared to other countries in the Pacific because we are culturally diverse and this is something that attracts tourists here”, Mr Notoibae said.
TRIAL into the case against the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and his wife has commenced in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday.
First prosecution witness has been called and will continue giving evidence today.
This is the case in relation to the suspended permanent secretary Mr Henry Murray and his wife.
Murray is facing counts of official corruption contrary to section 91 (a) of the Penal Code and Rose Murray is facing 19 counts of false pretence contrary tosection 308 (a) of the Penal Code.
They were charged in relation to an allegation relate to a series of offences alleged between 2014 to 2017 in relation to multiple payments of motor vehicle hire charges to a company that police alleged was registered to the PS and his wife.
The value of those payments is estimated to the excess of 1.1 million dollars and as a result of that they both face a range of serious charges.
The couple appeared at the Honiara Magistrate Court and apart from the cash bail other strict conditions also applied on both the accused.
That they must surrender all passports (official and personal), Surrender any or all keys, access cards, identification cards to the offices of Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) including telecommunication devices, cellular phones laptop computers, motor vehicles, passwords and pass codes and uniform items provided to him by virtue of his contract of employment as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development;
Not to approach or enter Office buildings belonging to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development or Ministry of Finance & Treasury;
To reside at their current residential address situated at East Kola Ridge, Honiara;
Not to interfere with Police witnesses;
Not to contact any person directly or indirectly employed by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development or the Ministry of Finance & Treasury;
Not to leave or travel out of Honiara or Guadalcanal Province without the consent of the court and to report to Naha Police Station every Mondays and Fridays between 8:00am – 4:00pm.
Leslie Kwaiga from L & L law firm represents the couple while Florence Joel from the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.
FORMER councillor of the Honiara Town Council HTC, now Honiara City Council (HCC), Charles Lesimaoma, believes the Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB) and Whistle Blower Bill (WBB) can fight corruption in this country.
The ACB and WBB are two of the eight bills now before parliament.
The government, under the leadership of Rick Hou, will deliberate on these bills when parliament resumes next week.
Mr Lesimaoma, who worked for the HTC (now HCC) for 12 years, said corruption is high here and the introduction of these laws will help curb it.
He said the ACB and WBB are bills the last government has strongly talked about.
The former ward-1 councillor said these bills have raised public expectation but was dropped in parliament in the end.
“There was a general expectation that these bills to be passed but there was a change in government,” Lesimaoma said.
He said the current government should use its short time in office to have the two bills passed.
“Having these bills (ACB & WBB) passed should be a wonderful gift the government present to the people of this country before its leave,” Lesimaoma said.
He took the opportunity to acknowledge Prime Minister Hou for displaying concern over government spending by way of enforcing cost-cutting measures shortly after assuming office.
Lesimaoma said added this country need leaders who are not self-serving and are role model for the public.
The City Councillor for Vura ward in Honiara Mr Reginald Ngati
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
SINUSA President Mr Reginald Ngati
THE Ministry of education (MEHRD) has reached out to students of Solomon Islands national university (SINU) by way of dialogue yesterday.
It is understood issues concerning student welfare topped the agenda list.
President of SINU’s student association Mr Reginald Ngati, after the meeting with permanent secretary of MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie, spoke highly of the meetings outcome.
Saying that Mr Rodie has promised to consider recommendations put before him by the student association.
“I want to praise PS Rodie for the way he open up discussion and accepted the mind of students presented to his yesterday in our exclusive dialogue.
“Now I am waiting on PS’s discretion and administration to see what they can do in their capacity regarding our concerns.
“I want to call on students who affected by this issue to stay calm and bear with Ministry and me as a president as we try to sort things out here.”
Ngati acknowledges Rodie’s patience and amicable approach in dealing with the SINU students issue, which is one major challenge for the ministry.
GIZO Community High school has closed due to the safety fears caused by the escape of 29 Bougainvillean men from police custody yesterday.
School Principal Mr Wiggen laments that the closure will adversely affect students’ education, but insists that it is for the safety of everyone.
He shares to Island Sun that following yesterday’s news of the detainees’ escape parents flooded the school early to pick up their children.
Police also advised the school to close while the situation remains hot.
Businesses in Gizo yesterday also closed their doors following the escape, awaiting advice from the police on the status of the situation.
Meanwhile, Wiggen says, “Both CHS and Primary Division has close for normal classes but our school will depend entirely of the current situation in Gizo. Safety is our school number one priority and we calls on the students to stay safe. We will inform parents and students when the school will start if the situation calm this week.”
All bottle shops and night clubs within Gizo remain close until further notice.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
SERVICES including banks, shops, liquor outlets and pubs & night clubs in Gizo are closed following yesterday’s escape incident.
Police have informed owners of businesses in Gizo, Munda and Noro and nearby islands to close temporarily while they sort out the issue of the 29 Bougainvillean men who had escaped police custody yesterday morning.
Gizo police officers together with reinforcements from Honiara are on the lookout for the escapees.
All bottle shops and night clubs within Gizo remain close until further notice.
The Bougainvilleans had been arrested on Tuesday after they illegally crossed border and were making their way to Noro town.
It is reported that they were following news that one of their kinsmen had died in Noro under suspicious circumstances.
RSIPF are now carrying out high visible security services and investigation is going on right now but they kindly ask the relatives of Shortlands Island and Bougainville to calm.
Meanwhile, Western Province Premier Mr Wayne Maepio declared yesterday that all liquor outlets within Gizo, Noro and Munda are to remain closed together with public bars, restaurants, resorts and night clubs.
Maepio said “both parties will settle this issue in a proper way rather than taking law into our own hands”.
Maepio understands that RSIPF together with the PRT have now set up a security service around Gizo, Noro and Munda for public safety.
People living around Gizo frustrate over the closure of Shops within Gizo town over the current situation happen on Wednesday
PM Houenipwela with his Ministers in group photo with the Taiwan Ambassador Roger Luo during handing over ceremony of 11,000 solar Lamp at the
Ministry of Rural Development complex, KGVI.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
THE Republic of China (Taiwan) handed over 11,000 units of solar lamps to the Solomon Islands Government’s Ministry of Rural Development yesterday, which will be distributed among the country’s 50 constituencies.
The donation comes under Taiwan’s 2018 Clean Energy Project: One Student One Solar Lamp Programme. The units cost Taiwan around SDB$3 million.
The solar lamps will be distributed to students and villagers in all 50 constituencies through the MPs’ CDO office in the Ministry of Rural Development. Each constituency will receive 220 units.
Taiwan’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands His Excellency Roger Luo said the Clean Energy Project demonstrates Taiwan’s continued commitment to Solomon Islands.
He also adds it demonstrate Taiwan’s dedication to promote reliable and affordable solar energy to students and villagers in the rural areas of Solomon Islands.
PM Houenipwela with his Ministers in group photo with the Taiwan Ambassador Roger Luo during handing over ceremony of 11,000 solar Lamp at the Ministry of Rural Development complex, KGVI.
Mr Luo explained the solar lamp project originated from the One Student One Solar Lamp Programme since 2011, and is intended to help Solomon Islands students with better lighting systems for their daily study.
“Solomon Islands have abundant sunlight all year round, therefore it has great potential to benefit from clean solar energy,” Luo said.
In the presence of senior government officials yesterday, Luo assures Taiwan is ready to help Solomon Islands improve living conditions in rural areas by offering advanced solar energy technology.
He adds, an example is the support towards Solomon Islands national university (SINU) solar energy project this year which will be completed before the year’s end.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela acknowledged the government and people of Taiwan for their continuous generosity and support.
“The generous gift and support by the ROC (Taiwan) will continue to go a long way towards supporting Solomon Islands in striving to meet its educational goals and commitments in the SDGs and Solomon Islands National Strategy 2016-2023,” Mr Hou said.
He adds being encouraged by seeing that the solar lamps are suitable and appropriate for students in rural areas.
Meanwhile, the solar lamp units feature brighter LED lights, lighter weight, lithium battery, build-in AM/FM radio with antenna, and USB output.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela and Taiwan Ambassador HE Roger Luo
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela strongly encourages Community Development Officers (CDO) from the country’s 50 constituencies to fairly distribute the solar lamp units which have been donated by Taiwan.
PM Hou has entrusted the fair distribution of the lamps to the 50 CDOs, and encourages recipients to care for the lamps as ‘gifts are not cheap’.
Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela and Taiwan Ambassador HE Roger Luo
“I trust that in distributing this new equipment the respective CDOs will also take time to remain our children and people especially in rural areas that these solar lamps are not cheap,” Mr Hou said.
“It is a gift given with the goodwill and sacrifice of the people of Taiwan.
“Therefore, we should learn to use the solar lamp for purpose they are gifted and donated, and also look after well so these can be last for as long as possible.”
Minister for Ministry of Rural Development, Mr Duddley Kopu backs Hou’s call by encouraging CDOs to identify and prioritise students from disadvantaged families.
Kopu said the equipment is intended to assist students in their daily studies and other educational activities.
He adds the overall aim of the project initiated by Taiwan is to help Solomon Islands students in all 50 constituencies with better lighting systems for educational programmes and activities.
Taiwan Ambassador HE Roger Luo handover the 11,000 solar lamp units to PM Rick Houenipwela and Minister for Ministry of Rural Development Duddley Kopu.The solar lamp units which was donated by the Taiwan government under the Home Lucky Enterprises.
DEAR EDITOR, a couple of weeks ago I posed the question in the local SI media to what extent the Solomon Islands had, or was, benefitting from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in view of the dramatic impact of climate change on small islands and coastal areas in the country?
No answers were forthcoming.
This Tuesday, I read that neighbouring Vanuatu is to get $US 28 from the GCF. Here are the details.
Quoting Radio New Zealand International – 20 February 2018
“The Green Climate Fund is to inject $US28 million dollars into the Vanuatu Ministry of Climate Change to help the country address climate change.
“The Daily Post says the five year project will address key climate change vulnerabilities and support climate change resilience development with a focus on infrastructure, tourism, fisheries, agriculture and health.
“Vanuatu is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and one of the world’s most at-risk places for natural disasters like cyclones, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
“The Green Climate Fund is a fund established within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“Its stated purpose is to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.
“The GCF is based in South Korea and is governed by a Board of representatives from 24 countries, including most of the world’s most advanced economies.” Copyright: RNZI (All Rights Reserved)
DEAR EDITOR, a 20 foot container with equipment supplies worth more than NZ$37,620, is on its way from New Zealand and is expected to arrive in Honiara on March 11.
The donated contents of the container were requested from Take My Hands Charitable Trust, based in Auckland, following appeals made for assistance from local NGO’s and the Hearts of Hope Charity (HOH).
The inventory supplied to me today, includes more than 690 boxes of clothing and footwear destined for the HOH on Malaita, over 3000 pairs of spectacles, given by Lions Clubs (NZ) for the Honiara Referral Eye Centre, many items of office furniture for the SIDT, wheel chairs, walking frames, crutches and other disability aids for the Association of Persons with Disabilities, kitchen utensils, a micro wave for the Women’s Refugee Centres, and a multi-power box that could be useful to aiding a disabled person in his/her work.
The container was initially paid for by a kind donation of the SFA and the past President of the SFA, Mr J Sy, has again offered to cover the landing and wharf fees once the container is off loaded from the container vessel.
In the course of sourcing the equipment and supplies for this ‘one off’ container, TMH has managed to open up new donor sources in New Zealand for clothing and furniture and it is hoped that in the future additional help for local NGO organisations might be possible.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking TMH in responding to the call for help and to the SFA and to Mr. J Sy for giving me the support to have initiated this project.
I thank, too, Lions Clubs (NZ) for once more helping the needy in the Solomon Islands with eye glasses.
