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Wate Jetty sets a benchmark in disability-friendly infrastructure

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Chief Executive Officer Eranda Kotelawala.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Solomon Ports proudly unveils the recently commissioned Wate jetty—a groundbreaking initiative by the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) to construct disability-friendly infrastructure for the first time.

Chief Executive Officer Eranda Kotelawala highlighted the historical nature of the project, emphasizing the incorporation of a wheelchair ramp on the jetty for the first-time.

Kotelawala explained that, for the first time, a two-wheelchair ramp has been integrated into the jetty design, specifically catering to the needs of elderly individuals and those with disabilities.

This thoughtful addition underscores SIPA’s commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all.

During the commissioning yesterday Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare acknowledged the visible impact of the jetty’s design on wheelchair users.

Sogavare further highlighted that the construction of inclusive infrastructure, as demonstrated by the Wate jetty, is now a legal requirement in the country.

He highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in Honiara, advocating for the reconsideration and reconstruction of existing buildings to ensure proper accessibility for all citizens, with a particular focus on those with disabilities.

MPCW advocates for gender base issues

Written by
Samie Waikori
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President of Malaita Provincial Alliance (MPA) who also the President of Malaita Provincial Council of Women (MPCW), Ms Martha Rurai.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

MALAITA Provincial Council of Women is liaising with its ward alliances to advocate for gender-based issues in the province.

Two of the wards MPCW is working with them are; wards 1 and 29, where 4 selected communities from each ward will be targeted with the advocacy program.

President of MPCW, Ms Martha Rurai said yesterday that the project aimed at how they could work with the communities to address issues on gender based, violence and human trafficking.

In preparation for the program, she said a training was held with the executive committees of the two wards to equip them with required resources to carry out the awareness program.

Rurai said the training was mainly on SafeNet activities like; gender, violence and trafficking. The expected outcome is to see advocacy on the issues in the communities.

“We trained the communities to reach to the communities with the program, trainers of trainees and become our advocators in their communities,” she said.

Rurai said that issues on gender based, violence and related issues are everywhere and this is what the program is targeting.

“We want to see people understand these important areas that will support the campaign and importantly make their communities free of gender based violences.

“This is the areas we are working on and MPCW aware the committees nearly complete their 4 targeted communities.

“As long as they do, as we expect the awareness to complete soon, we will call them for another training to reflect on the roll-out of the program.

“This is by looking at challenge and success encountered in the program to help us improve on the program,” she said.

Rural said the gender advocacy program was funded by SPC/PPAC as MPWC is one of their grantees in Malaita province.

New USP-SI campus second largest in region

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The lecture theatre .

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE new University of the South Pacific (USP)Solomon Islands Campus dubbed as a “state-of-the-art infrastructure” is the institution’s second largest in the Pacific region.

USP SI Campus Director, Dr Billy Fitoo said this during a tour organized for the media on Wednesday.

The director alongside project consultant, Kramer Ausenco (Solomon Islands) Ltd and contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) provided a comprehensive overview of the impressive complex.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the USD$12million plus complex is nearing the completion of the project’s phase one.

The complex consists of three buildings and are equipped with all the necessary feature of a functional university campus which includes; library, cafeteria, admin office, lecture rooms, conference room and a lecture theater.

Kramer Ausenco’s contract engineer, Daniel Tucker assured that the facilities are able to withstand natural disasters like strong winds and earthquakes.

“During the recent earthquakes, we inspected the building and found no cracks so we are confident that the facilities can withstand earthquakes” Tucker said.

Tucker also said to meet the requirements of ADB and USP, the project was designed to cater for sustainable development, climate change and disaster management, responsiveness to energy efficiency and the cultural background of Solomon Islands.

Dr. Fitoo also announced that keys had been handed over and an official opening ceremony will be organized in May.

Wale says SI need serious change in gov’t and leadership

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SOLOMON Islands do not have the option of business as usual – change must come says former Opposition Leader Matthew Wale.
Wale who is also the former MP for Aoke/Langalanga is the wing leader of the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP).

Speaking at the candidates brief at the pacific crown hotel today, Wale said it would take maturity and competence in leadership to hold the country together through the process of change.

Wale’s SIDP and the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) led by former Prime Minister and MP for Small Malaita Rick Hou held a candidates brief for their candidates.

Former Opposition MPs Derick Manuari, John Mane, Dean Kuku, Charles Sigoto and Bodo Dettke also attended the session.

“We are not talking about mere oiling and greasing changes – but changes that will fundamentally alter the kind of economy and society we want to see in Solomon Islands in the next 40 to 50 years,” he said.

The former opposition leader said if we were only thinking about the next 4 years, we would be like all other governments that have gone before us and be doomed to business as usual.

Wale said Solomon Islanders dream of a Solomon Islands where there are opportunities for all our young, not just a lucky few.
“We dream of a Solomon Islands where there is economic justice – where the wealth generated from resources benefit the majority, not just a few. We dream of a Solomon Islands economy controlled by Solomon Islanders, not foreigners. We dream of an economy that is producing jobs for all our young as they leave school, not just a very small minority. We dream of an educated and skilled workforce earning reasonable incomes. We dream of a Solomon Islands where our women folk are respected equal partners in our socio-economic development. We dream of a healthcare system where avoidable deaths no longer occur. We dream of reasonable quality infrastructure that enables productivity. We dream of a Solomon Islands where the cost of living is the cheapest in the Pacific Islands region. We dream of a Solomon Islands where accessing government services is not dependent on who you know and whether you can make an under the table payment. We dream of a Solomon Islands where the government is not controlled by foreigners,” he said.

Wale said these are entirely reasonable dreams that will have the support our voters.

He said no Solomon Islander should leave school early, merely because the parents cannot afford school fees.

Wale adds no Solomon Islander should be illiterate and unskilled.
“The entire Solomon Islands society and economy are underdeveloped to the extent that some among us are illiterate and unskilled. No Solomon Islander should leave school with no meaningful prospects of finding a job,” the SIDP wing leader said.

PNG insurer Trans Pacific enters SI market with Tower Insurance takeover

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Trans Pacific Assurance Limited Chairman Michael Sullivan (second from left) with some of the distinguished officials that attended the launching on Monday night.

BY NED GAGAHE

A leading Papua New Guinea owned insurer Trans Pacific Assurance Limited has expanded its operation into the Solomon Islands with the historic acquisition of Tower Insurance last Monday.

Trans Pacific announced its groundbreaking takeover of Tower business in Solomon Islands on Monday 29th January 2024 at a ceremony held at Heritage Park Hotel.

In a statement Trans Pacific Group CEO Philip Tolley expressed great excitement describing the move a “a significant achievement for our business.”

“Trans Pacific is to be in Honiara at last, and how grateful we are for the work done by our predecessors Tower Insurance, to establish a business in Solomon Islands forty years ago.

“And grateful the present Tower management for passing the baton onto us and trusting Trans Pacific. The customer base built up over so many decades.

“Thanks to and a special welcome to the good people in Central Bank of Solomon Islands for the assistance in this transition. The skilful understanding is appreciated.

“The brief history of Trans Pacific reveals the PNG owned organization with many familiar names present today, our Chairman, Mr. Michael Sullivan and our Directors. Established 10 years ago, Trans Pacific is now the largest of 18 insurers with an annual premium in the region of SBD$250 million.

“Our business is both on predicting customers of providing marine casualty, medical and property insurance. Our rapid growth has been driven by constant desire to make a difference to service delivery to those customers.

“We are fully committed to delivering the same quality to the people of Solomon Island. We are delighted that Diana and the new team of and Melinda are transitioning to Trans Pacific to continue the highest service delivery standards that they are known for and can only see this lifting with the support of the wider Trans Pacific team based in Port Moresby.

“We look forward to being able to bring to Solomon Islands the quality of product and service for which we have become famous in Papua New Guinea. We firmly believe that as “the Intelligent Insurer” no one in our region can match what we offer to our clients, and I am excited to now be expanding that experience to our Melanesian neighbours.” Mr. Tolley said.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Trans Pacific Chairman Michael Sullivan thanked Tower for the 40 years spent in Solomon Islands.

“I am delighted that their existing Honiara team members are joining the Trans Pacific family. This is an exciting time for Trans Pacific and we look forward to welcoming many Solomon Islanders as clients in the near future”.

He said expanding into the Solomon Islands market is in parallel with the important goals of the Melanesian Spearhead Alliance formed in 1983 including the strengthening of trade and the fostering of closer economic and technical co-operation between member states.

“Special thank you to you our Chief Regulator, the Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Dr Luke Forau.

“Trans Pacific is indeed a successful company established almost ten years ago is the second largest insurer in Papua New Guinea but in fact, now the largest general insurer in Papua New Guinea.

“Trans Pacific has made the reputation of being interest in its client’s needs directed to developing solutions to its client’s insurance problems. We have the solutions, we like to think of ourselves as being commissioned client focused, economical.

“In PNG our partners regularly and consistently ranked Trans Pacific as number one in terms of market, for product knowledge, services and responsible servicing, the insurance mind.

“We are the PNG market leader in the motor, marine workers compensation, public liability and commercial and domestic product, we want to bring this expertise to the Solomon Islands.

“This is a particularly important cross order acquisition for one.

“For us, Solomon Islands being our first overseas investment will be very important. We intend to bring to the Solomon Islands great success. Success, not just for us, but a success for our customers.

“A change in ownership of one of the Solomon Islands, three largest insurers is and should be an important day for the Solomon Islands.” Mr. Sullivan said.

Welcoming the Trans Pacific to the Solomon Islands, Governor of Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) Dr Luke Forau welcome the move by Trans Pacific.

Meanwhile, Trans Pacific is proudly 100 percent PNG owned and operates from its Head Office in Port Moresby. Over the last decade, Trans Pacific has grown to be the most significant PNG General Insurer with annual premiums exceeding the equivalent of SBD $225 million.

Its broker partners consistently rank it as the highest in the market for product knowledge, service, and claims paying appetite. It is a market leader in Motor, Marine, Workers Compensation, Public Liability and Commercial / Domestic Property.

Aqorau optimistic 2024 full staff

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau.Photo supplied.

BY NED GAGAHE

Professor Transform Aqorau, SINU Vice Chansellor is optimistic that SINU will begin this year with full complete staff.

In his personal reflection for 2023, Aqorau said last year the institution has been without substantive Deans for some of the faculties for most part of the year.

He said this is largely due to suspension and non-performance.

However, he said the national university has just completed the process of recruiting Deans for most of the faculties.

“We have just completed the process of recruiting Deans for the faculties and that has been very important, remember that 2023 we have been without substantive Deans for some of these faculties for most part of the year largely to suspensions and non-performance.

“But we now in control of the process and have been able to complete the recruitment process so I’m really looking forward to starting the new year with the full complemental of staff.

“As required by the SINU Council, SINU is also advertising the position of Pro-Vice Chancellor Corporate and Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic.

“These two are very important positions too that are coming up and I hope that we would be able to fill them with competent people.

“In terms of reforms, I expect and hope that we would have a revamp investment arm for this year where some of the cost centres are generating their own revenue.

“I came from a background where we have to earn our own salary in the PNA before I came here. So I’m very much used to the idea of operating as commercial.

“We have a certain components of the university that are commercial and therefore I expect that we would have the reforms necessary for us to be able to put this business and investment arm on a different pedicel.

“Also I would like to see PhDs and masters’ program develop this year.

“Not only that but, I would like to be able to see more reviews of our academic programs.

“We have to review all our academic programs then we will be working on the accreditation that is important.

“Let me just explain, accreditation is not just a simple process of a plan, it’s the documentation, and they will come and evaluate the whole documentation, plus the qualification of the staff, and everything.

“So that is why it is important because that process will then inform us about the staff having to go overseas for further training.

“So they will come and access all of that before we can have considered, and I want us to do with both in Solomon Islands and Australia standards.

“Working with this new group called the Australia Volunteers Associations will be doing that for all of our programs.

“I hope to see more research collaboration and reforms in 2024.” Aqorau said.

Case of double compelled sex returns to court tomorrow

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a man accused of taking a video recording of a male and a female he had forced to have sexual intercourse returns to court tomorrow.

The incident is said to have taken place in November last year at the hillside near the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) compound.

Tomorrow’s court session is for the defendant to take his plea.

Charles Manaba is charged for two counts of compelled sexual intercourse.

In the last court hearing the defendant was only charged with one count of compelled sexual intercourse, however, prosecution filed an additional charge of compelled sexual intercourse as there are two victims.

The defence lawyer asked for an adjournment as she needed time to discuss with her client and obtain instructions as to where his client stand regarding the two counts.

Bail for the defendant has been extended.

Police alleged on November 19, 2023 at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) hillside area in Honiara, Manaba took a video of the female and male after forcing them to have sexual intercourse in front of the camera.

The video clip shortly went viral on the social media platform Facebook.

The matter was reported to police and the accused was arrested and charged accordingly. DPP appears for the Crown and PSO appears for the Defendant

Case against Chinese business woman on intimidation charge returns today

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a Chinese business woman will return to court today after it was adjourned yesterday due to no interpreter being available.

The Chinese businesswoman is being accused of intimidation and molestation.

The case was mentioned yesterday but since there was no Mandarin interpreter, it was adjourned.

Rano private law firm which represents the defendant informed the court that they are ready for trial, however, the issue is Chinese interpreter availability.

Court was also told that the High Court head of interpreter division is still to find a Mandarin interpreter, which was also a problem last year.

Sun Yuan Yuan is charged with one count of intimidation and molestation. She has pleaded not guilty.

Police prosecution told the court he will call three witnesses for the trial however, one of his witnesses is outside of the country.

Therefore, Crown told the court that if that particular witness is not available anytime this week, the crown will make an application for other alternative ways to conduct the trial whether through zoom or he will made an application to cancel that particular witness for grounds of unavailable witness.

Police alleged on August 4, 2023 at Mass Corner Restaurant, Capital Park, East Honiara in the Guadalcanal Province the defendant intimidated and molested the complainant, a Chinese man.

The matter was reported to the police and the defendant dealt with accordingly. Police Prosecution Department appears for the Crown and Private Law Firm appears for the defendant.

Armed robbery case returns tomorrow in court

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of two men accused of armed robbery has been suspended for January 24 for interim-mention.

Chris Yambeyabbi and Eddie Maki are charged jointly with armed robbery regarding an incident which allegedly took place on December 23, 2022 at the engineering department office of the China Harbour Construction at King George Six Area.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The trial was set to commence on March 11 this year.

Matter will be heard in court tomorrow Wednesday, January 24 for interim-mention; parties in carriage of the file are to attend to the court or provide instructions to the court, informing the court whether they have issues or not regarding the trial commencement.

Bail for both defendants have been extended.

It was alleged that Maki was armed with an axe and Yambeyabbi a home-made pistol.

They allegedly entered the office and threatened the Managing Director of the Engineering Department of China Harbour Construction with the pistol before escaping with valuable items worth $11,000.

Police arrested Yambeyabbi on January 10 and located the home-made firearm and some other items which police believed were used to make home-made firearm.

Also prosecution alleged both claimed the defendants used threatening violence with firearm, possession of firearms and ammunition.

Office of Public Prosecution appears for Crown and Public Solicitor Office appears for Defence.

HIGH SWELLS

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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High swells causing beach erosion

-Low-lying communities across country report unprecedented sea water inundation

-Makira communities hit hard, survivors share experience

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A series of high swells is causing havoc in low-lying coastal areas and atolls across the country facing the northern side of the country.

Several reports are on social media including some low-lying coastal communities in Malaita.

In Makira, several communities are reporting unprecedented inundation of sea water as high swells penetrate nearly a hundred metres inland.

A woman in one of these Makira communities, Anna Hadi, spoken to via telephone yesterday, said waves washed into their village, marking the first time they have encountered such powerful waves.

“It was a frightening experience; some elderly people moved to higher ground for safety,” Ms Hadi said.

She added that the entire community remains on high alert, ready to relocate to higher ground if the continuous high waves persist. Ms. Hadi said.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Meteorology has been consistently providing updates since last week regarding the high swells.

A swell advisory is currently in effect for low-lying islands, including Ontong Java Atolls, Dai, Ramos, Sikaiana, and the northern coastal areas of Choiseul, Isabel, Malaita, Makira, and Temotu provinces.

Moderate northerly swells (2.5 to 3.5 metres) originating from the northern parts of the Solomon Islands waters are expected. Coastal inundation is a potential risk in low-lying areas, islands, and atolls. It’s important to note that these swell height estimates do not account for the enhancing effects of local sea currents and tides.

Mariners and residents of low-lying islands, specifically Ontong Java Atolls, Dai, Ramos, Sikaiana, and the northern coastal areas of Choiseul, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, and Temotu, are strongly urged to take precautionary measures. These swells pose significant threats to lives and properties.

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