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HCC on food sampling exercise

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Food Inspection Unit under the Honiara City Council Health Division is currently out in the field on a food sample exercise.

The team, after completing a series of capacity trainings, are now conducting food sampling in various public food outlets in the city.

HCC Chief Health Inspector, Mr George Titiulu said on Tuesday this week the team are out in the field trying to get samples of foods within different areas in the food establishment.

“The idea so that we can see the areas faced and need improvements within the food establishment.

“Because it is obvious in Honiara that people often going in and out of food outlets that sometimes can emerge with diseases like bacteria.

“Or even the food process itself, how they prepare the food that looks at the equipment and the environment in which the food is process.

“These are the areas the exercise will focus and we will check each processes within the different food establishments or simply the food outlets,” he said.

Titiulu said as part of the food regulation act, responsible authorities must ensure that the functions mandated by the act are carried out.

“So we will go out and collect enough samples as we can from the food establishments we can conduct the exercise,” he said

Titiulu said this exercise will focus more on bakery, kaibars, restaurants, hotels, Ice-cream and ice-block factory, street vendors, schools vendors, water factory and other areas food are publicly sale.

He said after the sample exercise is completed, the samples will be tested to show the status of the food establishment in the city

Women can also become great leaders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Constable Roberta Ora third left during Hot Fire training with NSW Fire Recruits

“BEING a Police officer let alone a female is quite challenging but everything has challenges,” says Police Constable Roberta Ora, one of only two female officers who serve in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Fire and Rescue Service, as firefighters.

34-year-old Police constable Roberta Ora who comes from Western, Malaita and Temotu provinces was recruited as a Police officer in July 2007 and in the past 10 years was posted to various units within the RSIPF including General duties, National Traffic Unit, Administration duties and National Intelligence unit.

In March this year, Roberta was posted as a fire fighter, “the highlight of my career in the RSIPF so far.”

“I wanted to become a Police Officer because I want to make some changes in life showing people that women can also become great leaders in the country,” says Roberta

“Being a female firefighter has contributed a lot but I’d like to assist any way I can in order to move the organisation forward.”

Roberta is married with one child (11 years old) when she was recruited and along the way she had another two children, seven and four years old.

“Well weighing my career and my commitments is quite a hard thing to do especially when there’s things that need to be done in the family all in all it all comes back to understanding but I thank my family for their support.”

So what motivates Constable Roberta: “The people of this country, her family, and seeing what’s going on in the country today and wanting to do more for the betterment of the country.”

“Policing is not just to arrest people and that you have to be big and strong, no it’s all about going out there showing people that you are there for them. It is how you present yourself to people that determines your career.”

Roberta encourages other women, who are not too sure about a career, to try the RSIPF as it promises to be satisfying as any other career.

–POLICE MEDIA

Women traditional show for tourists irks chief

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

WOMEN doing a traditional welcome for tourists at Taro Provincial Headquarter during the Women’s Week is said to cause embarrassment as it is not the custom of Lauru.

This is according to Chief Paul Kaegabatu of Sariana Community who is also the Secretary of Varisi House of Chiefs and a member of Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Communities.

Chief Kaegabatu said it is not the custom of Lauru for women to perform a warrior welcome as it is only for men to perform such.

“The way the women traditionally dressed and marched was so extreme causing embarrassment to the public,” said the chief.

“I feel sorry for the women but Choiseul Province is well versed with its famous custom and cultural non-government organisation, LLCTC should have informed us especially when hosting such ceremonies that connect to the local custom and culture of Lauru.

“This is to avoid embarrassments and contradictions to Lauru’s custom and cultural norms.”

Caretaker PM commends APTC in SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare shares of the tremendous work of APTC in Solomon Islands as they celebrate their 10-year anniversary on Tuesday.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

AUSTRALIA Pacific Technical College (APTC) in its 10 years in the Solomon Islands has contributed heavily to the country’s labour market.

Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said it’s very encouraging to see more Solomon Islanders taking up skill based training.

He said this form of training has equipped Solomon Islanders with meaningful skills for employment opportunities that will contribute to the country’s growth.

“The contribution made by APTC is valuable and made a lasting impression on the lives of ex-graduates and will motivate new ones in many years to come.

“I was extremely proud of 25 managers and staff from Solomon Islands Justice Agencies who graduated with Certificate IV in Leadership Management and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

“I’m confident the training of our emerging leaders and managers in Justice Assistance will help better liberate services to our people and ensuring that their safety and wellbeing is care for.

“Education is one’s journey in life and we can learn better when we are expose with practical learning environment like the one provided by APTC.”

Sogavare appreciates APTC’s facilities, learning resources and teachers who provide high standard environment ensuring students have an improved learning experience.

This he says is clearly visible in the growth of APTC’s Solomon Islands campus.

He said the APTC office in Honiara is working hard and committed to ensuring delivery of its range of courses according to its capacity, and at the end its output will benefit Solomon Islands’ people.

“10 years ago, our Pacific Islands supported and welcome the idea by Australian Government for establishing a training college that will help the region build a skill competitive and productive workforce.

“Today we are ripping the benefit of foresight and vision of our leaders and the Australian Government in a space of 10-year APTC has growing tremendously with its core students rising year by year with more graduates making their dreams a reality.”

Salute you, Sogavare

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, Monday November 6 marks a significant day in Solomon Islands’ history. On that day, a beacon of light among the 50 leadership beacons was smothered.

Former Prime Minister, now caretaker PM, was and is a true leader.

Despite what many may say otherwise in the media outlets, he is Solomon Islands’ champion.

Yes, he may have allowed his reputation to be shadowed somewhat by listening to many of his former ministers who until last week had hidden their true colours.

I hear that Sogavare did that to keep the peace so to speak, in turn, maintaining stability in the government.

There are many things critics have laid on the table to counter reasons why Hon Sogavare is a good leader, Prime Minister.

But I will not waste time on them. In my view, summarily, those opposing suggestions are minor compared to his performance in the domestic, regional and international arena.

His status outmatched most of his regional counterparts and putting him on a level with other leaders of developed nations.

I read many commentators in social media lamenting his removal and I join them in saying that Solomon Islands has appeased forces of corruption and sacrificed a lamb of the nation.

I sincerely hope that whoever replaces Honourable Manasseh Sogavare will perform to par with Hon Sogavare’s legacy.

God bless Solomon Islands.

Gad Parana

SICCI business excellence awards 2017

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, quoting the SIBC news last night, 6 November 2017, businesses large and small, including those tech-focused and those agriculturally based, were recognized at the recent Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 4th annual Business Excellence Awards.

“Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands received the Bred Bank Business Contribution to the Community Award and the Prime Minister’s Business Excellence Award.

“After accepting the Prime Minister’s award, KPSI Managing Director Bob Pollard highlighted the contribution of rural families to the company’s operations.

“We receive the award on behalf all our hardworking families that are living in different parts of some of the far corners of the country who don’t enjoy some of the privileges of Honiara life,” he said. “This is really their award.”

“KPSI aims to improve village livelihoods through the production of virgin coconut oil and other coconut products. Local workers collect the coconuts, and the company’s invention of Direct Micro Expelling technology to extract the oil allows the process to take place on a small scale in local communities.

“Mr Pollard said the Prime Minister’s award will bring the company recognition as it continues to expand.

“Our big challenge in the future if we’re going to scale is just to be able to sell overseas, and so there’s a lot of work to be done to be able to do that,” he said.

“QBE Insurance was the runner-up for the Prime Minister’s Business Excellence Award.

“Other winners included Mathias Loji, managing director of the Island Sun, as Entrepreneur of the Year; Pacific Tenders as New Business of the Year; and Solagro as the Strongim Bisnis Agribusiness of the Year. GPPOL was named Large Business of the Year, and Tower Insurance took the award for Small Business of the Year. Kramer Ausenco received the Innovation & Technology Award.

“In his speech, during the Award Ceremony, the SICCI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Meone, described the private sector as a beacon of hope as well as an engine of growth.

“He talked about the need for the business community and all other levels of society to work together to advance the nation.

“In order to face our challenges and work towards a better Solomon Islands, we must be willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn,” Mr Meone said. “We must show leadership and demand leadership. Knowing that things could be worse should not stop using from striving to make them better.”

Congratulations to all the award winners.

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

Kwailabesi SDA Mission station

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, Kevin Suliau’s recent remarks about himself as someone from Akwa’afungia land and tribe in response to my earlier article published in the Island Sun newspaper, dated September 26, 2017 concerning the above subject matter had at last received a well orated response about who actually he was in person especially from someone by the name of Peter Misitana according to his yesterday’s media publication.

Peter Misitana had in fact exposed the real truth concerning someone who wants to hide and mislead the entire Baefua public about history. I would recommend that Kevin Suliau should quickly respond back to Peter Misitana’s article regarding to Akwa’afungia if he is truly someone from there as he had recently claimed to be from in the media. Failure to do so then I would demand that Kevin Suliau should apologise to the public for telling lies. As I have stated earlier, the entire Baefua public demanded nothing from our current issue of debate except that we do tell the truth.

In response to Peter Misitana’s article, I salute you for unfolding some of the untold stories and truth about Akwa’afungia. I am very thankful that you have even revealed to the general public that Akwa’afungia however is not a tribe or land but a shrine located within Walo land.

I would suggest that you should as well relay the same news sentiment to Kevin Suliau back at home and allow him to response back to you if he has guts to do so. For your information I have no inch of interest to talk about anything to do with Walo or even Akwa’afungia or to the extent of making claims of ownership over those places because categorically they are complete different land areas altogether with different authority apart from Kao land according to history.

I am talking about Kao land from my grandmother’s side and not from my grandfather’s side as you have assumed. So Peter Misitana, you are right to point out that we do descend from someone originally from West Are’are which Kevin Suliau wants to deny. However, sad to say that you have misunderstood the entire concept regarding to my current position and status as to how on earth I have managed to claim primary ownership of Kao land with the exclusion of those from other neighbouring tribes within Baefua that you have rightly mentioned in your article.

In other words, my right over Kao land has nothing to do with my very connection with that very person who was originally from Are’are as you have stated. In other words, history of Kao land in accordance with our Malaita culture and custom has mandated me to inherit that very right of ownership which the High Court of Solomon Islands had even recognised that very important bond of connection. See High Court ruling and decision of 1995, ref: (HC-LAC9.95) for verification.

Secondly, I don’t think going to the media like this would help us able to sort out our ocean of differences. Remember, the House of Chiefs of Olemaoma, the Malaita Local Court, the Customary Land Appeal Court (Malaita) as well as the High Court of Solomon Islands had jointly recognised my legality and right of ownership over Kao land. So it is not a mere fabrication as you might have first thought of. So what is still there that you really want to tell me about then?

However, it is your right to challenge the above court’s decisions if you and Kevin Suliau were not satisfy with those series of court rulings because that is the formal procedure that we have to go through, not through public media or use of propaganda statements. I can only relinquish my authority and right over Kao land to anyone but only after a possible court proceeding is done and not through other backdoor transactions.

That to me is the only appropriate procedure to help find a long lasting solution and not through character assassination and personal attack against one another in public.

Finally my plea to both Peter Misitana of Lau lagoon and Kevin Suliau of Akwa’afungia if it is possible for the three of us to use other alternative avenues and options somewhere in order for us to help iron-out our differences rather than to finger-point each other in the media which I think is not really in the best interest of the general public.

Media debating, however, is an absolute waste of time and even not in the best interest of those not from North Malaita either. I would suggest that we keep the discussion only to a certain limit. All in all I still maintain my stand that Akwa’afungia undeniably is not a land or tribe but a shrine located outside of Kao land. Walo on the other hand is a complete different land portion stretching from Kwakwale river right up to Ndari stream. Concerning the SDA Mission at Kwailabesi, I would still maintain my stand that they do freeze from conducting any further developments there whilst we still in the process of sorting out the new lease trustees.

I hope people like Peter Misitana and Kevin Suliau should have a clear debating motive and not those who try to lobby or tempt other people to reveal about their very own secrets and history just for the sake of having a public debate.

For that reason I will abide to Adolf Hitler’s well know war time catch phrase – ‘Trust no one, even the walls have ears’.

 

Ambrose Oiofa Dolofera

Bishop Epalle Catholic School

Honiara

 

Graduation of youths following a peacebuilding and livelihoods skills training course

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, on November 6, 2017, a fourth batch of youths graduated in Honiara following a peacebuilding and livelihood skills training course, delivered in close partnership with the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (MNURP), Coconut Technology Centre (CTC) and UN Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) project.

20 youths from rural communities in North Malaita and the Weathercoast, attended the 2 week course that ended on November 3, 2017.

Those youths were also among the more than 200 youths who attended the Youth Peacebuilding Innovation Forum held in Honiara in October which aimed to promote the role of youth as problem solvers, peacebuilders and economic actors/entrepreneurs.

In attendance at the graduation ceremony was the Director of MNURP, Mr Reuben Lilo, Chairman of CTC Board, Mr Wilson Kikolo and representatives of UNPBF project team.

Director Lilo thanked the UNPBF project and CTC for funding and facilitating the training and encouraged the youths to use their skills and knowledge gained from the training to equip themselves to become persons who can make a difference in their communities.

He said, “You need to be role models for other youths and to be peace advocates and peacebuilders in your communities”.

Speaking on behalf of her classmates, Ms Nelly Baekalia expressed appreciation to the MNURP, UNPBF project and CTC for the opportunity to be part of this training.

She said, “It is a rare chance for us youths from North Malaita and Weathercoast to come together to attend such training. Thank you also for including us in the Youth Peacebuilding Innovation Forum”.

CTC representative Mr Francis Kapini expressed his sincere thanks to the youths for attending this training, despite many challenges to bring them to Honiara from their remote communities.

He said, “We went further into remote communities to recruit this batch of youths, this meant longer distances by boat especially for Weathercoast but we are very happy to have been able to provide this training opportunity for youths from rural areas”.

Each participant received a solar radio to enable them to have access to information and current affairs. In some communities, radio is the only means of communication.

The training covered topics such as peacebuilding and conflict resolutions, basic financial literacy, tree planting, agriculture and cash crops, community resources and opportunities, DME production, value of organic farming, opportunities in native fruit trees and ngali nuts, basic business and pricing and record keeping.

The facilitating partners and trainers included the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Basil Gua, Kastom Garden and Zainatina, Maraghoto Holdings, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Solomon Islands Small Business Enterprise (SISBEC), ANZ Bank, Central Bank and Kokonut Pacific.

Source: UNDP Office, Honiara.

Yours sincerely

 

Frank Short

Graduation of Cuban and Fiji trained medical doctors

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, the National Referral Hospital (NRH) last Friday, November 3, 2017, held a graduation ceremony for 26 new medical doctors who are soon to begin their work as registrars.

News of the graduation was given in an article in the Solomon Star newspaper, from which I quote:

“Nineteen of the group began their journey to become doctors in 2008, when they went to Cuba to study medicine for seven years. Since arriving home in 2014, they have spent a further three years – including a bridging year – as interns increasing their knowledge and learning clinical skills to meet the particular health needs of the Solomon Islands.

“The other seven graduates studied in Fiji, and began their internship at the NRH in 2015.

“All medical graduates , whether trained in the Pacific Region or outside it ( except University of PNG graduates), are required to do an intern training program in the Solomon Islands before they are fully registered by the Solomon Islands Medical & Dental Board to practice medicine in Solomon Islands.

“All interns undertook a 14-week rotation each in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Paediatrics, while they learned the required skills and professional practices. Shorter rotations were spent in Orthopaedics, Anaesthetics, Ophthalmology, Medical Imaging, Emergency Medicine as well as a placement in a rural or regional healthcare facility.

“With these skills, the new registrars are set to begin their careers working as medical officers in provincial hospitals and health clinics, or to undertake further study to become consultants in specialist areas, such as Paediatrics or Surgery.

“The Chief Executive Officer of the NRH, Dr Steve Aumanu, said:

“The large numbers of trainees has placed significant pressure on the National Referral Hospital, mainly through the limited number of supervisors available to support the interns. However, the variety and number of patients makes the NRH an ideal training facility for junior doctors.”

I am sure we all wish these newly trained doctors much success in their chosen profession and thank them for their decision to help aid and comfort the sick.

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

 

Joy, peace, progress and prosperity

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Former Police Commissioner of RSIPF Frank Short

THE title to this piece is taken from the words of the Solomon Islands national anthem and since the country gained its independence in 1978, one might question whether the Solomon Islands has truly witnessed joy, peace, progress and prosperity.

Progress and prosperity are still in the making I believe and while peace might be said to have returned to the Happy ‘Isles there was no joy during the terrible and tragic years commonly referred to as the period of the ‘Tensions’ from late 1998 until the period following the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2003.

Progress and prosperity has been impeded since 1978 arguably by the constant change of governments and the game of ‘musical chairs’ played out time after time by elected MPs.

Only one Prime Minister succeeded in remaining in office for his full year term since 1978 and now, for the sixteenth time in the nation’s history, the Prime Ministership has become vacant and a new Prime Minister is to be elected.

The only female Member of Parliament believes the problem with the country’s male parliamentarians is that they are never satisfied.

The outgoing Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and MP for Temotu Vatud Freda Tuki said in Parliament this week this was the cause of internal division.

Ms Tuki is the only woman in the highest decision-making body in the nation and has served in the government for three years.

She said she had seen that leaders in the Solomon Islands were discontent.

“I see that our main problem as leaders of this country is that we are never satisfied as leaders,” she said. “Even if we are put in portfolios that we should implement to prove.”

The SIBC had this to say on the situation (and I quote)

“With a sluggish economy, endemic corruption in government, high unemployment, poor communication facilities, high cost of doing business and a general distrust of politicians, Parliament chose by a majority of 27 to 23 votes to blame the Prime Minister (Manasseh Sogavare) and voted him out of office.

“Several of the Ministers who were part of the problem in Manasseh Sogavare’s cabinet in the past three years think they are now part of the solution and its likely one or more will want to be the new Prime Minister next week.

“One of them was removed for conflict of interest since being named in a Commission of Enquiry into the Ports Authority issue in the past year.

“Many MPs are known to be agitating for more ‘slush funds’ to be made available to them to campaign with in the general elections to be held at the end of 2018.

“The big story however is that Government is virtually insolvent. It has 200 million dollars’ worth of accumulated debts and the recently appointed Minister of Finance has laid the blame for this on the previous Minister of Finance Mr. Snyder Rini who joined the opposition over a week ago.

“A couple of other issues caused by the previous Finance minister were revealed in the debate. The delay in landing a submarine cable in Solomon Islands and the delay in concluding the agreement for a much needed Tina River hydro-electric system were, according to the current Finance Minister and the Prime Minister, also caused by Mr Rini.

“A much discussed item was the anti-corruption bill that most MPs did not like because it might expose some of them to being charged. The latest addition forced upon the Prime Minister is that crimes committed before the enactment of the new Bill in this session of Parliament, would not be prosecuted.”

In an interview with Radio New Zealand International following the PM’s ousting in Parliament, Ms Ruth Liloqula, of Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI), said she was adamant “the government of Manasseh Sogavare was removed because MPs were opposed to the anti-corruption legislation the government was advocating.”

The MPs, including much of Mr Sogavare’s cabinet, who voted for the ouster, have denied it was over the anti-corruption bill, but Ms Liloqula, said TSI had no doubts

Now as the caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has said the shipping grant paid out to some Members of Parliament (MP) have been abused.

He was speaking in Parliament on Monday before he was removed from office during the vote of motion of no confidence.

He told Parliament that around SBD700 millions was given to MPs to buy ships.

“Instead some MPs pay logging machines. Is this not a crime?

“Or how, bulldozer and ship same thing?”

He alleged a Member of Parliament had also asked a business man seeking $2million for boat repairs to increase that amount by $3million so that he could get the $1million as commission.

Last night, Tuesday, following the surprising defection of seven Opposition members a deal was said to have been cemented to form a coalition with the caretaker government, a source close to the new coalition revealed.

A statement from the Caretaker Government confirmed that the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and the Solomon Islands People’s First Party MPs had a joined alliance with the remaining 23 Members of Parliament in the Sogavare-led caretaker Government to form the next coalition.

The statement, however, said discussions for their nominations for the Prime Minister’s post were still underway and their nominations submitted to the Office of the Governor-General when the nomination period is officially announced.

Following their defection, the caretaker government now has 30 on its side while the Opposition is now left with 20 MPs.

The 7 MPs were part of the Opposition side which ousted Sogavare during the vote on Monday evening.

In yet another late move, in the form of a press release today, and news that could put an end to some of the concerns expressed by the TSI and others, the news came of what the Solomon Islands Government had in mind in dealing with anti-corruption. Quoting from the press release it said.

“The Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister who is the Solomon Islands Government focal point for United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Mr Derek Futaiasi, has told the UNCAC biennial Conference of State Parties in Vienna this week that once the Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB) becomes law, a new Anti-Corruption Commission will have authority and jurisdiction to investigate and refer for prosecution all corruption cases that arise from the moment the Bill is adopted as law.

“This year, our government has signed an agreement with the UNDP to give effect to some of the anti-corruption activities in our National Anti-Corruption Strategy. Our government wants leverage from development partners to deliver on its National Anti-Corruption Strategy. For this reason UNDP is being requested to cost-share with Government on this anti-corruption project as well as to further mobilise resources from other development partners.”

“Mr Futaiasi said that in late September this year, South Korea and Vietnam reviewed Solomon Islands’ compliance with the prevention and asset recovery chapters of UNCAC and that the Solomon Islands greatly appreciated South Korea and Vietnam for the support of their experts in overseeing the review process along with UNODC officials.

“In terms of Chapter II (preventive measures), Solomon Islands has progressed: Adoption of a National anti-corruption strategy at the highest level, following extensive stakeholder consultations; a stand-alone budget for the Ombudsman’s Office to ensure its financial independence; and the mandatory nature of the Leadership Code for accountability and oversight provided by the Leadership Code Commission,” said Mr Futaiasi.

“In terms of challenges, we note the need to review and take appropriate measures to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources (and in particular Constituency Development Funds).”

“The Solomon Islands has also supported other Pacific delegates to the UN’s peak conference on anti-corruption in urging States parties and other development partners to support small island developing States in their efforts to implement and monitor Sustainable Development Goal 16.

“Solomon Islands’ participation in the biennial Conference of the State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in Vienna, Austria was facilitated by The United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) project. The Australian Government is supporting the UN-PRAC Project, a four-year project in the 15 Pacific nations being implemented by UNODC and UNDP.”

Will the Solomon Islands, despite the political turmoil of the past week see the return of a new government committed to truly serving the nation and ensuring from thereon joy, peace, prosperity and progress?   One must hope so.

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

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