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East Guale MP and GP praised

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JARED KOLI

SUPPORT from Member of Parliament (MP) for East Guadalcanal Constituency Bradley Tovosia and Guadalcanal Education Authority (GEA) in East Guadalcanal has been given praise.

Deputy Head Master of Saro Extension Primary School, Godfrey Lovoli thanked the two for supporting Saro Extension and Luguvasa primary school.

The Luguvasa Primary School which has been proposed to be elevated to a junior secondary school has received support on the renovation work, roofing irons and the development of a three-blocked classroom building from Hon Tovosia.

Lovoli said this is the first ever secondary school for Tetekaji ward the MP has supported to contribute on a two-storey classroom, two dormitories and a toilet each for girls and boys.

“The Guadalcanal Education Authority also steps in developing the classroom, a skeleton structure has already been erected,” he said.

He thanked the GEA and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) for approving a status of Saro extension primary.

“In previous years mother schools have difficulties with fund distributions, now parents are happy on the current development which has shown a green light.

“At the moment the school also receives support from the community with two staff house to be completed at the end of the year. Construction of a six block permanent classroom was started but still need support from stakeholders.

“Community has shown its commitment in cutting timber, and they have also engaged as labour-based contract on the construction of Avuavu – Marau road and use what they earned towards the six-block classroom,” Lovoli shared to this paper.

He said such support assist in uplifting quality education and quality learning environment which is one of the goals of the government.

“This allows student to access education in a conducive learning environment,” Mr Lovoli adds.

Saro Primary is an extension of Kolobaubau the mother school and now provides education to more than five communities.

Mr Lovoli said the school currently enrolls 90 students and has the service of five trained teachers and a Distance Flexible Learning (DFL) student teacher undergoing courses from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).

Chocolate can be made in Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
CEMA’s Chief Produce Inspector Mr Patterson Siliota showcasing Solomon Islands-made chocolate during the World Food Day and Agriculture Show

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

SOLOMON Islands is realising its potential of producing local chocolate.

CEMA proved this this week, displaying samples of locally made chocolate in the World Food Day and agriculture show.

The Solomon Islands product contains 60 percent cocoa, 30 percent sugar and 10 percent cocoa butter, weighing 60g.

CEMA’s Chief Produce inspector, Mr Patterson Siliota said Solomon Islands has a high potential in producing chocolate, reiterating that we can do it and do away with importing the food.

He adds that our product also stands a chance in competing with the outside market.

Siliota said they have been working closely with the ministries of Commerce (MCILI) and Agriculture (MAL) to promote the initiative before allowing private sector stakeholders to take the commodity further.

“We worked with Ministry of Commerce and MAL to try improving production development of cocoa and coconut so that we can do locally which will create revenue and employment opportunities,” Siliota said.

Meanwhile, he shares that CEMA faces few challenges which include storage temperature, packaging and how to carry out processing in the country.

MAL Permanent Secretary, Mr Jimmi Saelea is happy that CEMA has shown the country its capacity to produce chocolate.

Through strongly introducing coconut and chocolate production in Solomon Islands, it will boost the country’s economy and provide opportunities for Solomon Islanders especially young people, he adds.

Premier Siapu urges Ugi people to allow wharf project

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Premier of MakiraUlawa province, Hon Stanley Siapu.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Premier of Makira-Ulawa province has called on the people of Ugi not to forgo the national wharf project proposed for the island.

Premier Standley Siapu made the statement in response to a demand of $SBD3.3 million made by a person from Ugi, demanding government to pay before any further progress be done regarding the project.

In a recent interview with this paper, the premier spoke of the importance of the project to the province and a need for his people and government to work together with the national government.

He said his executive is aware of the issue and is working with the ward-4 MPA to address the problem.

“We will work closely with the people of Ugi, the landowners, tribes and the government especially the commissioner of lands to address the issue.

“Because the title of the land is with commissioner, and this person is just given with a grant of profit to use the land.

“So we will be seeking the advice of the commissioner of land as to how we will best address the issue.

“He is just a one person and the whole of Ugi and the province like this development to be in our island and province,” Siapu said.

He reminds the people of Ugi that such developments are for everyone’s benefit, and that such projects are hard to come by, and urges them to consider letting the project to go ahead.

BLC to commence hearings into Dual Citizenship Bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

ACCORDING to the tentative hearing schedule provided by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) will commence hearings into the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2017 tomorrow.

The objective of the Bill is to remove the Constitutional prohibition on dual citizenship and to clarify that holding dual citizenship prevents a person from being a Member of Parliament.

This will facilitate the return and reintegration of Solomon Islands citizens by birth or ancestry who lost their citizenship by reasons of marriage, forced labour or naturalisation in another country.

It will also allow naturalised Solomon Islands citizen to regain or retain their birth nationality.

The policy to allow citizenship of more than one country is an exponentially growing trend in the 21st century.

It provides social, economic, family, employment and study opportunities by providing ease of movement between country of origin and country of residence for eligible persons.

The proposed legislation will repeal section 23 of the Constitution on avoidance of dual nationality.

Section 49 of the Constitution will be amended as well on disqualifications from being a Member of Parliament (MP).

BLC commences inquiries into citizenship bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) commenced inquiries into the Citizenship Bill 2017 yesterday.

The objective of the Bill is to repeal and replace the Citizenship Act (Cap 57).

It defines who is a Solomon Islands citizen and sets clear and non-discriminatory criteria for regaining citizenship by Solomon Islanders by birth and for becoming citizens by naturalisation.

The Bill retains the current Citizenship Commission and removes Ministerial discretion from the citizenship process and establishes a Review Board of senior public office holders with relevant knowledge and experience to review the decisions of the Board.

The Bill allows eligible citizens to retain or regain their citizenship even if they are or become citizens of another nation.

The policy objective of the Bill is to allow Solomon Islanders by birth who have lost their citizenship to regain their citizenship and reconnect with their country of origin.

The Bill facilitates the reintegration and return of Solomon Islanders by ancestry and their children who have lost their citizenship through marriage, naturalisation or displacement due to forced labour.

The Bill also provides clear, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria and procedures for long term residents of Solomon Islands to obtain citizenship by naturalisation.

Common-assault man faces manslaughter

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Public Prosecution has amended the charge of common assault and substituted to that of manslaughter against Rubenson Samani yesterday.

Public Prosecutor John Zoze made the application to withdraw the common assault charge under section 190(2) b (i) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi then granted the application and substituted the new charge of manslaughter.

The prosecution said they are relying on the same set of facts that have been disclosed to the defence lawyer.

The case was then adjourned to October 24 to allow the accused’s lawyer to take instruction and also to decide on the form of inquiry to be conducted on the matter.

Ms Taeburi said the case will be committed to the High Court for trial as the charge has been increased to a more serious charge.

Prosecution also informed the court that the new charge has already been served to the defence lawyer.

NRH in desperate need of a CT scanner

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, the National Referral Hospital (NRH) is in desperate need of a CT scanner.

What is a CT scanner and why the need?

A CT scanner gives images of soft tissues and can provide doctors with far more information that can be determined by undergoing an ultrasound or an ordinary x-ray.

It helps doctors make better diagnosis and also decisions on the management of patients.

In the case of, say a patient comes to the NRH with a head injury, undergoing a CT scan, as opposed to just an x-ray, can guide the doctor in deciding what best intervention is needed.

Enquiries I have instigated have shown CT scanners are very expensive to buy and at the NRH an additional facility would need to be built to accommodate it.

One potential supplier of ‘pre-owned’ CT scanners in Taipei, Taiwan, has told me this week that to supply the NRH with a pre-owned Phillips Brillance 16 slices CT scanners, together with the supply of tools and manpower needed to help with installation, would cost the Solomon Islands Government about USD 160,000. (SBD$1,241,160.)

Without a CT scanner the NRH is inadequately equipped to be able to effectively deal and treat those patiently admitted to hospital with moderate to severe injuries, especially head injuries, no matter how diligently the NRH’s doctors work.

The NRH, being the main referral centre in the Solomon Islands, has the ultimate responsibility for the medical care of a population now around 650,000, if recent estimates of population figures are correct, but is devoid of the one essential tool, a CT scanner, already in use in Nauru with a tiny population and in Kiribati, Tonga and Samoa, Papua New Guinea and likely, also, in Fiji.

I would earnestly appeal, once more, to Solomon Islands regional donor partners, particularly, the Government of the Republic of China (on Taiwan), the Government of Japan, Australia and New Zealand to help the Solomon Islands Government and the NRH to quickly acquire a CT scanner, help built the facility to house it, and so ensure proper medical diagnosis is given to hospital patients who are risk without the intervention and use of such a diagnostic tool and in the circumstances I have outlined.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Unaccounted for missing ship funds

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, I wish to make a comment or two on two items which was reported in your paper.

First was the publication again of the recipients of shipping grant with SBD$27million unaccounted for funds.

Secondly a letter on Sunday by a faithful member of SSEC central church regarding the irate behaviour by some people within their compound during the float parade by a large group along the main Honiara street two Sundays ago. Christians or Hooligans? He asked.

In the first article a number of individuals, businesses and members of parliament names appeared to have received hefty sums from the SI Government to buy boats.

One such name HP Shipping caught my eyes because in some of the previous year’s publications this name also appeared.

If I am correct, a total sum of more than SBD8million has already been received by this group/person.

HP stand for Harry and Philip (Hon Danny Philip) this person (company?) used to operate the unseaworthy MV Francis Gerena which met its fate at the ill-fated trip on December 24, 2013 to North Malaita.

This business was the sponsor of Mr Lawinter Kii’s candidature to run for the Lau and Mbaelea Constituency seat in 2014. One slogan printed on the TShirts for this candidate was ‘Free Faka na Haea’ in the Lau dialect of Malaita.

During 2012 & 2013, the MV Francis Gerena operate shipping services to North Malaita totally free.

All passengers do not pay for boat fares. The first of its kind service in Solomon Islands.

You do not need an expert CID officer to come up with a rationale conclusion that if HP shipping does not buy any boat but use a very unseaworthy boat which was rotting and ready to sink to run its shipping service, then it could be that the money from SIG in the name of shipping paid for all the goods, materials, solar etc and the free boat service they operate to lure voters to Mr Lawinter Kii? If this is true, this is day light robbery!

I like the response by Didao, one of the company’s reported to have received $1million.

They are now calling for an investigation because the owners categorically denied receiving any money.

I think HP Shipping should be investigated together with the others!

The other as mentioned above was the group which led the float parade on Sunday October 8 in Honiara.

I believe after the float and parade, they send a very strong delegation to Israel for a large prayer programme.

The Hon MP for Lau and Mbaelea was also in the trip. I am not sure what benefit will he bring to the constituency from this tour.

I am a driver and I do not like the attitude of these people. The convoy should be arrested for breaking traffic rules and irrational behaviour. No allowim kaen people ia on the street.

Jews are Seventh Day Sabbath keepers. They have some very strict dietary regulations. If the group which went represented the splinter group from SSEC, how are they going to cope in Israel?

EM Fatainao,

Kukum  

It’s hard to believe but it’s true

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako.

 

CAN you imagine growing rice in seawater? Many of us will find it hard to believe it but it’s true. After years of research, Chinese scientists have put rice grown in seawater on the nation’s tables, according to news dispatches from China, whose leadership has begun its Congress in Beijing today (Wednesday).

Salt-resistant species could boost country’s rice harvest by nearly 20 per cent, top researcher says.

Rice grown on a commercial scale in diluted seawater has, for the first time, made it into the rice bowls of ordinary Chinese people after a breakthrough in food production following more than four decades of efforts by farmers, researchers, government agencies and businesses.

Given that rice is a staple food in Solomon Islands, I have decided to use this article about this.

Ning Meng bought a bag of the rice online and had it delivered to the family of her boyfriend early this month. Her boyfriend was living with his parents in a city in Zhejiang province, and the rice was a gift to her future in-laws.

On the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, they gathered around the rice cooker. The lid lifted, releasing a puff of steam and fragrance that made everyone take a breath.

“I could tell one grain from the other in my mouth,” said Ning, who gave it a top satisfaction rating. “My boyfriend said it was like the braised rice he had back in his village. It is very good.”

The rice was not grown in traditional rice paddy, where fields are filled with fresh water, but on a salty beach on the Yellow Sea coast in Qingdao, Shandong.

China has one million square kilometres of waste land, an area the size of Ethiopia, where plants struggle to grow because of high salinity or alkalinity levels in the soil.

Agricultural scientist Yuan Longping, known as China’s “father of hybrid rice”, told mainland media that if a tenth of such areas were planted with rice species resistant to salt, they could boost China’s rice production by nearly 20 per cent.

They could produce 50 million tonnes of food, enough to feed 200 million people, he said.

A research team led by Yuan, 87, recently doubled the output of seawater rice, which in the past was too low for large-scale production.

In the mid-1970s, worrying about how to feed the world’s largest, and rapidly growing population, the Chinese government started looking for rice species that could grow in salt-soaked fields.

A major discovery was made by Guangdong-based researcher Chen Risheng, who stumbled on a species of red wild rice near a mangrove forest in Suixi county, Zhanjiang.

After decades of trait selection, cross-breeding and genetic screening, researchers across the country came up with at least eight candidate species, but their productivity remained low, at two tonnes a hectare, just a third that of ordinary rice and insufficient for large-scale planting.

Where did that rice in your bowl originally come from?

Last month, at the nation’s largest seawater rice farm, in Qingdao, the output of Yuan’s seawater rice exceeded 4.5 tonnes a hectare, according to state media reports.

Yuan Ce Biological Technology, a Qingdao-based start-up and business partner of Yuan’s team, said it set up an online shop in August, branding the rice “Yuan Mi” in honour of the project’s chief scientist.

The rice now being sold was harvested last year. This year’s crop will enter barns next month.

Each kilogram of “Yuan Mi” costs 50 yuan (US$7.50), or eight times as much as ordinary rice. It is sold in packs weighing 1kg, 2kg, 5kg and 10kg.

Nearly 1,000 people placed an order last month, and six tonnes of the rice had been sold since August, a Yuan Ce sales manager said.

“Our sales revenue target is 10 million yuan by the end of this year,” he said.

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Man arrested over fatal accident in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

A 39-year-old vehicle driver is in Honiara police custody over the death of a 70-year-old male during an accident in Central Honiara on October 14, 2017.

The deceased passed away at the National Referral Hospital on the night of October 15, 2017.

Police have already charged the driver with driving with the presence of alcohol above the prescribed level in his blood, driving an unlicensed motor vehicle and driving an uninsured motor vehicle.

But he is yet to be formally charged with causing the death of the deceased through reckless driving.

“The incident occurred along the Mbokonavera Road, opposite the Holy Cross Cathedral, when the 15-seater bus that was heading towards the main road allegedly hit the deceased as he was trying to cross the pedestrian crossing. It was alleged that the deceased was under the influence of liquor,” says Staff Sergeant George Mouli of the Kukum Traffic Centre.

“The driver reported the matter to the Honiara City Council and he was referred to the Police.

“A breathalyser was conducted and the driver was positive with a reading over the prescribed alcohol in his blood.

“Police once again reminds all drivers and of cause pedestrians to take care when using our roads.

“The drivers of our public buses have the extra responsibility of taking care of their passengers.

“All public vehicle owners must also make sure that their vehicles are licensed and insured,” says Staff Sergeant Mouli.

Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

–POLICE MEDIA

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