BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) is working towards a product stewardship legislation and a container deposits system for the Solomon Islands.

Wendy Beti of the Conservation Division said that the scheme aims to provide incentives for responsible waste disposal practices and, at the same time, create economic opportunities through the strengthening of the recycling industry in the country.

“People can drop off identified material at identified centres and will get paid for that. A percentage fee is deducted and goes towards promoting this system to become sustainable,’’ said Beti.

She said that this would help people return the items to be disposed of at centers instead of disposing of items irresponsibly.

 She said that this program is a partnership between the public and private sectors.

“This program or activity is ongoing, and once we get more information on that, we will inform the public and stakeholders,’’ she said.

She said that other countries in the Pacific have already implemented this system.

“For example, Kiribati, Palau. For us if this comes into place, it also helps; for example, recycling companies here where involved recycling, will help them in terms of collecting waste materials for exporting out of the country since we don’t have a facility in the country for doing recycling of aluminium cans, etc,’’ she said.

She said that the enactment of the Product Stewardship Scheme (PSS) legislation is in line with the National Waste Management and Pollution Control Strategy 2017 – 2026.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Premier of Malaita province, Elijah Asilaua says political stability, peace, and unity remain the flagship of his government to strengthen the local economy of the province.

He emphasised that this is vital to drive policies in partnership with development partners to achieve the desired outcomes from being heavily dependent on extractive industries to productive and manufacturing sectors.

Asilaua added this will expand into diversified technological economies to increase the domestic market and tap opportunities for export in the global market.

He said this could be through diplomatic and trade bilateral relations established with Jiangsu province of China and other traditional partners.

“While focusing on mass production to reduce shocks and fluctuations in the global market to create more employment opportunities and incomes for a better standard of living to reduce poverty.

“That will transform and improve the lives of our people through productive and resource sectors in commerce, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, lands, and infrastructures with $11 million indicating 48% of our budget,” Asilaua said. 

Moreover, he emphasized the policy translation with MPG’s current budget over time supports existing sectors in economic growth, climate change, fundamental and social sectors to provide better education and health to communities in the province.

Asilaua also noted the importance of quality infrastructure to boost economic activity and delivery of services in Malaita.

“Our connectivity with quality road, bridge, and maritime infrastructures supporting an inter-Island transport system is very vital for better access to connect our hard-working agricultural rural farmers in copra and cocoa production with market links to CEMA.

“Other domestic markets for cattle, taro, pineapple, and kava farmers,” he said.

According to Premier Asilaua, his government believes in political stability and cooperation to translate its policy to ensure Malaitans benefit by participating in economic activity in the province.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A concerned elder in Ulawa, Makira-Ulawa Province has raised concerns regarding the increased number of Malaria cases on the island.

 And, the clinic in the Haupala community is also reportedly run down and short of medicine.

The elder who requested anonymity stressed that despite the cases of malaria continuing to increase on the island, there is no medicine and that one of the major clinics is in a dilapidated state.

“We have malaria cases on the rise with no medicines on the island,” said the concerned community elder.

He revealed that there is a growing concern from community members as cases keep increasing and the clinic building being rundown and not catering for the huge number of sick people needing medical attention.

“The Haupala clinic building has run down since it was built 40 years ago. No staff house and sanitary facilities,” the concerned elder voiced.

“For malaria on the island, this has been ongoing for months now,” said the elder from Ulawa.

The concerned person also disclosed that the clinic on the island is in a poor condition.

“Our clinics are in a very poor condition, even to the stage where they need to be shut down. No proper toilets for sick patients,” the concerned elder said.

The community elder also pointed out that the Arona airport waiting house on Ulawa Island needs demolition.

“The terminal or waiting house does not fit for human habitation. The roads are in bad condition. The Sumoli wharf is already disconnected by sea from mainland access,” said the concerned elder.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

THE Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale has slammed the response by the Minister of Mines & Energy, describing it as a mockery and lame attempt to defend the actions of the minister.

Wale’s response comes amid the Mines and Energy’s strong rejection of his concerns of procedural breaches or ministerial overreach regarding the Mines and Energy Minister’s proposed granting of a mining license to Far East Resources Company Ltd for nickel mining operations on San Jorge.

The Mines and Energy statement, in defending the Minister, assured the public that the regulatory framework governing the mining sector is being strictly adhered to and that all mining projects are subject to rigorous legal scrutiny.

The Ministry further explained that no mining license application can be processed without fulfilling the requisite statutory conditions under the Mines and Minerals Act and other relevant legislation.

The Ministry firmly stated that, contrary to the claims made by the Opposition Leader, NO mining license is issued unless these legal requirements are met in full compliance with the established legal framework.

However, Wale slams the response, stating that in light of the concerns raised, eyewitnesses have testified to seeing the Minister disembarking from a boat owned by Far East Resources Company Ltd at Kokonut Café just on Monday night this week after returning from a private trip to Kopiu village in his Constituency.

A press statement issued from the office of the opposition leader yesterday indicated that the mining company’s boat that picked up the Minister was driven by his brother.

“How can this be so? Isn’t this a clear case of conflict of interest, and isn’t this the same story that we have heard before?” Wale questioned.

Wale said in the statement that this recent incident only confirms the concerns raised by the San Jorge landowners. 

“If the Minister can travel in a boat owned by the mining company, how can they trust him to uphold the law and be neutral in dealing with the company’s pending application? What if this is just one of the many favours the mines minister is getting from the company?” Wale questioned.

According to the statement, the Opposition Leader said that this is a conflict of interest at the highest level in any democratic country upholding the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance.

Wale said that the Mines Ministry’s response in the media recently to defend the mines minister is ‘shameful’.

 “The response by the ministry deviates from the core concern raised by the landowners of San Jorge, and it is shameful when we are trying to mislead the people when the red flags are evident,” Wale said in his official statement.

Wale said that successive governments have recklessly handled the mining sector in this country for far too long.

The opposition Leader said the government’s failure to address the long-standing issue in Renbel bauxite mining is just one of many examples of the Government’s gross mismanagement and incompetence in the mining sector.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Work on the much-awaited China-funded Auki Road upgrade is expected to begin next month.

Premier of Malaita Elijah Asilaua says preparation is underway for the landmark project to start.

He said preparation of the site office is currently in progress with office buildings, road concrete works and power installation.

“It is expected that work will commence on the main road in April once the site office work is completed,” Asilaua said.

He also noted that the Auki Road network will be upgraded with asphalt concrete mix and not tar-sealing.

He said this will connect all residential zones in Auki.

Asilaua emphasised that the asphalt concrete mix is more water infiltration resistant and becomes quality, durable, safe and gives comfortable riding.

The contractor of the project, CCECC has since November last year transported machineries and building materials to Auki.

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