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Participants hail SIIVA weeklong training

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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BY NED GAGAHE

Participants that attended the Solomon Islands Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (SIIVA) weeklong workshop have commended the training saying it is really useful and relevant to their work.

The weeklong training commenced on Monday 27th March and will conclude this Friday. The training has brought together more than 30 participants from various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) organized by Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) in collaboration with the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP), Disaster READY Program Partners and key stakeholders.

The training was aimed at equipping the participants with the relevant skills and knowledge on how to use the SIIVA tool to collect right data and information to support the Climate Change Division on climate vulnerability assessment when working across with Solomon Islands communities. 

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday a participant William Rikirongo who works for World Vision SI as a Community Development Officer and is based in Makira province.

“As a participant the training has broaden his knowledge and understanding about the SIIVA tool, its methodology, components and user interface itself. There are communities we have identified to conduct Disaster Risk Management activities.

Some of the participants who attended the weeklong workshop.

“The training is so useful because it is of similar nature to our baseline survey we have done in the communities. The baseline survey is similar because we use tablets, survey questions etc… That’s is what we are doing in our work.

“For me it’s a great learning experience and valuable one to get to know what the SIIVA tool is, how it is used and the technical aspects of it How to interact with focused groupings in the communities. I see it important that we as organizations to work with the tool in our field work. To get fair knowledge and understanding on how to use the tool to get relevant data that holistically captured the pressing issues within the community.” Rikirongo said.

Another participant, Naomi Tai is a person with disability. She is currently the Disaster Risk Reduction Officer for People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI).

She is currently heading a disaster reduction program under the Australian Humanitarian Partners (AHP) on the inclusion of people with disability.

“The training has given me a valuable opportunity to learn about the SIIVA tool. The tool will ensure that needs of people with disabilities are captured to enable government come up with interventions which address the issues within the community.” Tai said.

Meanwhile, Principal Resilience Officer of the Climate Change Division Mr. Marlchom Zion Row, said SIIVA is an assessment tool that is crucial to assist decision makers and policy makers to see how they will intervene in terms of projects to address problems of people.

“SIIVA tool is a holistic approach that addresses the nine human security key objectives that is geared towards addressing the pressing issues faced by people in their communities.

“Decision makers can use the data collected to design policy that fits in the context we faced in the country. These data are crucial to develop interventions to address the needs of people.” Mr. Row said.

Participants of the training includes, Save the Children SI, Oxfam SI, World Vision SI, Church Agency Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO) that includes, ADRA (Adventist Development Relief Agency), CARITAS & ACOM, Live and Learn SI and Plan International Solomon Islands and People with Disabilities Solomon Islands (PWDSI).

Disaster Ready is supported by the Australian Government and implemented by all its Australian Humanitarian (AHP) partners in Solomon Islands.

NINE MORE

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Sogavare. Photo credit- MAVIS PODOKOLO

Tighter grip in Sino-SI relations as more MOU are signed. PM Sogavare gives break-down

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Solomon Islands has signed nine more agreements with China during prime minister Sogavare’s second trip to China last week.

PM Manasseh Sogavare said the nine memoranda of understanding (MOU) are aimed at establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership framework that is cross-sectoral.

He had signed six agreements when he first went to China in October 2019 after switching Solomon Islands’ diplomatic relations from Taiwan in September of that year.

Addressing media at his second ever press conference, upon arrival from China yesterday, Sogavare cooperation between the two countries covers a wide range of area including agriculture, aviation, climate change, disaster management, education, sports, tourism and trade.

“Within three years of cooperation China has become the largest infrastructure and remains the largest trading partner of Solomon Islands.

“The path on which our relationship is heading has become increasingly broader, this is why we agree to have established a comprehensive strategic partnership framework that is cross sectoral but at the same time more focused.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce that we have signed nine more agreements and Memorandums of Understanding,” he said.

Sogavare said the first agreement is the implementation plan of the Police Cooperation between the Ministry of Public security of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services of Solomon Islands 2023 to 2025.

“The implementation plan enhances cooperation on law enforcement and security matters with a commitment by China to provide support as needed for strengthening Solomon Islands Police law enforcement capacity.

“The plan aims to maintain law and order, security and social stability to protecting the security and interests of all citizens of Solomon Islands thereby creating a sound a stable environment for the social and economic development of our country,” he said.

Sogavare stressed a signing between the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology of the Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Emergency Management of the People’s Republic of China    on the cooperation in the area of disaster risk reduction and emergency Reponses is the second agreement.

“This cooperation will cover emergency supply assistance and contingent plans between Solomon Islands and China also it will enable the sharing of information on disaster and disaster reduction measures between both parties,” he said.

Sogavare adds the third MOU is between the China Metrology and Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology of the Solomon Islands. The MoU provides for exchanges and collaborative activities in the Meteorological Science and Technology in support of the United Nations Early warning of all initiatives and activities to be undertaken.

The fourth MoU is between the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade with China Council for promotion the international trade he stated.

Sogavare the protocol on sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for the export for copra oil cake from Solomon Islands to the People’s Republic of China between the general administration of customs of the people’s republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Solomon Islands is the fifth MoU.

“The sixth MoU is on the 2023 Rural Sustainable Development program between China International Development Cooperation Agency of People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Rural Development of Solomon Islands. This MoU is to facilitate the global development initiative and the 2030 agenda for the sustainable development implementing projects to promote economic development and improvements for people’s livelihood.”

“The seventh MoU that was signed is the implementation agreement on Sports Technical assistance project to Solomon Islands for the 2023 Pacific Games 28th of March  2023 an exchange of note has been signed between China and Solomon Islands agreeing to undertake sports  technical assistance project to Solomon Islands 2023   Pacific Games.”

“The eight MoU that was signed is agreement between the government and People’s Republic of China and the government of Solomon Islands relating to civil air transport. The agreements provide for the operation and regulations of international air services on routes specified for the air transport of passengers and cargo,” he said.

Sogavare said the ninth MoU on joint Chinese Language education program in Solomon Islands between the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development of Solomon Islands.

He further stressed that the trip is fruitful and successful

“I delighted to announce that this was a very fruitful and very successful trip,” Sogavare said.

In early October, 2019, a month after he led Solomon Islands away from diplomatic relations with Taiwan in exchange for China, Sogavare led a delegation of 30 to Beijing on his first official visit to China.

He signed six agreements with China: 1) MOU between ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries; 2) Economic and Technical Cooperation; 3) Education; 4) Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Maritime Silk Road Initiatives; 5) MOU between Guangdong Province of PRC and the Ministry of Provincial Government; 6) MOU on the establishment of Diplomatic Relations.

Solomon Islands foreign affairs minister, Jeremiah Manele revealed and explained the six agreements in parliament six months later, in March 2020.

“The MOU between Ministries of Foreign Affairs of SI and PRC recognises that the foreign ministries of both countries will manage all forms of cooperation between the two states including all bilateral, multilateral, consular, people to people and formal and informal relations,” Mr Manele said, responding to a question by the shadow foreign minister, Mr Peter Kenilorea Jr.

This MOU also spells out the commitment of both ministries to establish diplomatic embassies in each other’s capitals, and was for a five-year period, open for review anytime.

“The Memorandum on Economic and Technical Cooperation commits China to develop Solomon Islands’ economy and improve our people’s livelihoods.

“The MOU also specifically identifies China’s grant aid of two years to support RCDF from 2020-2022 and four national projects namely; Pacific Games Stadium, Water Purification facility, National Referral Hospital and SINU,” he added.

The MOU on Education was an agreement between the two countries’ education authorities to cooperate, covering student mobility, teach exchange and language teaching.

Manele said China would send teachers to Solomon Islands and have Solomon Islands teachers do language training in China.

The MOU also covered potential new students studying in China both on private arrangements and those on scholarship.

Manele said the implementation of the MOU will be carried out by education authorities of both countries and all financial cost implications of the MOU will be discussed through diplomatic channels.

This MOU had a life span of five years, and was open for review “anytime” “given a six-month notice”.

The MOU between Guandong province and Solomon Islands’ provinces allowed for cooperation and investments in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism investment and training, Manele said.

MOU between PRC and SI on the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Maritime Silk Road Initiatives strengthened cooperation through regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

This MOU had a five-year life span and can automatically be extended or amended by written consent of the parties, Manele added.

The MOU on the establishment of Diplomatic Relations addressed a confidential MOU that called on Solomon Islands to abrogate all its agreements with Taiwan, Manele said.

This MOU committed China to support Solomon Islands economic progress, cooperation in trade, infrastructure, sports, education, tourism as well as other sectors.

Mayor Siapu commends JICA’s LEAF project

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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City Mayor of the Honiara City Council Eddie Siapu.Photo credit- MAVIS PODOKOLO.

BY NED GAGAHE

Mayor Eddie Siapu says Honiara City is honoured to host Learning Ecological Activities Foundation (LEAF) project under the JICA partnership programme which supports environmental educations.

Speaking at the LEAF project session and forum towards promoting relations between Honiara and Nishinomiya City on Tuesday Mr Siapu said LEAF project has over the past years supported Honiara City in terms of waste management in its phase one project from 2014 to 2017 that help the council to identify waste collecting points and put them into google maps.

He said LEAF project also helps in waste management education within the various pilot communities on how to separate wastes.

He said from 2017 to 2023 phase 2 of LEAF Project is implementing the existing Honiara Public-Private Cooperation Committee which has been organized in cooperation with citizens, businesses and the administration as the focal community multi-sector partnership.

Siapu said the project aims to develop systemic and continuous environmental education and learning activities for children who will carry the next generation of Honiara’s community develop.

He said Honiara City Council (HCC) is an entity that looks after the affairs of the City. HCC is responsible to formulate and implement comprehensive and systematic measures for sustainable community development.

“Environmental measures mean making active efforts to reduce burden on the environment while preventing environmental pollution generated from its activities at its own responsibility and cost.

“Participate in and provide support to the environmental conservation activities carried out by business operators and the citizens.

 “Concerning waste issues in Honiara City, Council is a responsible authority that collects waste from the residential, commercial houses, council school and clinics.

“The collection systems are done through both council Staff and the outsourced to private companies,” Siapu.

PMTA Conference 2023 a platform to tackle climate change: Maelanga

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE 45th Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance 2023 conference is a crucial platform to share best practices to build resilient Ports in the time of climate change.

That is according to the Acting Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga.

“In light of these challenges, we come together as a collective force to address the impacts of climate change   on our ports and maritime transport systems,” Maelanaga said

He said shipping industry has been a main contributor to global emissions.

“And it is our responsibility to find innovative solutions to reduce our carbon emissions,” Maelanga said.

He said the theme of the event resonates deeply in across all nation as the realities of climate change is seen and experienced as well its overall impact on Pacific Islands maritime transport systems.

Maelanga adds Pacific region is home to some of the vulnerable nations in the world when it comes to the effect of climate change, rising sea level, and changing weather patterns and ocean acidification.

Geruana Trust calls for Minister’s action

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Permanent Secretary of Forestry, Vaeno Vigulu

By EDDIE OSIFELO

The GERUANA Tribe Trust Board Association (GTTBA) has called on Minister of Forest and Research, Dickson Mua, to suspend his Permanent Secretary, Dr Vaeno Vigulu, due to allegations of a conflict of interest.

This request comes after the Commissioner of Forest, Reeves Moveni, suspended the Felling License No. A102303 of the contractor, Sunway (SI) Limited, from conducting logging operations on GTTBA’s registered land in Vangunu, Western Province.

In their letter to Minister Mua, GTTBA claimed that Dr. Vigulu, who is also recognized as the enthroned chief by the Marovo Councils of Chiefs, has a personal interest in the logging operation and is pursuing a personal vendetta against them.

They allege that Dr. Vigulu is using the customary land issue as a means to disrupt their logging operations on the registered land.

GTTBA also stated that Dr. Vigulu and his brother Plinty took them and the Commissioner of Forest to the High Court in Civil Case No.162 of 2023 regarding the logging operation on the land.

They questioned the fairness of the Commissioner’s decision to issue the suspension notice and raised concerns about potential undue pressure from Dr. Vigulu, who is the Claimant in the ongoing court case.

Additionally, GTTBA questioned why the Commissioner of Forest addressed the suspension notice to Dr. Vigulu instead of the Forestry officer at Seghe.

They claimed that the report received by the Commissioner, which led to the suspension notice, was not true according to a report produced by Senior Forester Mudi of Seghe.

GTTBA argued that the company, Sunway (SI) Limited, did not commit any serious forestry offenses.

They stated that no logs were harvested from Geruana customary land, and the area referred to as Block C, where harvesting took place, belongs to them and shares a common boundary with their land.

GTTBA also mentioned that they had given consent to the company to access the licensed concession area through their land and to set up the logging camp on their land.

GTTBA expressed their belief that both Dr. Vigulu and the Commissioner of Forest should be suspended.

They claimed that the Commissioner did not base the suspension on a substantial report but only on a complaint from the Vigulu brothers.

They accused the Commissioner of being in a position of conflict of interest and incapable of making independent decisions.

GTTBA referred to Minister Mua’s statement in the Island Sun newspaper on Tuesday this week, where he acknowledged issues within the ministry involving officers with vested interests.

They requested that Minister Mua address the issue of vested interests within his ministry, specifically regarding the Permanent Secretary.

Logger’s lawyer appeals for Minister to lift suspension

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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MP for Savo/Russell Dickson Mua and Minister for Ministry of Forestry and Research.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ANT Legal Services recently submitted an appeal to Minister Dickson Mua, urging the lifting of the suspension placed on Sunway (SI) Limited, a logging company.

The suspension was imposed by Commissioner of Forest, Reeves Moveni, who suspended the Felling License No. A102303 of Sunway (SI) Limited, preventing the company from conducting logging operations on the registered land PE 142-001-24 in Vangunu, Western Province, which is under the ownership of the Geruana Tribe Trust Board Association (GTTBA).

According to ANT Legal Services, the Commissioner of Forest notified Sunway (SI) Limited about the suspension on 16th June 2023. Subsequently, on 23rd June 2023, the managing director of the company wrote to Minister Mua, seeking an appeal of the suspension notice.

ANT Legal Services has raised concerns about the decision-making process, alleging that the Commissioner of Forest may have been unduly influenced or placed in a conflict of interest due to the vested interest of Dr Vaeno Vigulu, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

They have drawn attention to a related ongoing civil case, High Court Civil Case No. 162 of 2023, which involves Plinty Vigulu and Dr Vaeno Vigulu, who happens to be the permanent secretary to Minister Mua.

Interestingly, the Commissioner of Forest is named as one of the defendants in this case.

The legal services firm argues that the Commissioner of Forest’s decision to suspend the felling licence appears to pre-empt the ongoing court case involving the Vigulu brothers.

They question the Commissioner’s ability to impartially and independently handle the allegations outlined under Section 39 of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilization Act (FRTU Act).

Additionally, ANT Legal Services highlights that the Commissioner’s show cause letter dated 1st June 2023 did not provide an independent written report to the licensee and the land trustees, neglecting to substantiate or dismiss the allegations made by Plinty Vigulu, the brother of the Permanent Secretary.

Both Sunway (SI) Limited and the land trustees deny these allegations, yet they have been denied the opportunity to respond to the complaint.

ANT Legal Services expresses concern that their response may fall on deaf ears due to the involvement of the Permanent Secretary in the case.

They suggest that the Commissioner of Forest’s alleged predetermined decision, along with the perceived undue influence and conflict of interest, makes it necessary for the suspension issue to be brought before the court as part of the ongoing High Court Civil Case No. 162 of 2023.

This would provide the licensee and land trustees with a fair opportunity to present their case before an independent party.

In light of these circumstances, ANT Legal Services, on behalf of their client, requests that Minister Mua considers the appeal and lifts the suspension order imposed by the Commissioner of Forest.

They propose that Plinty Vigulu brings his complaint to court through the ongoing civil case, ensuring a fair and impartial hearing for all parties involved.

Neither Minister Mua nor the Ministry of Forest and Research has issued a response or statement regarding this matter at the time of reporting.

2 CITIES, FRIENDS

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0
Eddie Siapu.

Honiara and Japan’s Nishinomiya collaborate for a better, cleaner future

BY NED GAGAHE

Honiara city’s poor rubbish and waste collection and management system could be a thing of the past as it joins hands with Japan’s Nishinomiya City.

Leaders of the two cities met earlier this week to cement ties and look forward to a future of working together.

Honiara city stands to benefit much from this partnership, with waste management being one of the top priorities.

Lord Mayor Eddie Siapu says Honiara city is honoured to have very this important cooperation with Nishinomiya city and looks forward to working together through environmental learning to achieve sustainable development goals and solve social issues facing both sides.

Mr Siapu highlighted this at the forum on Learning Ecological Activities Foundation (LEAF) Project report session of JICA grassroots programme in the presence of Mayor of Nishinomiya City, Ishii Toshiro.

The event was held at the Mendana Hotel on Tuesday.

Siapu said under this mutual exchange and cooperation, both cities declared environmental learning cities, there are areas of common interest which both cities can implement.

He said Honiara City Council (HCC) values such cooperation and looks forward to working with and supporting Nishinomiya.

“On behalf of the Honiara city Council, I would like to thank the Nishinomiya City for supporting the HCC with the waste collecting compactors as it really helps in waste collections.

“HCC is happy to have such assistance and thank full that Nishinomiya city recognised this,” Siapu said.

“Honiara City Council expects more tangible supports in wastes management as we continue to grow our partnership and collaboration.

“The Council continue to face challenges in maintaining its wastes collection vehicle fleet so is planning to get new vehicles.

“In addition, Honiara City Council expects to see people to people exchange as part of the implementation of the relationship with Nishinomiya City.

“Some Council employees should be given the opportunity to come and learn from the colleagues in Nishinomiya.

“We should also promote students exchanges to foster learning in environmental and related issues,” Mayor Siapu said.

Women in West Makira trained on crop yielding techniques

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Women participants at Wango Community, Makira province.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WOMEN and men of wards 5, 6, 7 and 8 of West Makira are now able to produce enough food to feed their families in the face of ever increasing negative effects of climate change.

This follows a training conducting by the Matavale Women’s Association (MWA) which engaged more than 200 women, girls and men of West Makira.

Charles Stenneth of Matavale Women’s Association said this is the result of a series of training and demonstrations organised and conducted by the MWA with trainers from Kastom Gaden Association and a graduate from Alafua Campus in Samoa over the past months.

“The Matavale Women’s Association has been conducting trainings and demonstrations for women since last year and the last was conducted recently in ward 8 at Asimanioha and Wango in which more than 90 attended.

“The previous ones were held at Anuta and Bia in ward 5, Tawaraha in ward 6 and Tawatana in ward 7.

“The trainings and demonstrations included indoor classes and demonstrations which were open to other community members to observe so that knowledge gained can be replicated in their communities,” Stenneth said.

He said components of the trainings and demonstrations include various ways to improve poor soil fertility such as composting, mulching and crop rotation.

”They were taught, crop management from planting to harvesting, seed selection and preservation and pest control using biological methods.

“Information booklets and tools were also provided under the project to enable women continue with their vegetable gardening after the project is completed.

“An assessment following the completion of the Soils improvement component had indicated that 100 percent of women attending the trainings have put into practice what they have learnt,” he said.

Stenneth said it was also evident that women’s groups and individual families are receiving some form of income through the selling of their products to the public.

“They include the selling of seedlings, vegetable boxes, bags of improved soils and harvested products from their gardens

“The next component in which the Matavale Women’s Association will be involved in is the training of women in entrepreneurial skills to be able to manage and run businesses and cooperatives of which the profits will be saved to be used during times of disasters in providing relief supplies and doing assessments of natural disasters when they happen,” he said.

Stenneth said a training of 16 women from the four wards will soon be carried out to enable them set up the cooperatives to buy cocoa and copra products from rural farmers of which profits will be saved to be used during times of disasters.

“The cooperatives will provide employment to rural youths as well as increasing the circulation of money in the rural economy thereby encouraging commercial activities to thrive.

“The project is also hoping to establish community disaster committees, managed by women to develop mechanisms and systems to be applied during times of disasters,” he said.

Moreover, the purpose of the project component supported by UN Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund is to enable women acquire new agricultural skills to be resilient against the effects of natural disasters.  

Bad weather hinders community roadwork in East Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE current bad weather is hindering community work which started months ago to repair certain parts of East Malaita Road.

“From Foufoumela, we are to continue work to Kware bridge, but was hindered by the current bad weather,” a report update on the work yesterday said.

“We are waiting for the bad weather to over and continue with the roadwork.

“However, the current bad weather has brought the road back to its initial condition and it needs proper maintenance to be carried out,” it said.

The report said communities were supported by MPA for ward 16, Preston Billy Faarobo on the roadwork to revive business activities within the region.

It said communities in the highland of West and East Kwara’ae depend entirely on the road to access goods and services as well as business activities.

The report said that the community roadwork started from Kwaiafa towards Auki, and the eastern end from Kwaiafa to Atori was repaired by Eastern Esteem company.

Cape West fulfills Forestry Regulation

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister for Forestry and Research Dickson Panakitasi Mua.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

CAPE West Enterprise Limited fulfilled the Forestry regulation to export round logs from Qoiqoi, Tangarare in West Guadalcanal on June 23.

Minister of Forests and Research, Dickson Mua, confirmed this after the ministry refused to sign the export permit because Cape West needed to pay off an outstanding Anniversary Fee of $30,000.

Minister Mua posted the response on the Island Sun Facebook page after the paper ran a story that Cape West carried out a shipment without the authorisation of the Commissioner of Forest.

He said the ship had been at the camp for some time and was later allowed to load after the payment was made.

“I was informed when overseas that my advice, together with the Commissioner of Forest and the Permanent Secretary, is no payment, no loading of cargoes/logs. So, after a few days, payment was made, the export permit was approved and signed, and all export requirements were finally met,” he said.

Mua also said he was informed of some officers within his ministry who had a vested interest in the said land.

“I would also like the media or those who might know more to come forward with rumours of ‘directives from the top level.

“We must work together to stop this. While most forestry issues target the minister, we must, however, acknowledge that the minister relies on his technical officers for advice,” he said.

“I agree that there are some issues within the ministry with some officers having vested interests.

“We must not tolerate such thriving within our ministry nor encourage such,” he added.

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