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WVSI, NBSI hand over WASH project to Numbu

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NBSI Trustee John Sullivan (Right) and WVSI Director, Jimmy Nadapdap(Left) cutting the ribbon.

BY INDY MAEALAISA

WORLD Vision Solomon Islands (WVSI) and the National Bank of Solomon Islands (NBSI) Health and Welfare Trust officially handed over the Covid-19 Health Improvement and Community Awareness Project to Numbu Clinic, North East Guadalcanal on Tuesday.

The project involved the instalment of a 3000 litre Rotomould Tank outdoor and two hand washing basins at the clinic’s maternity room, outpatient waiting area and additional tanks around the main village.

The project was initially delivered to align with the government’s national response to limiting Covid 19 pandemic.

While delivering his remarks, WVSI Director Jimmy Nadapdap reminded the community that practising good hygiene is vital regardless.

“When we talk about Covid 19, we are not talking about inviting Covid 19 back. We are learning from that experience to not repeat that because with or without Covid 19, a good hygiene is very important,” Nadapdap said.

Nadapdap who avidly travelled across the Solomon Islands realised that WASH project like the one in Numbu Clinic is lacking and hopes the project will strengthen the health system in the community and the clinic’s capacity.

Nadapdap commented that the project also demonstrates WVSI’s commitment.

“This is also telling the commitment WVSI has so I am very happy here. I know the project will benefit 2000-3000 people in Numbu.”

Though the WVSI is heading the implementation of the project, Nadapdap also extended his appreciation to the Numbu community for their resilience in contributing towards making the project a success.

NBSI Trustee and main donor, John Sullivan also expressed his gratitude and his satisfaction for investing funds in such rural project which is usually overlooked by the government.

As the project comes to its completion, Director Nadapdap said he is hoping to work with the Numbu community in the future to prioritise health.

“Let’s look forward for a future where health and well-being continue to be at the forefront of our collective effort and together we have already demonstrate the power of collaboration, I am confident that this positive invite will continue will resonate for years to come.” 

Local journalists undergo election reporting training

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Workshop participants discussing among themselves.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

Media personnel from media outlets around Honiara are currently undergoing a workshop on election reporting in preparation to provide exclusive media coverage of the upcoming 2024 National General Election

The five-day workshop was made possible through the BBC Media Action and the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) under the phase-2 of the BBC Media Action’s ‘Strengthening the Media’ project.

The workshop commenced yesterday with a good turnout of both experienced and new media personnel across print, radio, digital and television media outlets.

This year’s NGE is historical as it will be the first ever joint election in which voters will cast their ballots for the National Government, Provincial Assembly and the Honiara City Council.

In-depth Solomons’ Journalist, Georgina Maka’a who has a wealth of experience in previous election reporting is looking forward for the election.

“I think it will be an interesting one especially for journalists, we have not experienced the coverage of joint election, I am looking forward this year and it is also an opportunity to see how journalist can report on such election,” Ms Maka’a said.

Speaking on the importance of such undertakings MASI President, Georgina Kekea hoped that it will assist journalists in their election reporting by giving a voice for citizens and to influence decision making.

4 livestock officers on meat inspection training in Australia

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Third from left; Lottie Vaisekavea, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock with the four Livestock officers from Makira Ulawa, Malaita, Guadalcanal, and Honiara who will leave to Australia for the meat inspection training.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has sent four Livestock officers over the weekend to train in Queensland, Australia to become meat inspectors.

The opportunity is funded by the SI Agriculture Rural Transformation (SIART) project.

It will ensure that the project meets its objective; the livestock sector will also have the required capacity to service the sector.

MAL Permanent Secretary Lottie Vaisekavea congratulated the four officers and urged them to be good ambassadors.

“Be a good ambassador of yourself, family, sector, and Country. Be proud of who are and who you are becoming.

“You are the face of the Solomons’ 21st century agriculture. Please work together and encourage one another during your studies.

“We are looking forward to your success, and your return to serve our Livestock subsector and SI. More will follow your footsteps.

“Your steps are important to facilitate and ensure SI and MAL can continue to evolve the livestock sector and make import substitution viable, feasible and practical.

“This will allow the sector to also position and posture international standards towards new market opportunities.

“However, to get there we have to ensure our food standards are safe and secure before we step out.”

He added that the entire MAL staff are behind the team during their training.

In appreciation of the training opportunity in Australia, Carlos Fa’alimae, Malaita provincial livestock officer thanked MAL and SIART Project for having confidence in him and his three colleagues and he assured them that they would do their best to successfully complete the training.

–MAL PRESS

Kalenga CHS hosts consultation with community leaders to formulate school’s development plan

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Community leaders including women and youths of Sepi and Suva showed solid support for Kalenga CHS during consultation to develop school three years development plan.

BY NED GAGAHE

At a historic occasion on Sunday 11th February 2024, the Kalenga Community High School (CHS) in Bugotu, Isabel Province hosted a successful consultation with the community leaders of Sepi and Suva to gather their contribution towards formulating the school’s three years development plan.

The consultation was organized by school administration.

It ended with strong backing from the leaders including women, chiefs, youths and students pledging full support behind the school to advance the school’s infrastructure development aspiration.

The school’s new Principal Mr. John Kaba expressed gratitude, welcoming the solid collaboration between the communities and the school as a step in the right direction.

Mr. Kaba said formulation of the school’s development plan is crucial to address the development needs of the school.

He said the current administration under his leadership, believed on collaborative approach, one that promotes inclusive participation by all stakeholders and community is one of the primary stakeholders to advance the schools development agenda.

“Our main focus is to formulate a school development plan that will solve the much-needed infrastructure development that the school currently face.

“Also, to engage community with the school development as they have all the resources to move such development

“We believe it is the way forward in school development, to spend money on school needs, to give the communities the sense of ownerships and setting the school’s priorities right.

“Our aim is to promote and market our school to the rest of the world and seek donor support to assist the school.

“As leaders in the communities, we value their contributions, the consultation was used as an opportunity to recognize their efforts and show them the importance of their ideas and contribution towards the school.

School Principal Kaba used the occasion to thank the communities for their attendance which he described as a reflection of mutual dedication to see the school advanced its aspiration.

“Yes, it was a great success because, we manage to get the much-needed information from their discussion and contribution

“We were able to collect data to formulate the three years school development plan based on much needed areas.

“Leaders are very happy because it’s their first time to have such consultation and have their ideas and contribution heard they feel being part of the formulation to draw up the school development plan. Also, it broadened their knowledge and understanding on how a community high school setting is like.” School Principal Kaba said

A senior teacher at the school, Mr. Johnson Bako said, infrastructure development at the school is a pressing issue faced by the school in this modern age.

He said the demand for modern building facilities and equipment is a long overdue need of the school.

Mr. Bako stressed that school has faced a huge challenge, from rundown buildings, delayed renovations on staff houses, dormitories and classrooms.

“This is detrimental to the welfare and learning of students and teachers. There should be a conducive learning and teaching environment for students and teachers.

“With this in mind, this three years development plan is necessary. We need a comprehensive plan to get us there, in order to archive our vision.

“Participation of the communities is crucial to ensure that we are on the same page.

“It reflects the shared vision to see enabling environment for the teachers and students to enjoy education.

“We look forward to work collaboratively with the communities for future engagements.” Mr. Bako said

Kalenga CHS was established in the 1980s a Primary School, accommodating students in two major villages, Sepi and Suva.  In 2009 the school introduced first form 1 and in 2018 it introduces first form 4 with lack of preparation for the introduction of form four especially the infrastructure development. This year it accommodates around 220 students from form 1-5.

HCC marks annual operation adjustments with parade 

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Head of Law Enforcement Division, Mr. Robert Madeo (front) with his officers during the parade ceremony.

BY NED GAGAHE

Honiara City Council (HCC) Law Enforcement Division has staged a parade to mark adjustment of their operation in terms of shift hours and team operation.

The occasion was graced by Honiara City Lord Mayor Edward Siapu and witnessed by HCC officials and members of the public at the HCC Carpark area.

In his official remarks, Lord Mayor Siapu said the occasion marked an important event in the HCC annual calendar.

“Good morning, Head of Law Enforcement and your Law Enforcement Officers.  I thank you for this wonderful occasion to inspect this Parade. I am also grateful for the opportunity to give this brief remark on this occasion. This is an important event in the annual calendar of the Honiara City Council Law Enforcement Division.

“We are here this morning for this Administrative Parade, an event mounted by the Law Enforcement Officers to mark adjustment of their operations in terms of shift hours and Team rotation. The Parade today marks commencement of rotation in Team for each enforcement post area and also commencement of adjustment operations.

“Honiara City Council is mandated under the Honiara City Act 1999, and subsequent amendment last year, and its core functions include providing services for a clean and safe Honiara City which residents and visitors will live without fear and enjoy reliable services. Safety and security means Honiara City Council must have its own law enforcement team.

Mr. Siapu reminded the Law Enforcement Division of their responsibility to ensure safety and wellbeing of residents of Honiara City.

He encourages them to enforce the Honiara City Act and Ordinances without fear or favor.

“You are a key and important team within the whole Honiara City Council institution. You have a huge responsibility to ensure Honiara City is clean, safe and secure. Section 55M and Section 55N of Honiara City Act 1999 as amended clearly provides your appointment as a Law Enforcement Officer for Honiara City Council and your functions and powers as a Law Enforcement Officer.

“I need not go through these provisions of the Act because I believe you covered everything during your training at the Police Academy. In short, your core function is to enforce the Honiara City Act and its Ordinances. You must enforce the Act and Ordinances without fear or favor.

“So Ï believe you would all agree with me that ensuring a clean, safe and secure Honiara is a core function of Honiara City Council. When we talk about Honiara here, we are referring to the Central Business District (CBD), commercial areas, industrial areas, educational areas, recreational areas, residential areas and the settlements in the periphery of the city, within the boundary of Honiara City.

“A clean, safe and secure Honiara means our streets and places will be free of thieves, pick-pockets, harassments, late night noises and threats. It means our residents and visitors will live a life in peace and without problems.” Mr. Siapu said.

APSD registers highest intake this year

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A classroom building at the Asia Pacific Sustainable Development (APSD) Rural Training Center at Gwaigeo, on the outskirt of Auki town in Malaita province.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Asia Pacific Sustainable Development (APSD) Rural Training Centre has announced that this year’s student intake is its highest.

Being one of the leading RTCs in Malaita province, APSD has this year enrolled around 300 students and introduced double-stream classes to cater for the number.

Principal of APSD Rural Training Center, Mr Harold Leka said they have decided to take in such a high number of students because they do want to leave anyone behind.

He said the school decided to offer the students the opportunity to realise their potential and contribute to the progress of the country.

Leka said that in the previous years, the school only enrolled close to 200 students with a maximum of 30 students per class.

“But this year we enrolled up to 300 students with about 70 students per class. And with that, we introduced double-stream classes students.

“Day scholars or day-students who live in nearby communities attend classes in the morning while boardings in the afternoon.

“Even up to now, some the students are yet to arrive at the school whilst students were picked around the country as far as Mono in the Western province,” he said.

Leka said the RTC offers courses such as; carpentry, electrical, automative, plumbing, life-skills, home economics, computing and business & marketing.

He said the RTC is a growing institution and they are looking at offering variety of courses for students choose and pursue at the school.

Leka said this will also cater for the school’s high enrollment that will help address the high unemployment faces by the country.

He on that note thanked Japan and Australia for supporting the school infrastructure and also SIG through the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders for supports to the school.

RSIPF Auki fire department holds fire safety session with students of APSD

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Sergeant Robert Alegao assisting two students with the fire-extinguisher to fight a fire during the demonstration at the training center.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Fire Department of the RSIPF in Auki held another Fire Prevention Demonstration session with students of Asia Pacific Sustainable Development (APSD) Rural Training Centre at Gwaigeo near Auki.

The demonstration was performed by RSIPF Auki Fire Officer, Sergeant Robert Alegao aimed at equipping students with required knowledge on fire safety.

“The first fire session was conducted with the automative students where they mainly learned on the operation of the fire extinguisher.

“The second session was held with the carpentry students of the school where they actually put-down a prepared fire in a demonstration,” he said.

Alegao said fire safety program came under an arrangement between RSIPF Auki and the RTC primarily for students to learn on fire safety and how to prevent fire hazard situations.

He thanked the staffs and administration of APSD training center for efforts in supporting RSIPF to carry out the program at the school.

Principal of APSD training center, Mr Harold Leka also thanked the RSIPF Auki for the fire safety program.

He said fire safety is part of almost every trade course offer at the school and it is good for students to have extensive or additional knowledge on it.

Leka said this will help them understand fire safety and how to deal with it at school or where they will work after living the school.

He also said fire risk situation can happen anywhere and having knowledge on fire prevention is important to serve life and properties.

Leka reiterated his grateful to the RSIPF Auki as they will continue to work together on other important programs for the school.

Rape case committed to High Court

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a man accused of multiple counts of rape and common assault has been committed to the High Court for trial.

John Junior Laufilu is facing four counts of rape and one count of common assault. He pleaded not guilty therefore the case will go to trial.

Presiding Magistrate Dalcy Belapitu Oligari ruled that the evidence is sufficient to commit Laufilu to the High Court to stand trial.

Oligari further directed that the case be called in the High Court on February 23. Bail for Laufilu was extended.

It was alleged on October 28, 2023 at Papaho area, Laufilu had sexual intercourse with the complainant without her consent or been reckless of lack of consent.

Also, prosecution further alleged that Laufilu assaulted the same complainant on the same day.

Again, on October 29, 2023 at Papaho, the accused had sexual intercourse with the same complainant without her consent.

After the alleged incidents the complainant went and reported the matter to the police.

Gina Oroi of DPP office act for the Crown and Ben Alasia of PSO act for the defendant.

Former BSP teller pleads guilty to stealing customers’ money

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Tessa Solenone Rore, 31, plead guilty yesterday at the magistrate court to two counts of larceny by servant and one count of forgery of certain documents with intention to defraud.

Prosecution and defence sought court for an adjournment for them to prepare the sentencing and mitigation submissions.

Court granted their request and adjourned the matter to February 28.

The allegation states, Rore was employed as a Money Gram Teller at the Bank of South Pacific Limited (BSP), Central Honiara branch, since April 16, 2015.

The allegations against the accused arise when BSP customers made an enquiry to the bank about suspicious withdrawals and deposits in or from their personal banks’ accounts in 2020. There, accused was removed from the till and the BSP Operational Risk Unit conducted an internal assessment.

It was discovered that the shortage amount from the till was around $400,000.

The accused took out money from the till or drawer, which resulted in cash shortages and she would do withdrawals from customer’s accounts to balance the till at the end of each business day.

Prosecution further states, on the next business day, she would deposit the money back to the customer’s account from the till.

It has been discovered that the accused had done these fraudulent transactions on 40 customers account since April, 2020.

According to the investigation report, the total amount the accused stole from the till is about $500,000.  

In the month of August 2020, the accused was officially terminated from her employment.

Jonathan Auga of DPP Officer appears for the Crown and Emy Rusi of PSO appears for the Accused.

‘ALL WELCOME’

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Lands commissioner clarifies re-tendered land lots in South Honiara

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey (MLHS) has opened a second tender for land lots in the South Honiara Division.

Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil welcomes anyone to apply, whether for the first time or second.

“The land board approved a second round of lots for public tender,” Mr McNeil said.

“These are for lots where either (a) nobody applied the first time, or (b) nobody who applied met the Land Board’s minimum financial proof that they have sufficient funds to pay the offer and properly develop the land, or (c) the people who were given offers failed to pay the offer by the stated deadline.

“Anyone is welcome to apply again.”

Commissioner McNeil made this clarification in light of complaints raised by several people who missed out in the 2022 South Honiara Tender.  

A group of residents who missed out said they are willing to purchase the plots as they had settled on some of the plots since 2016 and those who were allocated the plots had never claimed them ever since

Spokesperson for the group, Robert Fo’oka said since last year, they had been trying to reach out to the MLHS by going to the office and filing in complaints to negotiate for the plots but had never received a response.

He said there are growing frustrations among the residents as the MLHS had not responded to their complaints and instead went on to retender the plots.

Fo’oka called on the Commissioner to look into their concern so they can make

payment of the plot as soon as possible instead of going through the second tender

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