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East Honiara Constituency provides much-needed support to local churches and communities

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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Last week, the East Honiara Constituency (EHC) undertook a significant initiative, delivering essential materials to churches and communities within the constituency as part of their ongoing support efforts.

The deliveries mark a continuation of EHC’s commitment to fostering development and addressing local needs.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, East Honiara Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Leslie Lamani highlighted the office’s dedication to uplifting communities.

“This handing-over ceremony is a continuation of material deliveries we’ve carried out for church groups, schools, and communities in East Honiara,” Lamani said.

The support included essential building materials such as bags of cement, roofing irons, tile cement, nails, louver frames, plywood, and power tools like drills and electric planes.

Among the beneficiaries were St. Vincent Church in Burns Creek, Rurete Gilbertese Community, Unity Fellowship Church, and other groups such as the Aekfao SSEC Church and Panatina Anglican Church of Melanesia.

Lamani emphasized the inclusive nature of the initiative, noting that churches submitted proposals detailing their material needs.

“Upon receiving their requests, the office worked to address their specific requirements. While we haven’t covered all churches within the constituency yet, we aim to support more this year,” Lamani added.

Representatives from various communities expressed heartfelt appreciation for the timely support.

Rayleen Iamarui, a teacher at St. Vincent Primary School, shared her gratitude on behalf of her community.

“We’ve been struggling to complete our Early Childhood Education (ECE) facility despite fundraising efforts. The materials from the EHC office will allow us to finish the much-needed classroom. Thank you so much for supporting our school,” she said.

Timothy Koria from the Rurete Gilbertese community also highlighted the impact of the support on their cultural infrastructure.

“The materials will help us construct our custom house (Temaneaba), a significant place for hosting community programs, feasts, and other activities. This will be a legacy for our future generations. Thank you to our Member of Parliament for this meaningful assistance,” Koria said.

The EHC office reassured communities that more support is on the way. Lamani reiterated that although not all churches could be assisted this time, the budget for 2025 would ensure that all churches within the constituency receive similar aid. This initiative underscores the EHC office’s commitment to fostering community development and supporting the spiritual and cultural well-being of East Honiara residents.

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Wale Emphasizes Family Support in Child Education Success

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale recently emphasized the crucial role that a child’s home environment plays in shaping their educational journey during a tok stori.

He stressed that home and family represent the first stage in a child’s education, asserting that “it is not in schools.”

Wale pointed out that if a child feels insecure in their own home due to family problems, school may become a place of escape rather than a place of learning.

He noted that students who receive emotional and spiritual support from their families often perform exceptionally well compared to their peers who have less support.

Wale reminded parents and extended families of the vital role they play in encouraging children to pursue their education.

He emphasized the importance of nurturing children who are eager and excited to learn.

“The kind of student we want to encourage is one who looks forward to going to the classroom—not because they are trying to escape family problems or are bored at home, but because they are eager to learn new things,” Wale said.

However, he also stressed the importance of having teachers who are innovative and capable of making lessons engaging.

“Students should look forward to going to school because teachers explain lessons in ways that are interesting and relatable,” he added.

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Suidani and Talifilu case moved for Jan 23

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The setting of the trial date for the case of two Malaitan leaders, Daniel Suidani and Celsus Talifilu has been moved to January 23.

This is for the date to be set before the presiding magistrate.

The presiding magistrate was at Tulagi for a meeting so counsels sought seven days adjournment for the magistrate to be available before they can set the trial date.

Bail for the two accused was extended.

Suidani and Talifilu are charged together with two counts of unlawful assembly and were pleaded not guilty to the charge on previously hearing.

It was alleged the two accused were taken into custody for their alleged role in masterminding a number of unlawful assemblies and protests in Auki, Malaita Provincial capital in 2021.

Those unlawful assemblies and protests were allegedly carried out by the Malaita for Democracy (M4D).

The two defendants later arrested on 3rd of October 2024 and charged.

Mary-Anne Zurenuoc acts for crown and Lilly Ramo represent both defendants.

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EXPANSION OF HEALTH SERVICES

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MECTG commits to expanding rural health services in the province

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Asilaua-led Malaita Economic Cooperation for Transformation Government (MECTG) of Malaita Province is committed to expanding rural health services in the province.

Premier Elijah Asilaua announced this on Monday last week, highlighting it as one of the key initiatives of his government for the final period of 2024/2025.

He stated that the focus of his government is to expand healthcare services to remote areas, ensuring that every Malaitan has access to quality healthcare.

He also emphasized that mobile health clinics and telemedicine services are vital to bridging the health gap that rural Malaitans face daily.

The Malaita provincial government has made significant contributions to health development and improvement in the province over the past years, primarily through the PCDF program.

Since the Ramohia-led MART government, MPG has built rural health clinics in various parts of the province, including Manaoba Rural Clinic on Manaoba Island in the Lau Lagoon and Gwounatolo Clinic at Foia in Baegu Asifola.

The most recent rural clinic project was completed during the Suidani-led MARA government at Ote in Ward 22, Asi-meuri, Small Malaita.

These clinics have since been providing much-needed healthcare services to people and communities across Malaita Province.

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PCDF shares 35% of MPG’s revise budget

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The recent qualification of Malaita province for the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) program has a significant positive impact on its 2024/2025 revised budget estimate.

The qualification will see 35% of the province’s current revised budget, which represents $11,873,158.00 million received under the funding will incorporate into the budget.

“I am pleased to report that Malaita province was back again to access the Provincial Capacity Development Fund this year with $11,873,158.00 in capital budget.

“That indicates 35% of the total budget of $34,330,635.00 to be implemented in social and economic projects to improve the livelihoods of our communities in our five regions.

“This achievement must not detract from our strong people-centered focus to remain committed and improve our good financial governance codes of practices.

“This is the strategy for our provincial government to directly access this performance-based grant to provide more development and improve services to our people as everyone desires,” Premier Elijah Asilaua said.

He, on that note, appealed to colleague leaders assuring them that the future outlook for the province will only determine by their current decisions.

Emphasizing the need to remain committed to utilize the province’s limited financial resources for the benefit of its people.

The premier added this will be done through investing in opportunity costs in partnership with national government, development partners, private investors, non-government organizations and local resource owners.

Asilaua said the partnership will elevate the province into global development perspectives, trade, and economy to gain better tangible and intangible results to improve the lives of people in Malaita province.

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Policy creates job: Kenilorea

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Peter Kenilorea Jnr

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The bottom line of any government implementing policies is to create jobs.

Leader of the Independent Group Peter Kenilorea Jnr said this when contributing to the Sine-motion in parliament last year.

“The bottom line should be that all that we do needs to have a benchmark for employment,’’ he said.

“How many people are going to get employment if we give this investment opportunity and the incentives that they need?’’ said the MP.

He said that many youths have been left without jobs.

“What’s the future for them? How can their lives be more meaningful?  How can they contribute? How can they feel more valuable when they have income through jobs,’’ concludes Kenilorea.

 He said that he thought the benchmark should still be employment and job creation.

“I would like to hear speeches from the government during finance and presenting a budget to talk about how the budget will provide 10,000 jobs, 15,000 jobs. These are the kinds of data, these are the kinds of indicators that get people excited,’’ he said last year.

He said that he hasn’t heard as much from the government ministers when they present the budget.

“We know that job creation is part of the private sector.  But the government has a role in enabling those jobs to be created through several policy interventions,’’ he said.

“I’ve been waiting to hear anything here about tax credits, I haven’t been hearing much about tax credits. All I’ve been hearing about is tax exemptions. We know there’s a difference, and quite a bit big of a difference, particularly for investors,’’ said Kenilorea.

He said that some prefer to be part of a regime that provides tax credits rather than tax exemptions, a tool available for the government of the day under the policy and the right policy mix.

“I’m sure GNUT and your political analysts, and political appointees are thinking about it because this is very important for us as a nation moving forward,’’ he said.

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Gov’t should go into tax credit system

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By Loretta B Manele

Foreign affairs minister Peter Chanel Agovaka has thrown his support for the tax credit system.

“It’s a good system and I think it’s something that we the government should dwell into.”

Agovaka, the minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) was referring to the tax credit system whilst speaking at the Sine Die Motion in parliament on Thurs, Dec 19, 2024.

He expressed that at Gold Ridge they used tax credit to build a bridge.

Agovaka voiced that it is a good system and he thinks that it is something that the government should dwell into.

He added that the tax credit system can help projects that take place in constituencies.

The member of parliament for Central Guadalcanal constituency said by using the tax credit system, government can help constituencies build schools, hospitals, bridges, water supply and so forth.

“So, for us, we have benefited from this tax credit scheme by building a bridge.”

Agovaka reiterated that government should also use this tax credit scheme.

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MPG prioritizes economic growth for Malaita province

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Asilaua led Malaita Economic Cooperation and Transformation Government highlights its commitment to prioritizes economic growth through productive sectors in Malaita province.

Premier of Malaita province, Elijah Asilaua announced this in his welcome address at the introduction of the 2024/2025 provincial revised budget on Monday this week in Auki. 

“We determine to empower our local communities and entrepreneurs with strong focus on our human capital to drive and grow the economy with investment opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, and tourism industries.

“In this instance, the signing of the MOU with SINU for the establishment of its 4th Campus in Malaita is essential with primary objectives to offer accredited agricultural education and training programs. 

“It will create agricultural research, innovation, and sustainable practices through collaborative efforts between SINU and relevant stakeholders to bolster rural farming.

“Furthermore, providing educational opportunities that cater to the needs of Malaita communities, thereby fostering local development and capacity building that will bolster the agricultural industry in the downstream processing value chain for better cash flow and employment opportunities,” he said.

He added that whilst attention is on the agriculture industry, Malaita Provincial Government has commended CEMA to continue provide market to rural farmers in the province.

Further to their commitment to prioritize economic growth in the province, Asilaua thanked one of the indigenous business enterprises, the Liberty Holdings Limited for venturing into the kava niche market in the province.

He mentioned that the provincial executive has allocated a storage premise at Kwaibala, on a lease contract basis to Liberty Holdings Limited in the value chain that will link rural farmers to access cash flow and employment to become self-reliance.

Moreover, he said to further empower indigenous Malaitans on business opportunities, the executive has endorsed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME)Technical Working Committee.

Asilaua explained that the MSME is a financial initiative establish by MPG to financially support people in the province. 

He noted the MSME program will launch soon to create partnerships and collaboration with the national government, development partners, and financial institutions.

Asilaua assured that his government is working on initiatives to encourage the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises to utilize local natural resources with education development.

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MAL focused on building new research station

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By Loretta B Manele

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is focused on efforts to building a new research station.

Franklyn Wasi, minister for MAL spoke about the above when he contributed to the Sine Die Motion in parliament on Dec 19 last year.

He said his ministry through the World Bank (WB) funded project, Solomon Islands Rural Transformation is now refocusing its efforts on rebuilding the Tenaru field experiment station to become the new research station for the ministry and the country.

Wasi expressed that he is pleased to announce that MAL has been collaborating very closely with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

He added that they are expecting some new funding support from the Australian government to assist with their efforts towards strengthening the research capacity of the ministry among other areas.

On top of that, Wasi said they are also collaborating with People’s Republic of China (PRC), China’s Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences to establish a fully-fledged agriculture research centre for the country and possible sites.

He mentioned that areas to host the research centre include SINU’s land at Aruligo, Tenaru field experiment station, a former commercial rise site at Metapona and a land at Makira Ulawa province.

Wasi furthered that the ministry is still negotiating with these parties and hope to have a land lease agreement in place early this year.

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Focus on productive sector: PM

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the Government for National Unity and Transformation will continue to focus on the productive and resource sector.

PM Manele said that these are critical sectors going forward.

“We must focus on the fisheries sector, the agricultural sector, and the tourism sector, which received a big slice in terms of its budget compared to previous years,’’ he said when he concluded the Sine die motion last month.

He also urged Members of Parliament to use constituency development funds (CDF) in these areas to boost productivity.

“We now have access to the Australian and Chinese markets export. We must utilise these trade arrangements to grow our economy,’’ he said.

He also highlighted the importance and the need for a balanced distribution of resources among all provinces.

“Coming back to agriculture, I welcome the Cocoa and Coconut Revolving Fund, alluded to by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. This is an opportunity for registered cocoa buyers, traders and farmers involved in the value chain to apply for financial support,’’ PM said.

He said the fund aims to enhance the export capacity of indigenous businesses engaged in cocoa and coconut trading by providing financial assistance.

“This is for the purchase of cocoa, and coconut, as well as their operational expenses, tools and equipment for fermenters and dryers to improve bean quality, hence meeting export standards,’’ Manele said.

He said that he also understands the ongoing progress within the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for the export of seaweed to China.

He urges officials from the Ministry (MFMR) to work hard to ensure that seaweed farmers can start exporting to China this year.

 “I note we have a budget for seaweed under the Ministry of Fisheries. This is an area where the government and private sector can also work together. Transforming the nation is not only the Government’s responsibility but also the responsibility of individuals as well.

“To transform our country, we too must transform our attitudes,’’ said Manele.

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