By RODRICK DESURI 

AUKI 

Focusing on and engaging rural people in the agricultural sector is what can help to lessen and slow the rise of non-communicable disease cases in the country. 

The Member of Parliament for Kiritimati and Kanton in Kiribati, Teriba Tabe, stated in an interview with Island Sun Auki on Monday, September 15 that a greater focus on the agricultural sector can bring and provide many essential benefits to the lives of people and create a healthy environment. 

“Agriculture provides not only for our food security but also a source of income for rural communities and a source of healthy foods. 

“We have come to depend on imported foodstuffs, which have become the causes of many NCDs and are a major cause of diabetes and high blood pressure,” he said.

He stressed that the more people get engaged and put more focus on agricultural sectors, the healthier the population will be, leading to a healthier lifestyle.

“A healthy lifestyle contributes to a healthy population. A healthy population contributes to development, and any positive development will ensure there is economic growth,” he said.

According to a report by WHO last year, cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, with at least 19 million deaths in 2021, followed by cancers (10 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4 million), and diabetes (over 2 million, including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes).

In the meantime, Hon Tabe said that in addressing the rise of social issues among youth in the country, it would be better to send them home and engage them in agricultural sectors.

He calls on the government to add value and set policies for the agricultural sector that suit and attract unemployed youth in the town back into the rural communities.

“Moving the youth back from town can address the current increasing social issues now seen in our towns,” he added.

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BY NED GAGAHE

A Strong Wind Warning Number Four was issued by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) yesterday morning, with the warning currently in effect for the waters of Temotu, Makira, and Rennell/Bellona Provinces.

SIMS has confirmed that a general easterly trade wind flow continues over the Solomon Islands, resulting in southeast winds reaching 20 to 25 knots in the affected regions.

Seas are expected to be moderate to rough, with moderate swells reaching up to 2.5 meters.

Authorities have urged residents and travellers in the warned areas to take precautionary measures, as these strong winds pose potential risks to lives, properties, and maritime travel.

Sea travellers are especially advised to take safety precautions, as hazardous wave conditions could be dangerous to small boats navigating in these waters.

SIMS has issued a reminder to share this warning with people, including those with disabilities, to ensure their safety is prioritized during this period of rough weather.

The next Strong Wind Warning will be issued at 4:00pm today, with updated information regarding the weather conditions.

In the meantime, all residents and travellers in the affected provinces are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary actions to stay safe.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

FAR East Resource Company Limited has come under heavy criticisms for failing to meet some of the landowners demands.

This was following a meeting held early this month at Binaboli in Honiara.

Report reaching Island Sun states that the Far East Mining Company continues to downplay landowners demand for land negotiations and other required process.

According to the report, Far East administration is only interested in fast tracking the process to mine nickel at San Jorge Island.

Report states landowners are not convinced and unable to trust the company to make a good investment and good return for both the landowners and the country.

“This is a question that my tribe continues to ask. We have seen mining investors come and go in our land but from observation, Far East is not the suitable company that we want to partner with in the development.

“This company not only downplay our proposals but double down on series of attempts trying to obtain our consent without regarding our interest.

“I’m happy that my tribe have determined that we will not sign the Surface Access Right Agreement,” one of the landowners who wants to remain anonymous for his safety said.

At the Binaboli meeting, one of the landowners expressed his frustration accusing the San Jorge Island landowners Association of trying to sell the people’s resources at a very cheap price.

Allan Tavake, who owns part of the land at San Jorge was disappointed when Far East gave his tribe only SBD3,000.00 for consultation and negotiation before signing of the SARA.

According to Tavake, SBD3,000.00 is not enough for the job given that expenses to bring the tribes together and to feed the people supersedes the amount.

Tavake alleged that this is not the first time that the company has put less priority on landowners demands above their interest.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The highly anticipated signing of the Surface Access Right Agreement (SARA) is set to take place tomorrow, September 18, 3pm at Bungusule Camp, with Far East Resources Company ready to formalize its agreement with the landowners of San Jorge Island.

However, as the clock ticks down to the signing, local community members are raising alarms over a lack of adequate consultation and awareness, calling for greater transparency before they commit to the agreement.

“I’m asking, why wasn’t there more awareness about this SARA? Why wasn’t it explained properly to our landowners, trustees, and communities before these formalities? The company seems only interested in securing the mining lease,” one concerned landowner commented, echoing growing frustration within the community.

Another local said, “This is wrong, why the rush to sign? We should have had a broader consultation and a real awareness session about what this SARA means for us.”

The signing ceremony will be attended by key stakeholders, including trustees, company representatives, landowners and government officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

The event will begin with informal networking and an awareness session on topics such as Surface Access Rights, legal implications, and the roles of stakeholders.

Despite these efforts to inform the community, many residents remain unconvinced, with some questioning the company’s true intentions and capacity.

In a last-ditch attempt to secure signatures before the ceremony, Far East Resources has injected over SBD$40,000 to encourage landowners to sign the agreement.

The company met with the San Jorge Landowners Association in recent days, offering each Land Trustee SBD$3,000 to facilitate consultations with their groups, which will take place today.

However, the amount provided has sparked further discontent, with some landowners stating that the funds are insufficient to cover the high costs of bringing scattered members together for consultations.

Tensions have only escalated as community members accuse Far East Resources of disregarding their concerns.

There are also growing questions about the company’s ability to deliver on its promises. Some landowners have raised concerns about Far East’s financial and technical capacity to effectively carry out mining operations on San Jorge Island.

Despite the company’s best efforts to secure the agreement since its arrival on San Jorge Island in 2024, growing mistrust among the landowners casts doubt on the future of the project.

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Mining company trying to combine 2 prospecting licences under new proposed agreement

BY BEN BILUA

FAR East Mining Company is trying to consolidate two prospecting licences, PL-06/22 and PL-04/24, into a single project, according to document obtained by Island Sun.

These tenements are located in San Jorge Island, Isabel Province.

Under the new proposed deal, the previous rental fee of $50,000 per prospecting license will now be replaced with a single annual payment of $100,000 for the mining lease.

In addition, the company has agreed to pay a one-time sum of $40,000.00 as support and Association establishment fee upon signing of the agreement.

According to the proposed Surface Access Right Agreement [SARA] for a Mining Lease, landowners are set to benefit through quarterly surface rental and access fees.

The company promised to pay SBD100,000.00 every three months, with the first instalment due within 30 days of the agreement’s commencement.

Subsequent payments will follow every 90 days, deposited directly into a landowners’ trust account.

The SARA also outlines revenue-sharing measures in line with the country’s Mining Act. Three percent of the gross sales revenue from mining operations will be distributed between the government and landowners.

The specific breakdown will follow legislation or be determined through separate arrangements.

Furthermore, the company is required to make payments for ore shipments based on grade and tonnage.

According to the SARA, high-grade nickel ore (1.5 percent) will be priced at USD2.00 per wet metric ton, while low-grade nickel ore (greater than 1.5 percent) will be priced at USD0.50 per wet metric ton.

The proposed agreement clarifies that all relevant tax obligations tied to shipment payments will be borne by the landowners.

To further support local communities, the company will also pay a fee of SBD7,000.00 for each shipment.

This charge will cover the use of local anchorage facilities, ensuring safety standards and regulated vessel operations.

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