BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Island Ports Authority (SIPA) has opened its new international Port terminal overhead exit gatehouse.

SIPPA’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), George Rausi, officially commissioned the Terminal overhead exit gate at the Ports Area yesterday.

Speaking during the official opening, Mr Rausi said the completion of the project marks yet another milestone in the modernisation of the country’s port infrastructure.

Rausi said that the project is an important achievement, not only for Solomon Ports but for the rest of the people of Honiara and Solomon Islands.

“Today, we officially are here to open our second Overhead Gatehouse, a testament to our commitment to innovation and pursuit of excellence in Port Operations. This is more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it is a symbol of progress and efficiency and a bold step towards improving our future operations.

“This state-of-the-art overhead exit gate is a critical part of our ongoing Port Modernization Plan. It represents a major facelift for our facilities, ensuring that Solomon Ports remains a competitive and reliable gateway for trade. With this new system, we are enhancing security, efficiency, and traffic management, ultimately improving the experience for port users and stakeholders,” he said.

He said that through implementing this overhead exit gate, SIPA aims to reduce congestion and improve the flow of cargo and vehicles, enhancing security with better monitoring and automated processing, speeding up operations, and cutting down waiting times for importers, exporters, and transport operators and improves the turnaround of trucks in and out of the Port Yard.

“Improving safety for our workers and customers, as this design optimizes the movement of people and cargo within the port,” said the new CEO.

He said that the achievement is part of a larger vision to make Solomon Ports a world-class port that supports economic growth, trade facilitation, and national development and reflects SIPA’s commitment to aligning with international port standards, adopting modern technology, and continuously improving its services.

“I want to extend my acknowledgment to all our staff and contractors who made this possible. I would like to commend all your hard work in making this structure a success. Lastly, I want to encourage all of us SIPA staff to make good use of this new structure and look after it with respect and pride. This is to ensure it will last long to serve the future growth and success of the port,” Rausi said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

By Loretta B Manele

New Zealand is set to launch a new education partnership with Solomon Islands this year.

Rebecca Williams, acting New Zealand high commissioner made the announcement while speaking at a function marking the end of ESSP (Education Sector Support Programme) at Mendana Hotel on Wednesday last week.

ESSP was a partnership between Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand.

She expressed that their support for ESSP in the country has come to an end, however as a committed partner to Solomon Islands in the education sector, they intend to launch a new Solomon Islands and New Zealand education partnership this year.

Williams said that through this partnership, they will provide an on-system budget to support the ministry of education on agreed areas.

She said they will support work for the implementation of the Education Act 2023 and ensure that education providers and schools have the resources and capacity they need to fulfill their role in delivering high quality education.

“This involves strengthening teacher management and welfare of teachers so they can improve their work and be ready to share their knowledge with the next generation.”

Another objective of this partnership as stated is to support the work of the education ministry in terms of data management to understand the needs of students and teachers in every village so as to make good allocation of resources.

Williams emphasized that strengthening sector coordination to make investments with development partners and agencies across Solomon Islands must also involve work collaboration.

She voiced that this is very important and it is not just about the opening of a new classroom or delivering new school books but about delivering effective education that will remain for a long time in Solomon Islands.

Williams stressed that it is also to ensure that we have foundation; a place where a child is able to access quality basic education.

She said today, Solomon Island students are achieving above average rates in the region for literacy and numeracy.

“This achievement is something that the education ministry, teachers, parents and every student in Solomon Islands must be proud of.”

However, Williams also pointed out that there is still a long way to go and that it is involves work to remove barries to ensure that children in Solomon Islands complete their education, teachers have the tools they need inside the classroom and that schools are provided with the resources they need.

She also took the opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in ESSP.

“To the minister, congratulations for your astonishing achievements under this partnership and thank you very much for your excellent working relationship we have fostered over the years.

To Australian colleagues, thank you for the opportunity to collaborate and for your commitment to best practice development principles.”

“To the ESSP programme management team, thank you for your hard work and unwavering dedication for supporting the programme over the last five years.

To partner organisations, thank you for the contribution you have made to the programme and sharing your expertise across a range of activities.”

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

By Loretta B Manele

Australia has commenced on a new partnership with Solomon Islands in the education sector.

Rod Hilton, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands revealed this at a function held to mark the end of Solomon Islands partnership with both Australia and New Zealand through Education Sector Support Program (ESSP) on Wednesday last week at Mendana Hotel.

Prior to making the announcement, he said in regards to the Education Act 2023, Australia stands with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) and other friends to prioritise and provide access to education for every child in Solomon Islands.

“Regardless of where they come from and what kind of disability they have.”

He stated that education is key to unlock potential and to empower children, to shape their lives, their families, communities and the nation.

Hilton said they have recently kicked off the brand-new Solomon Islands Australian partnership “Stronger Education Together”.

Under this partnership, he expressed that in the coming years they will tackle a lot of key challenges faced in the education sector.

Hilton said they will also continue to build school facilities across every province and comprehensively, will upgrade teacher training at SINU.

“We will provide teachers of the next generation with a modern state of the art training environment and with a curriculum and tools to perfect their teaching skills before they transition to classrooms around the country.”

Hilton noted that they are very proud of the many ways ESSP has directly benefited thousands of students and teachers from remote areas to Honiara.

“I would like to acknowledge the ESSP team. We know the significant role you play to support three partners and for providing your expertise.

Thank you so much for helping to make the work of ESSP successful.”

Hilton stated that we can look back with pride and look forward with anticipation and excitement of a new chapter ahead.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

By Loretta B Manele

The Solomon Islands Education Sector Support Programme (ESSP), a partnership with Australian and New Zealand governments has been hailed as a remarkable milestone and one worthy of recognition and celebration.

Tozen Leokana, the minister for Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) expressed this at a function marking the end of the ESSP partnership on Wednesday last week at Mendana Hotel.

He outlined a number of achievements of the programme since its implementation five years ago.

Leokana said “Through ESSP, we have strengthened early childhood education, ensuring that our young learners receive the strong foundations they need to succeed.”

He added that primary and secondary schools have benefited immensely with enhanced infrastructure, improved learning materials and teacher training programs have also been strengthened.

Leokana highlighted that one of the most inspiring achievements of ESSP was its contribution to enhance gender equality and inclusivity in education.

In this regard, he said “we have more girls in secondary schools than ever before and children from remote and rural communities are being given a fairer chance to education”.

Leokana went on to state that these are not just statistics but lives that they’ve seen been transformed, barriers being broken and futures being reached.

“This is a success. A story where we must not only celebrate, but we must build upon as we work together on an education system that truly serves every soul.”

Leokana stated that ESSP has also been supportive of Solomon Islands crucial education policy reforms that align with our national priorities.

He stressed that “by enhancing our curriculum and strengthening education governance, we are also crafting an education system that is more responsive to the demands of our evolving economy and workforce”.

Leokana mentioned that “this is not just about today but about securing our future where every child has the tools and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to our nation’s prosperity and stability”.

He emphasised that “going forward as we celebrate these successes, we must also acknowledge that that our journey in education is far from over”.

Leokana said “whilst we have made significant progress we must not rest or stop here as there is still more that needs to be done”.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Mines and Rural Electrification has discussed a regulation to help address the increasing number of empty butane gas cylinders causing pollution around the country.

Wendi Beti of the Conservation Division within the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECCDMM) said that this comes under the Petroleum Act.

“At the moment, in terms of Butane Gas canes, the MME under the petroleum Act, I believe there was some discussion on how they would address and regulate the butane Gas,” said Beti.

She said that to address proper waste disposal and promote recycling, the Ministry of Environment is currently reviewing the draft environment bill 2023.

“We hope it will go into parliament this year. And during our consultation, we also received similar issues raised on how the bill will be taking into consideration butane gas,” she said.

She said that there is a provision for the minister to make regulations if he sees a need to address specific types of wastes under the current environment act.

“So similar to the plastic ban, because of the issue of single use plastic, the minister has the power and this is how this regulation come into place and similarly if we have the data and the information at hand to provide to the minister to make regulation in place to ban this butane gas, he has can make it,” said Beti.

She said that GEO Gas usually collect back the butane gas they imported into the country.

“I don’t know for other importer of butane gas. But if the product stewardship is in place, and butane gas is identified as one of the wastes under the system, then it can help to manage this butane gas canes,” she said.

For feedback, contact: [email protected]