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Sikaiana chief decries media report implying community attack on nurse

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Chief of Sikaiana has decried a recent media report by the Solomon Star which implied that the community on Sikaiana collectively attacked a nurse serving the isolated atolls.

Chief Leonard Semalu Hakamele said the media report was framed to make it appear as if the people on Sikaiana rallied to attack the nurse.

This is simply not true and misleading, said Mr Semalu.

What happened was this incident involved only the nurse and attacker, both of whom were drinking alcohol together and initiated an argument between themselves without involvement of anyone else from the community, and entered into physical confrontation by themselves without any involvement from anyone else from the community, said Semalu.

In preparation for the Malaita Day on August 15 this year, a notice was sent out to the community by the religious and cultural leadership, banning consumption of liquor in respect of the occasion.

However, the nurse and the accused deliberately chose to break this rule and drank alcohol.

So, while the community on Sikaiana went about commemorating Malaita Day in peace and harmony, the two men (nurse and attacker) consumed alcohol by themselves.

The attack incident reportedly occurred at the clinic compound in which the accused attacked the nurse, reportedly leaving him with injuries and wounds.

Semalu calls on relevant authorities to investigate the matter.

“The community respected that day and set rules to honour no drinking till evening, however, the islands celebrated the event peacefully whilst the Nurse in charge and suspect ignored set rules by leaders in the island,” said Semalu.

“We know it is embarrassing but we must check the other side of the coin, don’t judge on one side only, because we want to draw an understanding to the ministry that we need to put an investigation into this issue as it is not serious as said.

“The chief apologizes on behalf to the relatives of the Nurse in Charge, the Ministry of Health and Kilu’ufi Admin for this unexpected issue. We all know that throughout Solomon we have cultures that guide us, but other ignores the fact that we have our cultures and CPC bylaws placed on the island.”

MILLION DOLLAR HOUSE READY SOON

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Legacy House handover expected in mid-October or November this year PM informs Parliament

BY NED GAGAHE

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has notified Parliament that the million-dollar Legacy House is set to be handed over around mid-October or November 2024.

National Hosting Authority (NHA) acquired the property in Ranadi, East Honiara, last year owned by Chengs Hardware and Construction Limited, for the sum of $34 million.

Prime Minister Manele addressed questions yesterday in Parliament from Leader of the Opposition Matthew Wale regarding the legacy house’s status and its readiness for transfer to the national federations.

The Prime Minister said the NHA is awaiting completion of renovations and refurbishment of the property which is expected to complete next month.

He told Parliament that the building is large, has two floors and about 50 rooms all together plus meeting rooms, ablutions and showers.

Manele said each room has individual air-conditioning units and renovation of the top floor has been completed.

“NHA is about to complete the renovations and refurbishment of the sports legacy house which have been procured through the general support from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“New air-conditioning units have been installed. Fire safety requirements including two fire escape units at each end of the building. These are being put in place. The NHA has decided to installed hybrid solar air-conditioning units on the ground, the cost of these units is almost the same as the normal units but can save in terms of bills, these units are run on solar power during the day and automatically switched to normal power during nights or during the day when there is inadequate sunlight.

“We expect the installation of the solar units plus the final touch up renovation for the ground floor to be completed with the next month. The NHA anticipates the handing over of the sports legacy house within the next two months.

In response to the question about whether any national federations have moved into the legacy house and the reasons for any delays, Prime Minister Manele confirmed that no federations have relocated to the house as of now.

“Sir, until the renovations and refurbishment of this sports legacy house is completed and handed over individual sports federations cannot move in to the legacy house. So, they have to wait until the renovations and refurbishment is done as well as the handover is done.

“With regards to who the sports legacy house will be handed over to, it will be handed over by the NHA to the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI). As agreed between the President of the Pacific Games Council and the former Prime Minister and former minister for the 23 Pacific Games in 2023 and reaffirmed by the NHA Board meeting in December 2023.

“This decision is also in keeping with section 35 (1) of the Pacific Games Act 2023 on the disposal of non-financial assets as follows; 1) As soon as practical after the games have been completed or cancelled the authority must distribute its non-financial assets between Olympic Committee or the National Sports Council.” Manele said.

The Prime Minister said the vast majority of all PG23 assets have been or are being transferred by the NHA to the National Sports Council.

He said the Sports Legacy House is the single asset that the NHA is transferring to the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands.

“Sir since independence majority of our sports federations did not have their own building and office space. As a result of NHA commitment to the long-term legacy of sports development in our country.” PM Manele said.

He said NOCSI, NHA and NSC will meet to determine the date for handover. He said that handover is expected to be done in mid-October 2024 or November 2024.

SI Chinese women association hosts Chinese mid-autumn festival

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Chung Wah School students performed their song.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

The Solomon Islands Chinese Women Association hosted the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival fair at Chung Wah School on Sunday, Sept 15th.

Attendees of the program included Minister for Education Tozen Leokana, Minister of Culture and Tourism Choylin Yim Douglas, Charge d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Embassy in Honiara, Mr. Ding Yonghua, and other officials from the PRC Embassy.

Also present were chairperson and members of the Chung Wah School Board, the school’s principal, teachers, students and their parents.

In his speech, the education minister, Leokana said the festival is much-cherished by the Chinese around the world.

“Traditionally, it is a time where farmers celebrate the abundance of the summer’s harvest, and where families gather to admire the moon”,

The minister said he is delighted to join the Chinese community in Honiara to celebrate the fair.

“I am also heartened that many Solomon Islanders, indigenous and naturalised Solomon Islanders including teachers and students of Chung Wah and their parents and friends have come in numbers to celebrate the festival as a time for family reunions”

Leokana said he was told that in the Chinese culture, the festival is attended by young and old generations who come together on balmy nights to savor both traditional and the latest mooncake creations.

Mr Ding Yonghua, the Charge d’Affaires of the Peoples Republic of China Embassy also delivered his remarks at the occasion.

He expressed that the Chinese in Solomon Islands celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in which they yearn for reunion and harmony for their families and their country.

“Let us celebrate together, appreciate the profound heritage of Chinese culture feel the warmth of home and express our deep love for our motherland”.

The program also included performances from the students.

Traditional values essential for family ties

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Group photo.Photos supplied

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

It is important that organizations like the Chinese Association and the PRC Embassy continue to promote traditional values that emphasize family ties during this Mid-Autumn Festival fair. These efforts help to forge and strengthen our society as we move forward together.

The remark was made by Minister for Education,Tozen Leokana at the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Fair at Chung Wah School on Sunday, Sept 15th.

Leokana highlighted the essence of family ties as one of the things that can be learnt from the Mid-Autumn Festival fair.

“In my perspective, we need to acknowledge and learn about the traditional values that emphasize family ties. Because by doing this, our efforts will contribute toward strengthening the fabrics of our society and country as we move forward together,”

Minister Lekona and Mr. Ding Yonghua visited one of the booths at the festival.

The minister pointed out that there are important lessons that can be learnt from the fair.

He said by observing the fair where people and families come together we can maintain our social structure where family members continue to support one another as we are perceived to be doing.

“We need to learn from the essence of the fair in order to teach family faithfulness in our young generation, boys and girls who are not only learning their respective traditional values, but also who are exposed to different cultures including cultural norms and influences that create cultures of the youth that our old generation despise”,

Leokana expressed that the young generation of the country can also learn from the Chinese cultural values such as those associated with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival Fair.

Chung Wah School students performed their song

“One of the key reasons for celebrating the fair is to showcase the support for one another in the community. For example, Chinese families support each other in their lives that is children supporting their parents emotionally and financially in old age”,

He added that the fair also reinforces family relationships in terms of how time is spent in which time is allocated for family, unity and reflection.

“Moreover, the Fair reinforces family relationships in terms of a time for family, unity, and reflection. As you will sense during the event, as you mingle with people this evening, the enduring appeal of this festival lies in its ability to connect people with their cultural perspective and heritage while also adapting to contemporary life here in Honiara and abroad”.

The program was attended by Minister for Culture and Tourism, Choylin Yim Douglas, Mr Ding Yonghua, the Charge d’Affaires of the Peoples Republic of China Embassy in Honiara, officials from the PRC Embassy as well as representatives, teachers, and parents of students of Chungu Wah School.

Fisheries successfully implemented four key strategic investments under 1oo day program

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Dried seaweed

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has successfully implemented four key strategic investments under the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) 100-day program.

Minister Nestor Ghiro told the parliament house in his reply to the speech from the throne and the opening of the second meeting on the 12th parliament on Tuesday last week.

He said that the four key strategic investments are; the Bina processing plan project, the expansion of the seaweed industry, the GIFT-Tilapia aquaculture program, and the commercial cultivation of sea cucumber.

Regarding the Bina processing plant, Ghiro said his ministry already registered 172 hectares of land consisting of six parcels of land and the ministry is working to consolidate the parcels into a single parcel.

“A business case has been developed and it’s now going to a consultation with all stakeholders. With the support of international financial cooperation, (IFC) talks ongoing with tuna investors, including preparation of investment practices for potential investors,’’ said Ghiro.

On seaweed farming, he said that the government allocated $3 million to grow the seaweed industry in the supplementary appropriation that was passed recently.

Ghiro said that the support is additional to the 500,000-seaweed allocation under the Ministry’s annual development budget.

“We aim to produce 10,000 metric tons of dry seaweed by December 2026. This will be a three-fold increase from our current annual production of 2,500 metric tons. Security technical support from China and Indonesia to improve the quality of dry seaweed products and address infrastructure needs,’’ he said.

He adds that the Ministry will organise a round table meeting with all licensed exporters and other investors and support the private sector to grow the industry before the end of this month.

“This meeting will provide us the implementation plan of interventions going forward,’’ he said.

He stressed that the third state investment program of the ministry is a hatchery breeding and growing out of GIFTA-Tilapia in the ministry Agua-culture facility in Aruligo.

“The ministry will import the first banks of GIFT-Tilapia stock in the April to May 2025 window. This will be our first intake after bringing in the hazard to be fully functional in the first quarter of 2025.

The fourth investment program of the ministry is the commercial cultivation of sea cucumber.

He said that his ministry has agreed with a local company to establish a commercial facility to culture sea cucumber species of their choice.

He said that with local arrangements, the company has secured a site in Choiseul province to build their hatchery and grow the systems.

According to the Minister, the four investment programs will contribute effectively to economic growth and provide livelihood to the people.

“In the development of these key services investments, my ministry will ensure these are undertaken in an ecologically sustainable manner to safeguard the sustainability of our resources,’’ said Ghiro.

He acknowledges development partners, the New Zealand government, the Czech, Australia, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCF).

. “Our private industry partners, technical partners, Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), PA, SPC, and World Fish. Fisheries, NGOs, and our local communities in Bina and Aruligo for their support in supporting the ministry. I thank you all for your support today and continue as we pursue these strategic investments for the betterment of our people.

“I thank all my staff and I count on them to stand steadfast as we roll out these important strategic investments that will bring social economic benefits to our people and economic growth to our country.

MAL explores climate-smart agriculture strategies

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Minister for MAL, Franklyn Derek Wasi.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Minister Franklyn Derek Wasi said that his ministry is exploring strategies to implement climate-smart agriculture in light of the climate change era.

Speaking on the floor of parliament last week Minister Wasi said that with rising sea levels and the adverse effects of climate change, agriculture must evolve to become resilient against all these shocks.

“The ministry is therefore exploring strategies with its partners to implement climate-smart agriculture to improve access to nutritious diet in our rural communities. This includes encouraging our youths to venture into agribusiness,’’ he said.

He also said that since ethnic tension, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has been without a research centre which has greatly hampered the Ministry’s efficiency in providing up-to-date relevant information and techniques on farming practices.

“The intention now is to redevelop our agricultural research centre to be fully equipped with facilities for field research work on farm mechanisation, high-value crops, table food crops, fruit crops, spices, new emerging crops and fruit trees, and improve livestock genetic resources and downstream processing and value-adding technologies to boost production for both local consumption and export markets,’’ said Wasi.

Minister Wasi said that as our development and growth continue to expand, the country’s agricultural sector become more susceptible to introducing pests and diseases.

“Therefore, securing our flora and fauna against invasive alien species and facilitating access to new markets is a top priority for the ministry,’’ he said.

He said that to successfully implement these priorities, the ministry needs strong support from all our partners and important stakeholders, including resource and landowners, investors, donor partners, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, farmers, private enterprises, financial institutes, service providers and land ministries,’’ he said.

Wale calls for stronger ministerial leadership to fulfill government promises

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BY NED GAGAHE

Government’s ambitious policy promises can only be delivered by government ministries.

Ministers are therefore critical in providing political leadership and direction to ministries in their delivery of government policy ambitions.

Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale highlighted this when contributed to motion in parliament last week to acknowledge the ‘Speech from the Throne’ delivered by the Governor General.

Wale said Ministers can only do this if they are well versed with government policies.

He said when Ministers are incompetent, lazy, absent, or indifferent, it naturally follows that their ministries’ efforts to deliver on promises are likely to reflect it.

He said Ministers must take their responsibilities seriously.

“I urge the PM, as coordinating Minister, to ensure Ministers turn up to work on time, attend important meetings, and provide leadership and direction. The people of Solomon Islands expect this. It is disrespectful to the people of Solomon Islands when Ministers do not take their responsibilities seriously, and the PM is indifferent to the lack of performance of ministers.

“Nobody expects Ministers to be experts on the ministries they’re responsible for. But Solomon Islanders expect their ministers to take the trouble to know and understand what their responsibilities are, so that they can make good decisions.

“Ministers must not abdicate their leadership responsibilities to PSs. Both have their roles and need each other to effectively deliver on government policy promises.” The Opposition Leader said.

Trial into land title fraud case set for Sept 16

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Trial into the case against a man accused of fraud over land titles is set to begin tomorrow.

Wilson Menateti is charged with forgery of title of land and larceny of document relating to government employment.

Menateti pleaded not guilty and a trial is set to be carried out.

Prosecution alleged Wilson Menateti on an unknown date between January 1, 2015 and September 1, 2016 at Honiara forged a document of title to lands belonging to the complainants with intent to defraud them.

Again, it was alleged on the unknown date between January 1, 2015 and September 1, 2016 at Honiara Menateti stole the whole document of title of lands, the property of same complainants.

Steward Tonowane from Office of Public Prosecution act for the crown and L & L Lawyers represent Menateti.

South Road in Malaita reopens after two-month upgrade by TTC

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Passengers loading bag rice into a passenger truck from South Road.

The South Road access in Malaita province is now functional after almost two months of road upgrade carry out by Trade Transformation Company (TTC).

Although, construction is yet to cover 42km road upgrade under the project, which is from Auki to Maoa, people are now accessing the road to Auki.

A great jubilation especially for communities from 4 constituencies; Central Kwara’ae, Aoke Langa Langa, West Kwaio and West Are Are constituencies, where the road is connecting them.

Big thanks to Australian government through its High Commissioner’s office in Honiara for the SBD11 million funding of the emergency road upgrade project.

This week, first passenger trucks from West Kwaio had arrived in Auki. In an interview with passengers and truck owners, they expressed heartfelt gratitude to Australian government for the great work done.

A teacher said South Road has been a pipeline for economic and social activities to communities along South Road for the past decades.

“Almost a year we faced challenge with the road and it brought setbacks to economic activities and public service delivery to the region,” he said    

A farmer said small business operators and farmers mostly used the road on daily basis. It is a setback to them for challenges faced so far, and they look forward to resume business activities.

A truck owner said although road upgrade only reaches Maoro in Central Kwara’ae, the road can now be accessible.

He said most of the deteriorated states of the road are between Auki and Maoro and the areas had already repaired.

Saying, trucks can now access the road from Auki to West Kwaio. They hope the completion of the road upgrade will allow easy access to Auki.

Prosecution to call another witness for MHMS million-dollar scheme next week

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Prosecution is expected to call a third witness when the case on the multi-million dollar scandal of the Health ministry (MHMS) returns to court next week.

The continuation of trial for the case of MHMS million-dollar scheme has been suspended for early next week for prosecution to call its third witness to testify in court.

Initially crown only intend to call two witnesses however, court ask if the third witness who its statement tendered to court to give evidence under oath.

Prosecution charged Robert Many with four counts of Official Corruption contrary to section 91 (a) of the Penal Code Cap 26.

Manu pleaded not guilty to all the charges and trial was conducted.

Prosecution alleged between 2012 and 2013, the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) has suffered from a 10-million -dollar conducted by officers within the ministry.

Within that same scheme between November 2012 and August 2013, MHMS also made 15 payments totaling 47,301,453.40 to two shipping companies, Eroba Shipping Services (Eroba) and Joke Shipping (Joke). Both companies were managed by John Biliki and Wesley Poloso.

An internal audit by MHMS in August 2013 uncovered significant irregularities with these payments.

The audit found all 15 payments to be fraudulent and suspected collusion between MHMS officials, as well as shipping agents, to defraud the Solomon Islands Government by bypassing application for project proposals.

The accused Robert Manu, who was a Procurement Officer at MHMS, was involved in raising 12 of these 15 payments.

Vernon Taupongi appears for Crown and Jim Seuika for the accused Manu.

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