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Awareness on ICT and broadcasting policy kicks off

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BEN BILUA

A three-day awareness on the Information Communication Technology and Broadcasting Policy kicked off yesterday at the Mendana Hotel.

The Ministry of Communication and Aviation, along with ICT Society Solomon Islands and Telecommunication Commission Solomon Islands brought in experts to talk on Cyber Security, Cyber Crime and Law as part of the awareness programme.

Director of Cyber Policy of Australia Department of Foreign Affairs Ms Johanna Weaver, Dr Timothy Kale and Director of Public Prosecutor Mr Ronald Bei Talasasa were the guest speakers of the first day.

In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Communication Mr Moses Virivolomo said the awareness programme is the beginning of the road towards regulating ICT in the country.

The awareness programme is facilitated to give opportunity for civil society organisations, ICT actors and regulators to learn about ICT and at the same time figure out what’s best for the future of ICT policies.

Mr Virivolomo said panel discussions and presentations will be very important towards the formulation of the country’s future ICT regulations.

He said the sessions which began yesterday are crucial to raise awareness and also inform people about the opportunities and threats when using modern technologies.

Mr Virivolomo said the launching of the National ICT and Broadcasting Policy is part of the government driven ambition to help the country keep up with the fast transforming world.

He said the Government through the Ministry of Communication and Aviation will drive the policy and also make sure necessary mechanisms are available to push the policy to Parliament.

Mr Virivolomo adds that his Ministry is committed to keep on pushing and do whatever it takes to make sure the policy become law.

He calls on every stakeholders to take ownership of the policy through participation in programmes and activities.

“My message is this, the development and harnessing the technology making sure it benefit the people are in your hand and not only the government.

“I urge you to be partners of the government and help us roll out the implementation of the two policies,” Mr Virivolomo said.

He said technology has been moving very fast and that Solomon Islands is just in the beginning of setting up a mechanisms to manage ICT.

Mr Virivolomo said Solomon Islands must make efforts to minimise the gaps between existing ICT performance and the need to regulate ICT.

He strongly emphasised that there are lots of works needs to be done to help the country cope with the changing world of ICT.

Students must understand ICT functions: Virivolomo

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BEN BILUA

THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation says students must understand the function of Information and Communication Technology to avoid getting trapped on cyber issues.

Speaking to students during the ICT awareness programme yesterday, Mr Moses Virivolomo said the current technology has brought in both positive and negative effects for youths and students.

He said the growing technology provides accessible avenue for students in schools to browse into internet sites.

Mr Virivolomo adds that usage of internet in schools within Solomon Islands is now becoming popular but whether for good or bad purposes are the questions that ICT policy needs to address.

“I’m glad that some students of Florence Young School are here today, you must start young to learn and understand ICT.

“Internet is a vital tool that can help students in school on top of that students have the right to do so but I think it is time the country needs to start talking about managing the usage of internet,” he said.

Mr Virivolomo stressed that it is important for students to get better knowledge about ICT before browsing the internet.

He said students’ participation in such transformation is important as far as the sustainability of the knowledge of ICT is preserved for today and future generations.

Gov’t strengthens partnership with private sector

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hon Willie Marau

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hon Willie Marau

THE government through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) is strengthening private sectors in the country.

The government recently signed a MOU with the SICCI to strengthen the partnership under the newly introduced Public Private Partnership arrangement.

Minister for MCILI Willie Marau said during the official opening of the NZ Business Council Conference yesterday that they see a growing private sector as an engine for a robust economic growth in the country.

Adding that under the same initiative, government recognises foreign investment as a critical component to work towards.

He said a report issued by CBSI shows a huge proportion of private capital spending originates from foreign investment.

The minister said the MCILI is the leading agency responsible for formulating and implementing the economic and industrial development strategies for Solomon Islands.

He said with that the country see Foreign Direct Investment as a key to the growth and development of the local economy.

“Having said that, I also would like to make mention that SI is a party to many international trade agreements which provides a good platform to international trading.

“They include World Trade Organization (WTO), Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the most recent one is the PACER plus others.

“We encourage onshore investment that will create employment opportunity and other direct benefits for the country,” Mr Marau said.

On the same note the minister thanked the New Zealand Pacific Business Council who came to seek opportunity to strengthen the business relationship between both countries.

“I recognise the objective of the conference is for New Zealand business leaders to learn more about Solomon Islands business operating environment, in order to generate opportunity for New Zealand and Solomon Islands.”

SI moves forward in creating conducive business environment

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants attending the two days NZ Business Council Conference on Tuesday in Honiara

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Participants attending the two days NZ Business Council Conference on Tuesday in Honiara

THE Solomon Islands Government has taken radical steps in many key areas in an endeavour to create conducive environment that is important for business operation.

Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) Hon Willie Marau said yesterday that there are lots of areas reformed and still under reform as government is trying to establish a foundation that will influence and foster businesses in the country.

“For example, changes in the communications market through legislative reforms in its telecommunications are open up the market.

“Significantly, the changes that results to the Foreign Investment Act 2009, the Company Act 2010, and the Immigration Act 2012,” he said.

Marau said an ongoing legislation reform is taking place with regards to land reform looking at addressing land issue in the country.

Adding there is a move to amend relevant laws to improve Payment System Legislation and preparation toward passing the Special Economic Zone legislation that will attract foreign investments.

He said there are also other important national projects coming up that will help to reduce the cost of doing business in Solomon Islands.

Marau said they include, Tina Hydro Project, Undersea Cable Project and Mamara Township Project.

He said the introduction of the first Competition and Consumer Policy creates a fair and robust trading environment prepared towards the enactment of the Micro, Small and Medium (MSME) legislation.

Marau said the government through InvestSolomons always prioritises the need for investor satisfaction and encourage transparent facilitation process for business registration.

He said SI government prioritises sectors such as tourism development, manufacturing, energy and mineral sector, fishery sector, agriculture and livestock, infrastructure include other services sector.

Senior officials from Pacific visit China

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

in Guangzhou, China

 

A team of senior officials from the Pacific Island Countries are in Guangdong Province visiting a number of entities that hold out future prospects in the development of clean energy for Pacific countries.

Solomon Islands, although without diplomatic relations with China, is represented on the trip by the President of the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), John Teddie Usuramo and his Deputy Oscar Vahimana.

Yesterday the 15-member delegation visited South China University of Science and Technology where a pilot project on clean energy has been on experiment since 2011.

The University is using solar for the solar energy experiment.

“Pacific Island nations are abundantly blessed with sunshine all year round. We hope the result from our work would one day be shared with your countries,” a spokesman for the Guangdong Yudean Group, which heads the project, told the visitors in briefings yesterday.

The Guangdong Yudean Group is a State-Owned company. Its activities in clean energy development are a joint venture with the South China University of Science and Technology – one of 10 universities in Guangdong Province.

An estimated 160,000 students, roughly the population of Honiara, attend these 10 universities at any one time of the year.

Already, the Guangdong Yudean Group is doing a clean energy project in Papua New Guinea and company officials are hoping that other Pacific Island nations would invite the group to cooperate in clean energy development.

The company spokesman said carbon dioxide emissions has fallen by some 320, 000 tons since the Guangdong Yudean Group began clean energy development.

The 15-member delegation represent the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tonga,

They are due to visit Guangdong Department of Commerce today (Wednesday). Known as the South Gate of China, its capital, Guangzhou is located in the north Pearl River delta adjacent to Hong Kong.

Guangzhou’s GDP has ranked 3rd amongst China’s mainland cities for 26 consecutive years since 1989.

Last year its GDP reached 1.96 trillion RMB, up by 8.33 percent. It has sister relations with 59 cities in 43 countries.

RSIPF commends civil society group for peaceful march

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Civil Society Organisations protestors marching to the Prime Minister’s Office protesting for the return of the Anti-corruption Bill withdrawal. PHOTOS by MANEBONA BARNABAS

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has highly commended members of the civil society group for the peaceful march from SMI to the office of the Prime Minister, West Honiara yesterday.

Deputy Commissioner Operations Mr Gabriel Manelusi said, “On behalf of the RSIPF I wish to acknowledge the Civil Society Group and students who involved in the peaceful march.

“RSIPF is very pleased with the behaviour of the Civil Society Group members who well behave during the march. There was no major incident that was reported in connection during the peaceful march.

“This shows to Police that our people have moved on from the days where we used to have problems while organising such peaceful march. Our Civil Society Group must be congratulated as this shows to the world that citizens of Solomon Islands are law abiding citizens and are prepared to rebuild the image of our ‘Hapi Isles’. The RSIPF salutes you for this.

“I also want to publicly thank all RSIPF officers who took part in the peaceful march for their tireless effort in ensuring the security of the Civil Society Group members for expressing their freedom of speech.”

The peaceful march commenced at 9.15am from SMI and arrived at Prime Minister’s Office at about around five minutes later, and the petition presented to Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga.

–POLICE MEDIA

People first must be our focus: Saelea

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MAL PS Jimi Saelea opening the DAPLU conference
MAL PS Jimi Saelea opening the DAPLU conference

ALL government programmes must be targeted towards “People First” says Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Jimi Saelea.

Saelea was speaking at the opening of the 2017 Agriculture Planning and Land Use senior staff conference now underway at Ginger beach retreat, West Guadalcanal.

“People First, must be the focus for all government programmes.

“Any programme that is not people centred especially around rural people are not addressing government priorities.”

The theme of the conference is “Pioneering effective deliberation for enriched and operational agriculture production”. It reflects the need to enhance and operationalise agriculture production.

The weeklong conference brings together planning officers from all the provinces including Honiara, partners and stakeholders.

“The challenge for agriculture planners is to ensure that both national and provincial agriculture development policies and activities are implemented transparently and prudently so that rural farming families can benefit while at the same time tangible economic growth is felt as a result of good policies,” Saelea told the participants.

He highlighted that so many challenges need attention from all stakeholders, including how to grow the rural economy, how to create jobs to reduce unemployment, as well as ensuring access to better living standards.

Saelea said as the country seeks to promote more agricultural products for export, the need to coordinate production and marketing will certainly require line ministries working together to expedite this intention.

“Critical market infrastructure must be established to facilitate trade. Production modalities that are cost effective must be developed to produce the quality and quantity of products the market demands.

‘It is therefore vital that the Planning Division take a leading role in the marketing of agriculture products, linking production to markets is the way forward for the agriculture sector to enhance production as markets will be accessible to farmers.”

While reiterating the urgent need for additional manpower for the Planning division the Permanent Secretary also echoed his satisfaction on the progress of two very important programmes facilitated and implemented by them.

“The cocoa and coconut industries are fundamental for livelihoods of many rural families.

“The Ministry therefore has an obligation to ensure whatever assistance the government provides to these two sub-sectors, reached the rural farmers or targeted beneficiaries,” Saelea said.

He also acknowledged the department’s part in the initiation of, and the National Statistics office for spear-heading the National Agriculture Census (survey) programme now already underway, saying information captured from the survey is vital for decision makers in the development of the agriculture sector, more so for rural development.

The PS said Agriculture Planning has an important role to play in stimulating and instigating agricultural development in the rural areas but MAL is just but one player in the sector therefore collaborations and partnerships must be encouraged with other stakeholders.

“A whole of nation approach should be the way forward for us to deliver services to our people.”

The meeting ends on Friday, September 22.

–MAL PRESS

PM Sogavare arrives in New York for 72nd UNGA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has arrived in New York on Monday September 18 for the 72nd United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) this week.

Sogavare was accompanied by the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) John Dean Kuku and the Minister for Culture and Tourism Bartholomew Parapolo and other officials.

The 72nd UN General Assembly debate by world leaders begins on Tuesday 19th New York time (Wednesday 20th Solomon Time) at the UN Headquarters.

PM Sogavare will deliver the Solomon Islands National Statement on Friday September 22 (Saturday September 23 – Solomon Time).

He will also engage in other high level meetings at the margins of the main UNGA debate during which some important political declarations and communiques will be adopted at the duration of the meeting.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon Milner Tozaka who had arrived in New York on Sunday September 18 ahead of the Prime Minister will also represent Solomon Islands in other high level meetings.

Notable among Minister Tozaka’s engagements this week include the annual Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meetings, the Group of 77 (G77), LDCs Leaders’ Summit, AOSIS, the PIF/UN Secretary General Meeting and the Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) meeting.

Similarly, Minister Kuku and Minister Parapolo will also represent Solomon Islands at other relevant high level meetings at the margins of the UNGA.

This year’s UNGA is “Focusing on People: striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet”.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Central market faces shortage in fish supply

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

FISH supply at the Central Market is facing a shortage leaving customers with little choice but to purchase the seafood at a higher price.

This was revealed by Mr Roger Lata, a regular fish vendor at Central Market’s fish corner.

He explained that the reason behind the short supply of fish is because fish venders have shifted to the beche-de-mer business.

In relation, Mr Lata stresses that the sea cucumber which can be bought cooked or uncooked has been offered attractive prices by buyers thus with the price incentive at hand, fishermen and divers have decided to venture into the reopened beche-de-mer market in the provinces.

He added that even boats used for fishing purposes are now being used for beche-de-mer and the fish market is now unstable with the catch of the day being much less than before.

On the other hand, he digressed to say that the bright side of the story is that fish vendors who remain in the market can use this opportunity to earn higher profits by increasing their catch and selling price.

Warrant of arrest issued against Nalua

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A warrant of arrest has been issued yesterday against Mark Nalua, co-accused in the Lungga murder incident, for not appearing in court.

The case was mentioned in court but Nalua did not turn up thus the case is adjourned for today for ruling on the short form preliminary inquiry.

This is in relation to the case against two men Mark Nalua and Barnabas Mwema who were charged with one of murder each in relation to an incident which occurred at the Lungga area in 2015.

On the previous mention the court made directions for the two defence lawyers to explain in court as to why they opted for a Long Form Preliminary Inquiry and also for a pre-trial conference to be conducted.

However, when the case mentioned in court yesterday the other counsel representing the other co-accused failed to appear and also failed to leave instructions on the status of the case in relation to her client.

Therefore the case is adjourned to August 4 and orders that counsels responsible for the case to appear in court.

This case involves the death of a man at the Sisi dance area in Lungga in 2015.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the state.

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