BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs(MWYCFA) has demonstrated commitment by successfully strengthened five provincial youth council this year alone.

“………. This year, we have revitalized, five provincial youth councils and next year, we’ll strengthening them and revitalize four other provincial youth councils,”’ Minister Freda Rotutafi Rangirei told parliament during a sine die motion.

In addition to these revitalizations, Minister Rangirei emphasized the importance of financially supporting provincial youth centers. She highlighted plans to further enhance the Youth Entrepreneurship Council of Solomon Islands and roll out several other essential youth programs.

Regarding provincial youth centers, the Ministry is working closely with the Central Provincial Government to establish its youth center next year.

The Ministry’s Youth Division has also conducted provincial youth stakeholder and monitoring meetings across the provinces.

Additionally, Minister Rangirei announced that the Children’s Division has developed a manual.

 “The children development division to have developed a family facilitation manual, a manual for parental guide on how to train their children in collaboration with teaching them in our homes,” she said.

Minister Rangirei noted that the division has built strong partnerships with UNICEF, NGOs, and faith-based organizations, all aimed at reducing and ending all forms of abuse and violence against children.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

PRIME Minister Jeremiah Manele has commended the Solomon Islands Ports Authority(SIPA) for the newly built and commissioned seaport ‘Millennium’ terminal.

“…. this project, I must reiterate, is an emblem of Solomon Islands ports capability, a testimony to its ability to undertake major infrastructure projects and deliver them independently,” Manele said.

Costing the Sate-Owned Enterprise(SOE) well over $100 million dollar, the Prime Minister described the terminal as an “outstanding achievement, one that should not be understated.  It speaks volumes about the organization’s growing strength, resilience, and determination to invest in the future of the Solomon Islands.”

Manele emphasized that SIPA’s achievement “serves as a great example for other state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in our country, demonstrating that we too can accomplish great things on our own.”

Acknowledging the efforts invested in completing the terminal, Manele praised the collective team effort.

“I believe the journey from conception to completion has been long and filled with challenges, but the unwavering commitment and hard work of the Solomon Ports team have ensured that we are now celebrating this remarkable achievement,” he remarked.

“From planning and design to construction and final implementation, every step of this process must have been guided by a clear focus on delivering world-class infrastructure that meets the needs of the people of our country.”

Manele further highlighted the “spirit of collaboration between Solomon Ports, the government, and the people of the Solomon Islands.”

“It represents the remarkable progress we are making as a nation and our unwavering belief that the future holds even greater possibilities for all of us. This terminal, as impressive as it is, is just the beginning of our transformational pathway,” Manele added.

By Loretta B Manele

Despite many challenges we anticipate in the new year, we remain very optimistic that agriculture development activities will progress successfully because of the strategies we already put in place.

Franklyn Wasi, Minister for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) made the above statement when speaking on the floor of parliament during the Sine Die Motion on Thursday 19^th this month.

He expressed that MAL will aggressively invest the public resources allocated to the ministry on agricultural economic activities by supporting our buyers, service providers, downstream processors, producers and other stakeholders involved in the market value chain.

Wasi also stated that recognizing the importance of food security, safety and nutrition, his ministry will also embark on providing assistance to root crop and vegetable farmers with farm machineries.

“The ministry will do this in close partnership with the private enterprises, through the public private partnership approach or other workable strategies jointly identified with our stakeholders”

Wasi said many of these activities have already started this year and is expected to be further progress or be completed in 2025.

He emphasized that amidst the challenges they anticipate in the new year, they remain very optimistic that their programs will be successful given that strategies are already in place.

“Formulation of new ones and the team effort that we have with all our stakeholders including development partners both bilateral and multilateral and our NGOs”

As new minister with a heart for his people and the nation, he said his optimistic and confident that his ministry will deliver on its development programs for next year and beyond.

Wasi appeals directly to the people especially those in rural areas to work closely with the ministry through their extension and provincial staff to bring about change in the agriculture sector.

“I assure you the good people of Solomon Islands that I will not tolerate the reputation of the past failures in our development programs going forward.

Come the new financial year, the ministry will do all it can to be different from the past and be successful in all its plans”

By Loretta B Manele

Provinces have been making improvements in governance and this is something the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) has been working on to strengthen.

Wayne Gemu, minister for MPGIS highlighted this at the Sine Die Motion in parliament on Thursday, 19^th this month.

He stated that one of the important things the ministry is working on is strengthening the governance of our nine provinces as well as governance in terms of their finances and discipline.

Speaking of the improvements made by provinces, Gemu said regarding provincial audit performance, for the past four years, Central province has been securing clean audit reports from the office of the Auditor General.

He added that Isabel province has also secured a clean audit report for 3 years in a row.

Meanwhile, Gemu said Western and Choiseul provinces have been securing qualified audit opinion for almost 10 years now in a row while Temotu province also claims qualified audit opinion for 2 years in a row.

He pointed out that whilst the national government audit is many years behind schedule, provincial government audits are up to date.

Gemu said for the past 10 years, no provincial government has submitted its financial statement late.

“All provincial governments have been submitting their financial statements on or before 31st Dec as required by section 39;1 and sub section 2 of the provincial government act 1997”

Gemu also stated that all statements are being prepared on international public sector accountable accounting standards cash basis.

Moreover, he said the PGSP (Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme) is also providing continuous training to all provincial treasury staff to understand the underlying concepts of the IPSA (initial poverty and social assessment).

Gemu noted that there is also huge improvement in participatory planning, social accountability and performance of ward and provincial forums.

BY NED GAGAHE

Police in Tulagi recovered a stolen generator belonging to the Tulagi Hospital’s incinerator facility on Thursday, December 29th, in Naeli village next to Tulagi township.

The theft occurred between December 24th and December 26th.

The incinerator facility, funded by the World Bank, was officially handed just over a month ago.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday, Central Provincial Police Commander Superintendent David Soakai stated that, following swift action by his officers, one suspect was arrested and placed in police custody, while the second suspect has yet to be apprehended.

According to PPC Soakai, on the afternoon of December 26th, 2024, while on a festive operation doing mobile patrol around Tulagi township’s western end, they discovered the main gate of the medical incinerator building was open and the generator was missing.

The police reported the matter to the medical authority, and hours later, the Tulagi medical team confirmed that the incinerator genset generator was missing.

The police then attended the scene, collected fingerprints, took photographs, and obtained a statement from the health officials for investigation.

On Thursday, December 29th, 2024, the security of the incinerator facility contacted Tulagi police with information that led to the discovery of the stolen generator.

With this information, the police managed to identify the suspects involved in the break-in and the location of the generator.

On December 29th, 2024, the first suspect was arrested and taken to the Tulagi police station, while the other suspect had fled to another village.

That same night, Tulagi police recovered the stolen generator in Naeli village next to Tulagi township, now in Police possession.

One of the suspects is 23 years old.

The Central Islands Provincial government received the project on Friday, November 1st, 2024.

Deputy Secretary for Health Care, Dr. Gregory Jilini, led a delegation to Tulagi for the official handover ceremony, which included World Bank Health Specialist Wayne Irava and other stakeholders.

The Tulagi Incinerator Facility, constructed by R.S.F Construction, is one of four incinerator facilities funded by the World Bank.

The other three are located at Good Samaritan Hospital, Noro Area Health Centre, and Kilufii Hospital.

These facilities are part of the project aimed at preventing, detecting, and responding to the threat of Covid-19, as well as improving and strengthening national systems for public health preparedness in the Solomon Islands.

The Tulagi Hospital incinerator plays a crucial role in strengthening the country’s health system by providing an improved and efficient waste management solution.

When contacted for comments, the Tulagi Hospital Secretary declined to comment.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Member of Parliament for North West Guadalcanal Constituency, Jaimie Vokia, has called on his fellow MPs to establish a vision that embodies the future aspirations of their communities.

MP Vokia made this appeal during his address on the Sine Die motion in Parliament this year.

“As we look forward to the upcoming year, it is essential to develop a vision that aligns with our community’s aspirations,” Vokia stated.

He urged his colleagues to prioritize initiatives that foster sustainable development, environmental conservation, and economic resilience.

“By investing in our people and our land, we are laying the groundwork for a prosperous future,” remarked the Minister of Traditional Governance, Peace, and Ecclesiastical Affairs.

“Furthermore, we must dedicate ourselves to empowering our youth, who are the leaders of tomorrow,” he added.

Quoting Proverbs 22:6, Vokia said, “It is written that we should return home and, within our families and home environments, train a child in the way he should go.”

He emphasized that equipping the nation’s youth with the necessary skills and values to navigate the future will enable them to make meaningful contributions to society.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Disability People Association Solomon Islands (DPASI) has set an ambitious goal of creating a corporate society by 2025 to combat poverty.

In a recent exclusive interview with Island Sun, DPASI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Casper Fa’asala elaborated on this initiative, explaining that it will begin with the involvement of workers and volunteers and later expand to include some of DPASI’s self-help groups, which are already participating in small-scale income-generating activities.

Fa’asala highlighted the initiative’s overarching aim of addressing poverty, noting that individuals with disabilities experience poverty at a rate ten times higher than their able-bodied counterparts.

“We are the most impoverished group. Whether in the Solomon Islands or wealthier nations, individuals with disabilities are invariably the most adversely affected,” Fa’asala said.

He explained that the primary focus is to explore ways DPASI can facilitate income generation for individuals with disabilities. A recent survey revealed that many individuals with disabilities possess significant skills, making it crucial to create opportunities for them to earn an income.

“Some individuals are already starting income-generating projects, such as raising chicks and chickens, crafting baskets, and engaging in carving,” he noted.

Fa’asala emphasized that the corporate society will not rely on traditional retail outlets to sell goods already available in the market.

“We will explore alternative materials where individuals with disabilities can be the producers. This may include a variety of products, such as furniture and vegetables, leading to the establishment of specialized stores. For instance, if they engage in agriculture, we will look into providing refrigeration for selling their products,” he said.

“We know that many individuals are involved in dyeing clothes, sewing outfits, and carving. Our goal is to create diverse stores that accommodate these various products, all under one roof through this corporate society. This initiative will benefit everyone,” Fa’asala added.

He further stated that no such DPASI business currently exists in Honiara.

“We envision it as a hub for tourism as well as the general public. We hope that Members of Parliament will be motivated to support this corporate society by purchasing goods once we open the market,” Fa’asala said.

“This is a significant agenda for the upcoming year. We will begin discussions with the Ministry of Commerce to determine the best approach to launch this initiative. The management will be entrusted to individuals with the necessary skills. Many of our members have received training, with some being graduates from SINU and others holding degrees in accounting,” Fa’asala explained. “This initiative will encompass both the production aspect and the management of the corporate society once it becomes operational,” he concluded.