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New city to be built in Vanuatu this year

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Quoting Radio New Zealand International – 8 January 2018

A private company in Vanuatu is embarking on an ambitious venture to build a new modern city on Efate this year.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported the project, dubbed “Rainbow International City” or “Little Singapore” is being driven by FPF Company Limited a self-described multi-profile company behind Vanuatu’s first English-Chinese newspaper the Vila Times.

“The company was also involved in construction, retail and immigration and business consulting in the Pacific.

“Its new city is to be built on around 87 hectares of land at Narpow Point on Efate about nine kilometres from Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila.

“According to the developers the city will be marketed to tourists and long term investors.

“It aims to offer potential customers accommodation, food, shopping and entertainment and provide education and health services as well as leisure and adventure attractions, including a six-star hotel, to boost Vanuatu’s tourism profile.

Copyright: Radio New Zealand International (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Samoa healthcare expected to improve under merger

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Quoting RNZI on 11 January 2018.

“Samoa’s director general of health says he expects healthcare in Samoa to improve once the National Health Service and the Ministry of Health merge at the end of the month.

“The management of the two offices has been separate over the last ten years.

“The director general of health and head of the ministry, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, said many difficulties had been noted in the running of the health service as a result.

“His comments came after prime minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi met the two sides of the health service this week when he addressed several problems.

The minister of health is chairing an interim board of directors which includes the minister of finance, the attorney general and the minister of government enterprises to oversee the merger.

“Combining services would not affect jobs but could bring some health units under a single supervisory body.

Copyright : RNZI   (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

UNICEF keen to assist rural health in PNG

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Quoting RNZI on 12 January 2018

“The Head of UNICEF in Papua New Guinea says his agency will meet government officials to see how they can assist with rural communities that are struggling to access health care.

“Monjur Hossain’s comments come after a report that 24 children died in a remote part of Morobe province due to an unconfirmed illness.

“Mr Hossain said tests are being conducted to establish the causes of death but whooping cough and pneumonia were suspected.

“He said healthcare was in a dire state, particularly for remote areas like where the deaths occurred where it can take seven days to walk to the nearest city for medical attention.

“The situation had been made worse by a shortage of medicines and the departure of the local health worker.

“Over 60 percent of the aid force, the community health force, [is] closed because there is no health staff or the supplies. Recently because of the budget cuts and all this, the medical supplies are an issue here in PNG. Almost every is out of stock, particularly the essential drugs, antibiotics and things like this.”

“Monjur Hossain said he hoped to meet with Ministry of Health officials tomorrow and that UNICEF wanted to help.

“We need medical supplies, enough medical supplies and drugs and the money to transport support to go there. However we are trying to mobilise and that’s why I am actually calling on the National Department of Health about it and other partners.”

Copyright © 2018, Radio New Zealand (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

HCC asked to do more to control betel chewing attitude

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
HCC Lord Mayor Andrew Mua

BY BEN BILUA

THE bad side of betel chewing has continued to downgrade the ambition to improve Honiara and now the Honiara City Council (HCC) is in the final stage to impose tougher laws to control betel nut selling in Honiara.

People’s attitude is one of the huge problem that continues to deny the beauty of Honiara.

Red betel nut stains are visible in most part of Honiara including the Central Business District with filth caused by betel nut husks and spits a sickening sight.

In an interview with this paper Mr Junior Tangi said HCC can do more not only in enforcing law but improving the walk paths within the Central Business District to address such bad attitude.

“One good example within Point Cruz in the pavement in front of ITA.

“The pavement was nicely built and from observation there is no betel nut stain because betel chewers respect the pavement,” he said.

“IT will be just useless for those who are arguing that the ban on betel nuts sell in Honiara will have serious effect.

Mr Tangi said ITA has set a very good example and that business houses along Point Cruz area must assist HCC with such development.

He believes that improving the pedestrian pavement will attract betel chewers not to spit everywhere.

Mr Tangi strongly emphasised that betel chewers must also have respect to keep Honiara Town clean.

He said cooperation between people and responsible authority is the only way forward to transform Honiara into a must see destination in the pacific.

“Sometimes I feel offended when I saw tourist walking on the street full of betel nut stain as well as rubbish.

“It is a challenge for the authorities to address this issue but it will be very helpful if the general public support work of responsible authorities in trying to keep our town clean,” Mr Tangi said.

On the same note he said the ideology that banning of betel nuts would financially affect the city dwellers who depend on the business as a means to provide food on their table is a weak argument with no proper foundation.

Mr Tangi said these people have far more better advantages than their urban retailers as there are many ways of earning enough to sustain their needs such as growing cash crops and raising livestock.

He strongly emphasised that this poor excuse must not be taken lightly but focus on how the strategy to achieve a clean and beautiful town for people who work and live.

Election fever picks up

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Election

BY JARED KOLI

WITH no confirmed date yet set for the National General Elections early next year, already indirect-campaigning have begun by some intending candidates.

Reports reaching this paper claimed that already some intending candidates including former Members of Parliament have gathered their campaigning front-men and are issuing out building materials, outboard motors to their supporters with the intention of wining their votes.

This paper was reliably told that intending candidates began to solicit support by giving cash handouts with some targeting young and older men by buying beer and other cheap items.

Some have also even begin identifying voters, and proceed on to collecting voter ID, despite having the knowledge that what they did is illegal.

“It is true that some intending candidates including former members of parliament and also provincial assembly members who vie to contest in the national general elections have handed out not only substantial amount of cash but also building materials, outboard motors (OBM) and collecting of voter ID cards.

“This is not only evident here in Honiara but also in the provinces,” a group of voters who wanted to remain anonymous said.

The Island Sun understands that various intending candidates have already started doing awareness in their constituencies, however, could not yet confirm if campaigning have begun

Leaked footage of biscuit made from plastic concerns public

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BEN BILUA

A video footage showing a biscuit product made from plastic has raised questions over the processing and criteria of imported food products coming into the country.

The concern was raised following a footage shot by an unknown group in Papua New Guinea which was originally uploaded on PNG Happenings Today and distributed on Facebook.

The footage shows an unknown person burning one piece of biscuit which burned like a plastic melting down a pan.

The product called Cream Cracker with green and yellow stripes in colour is said to be produced and imported from China.

The footage was posted on YUMI TOK TOK FORUM on January 11th this year and has attracted a number of citizens raising their concern and also calling on the responsible authorities to thoroughly check imported goods from China as such goods pose a huge risk to people’s health.

“Since China is one of the countries whose products are not inspected neither the factories were inspected, we do not know exactly what their products are made of. Let’s stop buying food products including snacks made from China,” one comment said.

While another commenter strongly emphasised that responsible authorities must seriously take tougher action on imported goods.

“I don’t understand why the government didn’t control the amount and types of Chinese products that flooded our markets.

“Just so that MPs and those in responsible authorities know that Solomon Islanders and residents are not second-grade citizens, therefore they better pull their acts together and start treating general populace as they deserve – the first class citizens.

“It is now time to stop importers from importing garbage from their motherland and making millions of dollars from selling us trash,” one of the commenter said.

Some suggestion pointed out that the government should set up laboratory to test all food and drinks in all consignments at the wharf before released for sell.

The intervention will be a possible break through on unhealthy foreign foods that have been flooded into the country.

Readers stressed that it’s seriously a health concern and that responsible authorities must take note of the concern seriously.

Work on Domestic wharf for Tulaghi expected soon

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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CIP Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

WORK on a new domestic wharf at Tulaghi is confirmed to start around the middle of this year by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID).

Passing on the confirmation is the Premier for Central Islands Province (CIP) Hon Patrick Vasuni who welcomed the development soon to take place.

“MID have confirmed last year that work should start around June or July this year,” said the Premier.

He explained that the domestic wharf will be built at the “Smoking” area of the former National Fisheries Development (NFD) Base in which the land there has already been given back to the province by the fishing company.

According to the Premier and his Provincial Executive Government, there are other positive developments for the province expected this year 2018.

KGVI electricity bills expected to increase

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE irresponsible attitude for not turning electricity lights off at King George Sixth School girls dormitory has been a concern to the public.

A concerned citizen who wants his name withheld reports that lights at the Girls Dormitory have been switched on 24 hours every day over the past three weeks.

He described the practice as irresponsible by the School’s Management as the school’s electricity bill will sky rocket costing the government tax payers unnecessary cost to foot.

Source stressed that such incidents will become a loop hole to the country’s revenue base and the existing low cash flow problem.

“We have been experiencing very low cash flow towards the last quarter of last year and this will be another bill tax payers going to pay.

“This is a total irresponsible practice that needs to be addressed,” he said.

Source suggested that the School should have appointed people such as the securities and station boys to oversee such small but costly issue while students are on holiday.

He adds that the security of the School should consult the Principal and school administration about such incident so that intervention can be taken promptly.

The Source urged King Gorge Sixth School and whoever is responsible to keep an eye on the school compound.

Attempt to contact King George School for comments was not possible yesterday.

This paper will consult the school today to verify the information.

McMahon CHS gets new form 6 intakes

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SEVENTEEN former McMahon Community High School Year 11 students have become the first pioneers of the school’s new Form Six (6) Arts starting this year.

“We congratulate the students for being able to have a space in this year’s Form Six. As McMahon is the second school in Central Islands Province (CIP) to have a Form Six, students in the province will have more opportunity for a placement in this level competing with other provinces,” said members of the school.

“As this will be a challenging year under probation, the School Administration, parents and students must prove to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) that we are capable of having a Form Six.”

The school body thanks the provincial government of CIP for officially handing over 5 new laptops towards the end of last year purposely to help the new intakes with their learning.

Another 5 is soon to be handed over again during March this year according to the Provincial Government.

It is understood that other school materials have been bought to start Form Six this year in which the Provincial Government and School Administration have really put in a lot of effort.

The new intakes have also been congratulated by group members in Ngella’s social media Forum.

Solomon Post assures service delivery with PostPay

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SOLOMON Islands Postal Corporation’s Deputy CEO, Mr Alfred Ghemu said that the government and Solomon Post are committed to achieving the goals of the national financial inclusion strategy.

He made the statement when addressing participants at the Mobile Wallet workshop at Heritage Park Hotel earlier this week.

Mr Ghemu expressed that the new mobile wallet service Solomon Post will use will clear doubts on whether or not the country can achieve the goal of financially including all men, women and youth of Solomon Islands.

“I can honestly say that after using the PostPay wallet, you will have no more doubts”, he said.

He continued on to stress that the national financial inclusion strategy aims to ensure that by 2020, 300,000 adults are financially included and 90% of the populations have financial access point an hour from home.

Moreover, Mr Ghemu outlined key objectives of the strategy which vary from increasing digital finance channels, improving financial service delivery, financially include women, youth and adults, building financial resilience in the country, financially empowering everyone and engaging stakeholders in the NFIS (National financial inclusion strategy).

He added that from now on, the financial access point for all PostPay users is their mobile phones.

“We will be expanding the agent network, creating employment and empowerment by encouraging women to become super agents. The PostPay wallet will reduce costs of stakeholders and generate revenue for the community”, Mr Ghemu said.

Whilst wrapping up his speech, Portal’s the deputy CEO spoke of how inclusive their role will be in providing services to people across the islands.

“We will be creating significant numbers of new jobs in communities across the islands. We will be driving economic growth in rural areas. But most of all we will be financially including those without any access to financial services”

“The government supports us. I promise you that with this technology and Solomon Post, delivery is assured”, he said.

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