By Loretta B Manele

Lazarus Alfred Rina, member of parliament for East Central Guadalcanal constituency has lauded the government for its support to his constituency.

He made the remark when he contributed to the Sine Die Motion on Thursday morning, Dec 19^th 2024.

“Let me thank the GNUT government for their continuous support to the development in this country and for their commitment in supporting development projects in my constituency”

He said in terms of infrastructure development, he is pleased to note the allocation of 1 million for the upgrade and construction of the Bokokimbo to Aola road.

Rina referred to the road as a “vital economic route” for his people; enabling farmers and other producers to access markets in Honiara.

However, he humbly requests that this allocation be increased to ensure the full completion of this crucial project.

“This will greatly benefit the livelihood of my people of East Central Guadalcanal and the general public”

He also stated that another project the government supported in his constituency is the rehabilitation of Mboeni Primary School.

Rina expressed that the project will ensure that their children will have access to quality education in a conducive learning environment.

He also thanked the government for the allocation of 3.8 million to his constituency under the RCDF (Rural Constituency Development Fund).

Rina said these funds are very important as it is the only funds that will benefit our constituencies.

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Persons with disability living in Sikaiana received a rare treat this Christmas as the community celebrated them with gifts and presents.

When the community on Sikaiana gathered to mark Christmas, one of the highlight parts of the programme was to present gifts to community members who were with disability.

Speaking to Island Sun this week, spokesperson for the disability committee chief Don Teui said they have five members of their community who are with disability.

And, with this round of festivities the committee wanted to make something new and special, which was to celebrate their community members with disability along with the rest of the community.

So, the committee bought gifts and packed them in gift bags.

The committee also prepared gift bags for the old people on Sikaiana, and together they made 14 gift bags. Others were also made for the children.

The occasion was staged under a Christmas tree beside the church in the village.

Chief Don said this initiative was praised by everyone, and the committee would like to continue the practice every Christmas onwards.

During a courtesy call with Japan’s new Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, Higuchi Keiichi, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele highlighted the importance of the Bina Harbor project.

He emphasized that it is a key priority for the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) and a significant topic in discussions with Japan’s Prime Minister during the recent Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister outlined the project’s potential benefits, including job creation and major infrastructure development for Malaita Province.

He expressed gratitude for Japan’s ongoing support to the Solomon Islands, including assistance with key infrastructure projects and contributions to human capital development.

PM Manele also acknowledged Japan’s timely support during the COVID-19 pandemic and its efforts to clear unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in the country.

He reaffirmed the Solomon Islands’ commitment to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Japan.

In response, Ambassador Keiichi assured PM Manele of Japan’s continued support for the Bina Harbor Project and expressed a desire to collaborate with the Ministry of Fisheries and the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to ensure its success.

He also highlighted opportunities to work on education and healthcare initiatives, emphasizing his intention to build on the work of his predecessor.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

GOVERNOR-General David Tiva Kapu has emphasized the need for the country to address social issues stemming from high unemployment rates.

In his New Year’s message last week, Kapu pointed out that the country’s large unemployment problem is largely due to the high number of school dropouts and graduates struggling to find meaningful employment.

He stressed the importance of providing young people with trade skills and helping them develop a positive outlook on life.

The Governor-General also expressed gratitude to the governments of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada for their support through initiatives such as the Labour Mobility Scheme, which has provided employment opportunities to thousands of Solomon Islanders.

“This support has helped offer employment to thousands of our men and women,” he added.

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BY JOHN HOUANIAHAU

A Silver Fruit Dove bird species was discovered within the Nasi Land Resources Conservation site in West Are’are Malaita province.

This was according to Solomon Island Ranger Association Program Manager Edward Haikau Huitarau.

“Local rangers of Nasi recently found a bird species called Silver Fruit Dove. This bird species scientifically known as Ptilinopus superbus was found within the riparian buffer zone of Nasi Land Resources Conservation Foundation (NLRCF),’’ he said.

He said that the male Dove has a colourful body with a purple crown orange nape and shoulders.

He said that the NLRCF rangers are voluntarily doing good work already as far as conservation is concerned for them.

“Thus, I believe once we’ve carried out a full species baseline survey within the terrestrial forest and along the streams it will add several specimens to the bird collection, but utilising this as the sample collected was important for such a new conservation site,’’ he said.

He said that the exciting thing about the sighting was the fact that it was never thought that Nasi could host this sort of beautiful species as it was not regularly sighted.

“This now opens the possibility for further baseline surveys that would pave the way for further study.

“In going forward, there are many ways to expose children to the ideas of wildlife protection and here is one of the few suggestions; that is by way of actively engaging children at the appropriate age to discuss threats to birds and wildlife and their environment in terms of deforestation, habitat destruction and human impact on the environment, for example,’’ he said.

He said that the NLRCF rangers are raising young children to become conservationists who protect wildlife by actively engaging children.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) welcomed six new volunteers who arrived in Honiara yesterday under the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers program (JOVC).

JICA Solomon Islands Program Officer James Niaseka said the six volunteers will begin their assignment at various organisations next month, on the 3rd, for two years after undertaking various briefings, Pijin language training, and cultural lessons for three weeks in Honiara.

He said the six volunteers are Mr Kanto Yamashita who will be assigned to SIFF as a coach, Ms. Ayame Yoshida will serve as a teacher at St John School and Ms. Yumeno Fujii who will be assigned to work with Isabel Provincial Government Environment and Climate Change office.

He said that Ms. Hitomi Sugihara, a nurse will be assigned to Buala Hospital while Mr Kazuki Mizuhara a teacher by profession will be assigned to Auki Primary School in Malaita province and Ms. Sugihara a nurse will be assigned to Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda Western province.

He said that the JOVC program is one of Japan’s technical cooperation schemes operated as part of JICA’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).

He said that the program dispatches eager Japanese citizens who wish to participate in assisting developing countries and also has called for assistance from their governments.

He said that this reflects the commitment of the JICA Solomon Islands to focus not only in Honiara but also within the provinces.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The recent mission of the Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP) to Beijing, China was an investment mission and not a move to destroy the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).

This is according to SIPFP Mission’s team leader, Minister for Agriculture (MAL) Franklyn Wasi when he responded to Alfred Sasako’s ‘IN FOR THE KILL’ article on this week’s Monday Solomon Star front page.

According to the article, SIPFP was on the move to destroy GNUT with a secret visit to China soon after the withdrawal of MONC and sought to establish links with China and business leaders in case the GNUT leadership collapsed.

“Our trip was to meet with investors regarding the oil palm development in Vella La Vella,’’ Wasi told Island Sun on Tuesday via phone interview.

“For your information, this oil palm development is for North and South Vella La Vella. It is located in the Oula Basin. So, the team I led included myself, the Minister for Provincial Government, the Minister for Aviation, the Minister of Justice, the MP for Marovo, and the MP for Vonunu Rence Sore.

“The Vella La Vella oil palm development is one of the policy priorities of GNUT for the MAL. We went there to meet with the investors. We signed an MoU with them. The next step is for me to present the cabinet paper to the cabinet to form the parliamentary subcommittee and task force to spearhead this project,” said Wasi.

Wasi said that Sasako’s mention that the PM was not aware of their trip is false and misleading.

“We used our diplomatic passport to leave the country and have the permit from Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele for me to lead the team Beijin China,” he said.

He said that he was surprised at how Sasako wrote about something he knew nothing about.

“Claiming that we want to down GNUT. I don’t know who gives him the information he gives out to people.

Mr Wasi also presented the revised, finalised draft cabinet memorandum copy and paste in Cabinet Memorandum format for the Minister’s presentation.

The document presented to Island Sun showed that the SIPFP Investment Mission met with three Chinese State-Owned Enterprises: China Enterprise Reform and Development Society, China National Agriculture Development Company Limited, and Shanghai Wiheng Construction Engineering Company Limited.

The document also showed after the fruitful discussion a Memorandum of Outcome was signed between the Solomon Islands Government, represented by the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, and Shanghai Wiheng Construction Engineering Company Limited.

It adds that the MOU stipulates the responsibilities of (1) the Solomon Islands Government, (2) Shanghai Wiheng Construction Engineering Company Limited, and (3) Joint Responsibilities of both parties to the Understanding.

According to the document the cabinet, therefore, is requested to note the Memorandum on Oula Basin Oil Palm Development Project, endorse the Memorandum on Oula Basin Oil Palm Development Project, approve the Establishment of Sub-Committee on Oula Basin Oil Palm Development Project, approve the establishment of Task-Force on Oula Basin Oil Palm Development Project.

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