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Gender inequality main cause of violence against women and family: Tuki

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Hon Freda Tuki

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

GENDER inequality has been identified as the underlying reason for violence against women and family violence, says Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Freda Tuki Soriacomua.

She revealed this in her remarks at the Pacific Women Parliamentary Partnership Forum on Tuesday at Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

Speaking on the topic family violence she said unequal power relations between women and men can lead to violence and abuse in relationships and marriage where women lack the power to make decisions for the benefit of wellbeing and happy family life.

She said inequalities exist with regards to employment as well as property and heritage rights that render women economically dependent.

“Women’s access to employment and economic empowerment remains a key factor to ensure that women live productive lives.

“Closely related to this is the need to provide women with better education, adequate information on reproductive and sexual health and also the infrastructures to help women and men to balance their work and private life,” said Hon Tuki.

She furthers that strengthening women’s leadership and their participation in decision making processes is vital.

She then posed a challenge on what each of us can do in our position to ease the burdens of women suffering from violence and raising our voices in parliament to bring to the forefront matters and the plight to make the violence stop.

“We love our husbands and want the violence to stop. Violence against women does not happen only to rural illiterate women but also happens to all women with high education qualification, business women, and women in senior management level, a nurse, a teacher and even a gender advocate.

“So as Minister responsible for women, my responsibility is simple. I sit in cabinet with other 23 cabinet Ministers, and I befriended them so I know them well and build the trust among us,” said Hon Tuki.

She added the strategy is not overriding egos, but to maintain a good relationship to press her agenda for addressing women’s issue.

“Hence, the Solomon Islands Government response is targeted, calling on holistic stronger coordinated approach to address gender inequality and eliminating violence against women and family violence

“So far we have been commended for strong coordination on the drafting of the Family Protection Act 2014 between government ministries, development partners and Civil Society Organisations including Faith Based Organisations.”

Moreover, supporting good practice regarding referral and multi-sectoral coordination with SAFNET and developing new national health strategy that mainstream Eliminating Violence against Women and Girls (EVAWG) into the health sector has also been commended for them to undertake.

“Also our work with Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in raising awareness on EVAWG, the partnership with donors for increasing investment in EVAWG and new community policing and conflict resolution programmes focused at the community level.

“The government Gender Equality and Women Development policy and the Eliminating Violence against Women and Girls policy are testament to the urgency of government response and action. Understanding and acknowledging fundamental human rights that women and girls are entitled to zero tolerance of violence.”

Fear for marine life if blue boat sinks

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE Agriculture Division at Tulaghi has assured that the Vietnamese blue fishing boat currently anchoring in Mboli Passage at Ngella poses no minimal threat of foreign species.

However, they said if the boat sinks then this will be a huge threat to marine life.

“Apart from rats, there is no threat from foreign species of whatsoever on the blue fishing boat,” said the Agriculture Division.

Three Asian blue fishing boats were captured by Maritime Police in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) early this year.

There were 40 crew members on board the three blue fishing boats but were deported to their home country except for three captains who are serving four years in Rove prison.

A deal to destroy the boats was made according to the High Court decision because they failed to meet the seaworthiness standard as reported by Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA).

One of the three blue boats said to be taken to Langalanga Lagoon last month by the selected initial bidder from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) for $400,000.00 dollars is currently only anchored in Ngella with engine problem as the reason made known.

Since it’s anchoring outside of Hakama Agriculture Station in Mboli Passage, concern was raised by the province that it might only end up sinking there.

Taiwan’s President is due to visit its Pacific allies next month

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

 

AS President Tsai Ing-wen prepares to visit Pacific allies next month, China has again warned that there’s only one future for Taiwan – reunification.

The warning was issued in a briefing provided by the Director General of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council (of China), Du Shixin, who met a visiting delegation from seven Pacific Island countries in Beijing yesterday.

“There is only one future for Taiwan – that to return to China,” Mr Du said.

He urged Pacific Island Countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan to consider their future carefully, saying “there is no political future for Taiwan.”

“Once Taiwan disappears as a sovereign nation, any diplomatic relations it has with any country, also disappears. Those Pacific island countries will be sorry. They will miss out on the benefits from China’s Belt and Road initiative, which has the potential for economic development for the Pacific region,” Mr Du said.

Solomon Islands is one of six Pacific Islands nations that has diplomatic relations with Taipei.

“What people need to understand is that diplomatic relations with Taiwan will disappear sooner or later. There is no way the Chinese government will allow one of its local governments enjoy diplomatic relations with outside countries. There is only one sovereign nation and China is that nation,” Mr Du said.

“Four things people ought to understand about China. First, it is a member of the United Nations Security Council. Secondly, it is the second largest economy in the world. Thirdly, it is largest developing country and fourthly China is the driving engine of the global economy.

“Come with us and enjoy all the benefits our world status offers or starve yourself of the necessary help for economic growth,” Mr Du said.

“Reuniting China and Taiwan will be the irreversible trend,” he said, warning China would not abandon the use of force should it become necessary.”

Mr Du said while Beijing was still pursuing peaceful reunification, it “must also take into account the feelings and wishes of its 1.38 billion people who want to see Taiwan reunited with China.”

He also provided a brief history on Taiwan and its relations with China.

Mr Du said Taiwan was initially ceded to Japan but it was returned to China in November 1945 after 50 years of Japanese occupation. In 1971, sovereignty was granted to Mainland China by the United Nations.

“Since then, Taiwan also known as the Republic of China and its citizens have been barred from the United Nations and its many UN agencies around the world. So the claim by Taiwan as a legitimate sovereign state has neither historical nor legal basis. Taiwan is an integral part of China,” Mr Du said.

He also told the delegations that Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is due to visit its six Pacific allies next month. No other details were available.

Beijing dangles the carrot over the Taiwan issue

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

 

IF you think China would let go of Taiwan that easily, if at all, think again. That message was made clear repeatedly to a visiting Pacific Islands delegation, which spent the last 10 days traveling the richer provinces on the east coast of China.

The 15-member delegation consisting of Members of Parliament, senior officials and others, wound up their familiarisation visit of China yesterday (Wednesday 27th Sept). They are heading home today (Friday 28) after the visit which took in Guangdong Province, Zhujiajian Province, Hangzhou Province and the capital Beijing, China’s government seat of power.

Although Honiara does not have diplomatic relations with Beijing, Solomon Islands participated in the visit. The President of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), John Teddie Usuramo and his Vice President, Oscar Vahimana represented Solomon Islands.

“This visit was an eye-opener for most of us who are here for the first time,” delegation leader and first time Opposition MP, Robert Naguri of Papua New Guinea told our host.

In any and all of the briefings on economic and social development of China, the issue of Taiwan was never missed.

“Taiwan is an integral part of China. Anyone including countries in the Pacific Islands that have so-called diplomatic relations with Taiwan is a breach of our One-China Policy,” Vice Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), Guo Yezhou told us in pre-dinner briefing on Tuesday in Beijing.

“For us, it is the question of sovereignty – our sovereignty,” Mr Guo said.

Then as in previous occasions came the punch line.

“China will continue to cooperate with Pacific Island countries that have diplomatic relations with us. They will be assisted economically as well as in other areas of need,” he said.

In more ways than one, it is a line choreographed to deliver maximum effect. And it does, particularly in the ears of delegates whose island countries have stitched up diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Mr Du Qiwen, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum, echoed similar sentiments, adding China “advocates cooperation instead of confrontation” in a briefing earlier that Tuesday afternoon.

“We feel we need to work together,” Mr Du told delegates

“Solomon Islands should seriously consider joining us in establishing diplomatic relations with China. Our countries are getting ahead in development because of Chinese funding,” some delegates would say to us.

Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu are beneficiaries of China’s economic support over the years.

And it is not the China of 1983 as we knew it then that we are dealing with today.

In 1983, then Prime Minister Solomon Mamaloni dispatched a delegation to Beijing to negotiate diplomatic relations with China. What delegation members, including the late Bartholomew Ulufa’alu, did not know was that the witty Mamaloni also sent another delegation to Taiwan on the same mission.

All China could offer at the time was USD20, 000 in annual budgetary grants. It so happened that while the negotiations in Beijing were still going on that the announcement of Solomon Islands tying the knot with Taiwan was made.

Formal dealings with Beijing ended there and then.

China, on the other hand continued to work behind the scene, addressing its own economic and social agenda, putting in place the necessary framework from which it would launch its bid to be a super power player that it is today.

In the space of just 34 short years since our diplomatic attempt failed, China has become the number two economic super power, taking over from Japan, which held that position for many, many years.

At the same time, China has established the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with a USD50 billion to get it off the ground. Initial resistance by the World Bank and some Western governments including the United States of America has died away. They have now taken up membership of this global lending institution designed to address infrastructure development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Using its phenomenal economic growth as a springboard for bigger and better things, China is today looking further afield.

Beijing for example, is eyeing the number one global spot as a military and economic super power. The direction to achieve its global ambition is expected to be consummated by the 19th National Congress of the 80 million-member strong Communist Party when it convenes in Beijing on October 18.

And by all counts, China may not be too far away from achieving that objective.

To show off its economic prowess, China has lengthened the strand from which it dangles the carrot to woo all Pacific Island nations.

In 2013 for example when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Fiji for a meeting with its diplomatic allies in the Pacific, he announced a USD2 billion funding facility for Pacific Island countries.

The funds are from China Development Bank and the Exim Bank of China. They come in both commercial and concessional loans – commercial interest rates for countries outside the Pacific-China diplomatic fold and concessional rates for diplomatic allies in the Pacific.

That facility remains open today even to countries like Solomon Islands, which continues its recognition of Taiwan.

Skeptics might be wondering why all of a sudden China is doing all this today. A brief look behind the scene might give us an idea whether China’s influence is sustainable and why.

At the end of last year, official record shows China’s population had reached 1.38 billion people. In the same year, its GDP stood at around USD11.2 trillion. Its total value of imports and exports stood at USD3.7 trillion, according to official figures.

Beijing has spread its wings far and wide, poaching for instance, countries that once enjoyed diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Panama in South America was the latest casualty, switching relations to Beijing in favour of the former’s preference for development rather than free money with little or no accountability.

And that is the difference. While Taiwan provided hard cash to its allies to spend as they wished, China prefers delivering tangible development on the ground to its island allies.

China’s approach unfortunately is the bitter medicine for pro-Taiwan politicians to swallow easily.

Trial on Katalake’s case continues

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

TRIAL into the case against Malia Katalake and two others continues at the Honiara Magistrate Court today.

Peter Rockson and Junior Moris Bolas are co-accused with Malia Katalake.

This is the matter against Malia Katalake who is currently facing counts in relation to fraudulent falsification, false pretences and embezzlement.

Ms Katalake is a former employee of the Solomon Tropical Product, and was working as a plant manager when the alleged incident occurred.

She is charged with two other co-accused her husband Peter Rockson, 30, of Lord Howe, Malaita Outer Island and 29-year-old Junior Morris Bolas from Choiseul.

Rockson faces four counts of receiving and soliciting while Bolas faces seven counts of receiving.

Ms Katalake was responsible for receiving copra from local farmers, scaling and writing on receivable company document (copra inspections and payment forms) for farmers who came from the province.

The allegation said that between January 1, 2008 and June 21, 2008 Malia and Bolas made up false copra payments sheet under the ghost name Sisi David and fraudulently withdrawn a total of $152,570.80 from the company.

Police alleged Malia was the mastermind of the company scandal and she at her own discretion before submitting to the office receptionist to have them calculate and raise the payment according to what names appear on the copra sheet.

Most payments were alleged to have been done on cheques at the National Bank of Solomon Islands now the Bank of South Pacific and Malia and Bolas were the ones who collected and cashed the cheques at the Bank.

The matter was reported to police by the complainant John Vollrat who is the general manager of the Solomon Tropical Products, a company that deals with local farms by purchasing, processing and exporting of copra.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the state.

Police appeals for information on stolen bridge plaques

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Officials of the Prime Minister’s Office and the ADB taking the first steps on the newly opened ADB-funded bridges. The official opening was on August 23. Less than a month later, the official plaques are reported stolen. Photo from SBM Online
Officials of the Prime Minister’s Office and the ADB taking the first steps on
the newly opened ADB-funded bridges. The official opening was on August
23. Less than a month later, the official plaques are reported stolen. Photo
from SBM Online

POLICE in Guadalcanal Province are appealing to members of public for information that will assist their investigations into two plaques allegedly stolen from the Mbarande Bridge in North East Guadalcanal.

The plaques, which were installed at both ends of the bridge when it was officially opened recently, were reportedly removed on Thursday September 21, 2017.

“I want to appeal to communities around the Mbarande River area to assist Police to recover the stolen plaques by calling our officers at the Henderson or Tetere police stations if they believe they have any information on who was responsible for the stolen items. Those missing plagues were placed by the National Government and this project is a national project so everyone should respect such properties,” says Provincial Police Commander, Guadalcanal Province, Nixon Manetoga.

“I understand there were some disagreements among the local landowning groups in the Mbarande area recently but that is no reason for such actions which is clearly breaking our laws,” says PPC Manetoga.

Police in Guadalcanal Province recently arrested a male in relation to a stolen plaque at the Bloody Ridge Memorial after the plaque was located in the Lungga River area.

The male person was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison.

–POLICE MEDIA

Warrant of arrest for former Police finance controller

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PROSECUTION has applied for a warrant of arrest against the former financial controller of the Ministry of Police Stephen Jude Otto for failing to appear in court yesterday.

His case was mentioned yesterday in court but had to be adjourned for October 11 when he did not show.

The case is expected to enter its pre-trial conference on the next mention.

Mr Otto is facing allegations of having fraudulently obtaining more than $800,000 of public funds through dishonest tender processes.

He faces 11 counts of official corruption.

Prosecution alleged that on March 26, 2015, Oto was appointed as a member of the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services Ministerial Tender Board.

A requirement of this appointment was that he familiarise himself with the processes set out in the Solomon Islands Financial Instructions.

It was alleged that between December 1, 2015 and August 18, 2016, Jahman Enterprise, a company Oto allegedly set up and owned, answered calls for tenders and has been awarded business contracts for service to the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services on 11 different occasions.

A number of these transactions have required Certificate of Registration of Business name from the Company Haus to be submitted together with the tender.

Police alleged Oto, on a number of occasions, supplied a falsified Certificate of Registration of Business name, removing his own name from this certificate and replacing it with the name Edward Laufooa, to conceal his identity.

His business Jahman Enterprise was alleged to have subsequently invoiced the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, who have made payments totally up to $817, 256.50 to Jahman Enterprises for these services, a police brief tendered to the court said.

“Those payments were also alleged to have been made into an account which Oto is the sole signatory,” the document said.

“On a number of occasions, Oto has certified requisitions as the Accountable Officer and on occasions, would allegedly certified that goods and services have been received.”

Mr Oto was the first public officer to be arrested by the Taskforce Janus, he was the Financial Controller within the Ministry of Police and Correctional Services as well as a member of the ministry’s tender board.

Florence Joel of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution represents the crown on the matter.

Historic win

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Joycelyn Basia goes for the lay up durin thier win over New Caledonia on Wednesday

Solomon Islands Women’s team stun New Caledonia as FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup gets underway in Port Moresby

By Taromane Martin

In Port Moresby

 

Joycelyn Basia goes for the lay up durin thier win over New Caledonia on Wednesday

THE Solomon Islands women’s national basketball team has created history yesterday at the Taurama Indoor and Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The national team defeated New Caledonia 59-53 for the first time in their opening match of the 2017 Melanesia Basketball Cup.

Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) President Brian Pongatapu and Vice President Mrs Delmah Nori including a team physio who arrived in time from Honiara on Wednesday to witness the historic win were all smiles after the final whistle.

The women’s team led New Caledonia 15-7 at the end of the first quarter, Jocelyn Basia, Elsie Daiwo and youngster Ruth Sade leading the charge for the for the national team.

New Caledonia collected ten points at the end of second quarter to see them trailing Solomon Islands 34-17 after 19 points more points to keep their lead at half time.

New Caledonia clawed their way back into the match shooting 17 points in the third quarter to see them with 34 points while the Solomon Islands extended their lead to 46 points at the end of that quarter.

Rowse Maea Lee, Mary Daffie, Rose Gwali and high school student Elizabeth Ma’aria were brilliant for the national team, taking up responsibility in defence and on the counter attack while Jocelyn Basia and Elsie Daiwo were not on the court.

The match grew intense in the final quarter as Basia was taken off the game after committing five fouls.

Daffie and Daiwo were also forced to seek attention from the court side physio after picking knocks on their ankles in the fourth and second quarters respectively.

Leading 53-47 New Caledonia came back stronger after the time out call by the match referee. New Caledonia had chances to steal the lead but saw their shots out of target.

Ma’ara collected a three-point basketball for the national team. Extending their lead, Sade calmed the nervous of the handful Solomon Islands fans at the centre with two more baskets converted from the free throw line to see them defeat New Caledonia 59-53 yesterday..

Team Captain, Elsie Daiwo was pleased with the win but says it is not over yet for them.

Solomon Islands will take on the Fijian women’s national basketball team today followed by Papua New Guinea in their final pool game tomorrow afternoon.

Dr Aipia has no experience beche-de-mer farming: MFMR rule out

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Sea Cucumber expert Dr Toru and Fisheries Director Mr Honiwala at the MFMR sea cucumber hatchery.

BY JARED KOLI

Sea Cucumber expert Dr Toru and Fisheries Director Mr Honiwala at the MFMR sea cucumber hatchery.

MINISTRY of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has ruled out that medical practitioner Dr Reginald Aipia and his American consultant have no experience on beche-de-mer farming.

Dr Aipia and his American business consultant Erik W. Hagberg have been charged over allegedly operating five illegal beche-de-mer farms in Ongtong Java atolls in the Malaita Outer Islands.

The ministry however, claimed this is because the farming method operated by Dr Reginald Aipia and his associate was done in open waters and has lack of control over eggs and larvae.

Director Fisheries Mr Edward Honiwala and Overseas Fisheries Cooperation Foundation (OFCF) sea cucumber expert, Dr Toru Komatsu told The Island Sun during a visit to the MFMR beche-de-mer hatchery, where sea cucumber species Stichopushorrens commonly known with trade name peanut fish is hatched for restocking in project targeted areas in the country.

“They have no experience on sea cucumber farming,” said Dr Toru, before adding, “Beche-de-mer farming is not that easy, what they have done was keeping beche-de-mer in captivity in the wild, and not to protect eggs or larvae.”

Director Mr Honiwala adds that what the ministry sees is that, the farms have no control over, compared to what the MFMR is doing – everything is in a controlled environment.

But he adds, although it is in a controlled environment, survival rate of eggs and larvae is still very low.

“What about a bunch of farms operated in the wild, survival rate of eggs and larvae will be even much worse according to the biological characteristics of beche-de-mer,” adds Dr Toru.

“Mr Aipia and his American consultant may have collected information from published papers or success stories from elsewhere,” the two claimed.

The two claimed that according to reports, about 600 to 700 bigger beche-de-mer were taken from the wild and thrown in the five sea cucumber farming fence.

“People may think the beche-de-mers are harvested from the farm but actually those were the same sea cucumbers taken from the wild, and that is the fear of the ministry,” they mentioned.

However, the Ontong Java Association (OJA) are anticipating Aipia gets approval from the government to continue with the farm project.

“Beche-de-mer farming is the future for our people, with this farming process is one way to help us through years of crying to the government for lifting the ban. It is better to farm and harvest rather than the usual harvesting.

Erik W. Hagberg in a document, cited that six sea cucumber farm sites were established to create sea cucumber breeding aggregations; and to hold brood stock for induced spawning.

It cited that breeding pens were stocked with rock aggregate and live rock to create ideal sea cucumber habitat and retain fertilized eggs.

Sheltered island pool were also used for breeding aggregation of appropriate sea cucumber species, and inoculated with fertilized sea cucumber eggs.

Meanwhile, the OFCF resources management project established a marine hatchery at the MFMR with a view to research the biology of sea cucumber species Stichopushorrens commonly known with trade name peanut  fish.

Research work has successfully closed the life cycle of peanut fish and produced small numbers of juveniles.

Dr Toru said last month they have hatched seven million eggs, and so far they have released 1000 plus juveniles in their home.

The juvenile peanut fish produced have been used for restocking trial at Marau, east Guadalcanal Island and this year the project also covers a marine protected area in San Fly, Central island province.

The hatchery concentrates on peanut fish farming because it is high price species, to which MFMR has been farming for the past five years.

8 months in custody with no lawyer

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THREE men alleged of stealing from a ship have been remanded in custody since February this year and are yet to secure any legal assistance.

Appearing in court before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti, the men said since being taken into custody they have had one visit from a lawyer of the Public Solicitors office.

However, that was the last they have seen or heard from the lawyer, or from any legal representative for that matter.

Meanwhile, lawyer Daniel Kwalai told the court that he took instructions from the men and had informed his superiors for an allocation of their file.

Magistrate Beneteti then asked the accused if they still needed a lawyer to represent them, to which they answered yes.

Ms Beneteti said eight months in custody is not good and the case needs urgent allocation.

She then told Mr Kwalai if he could bring the matter to his superior’s attention for allocation of a lawyer as the case has been adjourning for some time.

Police Prosecution Service is prosecuting the case in court.

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