BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

SEVEN Australian parliamentarians and a delegation compromising media and Save the Children (major organising NGO) representatives from Australia visited project sites of various NGO-work in Malaita province.

The projects funded by AusAid (ANCP) are being implemented by Save The Children, World Vision and Oxfam.

During their visit to Oxfam’s safe families programme in Oibola, Langalanga lagoon, the visiting MPs were impressed with changes that happened as result of the intervention.

Speaking on behalf of the high level delegation, Australian MPs’ representative Trevor Evans (federal member for Brisbane) acknowledged Oibola community for embracing the concept of gender equality.

“Gender equality is not only an issue for Solomon Islands but it is a universal problem effort into ensuring that both men and women are working together and that the community is safe for our children.”

Also accompanying the visiting delegation to Oibola was the premier of Malaita province Hon Peter Ramohia, who welcomed the delegation to his province and acknowledged the Australian government for its continual support to improving the lives of Solomon Islanders in particularly the people of Malaita province.

“Malaita province being a province with very high population is always thankful for whatever assistance it receives from the people and government of Australia.”

The delegation also visited Save the Children work at Kelakwai in Central Kwara’ae and one of the World Vision sites at Gwaibaleo, in west Kwara’ae.

BY BEN BILUA

UNDERSECRETARY (Acting) of Health Improvement within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services says non-government organisations are important actors in health service development.

Dr Nemia Bainivalu made the statement during the opening of Empower Pacific – Solomon Islands Branch.

He said Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) have played a crucial role supporting national government in every facet of their work and for the betterment of Solomon Islands and its people.

Bainivalu stressed that contributions made by Non-Government organisations are tremendous and has contributed significantly for the betterment and wellbeing of people of this country.

“In modern societies across the globe, countless innovations pioneered by NGOs have subsequently been adopted as government policy either it had been Health, Education, Advocacy, Gender Issues, Development, Human Rights, Human Security, Sustainable livelihood; NGO’s are commended for their work.

“A civil society in the modern world fills in a vacuum by taking up challenges or risks for social change which the public sector and private sector can’t or won’t.

“Simply, civil society organisations are able to take risks that are economically unacceptable to business and politically unacceptable to government,” he said.

Bainivalu stressed that numerous models of service delivery that are considered “best practice” today were devised, tested, and improved over many years of experimentation by NGOs.

He strongly emphasised that it is essential that government ministries donors, national governments, civil society organisations and as individuals must work together to achieve a well-balanced, productive and flourishing society, country and the world.

Bainivalu said the partnership between the Ministry of Health and Medical Service and Empower Pacific demonstrate NGO and Government institutions coming together to improve services in the health sector.

He reiterated that Empower Pacific’s existence in Solomon Islands for last few years and the services it provides to the people of Solomon Islands with its immense contribution in the field of psychosocial support services in a positive start.

One the same note, Bainivalu urge all the medical professionals to work closely with Empower Pacific and make use of the services they provide.

“We must remember that we are all working towards a common goal, a goal to empower our people,” he said.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE Provincial Government of Central Islands Province (CIP) is eyeing to assist scholarships for CIP’s students studying at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

First focusing on to assist is the untrained teachers of the province who do not have qualification said CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.

He said those who wish for funding their tuition fees and so can seek through their Education Division for assistance once the province receives the 2018-2019 Budget soon.

“Being the first for such move by CIP’s Provincial Government, we will now allocate providing scholarship for students studying at SINU,” said the premier.

“Like other provinces, we will be funding our students with a bit of assistance til they continue abroad.”

According to CIP’s Executive Government body, they will not be considering qualified teachers much yet because they are already qualified for salary.

It is understood that many people usually want to do further studies but lack financial support so CIP’s current move is seen as a positive development for the future education of the province and country.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE Provincial Government of Central Islands Province (CIP) is eyeing to assist scholarships for CIP’s students studying at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

First focusing on to assist is the untrained teachers of the province who do not have qualification said CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.

He said those who wish for funding their tuition fees and so can seek through their Education Division for assistance once the province receives the 2018-2019 Budget soon.

“Being the first for such move by CIP’s Provincial Government, we will now allocate providing scholarship for students studying at SINU,” said the premier.

“Like other provinces, we will be funding our students with a bit of assistance til they continue abroad.”

According to CIP’s Executive Government body, they will not be considering qualified teachers much yet because they are already qualified for salary.

It is understood that many people usually want to do further studies but lack financial support so CIP’s current move is seen as a positive development for the future education of the province and country.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Head of Environmental Health Division Mr Goeroge Titiulu has called on all operating food outlet premises to provide convenient rooms for consumers.

He made the call during an interview with Island Sun over the weekend.

“Having toilet facilities in all operating food premises was one main criteria HCC is considering before permitting the business to operate.

“If a restaurant failed to provide this important service then HCC will close the restaurant from business,” Titiulu said.

He explained that small, medium to huge restaurants must provide toilets, and it is a requirement under HCC law.

“HCC is trying to see and ensure all these basic requirements consumers’ needs are covered,” said Titiulu.

He said HCC will carry knocking on the doors of all food outlets to check if the restaurants meets the standard and required practices under HCC law.

Titiulu said any food outlets who failed to provide and meet the standard requirements and services will face the law.

“This action is carried out as part of HCC’s daily checks to meet what its laws required,” he said.

Titiulu said HCC will continues with check today.

A team of police officers from Kirakira Station, in Makira Ulawa Province successfully completed a week’s tour of Ugi Island as part of the Crime Prevention Strategy; from January 12-16, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “Following the arrest of two female teenagers over the festive season at Umara village led to the need for police to do more awareness talks.

“The aim of the awareness is to educate people about the Family Protection Act implementation and also to get the support of community members on Ugi Island to try to curb illegal activities such as home-made alcohol, the growing, use and sale of the dangerous drug marijuana.

“The brewing and sale of home-made alcohol without a license authorised by the Minister responsible is against the law and so is growing, use, possession and sale of marijuana.”

The police team visited Makia, Hunuta, Mwanipua, Tawarodo and Marou Villages during the tour of on Ugi Island.

“I am pleased with the outcome of the tour of Ugi and thank you the members of the community for their support in making the tour a success.

“I appeals to other communities in Makira Ulawa province to do the same and work closely with the police to ensure these illegal activities do not happen in our communities.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY JARED KOLI

A fire incident resulted from an electrical fault at Solomon Power’s electric pillar box at Point Cruz on Friday, requires the state-owned electricity provider to do regular checks at its public power boxes.

A member of the public who was among dozen others that witness Friday’s incident, said such occurrence pose threat to lives and properties and must be prevented at all cost.

This paper witnessed an electrical pillar box, located next to Pioneer shop at Point Cruz bursted in massive flames at dusk on Friday, sending shockwaves among pedestrians and close-by business owners.

Owner of Pioneer Shop was lucky enough to remove his vehicle parked close to the burning electrical box, as Solomon Motors lends its fire extinguisher to assist men took down the fury flames.

Solomon Power workers later arrived and confirmed that the fault is caused by a load of dirt. This paper witnessed a mixture of dirt including empty plastic bottles, empty cans, plastics and sticks filled the power box when Solomon Power workers arrived and opened the burning power box.

An electrical contractor, Paul Urariu who was also at the scene then, said there could be a fault in the pillar box which at times can be caused by misconnection or dirty filled. This is because such power boxes contain very high voltage connecting to underground electricity lines.

Meanwhile, the member of the public said, power boxes stationed in public vicinities should be regularly inspected and cleaned to prevent such incidence.

“It is their duty, they must do more regular checks at their appliances, and if necessary have them cleaned at all times to prevent dangers from public.

“Lucky that this incident was controlled in time before the flame could have intensified and catch on to other buildings or properties,” the member of the public who refused to be named, said.

Island Sun understands that Solomon Power has already had the pillar box fixed and replaced it with a new 400 volts new pillar box, much smaller in size.

A team of Fire fighters arrived minutes later and assists men to control the flame with fire extinguishers during the fire incident.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A tractor’s service planned to be purchased for Tulaghi Township to collect rubbish will be a two way benefit for the people and Provincial Government said CIP’s Premier.

Central Islands Province (CIP) Hon Patrick Vasuni said rubbish collection has been very poor as continuous hiring to use tractors is costly.

“The tractor to be bought will help the work load of rubbish collection as it will also be for hiring purposes,” said the Premier.

“Demand for hiring our vehicles is high so we suggest that a tractor too is suitable for multi-tasks. This includes loading house materials and such.

“So the tractor’s purpose planned will be a two way benefit for the CIP Provincial Government Office in receiving income from and for the people to use them for whatever purposes.”

BY JARED KOLI

FORMER South Pacific Oil Limited (SPOL) Aviation Manager and Australian, Stephen Carey has resurfaced a 7-year outstanding complaint filed against the former Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Captain Ron Sumsum since 2011.

The Solomon Airlines, the Solomon Islands judiciary and the police have faced tough questioning from a disappointed Mr Carey in an email forwarded to the Ombudsman, Director of Police Prosecution, RSIPF Assistant Commissioner Crime, Registrar of the High Court, Solomon Airlines and Australia Foreign Minister.

Carey says his allegations concern perjury, fabrication and falsification of evidence, perversion of justice, criminal conspiracy and defamation, civil and criminal.

“Funny, Solomon Airlines declined to respond to accusations I have made repeatedly to all newspapers, the RSIPF and various statutory authorities in Solomon Islands and Australia.”

Referring to his case against Sumsum, the former SPOL Aviation Manager said the case was filed in 2011 and is still waiting to go to court in 2018.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. I stand ready to provide actual documents to support my claims of criminality on the part of Solomon Airlines former CEO Ron Sumsum and HR Bill Tyson.

“Pity the police refuse to provide comment on criminal complaints filed in 2011,” he stated.

Island Sun understands that in August 2015 Director of the Public Prosecution (DPP), Ronald Bei Talasasa has responded to a letter by Mr Stephen Carey claiming the DPP fails to act on the criminal complaints.

Mr Talasasa says his office will act on the criminal complaints as soon as reports from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department is received.

In the letter then, Carey stated Talasasa has made a number of specific promises to him in respect of the criminal complaints.

Carey claims failure by the DPP means he does not want to see the truth exposed.

This paper is seeking clarifications from DPP regarding the matter.

In a civil case number of 290 of 2011, Carey filed a case against Sumsum seeking damages for defamation including compensatory, aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages.

The claim was after Sumsum emailed SPOL General Manager Mr Carson Korowa and copied to Chairman of Solomon Airlines, SPOL Chairman and Director of Civil Aviation ‘false and malicious allegations’ against Carey.