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WAISISI PALM OIL PROJECT IS REAL: MAL

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Waisisi-Wairokai Palm Oil Project is real says the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

Ground work is ongoing at Wairokai where the nursery is located and transplanting of the first 9,000 seedlings is implemented.

MAL made the revelation for the sake of clarification and putting straight the information on the piece by Birau Wilson Saeni, Solomon Star issue No 6633 on Friday June 30, titled “Waisisi palm oil project is far from being real”, and again on front page Sunday Star, July 2, with a bold title “Waisisi queries oil palm project, Landowners: We want the truth from gov’t”.

On the outset the Waisisi Oil Palm Programme is as real as the five tribal lands that were registered to cater for this development.

These are Marapa Tribal Land (846.1 ha), Suruniai TL (689.9 ha), Ainapo TL (145.7 ha), Torohane TL (582.8 ha) and Otenimae TL (130.6 ha). A total registered land area of 2,395.1 hectares, out of a total gross area of 6,000 hectares.

For the sake of the reporter and the good pastor Andrew Mahoro of Surairo Village, Waisisi Oil Palm project and Wairokai oil palm nursery are one and the same.

Implementation of the project is ongoing in Wairokai rather than Waisisi due to the reason stated below.

MAL Permanent Secretary Jimi Saelea explained the fact is that, the land originally earmarked for the nursery in Waisisi was DISPUTED, as a result and thanks to the Rapusia Tribe, the nursery was relocated to and established in Wairokai instead, the communities of Waisisi and Wairokai are close to each other and the people are related thus the acceptance by the Rapusia Tribe of Wairokai to host the nursery.

“I am sure Pastor Andrew Mahoro may not be telling the TRUTH of not knowing what is happening on the ground with the Waisisi Oil Palm project.

“He should tell Solomon Star why the oil palm nursery was relocated to Wairokai, from the original plan to establish the nursery in Waisisi,” Saelea said.

He added that Pastor Mahoro should be consulting the Southern Maasina Oil Palm Growers Association (SMOPGA), and West AreAre Constituency Development Association Task Force (WACDATF), the bodies responsible for awareness on matters related to the oil palm project.

“These two bodies have members on the ground in Waisisi and Wairokai that can be consulted for updates in order to be informed on factual information.”

“So please my good Pastor and good Solomon Star reporter Saeni from Auki, do seek the TRUTH first from these two registered entities, and of course the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to ensure untruths are not released in the public domain,” the MAL PS reiterates.

To clarify further, in order for the oil palm nursery seedlings at Wairokai to be transplanted by 32 farmers who have already been identified and their lands already cleared, the tractor mentioned was shipped to Wairokai on a chartered boat.

On the same trip various farming tools for distribution to farmers to facilitate oil palm planting were also sent.

The handover of the tractor and tools was done at Wairokai where the work is ongoing, and not in Honiara for one to be suspicious of the expenditure.

Pastor Mahoro has all the right to raise questions of progress, and benefits from the Waisisi Oil Palm programme.

The biggest benefit that Pastor Mahoro should be thankful of the Government for is the registration of his Marapa Tribal Land of 846.1 hectares.

The Registration of Land Title was handed to him on a plate so to speak.

Since the establishment of the oil palm nursery at Wairokai, around 30 casuals representing families have been employed up till now.

Their children’s school fees and other needs are met easily from the wages they received.

MAL hope that one day most families in West AreAre will benefit directly and indirectly from oil palm development when it will become the main economic driver in the southern region of Malaita Province.

It is only understandable that expectations are sometimes unreasonably bloated without reasoning the determinants that slows down the momentum following land registration.

It took almost two years for SIG through MAL and Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey (MLHS) to facilitate land mobilization, surveying, and eventual registration of the 2,395.1 hectares, a costly feat that resource owners need only appreciate, and whatever comes next takes time and of course substantial financial resources to progress things going forward for the Waisisi Oil Palm programme.

The DCC Government through MAL is doing its best to ensure the 9,000 oil palm seedlings are planted and to continue assisting the farmers until an investor takes up full responsibility for the programme.

Saelea continues to explain that soliciting investors is not as easy as some may think, as most investors do have their basic requirements which must be provided up front. The oil palm industry is no exception.

“Various models of oil palm development will need to be considered in light of the various constraints related to topography (land ya hemi hil or flat), infrastructure (road and wharf stap?), production (soil hemi gud?), and marketing.

“The GPPOL model cannot be applied in Waisisi or elsewhere in the country unless land is 0 – 5% slope gradient. Thus it will take time to carefully determine which production model suits Waisisi and other potential oil palm growing areas in the country.”

He clarifies that for a crop that has a productive life of 25 to 35 years, planting it now will ensure when a mill is built, product to feed the mill is also ready. It is a chicken and egg argument.

Potential investors too will be informed of the actions taken by resource owners to initiating growing the crop in anticipation of a processing facility. Whether the investor is foreign or local does not really matter. What matters is that a lot of jobs will be created and cottage industries developed in rural areas.

The MAL PS calls on every one to have a positive mindset towards developing our nation.

“Waiting for the government to get the project rolling” is not the right mindset for development of this country. We should all be partners with the government to develop our resources, and then only can we “own” the development.”

“My advice to resource owners of Waisisi and elsewhere in respect of government programmes is to directly seek answers to questions from the right authorities. In this way answers to your queries will be provided to you directly and not through the media as is the case here.” Saelea said.

MALA PREMIER ANGERED BY SLOW RESPONSE TO BOAT TRAGEDY

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PREMIER of Malaita Province, Peter Ramohia has lashed out at the slow response of the country’s search and rescue unit following the boat tragedy that claimed lives between the seas of Malaita and Guadalcanal Provinces last week.

About Five dead bodies have been recovered off the coast of Marau, with 11 still missing when the boat travelling from West Areáre enroute to Marau met its fate.

Ramohia said on Wednesday when the incident happened he received a message that one of the boats was missing and he called the search and rescue unit to respond to the incident,

He said no action was taken quickly and lives have been lost due to no rescue attempts being made at the first instance.

“This is not the first time for this unit to fail, they have failed many incidents in terms of rescue and many have lost their lives in our waters.

Ramohia added that the mission carried out by the search and rescue unit was not a rescue mission, but a recovery mission to recover the dead bodies of those people.

He pointed out that this is one of the National Government Departments that should be alert at all times rather than giving excuses of no support for the unit to operate.

“Why is this unit established, the unit should be dissolved because of no proper work being done.

Premier Ramohia said the National Government should also put in place the relevant laws to ensure that people take safety measures to avoid the loss of lives in our waters.

“The laws must be put in place immediately, especially for our safety measures.

Even one life is counted and when 17 or 18 lost their lives it is a sad thing for our people.

The Premier therefore send his condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

The incident happened on Wednesday last week when two boats believed to be carrying a youth group from Harumou village in the Uhu area on west Are’Are set off for Marau, East Guadalcanal.

They were planning to raise funds for their church building in one of the communities at Marau.

The second boat believed to have carried 24 people, mostly women met its tragic end.

Ramohia said it was the biggest tragedy to have happened to his people of west Are’Are people.

“I want to remind my people of malaita and the country at large that before travelling to sea we must look for safety measures first.

Sea is a different environment from land, the environment can change at any time and so those that travel by boats must ensure safety first before travelling.

On behalf of the malaita provincial government I send our condolence to all chiefs, leaders and immediate family members of those who lost their lives.

My heartfelt sorrow is always with them even though without my presence but through spirit we are all present.

May god’s comfort be with them and May god gave them a peace of mind.

RICK HOU URGES LANDOWNERS TO COOPERATE

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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LAND owners and resource owners in Small Malaita have been urged to cooperate and open up their land for development in order for the Constituency to develop.

The sentiments were echoed by Hon Rick Hou in his key note address during a ground breaking ceremony last month.

“I have to confess that it is frustrating sometimes when we are ready to go, someone or something has always happened to frustrate the implementation of our programmes. It is very disheartening that after having spent so much time, effort and financial resources in preparing a project, just when it is ready to go, someone would throw in “the spanner in the works”, rendering the whole project on hold”, the MP for Small Malaita said.

Mr Hou said over the last six years a number of projects in Small Malaita Constituency have suffered the same demise and in most cases this is due to land disputes.

“I would urge all our landowners and resource owners to cooperate with us. Please be reminded again, that development and investment is a two-way street: you have to be ready to give and then you can expect to receive. If you want development, you must genuinely offer land for development. If you are unable to do that it is most certain you cannot expect the Government or anyone to invest here. Sadly, our constituency has forfeited many development initiatives due to this problem”, Hon Hou said.

He added that many of these projects have not got off the ground due to petty political motivations and individuals with self-interest agendas. “I would like to warn our chiefs, community leaders and resources owners to be very careful and be vigilant against being misled and brainwashed by such individuals. These are selfish, narrow-minded people who are interested only in their personal well-being. These people do not have anything to offer except to push their self-interests ahead of yours. My advice to you is that you should steer clear of them”, the MP warned.

110 YEAR OLD FORMER SOLOMON ISLANDS COASTWATCHER TO RECEIVE A MEDALLION

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Dear Editor,
ACCORDING to a broadcast on Radio New Zealand International, today, Wednesday, and quoting Sir Bruce Saunders in Honiara, a local 110 year old gentleman, a former Coastwatcher during the battle of Guadalcanal in the Second World War, is to receive a medallion at the 75th Battle of Guadalcanal Anniversary Celebrations.
The medallion was struck specially to recognize the services of Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers but only half a dozen have been awarded in the past 3 or 4 years as many former Scouts and Coastwatchers have passed on.
I very much hope the old gentleman to receive his award will be well enough for the Ceremony and he, his family, friends and indeed the nation will be proud to see the medallion awarded.
I extend my congratulations, very best wishes and salute this deserving old soldier.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

A COMBINED EFFORT SEES THE ARRIVAL OF DONATED EQUIPMENT REACH NRH

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Dear Editor,
THANKS to the very kind and generous donation of a Brisbane based doctor and staff members of Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Laboratory, also in Brisbane, the NRH has received 400 kilos of much needed equipment, including a bacterial incubator, a refrigerator, computers, a printer, scanner, a bath and some chairs.
Delivery of the equipment from Australia was a combined effort involving Solomon Airlines, BJS Group of Companies, DHL Couriers and two Honiara Rotarians.
It is understood that the NRH’s Head of Microbiology, Hilda Zoleveke, has said most of the equipment will be used in the microbiology section, one fridge will be used to store specimens in the biochemistry laboratory, and the water bath will be used by the haematology section while the computers and printer will benefit everyone.
I would like to add my personal thanks and appreciation to all concerned for helping the NRH.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short.

PLANNED RELOCATION OF THE NRH ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY WARD

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Dear Editor,
IT is expected the NRH Accident and Emergency Ward will be relocated to two temporary buildings in September to allow an inspection and assessment of the present A&E Ward for damage caused by last year’s earthquake.
The planned move was announced in the National Parliament yesterday, Tuesday, by the Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr. Tautai Angikimua Kaitu’u who told Parliament the current Emergency Ward would be relocated to two temporary buildings donated by RAMSI on the Mission’s departure.
Dr. Tautai Angikimua Kaitu’u also told Parliament, “The NRH will have two new buildings installed by the end of September and rearrangement of services will be planned to allow for full assessment of the Accident and Emergency department.”
The NRH’s Accident & Emergency and Labour Wards experienced structural damage following the earthquake in December last year.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

ORGANISERS UNDER FIRE

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

A day into the event and organisers of 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal are facing heavy criticism for failing to include segments that would promote local war relic collectors.

Locals with sizeable genuine collections of World War 2 relics are reportedly being left out of the programme, including the renowned Solomon War Museum.

Spokesperson for Solomon War Museum Mr Andrew Fioga said preparations towards the event is a let-down for many because organisers have failed to communicate with local war relic collectors to be part of the event.

He stressed that there are lots of locals with collected and preserved war relics in and around Honiara, Guadalcanal and other provinces which visitors may want to see during the week-long event.

Mr Fioga said Solomon Islands has more to give in terms of showcasing the war relics left behind after the war.

He also says that the Battle of Guadalcanal 75th Anniversary is a very important event in the history of Solomon Islands and should be made a public holiday, questioning why the organisers and the government have not considered this.

“I suggests, this day should be a public holiday because it is part of our country’s history that even introduced in our schools’ curricular.

“Additionally, the battle of Guadalcanal is well recognised world-wide as the turning point of World War two battle in the pacific.

“We should be proud of this history as a country.”

A visit by this paper to the Solomon War Museum shows a wide range of items, from ammunitions to tooth brushes to heavy machine guns, used during the battle of Guadalcanal.

Solomon War Museum is located at Tandai, Lelei Resort, west of Honiara

Guadalcanal was the stage for one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific as a legendary battle raged on the shores of Solomon Islands during WWII.

This area played a crucial role for the allied offensive against Japan and became one of the turning points in the history of the war in the Pacific.

Japanese forces lost its first territory to the US as a result of six month fierce fighting with thousands of lives lost.

The crux of the Allied victory happened in Florida Island, at Tulagi and Red Beach on Guadalcanal on Aug 7, 1942 where – with simultaneous naval bombardments and amphibious landing – the expansion of the Japanese forces was put to a halt.

Today, the capital of Honiara stands on this battlefield, underneath the white sandy beaches and the azury waters lies a rich history of destruction.

The wreckage from the war is still littered across Solomon Islands.

SI READY FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES IN BAHAMAS

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

A small contingent of Solomon Islands athletes is ready for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas in the Caribbean.

The country will be competing in the Lawn tennis and athletics in the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, which will be held from 18 to 23 next month, July 2017.

NOCSI Vice President Marketing, Nihal Seneviratne on Friday hand over Team Solomon uniform to the NOCSI President as preparations is narrowed for the game.

Team Solomon will be headed by Chief de Mission and NOCSI Vice President International event, Brian Pongatalu.

The 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games will take in 1300 youth athletes aged between 14 to 18 from the 70 Commonwealth Nations and Territories.

The Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games will be the sixth edition of the Youth Games, which started in 2000.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND CANADIAN SEASONAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

AT a recent graduation ceremony held at the Victoria University in Australia, Ms, Irene Paulsen, originally from Buala in Isabel Province was proudly capped as Dr Irene Paulsen, PhD.

In the mid-late 1990s, Irene was the Head of Distance Education of SICHE (now SINU); and earlier she was the Head of English at King George VI Secondary School in Honiara.

Prior to 2006, she worked as a Programme Manager with the South Pacific Centre of the Commonwealth Youth and then followed that with more than 10 years as an academic at Victoria University.

Dr Paulsen received a Victoria University sponsorship under the staff professional development programme to undertake her PhD.

Her PhD thesis investigated the patterns of engagement, achievement and transition for Pacific Islander secondary school students in Melbourne.

In her words, Dr Paulsen said, “I hope that my story will encourage more women and girls in Solomon Islands to study towards higher degrees and to achieve this through making clear goals for themselves, staying focussed and to always acknowledge the various forms of support received along the way.”

Last week in Honiara, 39 Solomon Islanders were granted prestigious Australia Awards Scholarships to study at universities in Australia and the Pacific in 2017.

The Deputy High Commissioner, Mick Hassett, congratulated the scholarship recipients at a pre- departure briefing to help the students prepare for living and studying in a new country.

The Deputy High Commissioner said “Australia Awards are prestigious awards that will contribute to economic and social development in Solomon Islands.”

The Scholarship recipients were joined by Australia Awards Alumni and the Scholarship team at the Australian High Commission who briefed the group about what to expect and how to prepare for living and studying in Australia and in the Pacific.

The 39 students will begin their Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in 2017 in fields including health, education, Information Technology, business, law, engineering, environmental studies and gender.

Also in Honiara last week, the Director of the National Training Unit announced the 2017 Scholarship schedule.

Mr Clement Tito said orientation and awarding of 2017 scholarship will be during the second week of January 2017.

He said travelling arrangement for overseas students will take place during the third week of January 2017 and the travel time for the overseas students would be in the first week of February.

Mr Tito said the NTU had already completed the screening process of in-service scholarship applications but the Pre-service scholarship screening was yet to be carried since many students had failed to submit their transcripts.

He said the NTU had decided to carry out the screening process for Pre-Service Scholarship on January 3, 2017.

Meanwhile, Mr Tito said the NTU was still waiting for students to submit their transcripts and that the final date for transcript submission would be the December 31 2016

In terms of overseas seasonal work opportunities, the Premier of Guadalcanal province is ready to deploy seven more seasonal workers to Canada in 2017 after graduating 27 students recently.

Guadalcanal Province is set to giving an opportunity to send a total of 350 graduates to work in the tourism and hotel industry in western Canada.

According to overseas news services, Canadian businesses will see more Solomon Islanders in their hotel and tourism industry after it was announced that 7 more Guadalcanal CITREC (Canadian International Training & Education Corp) graduates would be making their way to Canada to be employed by a major international hotel chain when the seasonal worker hiring begins early next year.

The Canadian International Training & Education Corp Chairman, Ashwant Dwivedi, told the Canadian media that a major international hotel chain has decided to hire 7 more of the Guadalcanal CITREC graduates on an ongoing basis for the next five years.

The international hotel chain had asked that details not be released allowing government process being completed in a fair manner.

“The employer has already started the process with the Canadian government making an application to seek approval of the Canadian government to hire 7 more of the CITREC-GP graduates. Once the Government of Canada has made its determination those shortlisted GP graduates will be confirmed to their appointment and the hiring process will begin.” Chairman Dwivedi said.

“This is the same process the two current GP graduates underwent who are employed in Canada. We want to ensure that the contract that the Canadian hotel chain offers to GP graduates meets or exceeds Canadian labour laws. Especially in area of salary, compensation and other associated benefits. Therefore it is very important that the Government of Canada, through its Ministry of Labour, is a party to the contract. This binds and protects the rights of the employer and employee,” Chairman Dwivedi said.

“Once again let me tell the nation that Canada does not discriminate salary and compensation it will offer for its citizens and that which is offered to a seasonal worker. However we want to ensure that this policy and principle is well binding between all parties,” Chairman Dwivedi said.

Chairman Dwivedi said that there is significant interest from many others, Canadian Provinces to be part of the hiring process of CITREC-GP graduates.

He said that as this employment is with a major international hotel chain, selected students will be given a pre-departure course of few weeks to make themselves familiar with the hotel procedures which includes and is not limited to service standards which is part of the hotel chains internal human resource arrangement.

“I can confirm that CITREC is in negotiation with 2 more Canadian Provinces who wish to hire GP graduates. We are hoping to conclude an agreement in the coming weeks and we remain hopeful of making an announcement on our achievement.”

In June of this year (2016) 2 GP CITREC graduates entered the Canadian job market working in the restaurant industry as kitchen helpers. Their seasonal employment was between 2-4 months.

In October of last year a high-powered Guadalcanal Government delegation visited Canada and entered into a Labour Mobility Agreement with the Province of Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan is Canada’s Oil and Grain rich province which employs thousands of foreign workers.

Last week, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare praised Solomon Islands growing relations with Canada, saying he looked forward to further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries and also fully utilising the labour mobility opportunities which Canada presented.

The Prime Minister said the recent success of two Guadalcanal – CITREC graduates in Canada, as seasonal workers, further presented opportunities for the Solomon Islands Government to consider Canada as a labour mobility partner in areas of tourism and hospitality.

Prime Minister Sogavare made his remarks during his meeting with the Solomon Islands Honorary Consul General to Canada, Excellency Ashwant Dwivedi, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

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