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Beche-de-mer exporters

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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  • Four beche-de-mer exporters decided
  • MFMR releases prices of Beche-de-mer

BY JARED KOLI

THE Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has concluded the screening of four companies identified to export the lucrative beche-de-mer product.

The exporters were each given an Offer Letter, and are yet to confirm their offer and pay an export licence fee, according to MFMR Communications Officer Francis Pituvaka.

When asked yesterday, Mr Pituvaka could not name the four companies as he maintained that formalities are yet to be completed – the confirmation of the offer and a licence fee of $SBD200, 000.

“Four of the applicants applying for the beche-de-mer export licence have been decided on, they have been issued an Offer Letter each but are yet to return to the Ministry to confirm whether they accept the offer or not,” he explained.

It is understood that once the MFMR receives a confirmation from the four, names could be known in the coming days.

Meanwhile, MFMR Permanent Secretary Dr Christian Ramofafia has told The Island Sun that there are many applications but the four selected are based on strict conditions of the four criteria set by MFMR.

Director of Fisheries Mr Edward Honiwala added that companies or individuals not meeting the requirement will not be considered.

“Others will argue to grant export licence to locals but many locals are backed by Foreigners. From our experience, licence fee is high and locals could not afford, we have seen that many locals are backed by outside people.

“We will look at their commitment with the ministry and support on the development of the country, in terms of employment because all these things are about development of fisheries,” the two echoed in a recent interview.

The Ministry yesterday also released a local buying price guideline for a total of 54 different species of beche-de-mer during this opening period.

The new buying price sets the ‘white teatfish’ as the most expensive or high valued species with a minimum price of $500 for white teatfish A and $300 for whiteteat fish B. (see separate advert from MFMR in today’s issue)

The high value group is seconded by $400 worth Black Teat Fish A for its dry (processed) product.

The products are categorised in three groups namely 24 species in the high value group, 11 species in Medium Value group and 13 in low value group.

Dr Christian said the ministry provides the price range to local buyers and exporters, because the complexity of the trade, many of the buyers didn’t link with exporters.

“When we issue export permit we will also be giving exporters a price guide as condition for their license. The licence will be issued with conditions, and one of the conditions is not to buy undersized beche-de-mer,” Dr Christian said.

Dr Christian said the ministry will put in place a strong guide to support villagers in terms of pricing because the lifting is aimed at supporting them.

Taiwan high-tech company heads to SI next year

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Speedtech CEO Mr Lucas Chiu talks with PM Sogavare and Mr Roger Luo

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

A renowned high-tech solar company from the Republic of China (Taiwan) will set up its manufacturing solar factory in Solomon Islands early next year, HE Roger Luo said.

This is an outcome from the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s state visit to Taiwan last year, he adds.

Luo revealed this in his remarks during the celebration of Taiwan’s Double Tenth National Day held at Mendana Hotel on Tuesday, Oct 10.

The Company – Speedtech Company has established factories in Taiwan, Africa, Caribbean and Central America, their new factory in Honiara will be the first one in the Pacific.

“I am very pleased to inform you that at invitation of Hon Prime Minister Sogavare during his last year’s state visit to Taiwan, one of Taiwan’s prominent high-tech solar power manufacturer Speedtech Company will come to set up a solar power panel factory in Honiara early next year,” Mr Luo said.

“And we can expect that very soon there will be solar power panel made in Solomon Islands.”

Speedtech CEO Mr Lucas Chiu and his team are in the country for the Taiwanese tradeshow which was held at the Mendana Hotel this week.

Mr Luo said, “And it turns out very successfully, they have found business partners and received many orders. Obviously people in Honiara like their products very much.

“I am very sure that through our joint efforts there will be more Taiwan’s companies come to Solomon Islands to explore opportunities of investment.”

CEO Chiu said the company believes they can do something here as Solomon Islands has diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

“The Solomon Island Government helps us a lot and so we should do something in return, and additionally Solomon Islanders are friendly, and if we setup factory here there in no hesitation,” Mr Chiu said.

Touching Lives touches the sick

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Nurse Manager, Ms Anna Lofea.

BY ALICE NANTARA

On Thursday at the National Referral Hospital Paediatric Ward, the nurse in-charge conveyed her appreciation to the students and organisers for visiting.

Ms Anna Lofea, who is the Nurse Manager at the Children’s Ward, said that her staff and patients are so blessed to receive gifts and messages that the students present through singing and sharing.

“It is indeed a blessing for all of us at the hospital today. The love and care that patients receive along with gifts showed that these students care and does have heart for people in need.

“King George Sixth students are amongst the few that make time to visit the sick. The fact that they have the initiative to reach out and do something for those that are sick really touched me.

“We are nurses and our job is to provide care for the sick but any act of kindness from outside will always be welcomed and appreciated within these walls.

“On behalf of my staff and patients, I would like to thank the students and those working behind the scenes for making this day a blessing indeed,” Ms Lofea concludes.

A student representative assures the sick and their families that they will not forget them in their prayers despite their visitation is only for a short time.

Touching Lives gives back to the community

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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King George Sixth school visit Labour Ward

BY ALICE NANTARA

400-plus King George Sixth students and their patrons gathered yesterday midday at the National Referral Hospital Square to fulfil the main goal of ‘Touching Lives’.

Opening prayer was done by the school Chaplain and the school Principal presented brief remarks on the purpose of their visit, reminding every student to be mindful of how they interact with sick patients and ensure that they always apply courtesy.

“This for sure will be a good experience for all of us here, students especially will get to interact with the sick, giving gifts, get well soon cards, singing a few songs and saying a prayer to enlighten and uplift sick patients.

“We hope that what we do will touch and inspire the lives of sick patients,” says KGVI principal.

Students were divided into classes and each class was allocated which ward to visit.

A school patron and a nurse in charge then escorted the students to their assigned wards.

Speaking on behalf of the Form Five Red students, their class captain Mr Kevin Tareamu shared that it was a second time that he got involved with touching lives and in comparison to past years, 2017 NRH visitation has improved a lot.

“School administration, parents, ex-students and some others I could not name have all contributed and helped in making 2017 NRH visitation a success,” Mr Tareamu said.

As part of their visitation, students also share encouraging messages to those that are sick and for those that are responsible for taking care of the sick.

Touching Lives is a school-based charity group that started back in 2013 and with the donations that they receive from Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and other groups, 2017 hospital visit is a success.

2017 Hospital visitation was not only for the NRH but also some students were send up to pay a visit to sick patients at Good Samaritan Hospital at GPOL.

Selwyn College academic performance smashes records

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Principal of Selwyn College Mr Lionel Vuthia delivers his speech during the school’s graduation last week.

BY BEN BILUA

CHURCH-owned Selwyn College continues to produce brilliant academic performance and results each year.

Speaking during the 2017 graduation and prize-giving day last week, School Principal Mr Lionel Vuthia said Selwyn College semester-one pass rate smashed 95 percent with students achieving 3.9 GPA.

He said three form seven students from Selwyn College have already secured scholarships, two from AusAid, one International Award, the other Regional Award and one Taiwan Scholarship.

Vuthia adds that one student from Selwyn College also went to Japan on a look-and-learn invitation visit.

He said the school continues to strive to achieve higher academic goals and is now counting on the school’s form seven external semester-one results.

Vuthia said the national assessment for school’s examination classes for 2017 F3, F5, F6 and F7 will be determined after the external exams in November.

He told parents that the teaching staff of Selwyn College will continue to hold high in preparation for the student’s exams.

Mr Vuthia said two volunteer teachers from the United Kingdom have joined Selwyn College teaching staffs which promises to boost the students’ exam preparation.

“Lately in August, two volunteers from Project Trust Volunteers in UK joined the teaching staff.

“This is a pilot project on annual recruitment if successful.

“Welcome to Mr Noah Poole and Mr Ultan Wood, they are now settling in well at school in SI context,” he explained.

On the same note, Vuthia advises students to create for themselves a milestone in life for better future.

“To the graduands, what does this occasion mean to you?

“I hope you are not just passing time but should create a milestone in your journey to the world out there,” he said.

Vuthia calls on parents to continue to support the students in their education.

Considering further ways to aid the limbless

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR Editor,
You were considerate enough to publish a letter of mine this week in which I referred to the plight of the many people in the Solomon Islands awaiting the fitting of prosthetic limbs following surgery that had been occasioned following amputations accelerated my succumbing to diabetic disease and foot injuries.  The former NRH patients awaiting the fitting of prosthetic limbs, mainly legs, currently number more than 400 and the waiting list is increasing.
Advice I have received back from the NRH authorities, following my letter, has reported the Rehabilitation Workshop has been closed due to it being unsafe as a result of termite infestation and damage.  What work that is being undertaken, valiantly, by the rehabilitation staff is being done in temporary but inadequate facilities.
The making, shaping, custom fitting and repair of prosthetic limbs so successfully done in past years at the NRH is no longer possible, given what I have mentioned.
At the request of the NRH, I have outlined to Take My Hands Charity Trust (TMH) in New Zealand the need for extra mobility aids such as walking frames, crutches and wheel chairs to be sent, but more containers of such essentials will be held up until TMH receives a second payment for freight as a requirement of the MOU signed between the MOHMS and TMH.
Notwithstanding there will be delay in getting extra containers to the NRH, there might be the possibility of TMH exploring with professionals in New Zealand an idea of seeing to the needs of those wanting prosthetic limbs custom made and fitted.
I am not able to say more on such a possibility at this time but await further advice from the NRH and from TMH to be able to develop ideas and likely initiatives further and, hopefully, very soon.
TMH is a friend indeed and I have confidence in the charity doing everything possible to come to the aid of the NRH and its needs, including the awaiting limbless.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Bina harbour communique signed

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Representatives of the different parties to the Bina/Talifu Land in a group photo with DCCG’s Policy Secretary of Productive Sector of the Policy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (PIMEU) Mr Celsus Talifilu ( extreme right) after the signing of the Bina/ Talifu Honiara Communique. Photo from PMO Press Secretariat

THE Government and the resource owners of Bina/Talifilu land have signed a historic communique on Friday last week.

The signing of the Bina/Talifu Honiara Communique was a result of three months of dialogue, discussions and consultations which started on July 28 at the project site in Bina.

From that first consultation meeting the Bina Tuna Processing Plant Project Sub Committee that was established by Cabinet earlier this year made a strategic recommendation to deal with each of the parties individually.

The strategy was useful and resulted in follow up meetings with the primary, secondary and other interesting parties.

The Chairperson of the Bina/Talifilu Sub Committee and Under Secretary (Technical) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Mr Ferral Lasi in his remarks before signing of the communique thanked the resource owners for their willingness to work with the Government.

“This marked an important milestone to this Project and it is a real opportunity for the people of Bina/Talifu and also Malaita Province to see this important National Project kick off,” says the Chairperson of the Sub Committee.

“Let me remind you again the government is ready now than ever before to implement this project.”

According to the Policy Secretary of the Government’s Policy, Implementation Unit (PIMEU)’s Productive Sector Mr Celsus Talifilu,

“The Communique continues to stress that the Committee and the representatives of the groups will continue to work closely together in the spirit of inclusiveness.

“In addition the communique contained ten commitment statements that formed the basis of working together by the government and the resource owners going forward.”

In addition to the ten commitment statements, the Communique further provided the five strategic steps that the Committee and the resources owners will take to ensure that the Title of the Land is properly settled by December in a manner that is transparent and in accordance with the relevant laws and customary practice of the locality.

“The resource owners are confident that the 5 strategic steps have provided them a very clear pathway for them to settle the issues that are for so long been the backbone of failure for this project,” says Talifilu.

The resource owners also thanked the DCC Government and especially the Cabinet Sub Committee for their untiring commitment in ensuring the groups are assisted with the most appropriate advice.

The resource owners and the Government through the Cabinet Sub Committee have made a commitment that by December 2017 the names of the trustees will be inscribed to the Titles sheet.

This will be the ultimate milestone for this project for this year 2017.

–OPMC PRESS

Solar panels manufacturing factory for Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
DURING a speech at Taiwan’s National Day celebrations in Honiara yesterday, the ROC Ambassador, H.E. Roger Luo, told the audience that leading Taiwanese solar manufacturer, Speedtech, would be coming to the Honiara to set up a solar panel factory early next year.
 
For many years, through the local media, I have raised the prospect of such a venture by Taiwan.
 
In the industrial zone of Eastern Bangkok, the Taiwanese helped to set up and manage a huge switch gear factory that employs more than ten thousand local people working three 8 hour shifts every day.
 
I saw the benefits the factory created for local employment and lifestyle opportunities the workers enjoy and often wrote expressing the hope Taiwan would help the Solomon Islands in what I deemed to be practical and tangible aid.
 
I am really very pleased to learn that the Taiwanese Government, after a request from Prime Minister Sogavare during his recent visit to Taipei, agreed to the business investment idea.
 
I very much hope more Taiwanese companies will explore further such business opportunities for investment in the Solomon Islands and help create jobs and aid the economy.
 
Meanwhile, yesterday, in Vanuatu, the Asian Development Bank and Vanuatu signed an agreement for a $US15.1 million project to increase the availability of renewable energy on Malekula and Espiritu Santo.
 
RNZI reported that the ADB’s James Lynch said the project will deliver an increased supply of clean, renewable electricity to households in Malekula and Espiritu Santo and have a positive effect on rural livelihoods.
 
About 75 percent of Vanuatu’s population lives in rural areas and have limited access to electricity nationwide, with the electrification rate at just 33 percent.
 
Where electricity is available, it is mostly generated from diesel and other fossil fuels.
 
Yours sincerely
 
Frank Short

PMO bites back at veteran journo

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

THE Prime Minister’s office has ridiculed claims by veteran journalist Alfred Sasako on exorbitant entitlements of the special secretary to the PM and the PMO chief of staff.

And has called on the media association MASI to seriously ensure “journalists conduct themselves in the highest professional manner”.

In a strong media statement, the PMO said, “OPMC wishes to strongly inform that this is once again an example of poor journalism on the part of Alfred Sasako and reiterates the need for journalists to verify facts before publishing articles in the print media.

“Mr Sasako possesses the phone and email contacts of both the Chief of Staff and the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister (SSPM) yet he chose not to verify the article before going to print.

“This speaks volumes about the manner of professionalism displayed by Mr Sasako further to other such misrepresentations which have been made in the print media.

“Mr Sasako’s allegation of $12,000.00 for transport is erroneous. All SS4 contracts have a standard amount of $6,000 transport allowance before tax which includes the Policy Secretaries.

“However, had Mr Sasako verified his facts, he would have found out that the Chief of Staff has forfeited that allowance since being allocated a Government issued vehicle earlier this year which can be officially verified.

“The Government vehicle issued to the Prime Minister’s Private Office that is headed by the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, is garaged at the OPMC Carpark.

“Further, Business Class travel is a standard term incorporated into all SS4 contracts.

“The negotiation of contracts is a standard exercise which requires substantive justification and is subject to mandatory approvals which includes the endorsement of the Public Service Commission.

“For someone who holds himself as a veteran journalist, such conduct is unbecoming and demeaning.”

–OPMC PRESS

Solomon Islands students studying Mandarin language

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
DEAR Editor,
It was mentioned in the SUN newspaper this week that the Prime Minister, on his recent visit to Taiwan, was surprised and delighted to learn that there were more than 100 Solomon Islands students in tertiary education centres in Taiwan studying Mandarin.
I offered by congratulations to all those students studying Mandarin as a second language for I, too, greatly benefitted from learning Cantonese at the Hong Kong Government Language School and found having the proficiency in Chinese, although not Mandarin, extremely useful when travelling in South-East Asia, particularly when returning to visit Hong Kong, in Singapore and also useful in mastering Thai, because both Cantonese and Thai are tonal languages.
I would encourage all Solomon Island students to consider studying a second language, especially those which will enhance their job prospects, travel opportunities and business development interests.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

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