MORE than 500 women from Lauru and Tungavalu regions of the United Church Solomon Islands have been empowered on the Christian perspective of disaster resilience, disability inclusion and how churches can collaborate together to build strong  resilience in the face of disasters.

The women have attended the weeklong inter-regional women’s rally in Honiara organized by the United Church of Solomon Islands hosted in Honiara from 25th – 29th September 2023.

Church Agencies Network for Disaster Operations (CANDO ) jointly facilitated an awareness talks with People With Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI) and Reverend Superintend Leslie Vedoko of the United Church Honiara Circuit.

Mr. Lionel Dau, CANDO Program Coordinator, Ms. Naomi Tai, the DRR project Officer of PWDSI and Rev Vedoko presented an awareness talk on Theology of Disaster Resilience in a Changing Climate (TDRCC) and Disability Inclusion in the Disaster Risk Reduction space.

The primary objectives of disaster resilience from a Christian perspective are to strengthen, empower, and enable individuals and communities to build and maintain communities of sustainability and resilience in the face of disasters.

In his opening remarks Mr. Dau said, the vision of church disaster network is to coordinate and collaborate together to enhance community resilience to disaster and conflict.

 “As churches, we are first responders to any disasters, therefore by using our church networks we must coordinate and collaborate together to build strength towards resilient communities and fight against negative impacts of climate change and natural disasters to serve our people in times of disasters and conflict.” Dau said.

Superintend Vedoko speaks on the parable of the great Banquet from Luke 14: 15-24.

He said the story showed the biblical foundation of the theological principle of inclusion and its relevance to disaster risk management.

He adds that the study ensures the inclusion of everyone, leaving no one behind in disaster preparedness and response planning in churches and communities.

 “Give opportunities and equal participations for vulnerable groups especially people living with disabilities in all planning, decision making both at the community and the church level to support disaster preparedness and response effort plans.” Dau said.

Rev Vedoko concluded by encouraging women to provide hospitality and value everyone to be part of the house of God by involving everyone in planning and decision making in all church programs and activities and to be part of the Christian community.

“Go back to your homes and self-reflect on us to find out how our communities and churches can apply this principle of inclusion to help our actions to serve our people.”

“The more we continue to practice this, the more we grow in our discipleship as true disciples and followers of Christ,” Rev Vedoko said.

Ms. Tai highlighted the importance of being inclusive with people living with disabilities.

“People living with disabilities are likely to be one of the most vulnerable groups in our communities when disaster strikes.

“Disaster preparedness and response must be centered on being inclusive driven, designed locally to meet appropriate humanitarian standard of people living with disabilities, and for caregivers to support them wherever possible.

“Therefore, as Christians we are equal in the eyes of God and we are all human beings and as Christ followers we must serve, reach out and look out for vulnerable people, give them opportunities to participate equally and moreover to be part of the Christian community,” Naomi said.

The program concluded with a hand over of cash token of appreciation from CANDO by Coordinator Dau to support the women fellowship groups towards their church programs and activities.

In Solomon Islands, CANDO is supported by the Australian Government and is an Australian Government initiative through Disaster READY program under the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP).

Disaster READY is focused on ensuring disaster preparedness is localized and led by relevant local and national stakeholders by working to ensure that disaster preparedness and management is inclusive of all within a community, including women, children and people living with disabilities, involving them in preparedness activities so their specific needs are understood and accounted for.

–CANDO PRESS

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTER of the Ministry of Forest and Research, Dickson Mua Panakitasi, has made a significant decision regarding the suspension of felling license A10112 belonging to Southern Enterprises Sawmilling Company Ltd. and Grace Logging Limited.

The decision comes following a detailed review of the case and a Deed of Settlement and Release submitted by the appellants (Southern Enterprises Sawmilling Company Limited and Grace Logging Limited) and complainants (Chief John Marawa, Reginald Ngati, Joseph Lowe), respectively.

This settlement signifies the resolution of a dispute concerning encroachment into Sulukokolo customary land and the felling and extraction of trees, as confirmed by a forestry field report and administrative orders dated August 23, 2023.

The appellants had initially appealed the decision of the Commissioner of Forest Reeves Moveni to suspend their felling license A10112, citing dissatisfaction with the show cause notice issued by the Commissioner on June 30, 2023, and their subsequent representation dated July 6, 2023.

The suspension was imposed on July 17, 2023, due to breaches of Regulation 10(c) and (e) of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilization (Felling Licenses) Regulations 2005.

In response to the appeal, Minister Mua deferred the decision to allow time for the appellants and complainants to resolve the encroachment issue amicably.

This deferral ultimately led to the submission of the Deed of Settlement and Release, indicating mutual understanding and agreement between the parties involved.

Taking into account the submitted settlement documents and his powers under Section 39(2) of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilization Act, Minister Mua has now decided to quash the suspension order issued by the Commissioner on July 17, 2023.

Consequently, the suspension over felling license A10112 has been lifted.

As part of the resolution, the appellants are required to withdraw immediately from Sulukokolo customary land and compensate the complainant party for their unlawful entry, felling, and tree extraction within the area.

Additionally, they must adhere strictly to the Solomon Islands Code of Logging Practices in their logging operations.

The Minister’s office has emphasized that any breach of these conditions may result in the cancellation of felling license A10112.

This decision by Minister Mua underscores the importance of amicable dispute resolution and adherence to forestry regulations in the Solomon Islands.

NHA approves $34 million to purchase for sports house in Honiara

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

THE National Hosting Authority (NHA) Board has given its stamp of approval to acquire property in Ranadi, East Honiara, owned by Chengs Hardware and Construction Limited, for the sum of $34 million.

The move follows public concerns and discussions surrounding the sale of this property.

Christian Nieng, the Executive Director of NHA, confirmed this development in an exclusive interview with Island Sun.

He explained that the primary purpose behind this acquisition is to transform the property into a state-of-the-art Sports House, aimed at accommodating all National Sports Federations within the country.

The decision to sell the property was made by Chengs Hardware and Construction Limited due to an outstanding bank loan, which prompted the sale.

The initial valuation of the property, inclusive of additional space, was set at $42 million.

However, after negotiations involving NHA Chairman Dr. Jimmy Rodgers, Director of Project Management Unit (PMU) Leeroy Bird, the Attorney General, and Nieng himself, the owner of Chengs agreed to reduce the price to $38 million.

Unexpectedly, the owner of Chengs had a change of heart and sought to increase the property’s value to over $40 million.

In response, Dr. Rodgers issued an ultimatum, firmly stating that NHA would proceed with a payment of $34 million, considering the owner’s latest decision.

Ultimately, the owner of Chengs Hardware and Construction Limited accepted the $34 million valuation, bringing the transaction to a close.

Nieng shed light on the source of the $34 million, indicating that it originated from a $58 million contribution received from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Pacific Games.

He expressed satisfaction that all aspects of planning were proceeding smoothly to deliver a successful event.

“In addition to this acquisition, we have successfully secured funding for various sports facilities, including athlete training centers, community fields, and the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sports, which has now become one of the premier high-performance training facilities outside of Australia,” Nieng commented, highlighting the positive developments in preparations for the Pacific Games.

The acquisition of the Chengs Hardware and Construction Limited property represents a significant step forward in providing world-class facilities for sports and athletes in the Solomon Islands, further enhancing the country’s sports infrastructure.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

CHILDREN from schools and communities around Honiara gathered at the Multi-purpose Hall, Lawson Tama to mark the International Children’s Day yesterday under the theme “Safe Environment, Happy Children, Bright Future”

The focus of the event was on improving children well-being, promoting and celebrating children’s rights and promote togetherness and awareness among children.

In his key note address, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Dr. Cedrick Alependava said it is vital to protect our children as they are vulnerable at a young age.

“It is important that we strive to provide safe and supportive environments for them in the early years of life to grow perfectly into adulthood” Dr. Alependava said.

He continued “This should be a priority in the family context, in early childhood care and education, and in our community as a whole. A safe and supportive environment is a setting in which all children can feel socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically safe and feel that they are valued, and that would make them happy. These are essential elements that will boost them to be happy and their future would be a bright one, as well as full of excitement” Dr. Alependava added.

Dr. Alependava also thanked various government ministries, churches and stakeholders for the support they have invested towards providing education, and creating a safe and good environment for our children to learn.

A student from Honiara Integrated Community High School, Kaylah Leafasia said children despite not fully understanding progress done at the highest level, they are the ones experiencing the reality.

“The truth is we children do not understand policies and strategies, we do not understand the big, hard words and the many pages. All we know is the reality that we are living, the experiences we are feeling, the support and services available to us and who made us feel protected, important and wanted” Miss Leafasia said.

She said children want more support from the government and stakeholders to continue to protect and support them in education and health so that they could have a better future.

The event continued with entertainments, fun filled activities such as face painting, drawing and many more provided by various stakeholders.

More than five schools participated in this year’s event including students from the Special Development Centre (SDC), a school for children with special needs operated by the Solomon Islands Red Cross.

The day is initially celebrated on the 20^th of November annually however MWYCFA and other stakeholders held the event yesterday as the initial day coincides with the Pacific Games and schools are already closed down.