DEAR EDITOR, judging by a recent news article in the Solomon Star, complete with a photograph of the landscaping and beautification work done by Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB) Charitable Trust, it is clear that our thanks are due to the SEB team for the lovely gardens that now surround the US Monument on Skyline Ridge.

Ms Sue Mackie the Director and Manager of SEB was quoted in the Solomon Star article as saying of the work at Skyline.

“This is the most visited memorial in Honiara, hundreds of people sign the visitor’s book each month to come and visit this place,”

Mentioning the work of SEB, Ms Mackie added.

“Our services have already been established in the recent past years since the organisation became an independent NGO in 2007.

“As charitable trust, however, the ability to undertake the improvements and beatify parts of Honiara is largely dependent on funds available.

“SEB is reliant on sponsorship of corporate companies that placed sign boards on roundabouts and at sponsored locations and also those who donate directly to the organisation.

“Our goal is to continue to enhance and beatify the urban centres of Solomon Islands through the planting of roadside tress, landscape gardens, parks and recreational areas.

“As a result, we have recently upgraded the Children’s Park at Rove with a grant from the NZ government, through the HCC together with a public toilet.

“And the addition of several benches and further new equipment sponsored by SEB the area has become a popular meeting and resting place”.

Ms Mackie added the SEB provides an appealing and attractive urban surroundings for residents and visitors.

She said a new management team has arrived with considerable experienced skills in both the green business and administration and finance.

“With the ultimate goal of planting thousands of trees in and around the urban centres in Solomon Islands, SEB is always looking out for opportunities to turn small parts of the city into green parks.

“The vision of a town, which has plenty of green shady spaces, is one which will lift everyone’s spirits and make us all proud to live in Honiara.

“For overseas visitors, the provision of seating, shade trees and attractive planting at tourist sites leave a happy memory of the country as they pass through our shores.

“Meanwhile, we are all waiting anxiously for the major road construction work to be completed and we will continue to provide more green plant landscaping and many trees along the route from Henderson to White River,”Ms Mackie said.”

Thank you SEB and keep up your excellent work in continuing to green and beautify the national capital.

Please help the charity with generous donor support.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

DEAR EDITOR, I recently made a renewed appeal for new and second-hand clothing for the many orphans and elderly widows in the care of the Hearts of Hope (HOH) Charity on Malaita.

My appeal on Linkediin and on my website brought two responses today and necessities giving the potential donors the postal address to send the clothing to reach HOH.

Could I kindly request the HOH Charity representative to send me the address which I will forward.

I can be reached via the link on my website – www.solomonislandsinfocus.com or by email – [email protected].

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

THE Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) warns members of public to be careful and not touch any fallen electrical lines lying on the ground during the current bad weather being experienced throughout the country.

The warning comes after a 49-year-old female died in Auki, Malaita Province over the weekend as a result of being electrocuted after touching an electrical line which had fallen on the roadside.

Provincial Police Commander, Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says “The female was on her way home when she saw an electric line was lying across the road.

“She attempted to remove the line not realising that it was a live line. She fell to the ground when she touched the electrical line.”

“She was rushed to the Kilu’ufi but unfortunately she was pronounced death by the medical authorities there.

“I want to appeal to members of the public not to attempt to touch any electrical lines that may have fallen during the current bad weather but report it to the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority(SIEA) or the police.

“I would like to convey my sympathy to the family members of the deceased after the tragic sudden loss of their daughter.”

–POLICE MEDIA

POLICE in Auki, Malaita province are investigating an alleged attempted suicide involving a 60-year-old male who set fire to his own dwelling house at Kafomara village, Central Kwara’ae on January 23, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander, Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “The victim lived alone for a few months and became depressed after his wife went to live with her daughter who was married to a man from North Malaita.

“We received a report from the community on the incident and responded accordingly and transported the victim to Kilu’ufi Hospital.

“Luckily people in the village saw what happened and rescued the man from the burning house.”

The victim is now recovering at the Kilu’ufi Hospital.

Apaesi adds: “I want to encourage members of our communities to look after each other and make sure we check our old folks and assist them should they need help so we do not have such sad incidences.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government is set to launch their policy statement by mid-February, 2018.

Prime Minister Hon Rick Hou said that after forming their government they had set out immediately to prepare their policy priorities.

He said he has a team in his office under the department of Policy Implementation Monitoring Evaluation Unit (PIME), headed by the Chief of Staff who is working on the policy document.

Hou said the SI DCCG policies and statement of implementation are being finalised for submission to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury this week.

He said the purpose of submitting the policies and statement to MoFT is to have it aligned with the 2018 budget.

Hou said the statements will be launched by mid-February upon attaining their first 100 days in office.