Home Blog Page 1549

Concern for increased anti-social youth behaviour in Gizo

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THERE is growing concern for the increasing number of young people indulged in homebrew and marijuana in Gizo, Western province.

A mother of three, Mrs Martha told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that women and girls are not safe from such practices that are entertained in communities around Gizo.

“This is dirty practice as young youths to entertain in Gizo and the influence of alcohol or drugs may lead you to the wrong direction.

“Alcohol and drugs affect each and every one of us, directly or indirectly: in our homes, in our families, in our school, in our community, town or nation as a whole.

“I observe most young youths start drinking alcohol and this is a concern for parents who are responsible to advice your children not to involve with other boys who influence drug,” said Martha.

She calls on Gizo police officers and parents to seriously monitor young boys, especially at night.

She said those who reside at Top-hill, Jah Mountain, Banana valley and District areas become victim to disturbances by youths.

“Responsible organisations, church elders, community leaders and parents must be responsible to stop those bad activities continue to be entertained in Gizo,” she said.

Showing appreciation and gratitude to others

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, two separate news stories came to my attention in the local media last week and both centered on individuals speaking out because they felt their efforts were not being appreciated and there was no gratitude for their work.

In the first instance a group of local Councillors in Choiseul complained that the work they had been doing for the community was not being appreciated and they were disappointed.

The second story emanated from a small group of municipal street cleaners in Gizo who, similarly, considered their work was going unrecognised and with little public support for the demanding work they had been doing.

When I think about public service and all those who dedicate their lives to this endeavour in the Solomon Islands, I am guessing that perhaps not many get the appreciation and gratitude they deserve.

Showing appreciation of a person’s work is known to directly impact on work results and employee reaction.

When a person is appreciated the individual’s performance is often boosted and wellbeing and health improved.

It would be my hope that all in the Solomon Islands would move towards a better appreciation of all those in society in work, large or small, that contribute daily to making the community more cohesive, productive and tolerant and who are striving to make a renewed ‘Happy Isle’ again.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Royal PNG police view on corruption

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, quoting Radio New Zealand International news bulleting on February 18, 2018.

“The head of the Papua New Guinea police anti-fraud squad says corruption has grown significantly in recent years.

“Matthew Damaru said with the growth of PNG’s economy, corruption had grown from simple fraud to more elaborate scams.

“According to him, anti-fraud detectives are now looking at corruption at the highest level.

“However his anti-fraud squad became marginalised by funding constraints.

“Mr Damaru said last year the squad had a good year with lots of people arrested and charged, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to jail.

“He said he’s hoping the same will happen this year.

“If you can do more of those we can send that deterrent message. Otherwise you know corruption is going to go out of hand.”

“The thing that I fear is that I don’t want the new generation coming up to, when they see corruption, and say ‘this is our culture, this is how we live, this is how we do our business’, that is the last thing we want to see happen,” he said.

“We have hundreds of unsolved cases going back years but we don’t have the capacity to deal with them,” he said.

“The more people we can send to jail the more we can send a message of deterrence. But unfortunately we are unable to always do that because of resource constraints.”

“The problem was only getting worse, he explained.

“The more economic activity grows, the more money we have and that creates an incentive for people to want more money for themselves,” he said.”

Copyright : Radio New Zealand international 2018   (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Rural health care of pregnant women, mothers and children

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, more than three years ago World Vision in the Solomon Islands reported that the country’s nurse aid posts and rural health clinics chronically lacked essential equipment and medicine to save mothers and children’s lives

As one reads more and more of the dilapidated and run down state of the county’s rural health clinics I begin to wonder how much more are pregnant women and mothers and children seeking medical assistance in the rural communities scattered across the country getting the help they need from humanitarian organisations in the Solomon Islands like World Vision?

The maternal mortality rate in the Solomon Islands was quoted by World Vision as 100 deaths per 100,000, compared with 1 in 4, 4700 in more wealthy countries.

It was known World Vision was previously working with communities to establish Village Health Volunteers who could assist pregnant women as they prepared to give birth safely and also educate them about maternal and child health issues.

I would hope that Village Health Volunteers trained by World Vision are still able to provide health advice to families and also available to encourage pregnant women to do antenatal check-ups and to prepare for the delivery of their babies.

Perhaps World Vision could comment on the work currently being done to aid pregnant women, mothers and children given what is currently known about the continuing reports of abandoned rural health clinics and in the light of the fact that the Prime Minister had vowed to give priority to rural health clinic problems on assuming office.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

West public told to vote wisely

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

PEOPLE of Western province are being urged to vote wisely this coming national general elections.

A Mr Andrew Koke told Island Sun Gizo yesterday said, “Most leaders are prioritizing decisions depending on their self-interests.”

“We need great leaders with performance, character and they have vision, courage, integrity, humility and focus along with the ability to plan strategically and catalyze cooperation amongst their people living in rural areas.

“Great leaders have a vision and they can see into the future. They have a clear, exciting idea of where they are going and what they are trying to accomplish and are excellent at strategic planning to lead our provinces.”

Western Province Registration Manager Christian Siale, the revising Officer (RVO), will travel to Honiara to handover all the registration data and materials to the SI Electoral Office for the finalisation of the Voters List and it is envisaged that this process should be completed by the end of this month for both Western and Choiseul provinces.

“Therefore, the responsible Ministry and National government will set the date for Western and Choiseul Province,” he said.

ENDS///

Electoral commission thanks Western province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE country’s electoral commission (SIEC) has acknowledged the people and government of the Western province on accomplishing their biometric voters registration.

Mr Christian Siale, the Western Province Registration Manager on behalf of Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC), thanked the Premier and Executive and Admin of the Western provincial government for allowing their officers to be part of this very important three-month exercise.

“I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support from the SIEC Chief Electoral Officer (AG), Operations Team, Finance Team and Training team.

“Special appreciation to the former CEO, the late Alphonsus Buto who came down last year to initiate the first stage of the process.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the registration officers of the nine constituencies for their invaluable support and cooperation throughout the past three month period.”

He said the successful completion of the process is indebted to sheer commitment, leadership and sacrifices amidst difficulties and challenges encountered out in the field.

Siale also appreciates the families of the officers for their patience and understanding during the period and thanked the people from Shortlands to Marovo for welcoming the registration officers to their communities/homes and assisting them in their tasks.

Meanwhile, Speaking on behalf of the Western Provincial Government & Administration, the Principal Administration also the Registration Officer for West New Georgia/Vonavona Constituency acknowledged SIEC for the financial and technical support rendered towards this BVR exercise.

Mr Tuke noted that the importance of the registration exercise as an important task in the election process.

Western province biometric voter registration update & revision exercise concludes

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE Western Province Biometric Voter Registration Update and Revision Exercise 2017 has successfully concluded in Gizo, Western province.

Western Province Registration Manager Christian Siale told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that the closing ceremony was held at the Imagination Island Resort on Saturday.

Mr Siale said handing over of the registration data and materials by the registration officials to the office of Revising Officer (RVO) and Registration Manager has concluded.

Siale said the Registration Exercise commenced with the Notice of Inviting Claims (Form A) and Submission of Claims to be registered voter (Form B) from December 4-17, 2017 according to Section 16(3)(B) & Section 17(1) of the National Parliamentary Entitlements Provisions Act (NPEPA).

“Followed by 30 days of Data Matching, Adjudication and De-duplication and compilation and printing of Provisional List of Voters according to Section 18(1)(B) & Section 19A (1)(2) of NPEPA.

“Then there was the Publication of the Provisional List of Voters for public Inspection as per Section 18 (3) (B) of NPEPA.

“Followed by Receiving of Claims of Omissions and Objections as per Section 19(3)(B) & Section 19A(3) of NPEPA; then from 1st to 16th February 2018 was the final field exercise that involved publication of Lists of Claims of Omissions & Objections and conduct of Public Inquiry into the Claims received according to Section 20 of NPEPA,” said Siale.

Siale explained that what is left now is the settlement and finalisation of the Voters List for the province as per Section 21 of NPEPA.

PM assures new MSG chair of support

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
The PM shares a laughter with his PNG counterpart and PNG's Sports & APEC Minister Justin Tchachenko

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has assured the Melanesia Spearhead Group of Solomon Islands’ support to Papua New Guinea as the new chair of MSG.

In his statement at the plenary meeting last week, Prime Minister Houenipwela said his Government understands the challenges faced by the organisation but he is optimistic that the current chair will take MSG to new heights in its endeavours in political, cultural, social, trade and economic cooperation with his able leadership.

“Allow me to reiterate my government’s confidence and support to the Office of the Chair of the MSG. We will continue to offer our unwavering support to the chair and secretariat,” the Prime Minister told leaders at the plenary meeting.

The Prime Minister said his Government understands the issues affecting the MSG sub-region and acknowledge that it must be approached and dealt with in a delicate, respectable and collaborative manner.

“This is the fundamental principle laid down by our Melanesian forefathers and that is to live in peace, harmony and prosperity. My government will be focusing on enhancing cooperation on all issues with all members of MSG,” he said.

The Prime Minister also congratulated Papua New Guinea for being given the honour to host the upcoming APEC meeting in November.

He said it is an opportunity for PNG and other countries to showcase themselves to the world.

“We wish the government and the people of Papua New Guinea a successful outcome in promoting our region,” he said.

The Prime Minister also assured his fellow MSG leaders of his Government’s support to the MSG sub-regional organisation.

“We will remain committed to advance the goals of the MSG,” he said.

Prime Minister Houenipwela also took the opportunity to congratulate Fiji for taking the leadership at COP23.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has also joined the MSG chair and PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neil in conveying and expressing sincere sympathies to the people of the Kingdom of Tonga following the recent Cyclone Gita that devastated their country.

–OPMC PRESS

PG boss to meet task force 2023

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan.

By Taromane Martin

PACIFIC Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan will meet Prime Minister Honorable Rick Hou and the members of the Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games Council task force this week.

Mr Lakhan who is in the country, told SunSPORTS yesterday his plan is to also visit the Minister for Sports, Honorable Commins Mewa, the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) and Task Force 2023 to get a feel of the country’s preparation in hosting the Games.

“I’m here until the next Friday. On Tuesday I will begin my Pacific Games Council work regarding 2023,” he said .

“The plan is to meet with the Prime Minister and Minister for Sports, the task force people, NOCSI Executive Board and get a feel of what is happening.

“That’s what we’re going to do in the next three or four days,” he said.

Mr Lahkan yesterday successfully conducted a two days’ workshop on good governance for the representatives from affiliated NOCSI National Sports Federations at the SIRUF Conference room at Town Ground over the weekend.

Totori bags two goals for Lautoka

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Islands international Benjamin Totori scored two second half goals to help Lautoka cruised to a 2-1 win over Suva in the Fiji Vodafone Premier League round match yesterday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Lautoka was trailing Suva by a goal deficit in the first half when defender Remeuru Takaita put the capital infront with a well-taken strike.

However, Lautoka regrouped in the second half and Totori stole the show by scoring two unanswered goals to give the Blues a perfect come back and claimed maximum points.

The win elevated Lautoka’s confidence ahead of this weekend’s Oceania Champions league Group C contest in Auckland, New Zealand.

Lautoka is expected to depart Fiji for New Zealand toward the end of the week.

Their first Oceania champions league hit-out is scheduled for this Sunday against PNG’s Madang FC at the Trusts Arena in Auckland before taking on AS Venus (Tahiti) and defending champions Auckland City on February 28 and March 3 respectively.

The two winners that will emerge out of the Group C contest progresses into the last eight with the leader earning advantage of hosting one of the quarterfinal matches at home.

 

WITH 2 PIX OF TOTORI

1...1,5481,5491,550...1,680Page 1,549 of 1,680