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Youths in training as innovators and peacebuilders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Youths in training as innovators and peacebuilders

TEN teams of youth innovators and peacebuilders had the chance to put their ideas onto Business Model Canvas this week during the Peacebuilding Pre-Accelerator training workshop in Honiara on Tuesday.

The Peacebuilding Pre-Accelerator Programme, supported by UN Peacebuilding Fund, implemented by UNDP and UN Women, brings youth representatives from remote communities as well as marginalised youths around Honiara, to identify social problems and challenges in Solomon Islands and come up with solutions towards sustainable peace and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A series of four training workshops is facilitated by Keith, Youth Innovation Specialist at UNDP who is an innovation ecosystem builder from Hong Kong.

The first workshop focuses on Business Model Canvas, a strategic business management tool that visually presents one idea’s value proposition, target customers, infrastructure, and finances.

Youth leader of White River Community, Moses Au, stated that his group has learned a lot in the first workshop and will soon be getting their ideas into prototyping.

“The highlight for me in the workshop was bringing my team’s idea into fundamentals of business elements, which is something new.

“Using the Business Model Canvas, we have strengthened the social issues we targeted and sharpened our uniqueness.”

“I am looking forward to continue learning about the process of starting a business based on social issues,” Moses said.

The youths joined the programme through an application process and will be trained to become problem solvers by transforming their innovative ideas into reality and prototypes, and pilot the concepts into market within a month.

The teams will showcase and present their work for a project grant at the Youth Peacebuilding Innovation Forum.

The forum will be hosted in Honiara next month, gathering youths from all provinces to get connected with like-minded peacebuilders in exhibitions, and inspired by local innovators through stories and discussions.

–UNPBF PRESS

 

North Guale constituents to manage own roads

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The new machineries received by North East Guadalcanal on Tuesday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

MEMBER of Parliament for North Guadalcanal Constituency Samson Maneka says the problem faced with roads in the constituency is now a thing of the past.

Speaking during a ceremony to hand over a fleet of machineries to his constituents yesterday, Hon Maneka said his constituency has a history with infrastructure development.

He said the recent one is the SIPL that ended during the tension and now GPPOL Company taking on the palm oil plantation.

Maneka said throughout the transition, the roads have been left unattended.

Adding that making matters worse is the constituency’s vulnerability to natural hazards such as flooding.

“And the poor situation of roads in the constituency remains up until now. As a result it has lots of impacts on the farmers and generally on the constituents.

“Due to the conditions of the roads in the area it made it costly for farmers to do effective businesses.

“Additionally, it causes impacts on the livelihoods of the people, minister for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace,” Hon Maneka said.

With the introduction of the machines, Maneka says that his people can work on the roads themselves.

“We need no body to do it for us. We have the machines as well as technical supporter are also there that we can manage our own roads.

“I assure you that if the road damage today, we can fix it today and tomorrow you bring your markets to Honiara,” Mr Maneka said.

He told his constituents that the machineries belong to them and that they need to care for them so that their services can be sustained.

On the same note, he publicly appeals to the MID Minister to help out with needed machines.

Deputy Mayor applauds reconciliations

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Mayor of Honiara City Council Charles Aiwosuga.

THE Deputy Mayor of Honiara City Council Charles Aiwosuga has acknowledged the reconciliations which happened within the City between disputed parties recently.

“On behalf of the Council’s Executive and management, it is indeed welcoming to see families and parties concerned coming together to reconcile following tense situations encountered.

“This is a positive way forward and I would like to acknowledge the Ministry of Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, the Police, Churches and community leaders and those who have played the important role in facilitating such reconciliations,” he added.

He said for the betterment, safety and peace within the communities and the City as a whole, he encouraged everyone to continue and maintain the peaceful co existence within the City

Aiwosuga urged City residence and the general public to respect and treat each other and to avoid incidents that could lead to harm and fear amongst the General populace of the City.

–HCC PRESS

Six locals in prestigious East-West Centre leadership programme

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Milton Ragaruma
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One of the participants, Tom Brian.
One of the participants, Tom Brian.

SIX Solomon Islanders are among participants from 10 Pacific island nations in a prestigious leadership programme at the East-West Centre in partnership with Taiwan.

The Solomons participants are among emerging leaders from 10 Pacific island nations participating in this year’s Pacific Islands Leadership Programme with Taiwan, or PILP.

The selected participants from the Solomons are: Tom Brian, principal programmes officer, National Disaster Management Office, Madlyn Lagusu Ero, executive assistant, Prime Minister’s Office, Cathy Sakumalefo Hite, senior legal officer, Public Solicitor’s Office, Allen Kisi Ofea, principal environment officer, Ministry of Environment, Allan Roni, consulting finance officer, Ministry of Development Planning, and Patrick Balou Wilson, chief parliamentary research officer, National Parliament

They are among 27 emerging leaders from 10 Pacific island nations currently participating in the programme held in partnership with the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Taiwan.

The participants have been in Honolulu for the past month, engaging in experiential learning exercises on such topics as applied leadership skills, future scenario planning, social entrepreneurship and risk analysis, climate change and environmental stewardship, international relations, and public health.

Later this month, they will be traveling to Taipei for a month of field study in at the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs.

Now in its fifth year, the programme is intended to strengthen participants’ knowledge and understanding of key economic, social, political, health, educational and environmental issues affecting the region, and enable them to cultivate the leadership skills, approaches and networks to make meaningful contributions to the region throughout their careers.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to meet and work with these young leaders from across the Pacific islands region, who have been selected for the programme based on their outstanding promise, high leadership potential, and commitment to serve the development needs of their countries,” said PILP coordinator Nick Barker.

“Our aim is to help them learn about how to exercise leadership and promote cooperation in a variety of cultural, geographical and institutional environments.”

–EAST-WEST CENTRE PRESS

Denmark seeks SI support for human rights council candidacy

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Milton Ragaruma
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Minister Tozaka and Minister Ellemann.
Minister Tozaka and Minister Ellemann.

DENMARK has sought the support of Solomon Islands for their candidacy for the Human Rights Council for the period 2019-2021.

Denmark’s Minister for Fisheries, Equal Opportunities and Nordic Cooperation, Ms Karen Ellemann expressed her country’s intention on Tuesday at a meeting with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Hon Milner Tozaka at the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

Ms Ellemann also informed Mr Tozaka that her Government also looked to enhance closer cooperation on matters concerning the sustainable management of fisheries resources and also highlighted their renewable energy expertise, particularly on wind technologies.

Minister Tozaka invited Minister Ellemann to visit Solomon Islands to see what other areas the two countries can cooperate together on going forward.

Minister Ellemann stated that there may be things that they could learn from Solomon Islands as well.

Minister Tozaka also stated that in the post-RAMSI era Solomon Islands is moving ahead on its own to engage more directly with development partners on areas where development cooperation can be further enhanced.

“We are moving beyond the business-as-usual approach to ensure that, together with our development partners, concrete development programs could be delivered on the ground for our people,” Minister Tozaka said.

A number of High Level engagements have been lined up for Minister Tozaka this week at the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

–GCU

Solomon Islands in Taiwan to strengthen ties

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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UNDERSTANDING TAIWAN & SOLOMON ISLANDS: Solomon Islands delegation to the 2017 Nihao Taiwan Study Camp for Future Leaders: Diploma Allies and Partner Countries II, (Left-right) PMO representative Chris Waiwori, MCILI representative Benjamin Inukoru, MID Director Harry Rini and team leader Tourism PS Andrew Nihopara. Read story on page 4. PHOTO BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

In Taiwan

 

UNDERSTANDING TAIWAN & SOLOMON ISLANDS: Solomon Islands delegation to the 2017 Nihao Taiwan Study Camp for Future Leaders: Diploma Allies and Partner Countries II, (Left-right) PMO representative Chris Waiwori, MCILI representative Benjamin Inukoru, MID Director Harry Rini and team
leader Tourism PS Andrew Nihopara. Read story on page 4. PHOTO BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

FOUR local prominent figures are among 60 participants from the Asia Pacific region in Taipei for the 2017 Nihao Taiwan Study Camp for Future Leaders: Diplomatic Allies and Partner Countries II.

The programme begins from September 20-29 and allows participants to learn more of Taiwan’s economy and its history and culture.

Proposed themes to be covered include Taiwan’s political and economic development, international economic cooperation and efforts to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

Participants will also discuss environmental protection, epidemic prevention, local cuisine and natural scenery with an aim to cultivate global perspective, increase knowledge of Taiwan and foster friendship between participants.

The event is sponsored by Taiwanese Government through Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROC (Taiwan) in collaboration with Good Service Company Ltd.

Team leader for Solomon Islands delegation, Permanent Secretary for Tourism, Andrew Nihopara said, “The camp provides Solomon delegates with an opportunity to better understand the economic and political fabric of the relationship between Solomon Islands and Taiwan.”

He also adds it could help in exploring existing and new platforms for stronger and widespread economic partnerships in key sectors for growth in Solomon Islands.  

“The friendship and relationship between SI and ROC Taiwan spans over more than decades and from tourism perspective, this long standing relationship must be translated into people and cultural exchange that would yield economic impact.

“Taiwanese tourist outbound market is a matured outbound market and therefore it presents a huge opportunity for SI to start tapping this tourist market which signals of commitment at government level are favourable as both countries continue to cement their political ties.

“This needs to translate into tourism also as a sustainable economic proposition for both countries.

“It is for this reason that the camp provides a prime opportunity for SI to establish necessary dialogue for tourism through formal discussions that will unfold over the next few days.”

He adds, the event gives them the opportunity to share experiences and draw on valuable lessons from their respective engagements with ROC (Taiwan) in various sector developments.

The camp also provides avenue for participants to better understand how and where ROC’s (Taiwan) diplomatic and development assistance programmes can be further expanded to reach wide in-country stakeholders in various Pacific countries.

Yesterday, the 60 participants and staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Good Services Company convened in dinner for the official opening.

Solomon Islands delegation comprises of the Director for Infrastructure Development Mr Harry Rini, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, MCILI Mr Benjamin Inukoru and Christopher Waiwori from the PM’s Office, and Andrew Nihopara, PS for Tourism and Culture.

The actual study camp programme starts today.

Controversial beche-de-mer stocker gets licence

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Beche-de-mer

By GEORGE MANFORD

Auki

WITH the national fisheries ministry yet to issue out export permits, drama is already brewing in Auki over the lucrative Beche-de-mer trade.

A Chinese businessman known as Mr Sing, who made headlines previously for illegally buying and stocking dried beche-de-mer in his hardware shop in Auki, is reported to have been issued with a harvesting licence by Malaita’s provincial government.

This has irked members of public and employees of the province, who decry this as corruption at best.

Sources within the provincial government say the Chinese man is still under investigation with an active case, and according to fisheries ordinance should not even be considered for a licence.

“According to fisheries ordinance anyone who illegally bought or harvested marine species at and during any ban period should not be favoured or granted with any licence.”

Sources add that Mr Sing has not yet furbished the court with documents to defend his innocence over his case.

Meanwhile, the fisheries office in Auki have denied issuing Mr Sing with any harvesting licence.

They admit he had approached them demanding endorsement of his request for a licence, but maintain refusing his advances.

“Surprisingly Mr Sing arrive at our office and force us to recommend his licence issued by Inland Revenue of Malaita province.

“We believe such movement without approval of fisheries office here in Auki is not right and illegal.

“We should work together to control such dealing which will cause unfairness to our Malaitan people.”

The fisheries office also reveals that some Chinese beche-de-mer buyers are yet to complete their $30,000-business licence.

“Information have it that some of Chinese here in Auki only pay less amount of money and continue with the harvesting which is not legal.”

Mr Sing is married to a woman from Malaita and is operating a hardware shop and the popular Sea Sound resort at Gwaunaru’u airport area.

SI and UN work towards eligibility to peacebuilding fund

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mr Fernadez-Taranco and PM Sogavare at the UN Headquarter in New York.
Mr Fernadez-Taranco and PM Sogavare at the UN Headquarter in New York.

THE United Nations Peace Building Support Office is currently working with the Solomon Islands Government towards eligibility to the UN sponsored Peace Building Fund.

This was highlighted by the Assistant Secretary-General for the UN Peace Building Support Office, Mr Oscar Fernandez-Taranco in a meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday September 19.

Mr Fernandez-Taranco said his Office is keen to support Solomon Islands in its ongoing peacebuilding efforts to achieve lasting peace to support socio-economic development in the country.

Prime Minister Sogavare informed Mr Taranco that the Government’s ongoing fundamental reforms in key areas that are crucial towards peace building, notably, reforms in relevant legislations, in land tenure systems, corruption and other crucial areas is gaining momentum.

“We are fully committed to these reforms so that we set the foundation for ongoing peacebuilding efforts in the country,” Mr Sogavare said, adding “that Solomon Islanders now realise that peace is crucial for socio-economic development in the country”.

He said Solomon Islands stands ready to welcome any assistance in terms of peace building because the country is keen to reposition itself as one of the best investment areas in the region, especially in the tourism industry.

Prime Minister Sogavare has a number of high level engagements at the margins of the UN General Assembly this week prior to addressing the Assembly this Friday.

–GCU

Prosecution wants accused to appear in court

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PUBLIC Prosecutor Olivia Ratu has told court yesterday that she wants the murder accused, Mark Nalua, to be present in court before ruling can be made on the short form preliminary Inquiry.

The ruling on the SFPI was supposed to have been made on Tuesday this week but Nalua did not turn up.

He did not turn up in today’s session either, despite a warrant of arrest issued against him yesterday.

Defence Lawyer Stanley Aupai sought an adjournment yesterday to allow him to try and find Nalua’s whereabouts through his sureties.

Court however rebuked defence, telling him that defence cannot dictate the court’s timing and schedules for the convenience of their clients.

Ms Taeburi said the accused has breached one of the bail conditions, however she adjourned the case for today showing mercy to the defence.

This is in relation to the Lungga murder of 2015, in which Mark Nalua and Barnabas Mwema are accused into the death of a man at the Sisi dance area on the night of March 22.

Plea for business man October 4

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A Honiara businessman James Fang will likely enter his plea on his next appearance on October 4.

This is after the prosecution confirmed that investigation on the case has completed and disclosures served to the defence lawyer.

The case was mentioned at the Honiara Magistrate yesterday and after all the submission was made, court adjourned the case for the next 14 days.

Mr Fang is alleged of forging and uttered documents.

He is the owner of Fangs franchise in Honiara.

He is facing a charge of Forgery and Uttering in relation to incidents which occurred sometimes this year.

The charges stem from an extensive enquiry into the legitimacy of a document emailed to the Inland Revenue Division.

The document was a letter purporting to have been authored by a Government Minister, authorizing the waiving of $14 000 000 in tax payable to the Government of Solomon Islands, through the Inland Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance & Treasury.

Investigations revealed that signature on the letter were not that of the Minister.

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