BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Central Island Province Health Director Lorraine Satorara has called on her nurses and doctor to play their role as service providers within the New Tulagi renovated hospital.

Mrs Satorara said that the new transformation would enable their health workers to work in a safer, more efficient and modern environment.

“It is an exciting moment for all the Ministry of Health staff of the hospital here in Tulagi. It is a joy and a sign of gratitude that we are gathered to witness the official handover of the newly renovated Tulagi Hospital,” she said.

She said on Friday last week in Tulagi that it is a milestone and achievement that reflects a collective collaborative commitment to improving the health services in the central province.

“To the Provincial Health Staff, your hard work, commitment, and passion for delivering quality care to ensure that services are provided. Today, we have received a great gift from the World Bank, the Ministry of Health and the Government of Solomon Islands. Let us remember that we are here to deliver service,” she said.

“We are the backbone of this hospital. Doctors and nurses and all the support staff, it is important that we continue to play our role as service providers within this hospital,” she said.

She encourages all the health staff, provincial leaders and community to take ownership of the hospital to ensure that they continue to maintain and serve its intended purpose for the future generations.

“Let us work together to safeguard and maximise the impact of this investment for the health and wellbeing of our people,” she said.

Satorara also recognised the significant renovation which was made possible through World Bank funding and constructed by Super Construction Limited.

“We deeply appreciate those who have played a part in making this project a reality,” said Satorara.

She also acknowledged the presence of the health minister and Permanent secretary, the premier of Central Province, and the MHMS representatives.

“Bringing you here today is to ensure that you connect with us and expand the services here.”

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The people of Central Islands Province (CIP) and surrounding communities in Tulagi have every reason to be thankful and celebrate.

Central Island Premier Michale Salini echoed this on Friday last week when his province officially took ownership of the province’s newly renovated Tulagi Hospital.

He told delegates and his people that the Tulagi Hospital was one of the few health facilities built by the colonial administration before independence.

He said that it was not until the early 90s that a mini-hospital was built by the Government, and it took another 30-plus years to get to where it is today.

“Although it took that long we have been very patient and hoping that one day it will come, and that day is finally here. Thank you to those who made it all possible. That is why we have every reason to be thankful and celebrate,’’ said Salini.

“As a Premier of Central Province, your presence for gracing this momentous occasion for the handing over of the renovated and the new look Tulagi Hospital means a lot to me and my people,’’ Salini said.

He said that accessing quality health services is a basic right of every Solomon Islander, including his people in Central Islands.

“The occasion that we witness today is a testament to the Government’s commitment to that basic right. That is why me and my people are so proud and happy this morning,’’ he said.

Premier Salini also appealed to the Health Minister and his permanent secretary to ensure that other services for the people of CIP are provided.

“Please ensure that all the services are provided here. I know this is yet another big step that needs to be taken to ensure that the beautiful facility we have here is fully utilised,’’ he said.

He said that the successful completion of the Hospital demonstrates what can be achieved through working together.

“My good people of Central Province, having such a project like this doesn’t come very often. That is why I am calling on all of us to look after this beautiful facility so that we can continue to use it for many more years to come,’’ said Salini.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Australian government through DFAT has supported 14 young people in Malaita province with SBD140,000.

Each youth received $10,000 to implement various youth projects in their communities.

The funding was made possible by Australian government through the Australia Solomon Islands Program Support (ASIPS), supported by Malaita provincial government through Malaita Provincial Youth Council (MPYC).

In an interview yesterday, Malaita Youth Coordinator, Mr Francis Samo confirmed the support, after a training to capacitate the youths to implement the fund was held last week in Auki, Malaita province.

He said the training focussed on leadership, advocacy and project grant management. The training also equipped youths with proposal writing, entrepreneurship and other skills necessitating the implementation of the projects.

Samo explained the purpose of the funding is to support young people in Malaita province with economic empowerment projects.

“The 14 youth recipients, whom represented youth associations from five regions of the province will go back and plan the execution of the fund.

“The programme is relatively on income generation project, which also covers climate change and other important areas of advocacy that require participation of youths in the province.

“The timeframe of the programme is six months and will review to see the next step of the funding support,” he said.

In a statement from Malaita Issues, Provincial Secretary (PS) of Malaita province, Mr Eric George acknowledged Australian government through DFAT for its commitment to empowering young people in Malaita through the funding support.

George said that the funding support will benefit young people both in Malaita and Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, he also expressed the ongoing commitment of Malaita provincial government to youth employment and economic empowerment in the province.

Malaita Provincial Government Minister for Youth, Women, and Sports, Hon John Sugono also acknowledged the youths and urged them to share what they learned during the training.

“Do not sleep on what you have learned. Take it back to your wards and put it into practice,” he said.

The program marks a milestone in MPYC’s effort to equip young people with skills and resources needed to lead and advocate for community development in Malaita Province.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands government generated $60 million last year 2024 from copra value-added products.

The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) Director Mr. Simon Chottu said that 7000 metric tons exported last year was copra, while 4000 metric tons was in the form of oil.

“That was the good indicator of last year’s data, where 100 million generated for the economy was from copra. From the 100 million, 40 million was from copra and 60 million was from oil, value added products. 7000 metric tons of copra were exported, and 4000 metric tons were for oil,’’ said Chottu.

Speaking to Island Sun in an interview, Chottu said that CEMA’s intention going forward in its revitalization is increasing the volume of value-adding both domestically and internationally.

Mr Chottu said that while the country exports a low volume of value-added products, it generates high returns compared to normal copra export.

She said that although a high volume of copra and cocoa comes from farmers, it usually declines when it comes to export.

“The demand for value-added products increases in the domestic market, and in terms of volume, value-added commodities are also high, reducing the export of copra because we have domestic companies in the country who are involved in value adding.

“In that way, we see a good return although low volume is exported, compared to high volume of copra export, the low volume of oil has higher return. That is the same situation for cocoa,’’ he said.

He said that CEMA would support farmers to continue production and encourage private sectors looking at a refinery to engage in value-added products.

 Mr Chottu said that while CEMA is incapable of doing itself due to lack of proper infrastructure and equipment, CEMA look to utilize the private sector.

“In terms of export, yes, demand is out there for us to export, but we need to increase volume.  Rehabilitate plantations, clean up plantation etc,’’ he said.

He said that it is one thing the CEMA called on MAL to work closely together to support farmers.

“About 70% of value-added product was exported and 30% circulated in the domestic market,’’ said Chottu.

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BY NED GAGAHE

Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), has raised concerns about the potential implications of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill 2024.

Speaking during the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) hearing in Parliament, Dr Luke Forau highlighted an issue with the proposed legislation, which addresses the zone permit required to operate within the SEZ.

The Governor questioned why the zone permit would be treated separately from an operator’s licence, suggesting that if a company or individual already holds an operating licence, there should be no distinction in acquiring the zone permit.

He expressed concerns that the current structure of the SEZ Bill could allow for exploitation, with opportunistic individuals potentially acquiring permits simply to sell them to operators for profit, rather than using the permit to establish genuine operations.

Forau warned that this could result in a situation where individuals profit from obtaining permits without contributing to the economic activities of the SEZ.

He emphasised the need for clarification on the matter to prevent such practices and ensure that the zone permits are used as intended, to facilitate legitimate business operations within the Special Economic Zones.

The CBSI Governor said further discussions is needed on the structure of the SEZ Bill to ensure that it meets its intended goals of fostering economic growth and development in the Solomon Islands.

Forau urged the BLC to address these concerns to ensure that the SEZ framework serves the best interests of the country’s economy and its people.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Central Islands Provincial (CIP) Government has been investing in both economic and social infrastructures through the Provincial Development Capacity Development Fund over the years.

Speaking during the handover of the $9.6 million renovated Tulagi Hospital over the weekend, Premier Micheal Salini said that his Government for Change and Advancement has made health one of its priority sectors and will continue to place more development emphasis on the health sector.

“These two cannot function in isolation. They complement each other in development. We need a healthy population to push economic development initiatives and for better and improved health service delivery to the people of Central Province and the nation as a whole,” said Salini.

He said that his government will continue to support the Provincial Health Division and the Minister of Health and the others wherever possible.

He stressed that the province has already earmarked plots of land on Tulagi for health staff housing to cope with the anticipated increase in the number of staff in the revitalisation of various clinical services to ensure the hospital reaches the hospital status following Health’s road delineation policy.

“I can assure everyone here including the Minister and the team from Honiara, that there will be strict rules enforced and security will be provided. I call on all my people to respect the rules and the security measures applied in this facility,” Salini said.

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