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Trepidations in Honiara – not so safe a town to walk

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Safety was once a pride of Honiara. Once!

Citizens in the 80s and 90s can attest to this.

Children reading story books then would have had to shake their imaginations to picturise what pick-pocketing looked like, or they’d chance upon it in a video.

Nowadays, it is hard to imagine that of Honiara.

An Op-ed by one Sharon Banuk [read viewpoint below] details the ‘Trepidations of a female student in Port Moresby’ as its title goes.

Ms Banuk’s experiences in the article are synonymous to a female student travelling through Honiara’s streets.

There is no luxury of ‘not being apprehensive about your safety’ when walking in the streets of Honiara. Daytime or, worse, night.

In Banuk’s article, one experience stands out which can be said is similar here – “It prompted us to walk with our guard up at all times, to have our bags and bilums draped in front of us, to pack our phones and purses in the deepest parts of our bags or bilums, and to always be looking over our shoulder when someone got too close in the crowd”.

Pickpocketing is rife in Honiara, and has been given a name in the local pidgin – Beliga.

Social media is riddled with posts concerning Beliga activity in Honiara. This does not affect female students alone – from children to elderly, male and female.

Beliga activities in the city is most profound at the Central market and surrounding areas. Over the years it has spread to the city’s CBD, Pt Cruz.

It is also common along the Kukum highway near shops and offices eastwards of town, and further parts of Tandai highway, west of Honiara.

Odd enough, as with Banuk’s article, Beliga activities are somehow also linked with bus-stops here.

Over the years, Beliga activity has morphed to actual burglary. In some cases it has become armed burglary, such as the incident on January 19 this year, in a bus along the main road above Koa Hill in which a teenage boy was stabbed by a Beliga demanding his mobile phone.

A PLAN International report in September 2020 had said only seven percent of 236 girls surveyed said they ‘always feel safe in public’. The report said ‘adolescent girls, boys and their communities all agreed that girls weren’t able to fully participate in Honiara’s public spaces because of the high number of harassment and violent incidents, especially at night’.

And, the reasons they don’t feel safe include high levels of sexist behaviours and sexual harassment. Risks to girls in public include drunk and intoxicated people, theft, verbal harassment, touching and rape.

The PLAN report also mentions a high rate of Bystander Culture (more than 80 percent) in which members of public are indifferent to harassment or a girl being victimised in public.

For pickpocketing, it is believed that this may be lower. But the practice being rife contends it does not offer much of a deterrence.

An array of factors contributes to the high rate of Beliga activity in the streets of Honiara.

High urban drift and unemployment undoubtedly top the list. Inundated capacities of responsible authorities to deal with it, and lack of effective policies and ordinances to tackle this problem. Deteriorating family values and morals must not be overlooked.

Collective and concerted efforts are needed! (Sad that this line has become somewhat a cliché for Solomon Islands’ problems)

Proactive police action needs to step up. Such as what transpired over the Easter weekend, in which police carried out public awareness sessions in various spots in town.

The Honiara City Council has a law enforcement arm which is expected to consistently monitor hotspots within the city, such as the central market, busy walkways along the city’s CBD, etc.

Since this issue is indiscriminate for any Honiara commuter, it should be the business of the public not to become blasé bystanders.

There is a thing called the citizen’s arrest [Criminal law 9.0.2], rather than entertain the notion that it should be left for the authorities and law enforcers to deal with it alone.

While some of Ms Banuk’s experiences are relatable in the Honiara context, some are not. Yet! If we are not careful! Such as the use of guns, extreme boldness in committing such crimes in the open, and the very high prevalence of such open street crimes as in the context of Banuk’s experiences.

CAUSE faces challenges on land access and covid-19

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement Project (CAUSE) has faced challenges with land access and covid-19 to implement its projects in Honiara, Malaita and Western Province.

Project Manager Cris Afable confirmed this during questions and answers on the launch of its 10- minutes video on Covid-19 response and economic recovery at their office, Wednesday.

Afable said in component one which involved community access infrastructure, about 15-20 percent of projects faced of challenge of access, landownership and everything.

However, he said they have a robust social environment safeguard policy, where they able to reduce number of issues.

“We talk to landowners and eventually they would agree to do the work,” he said.

Furthermore, Afable said another challenge they faced was Covid-19.

“We have to follow protocol.

“When we doing the training, we want to enforce the vaccination card,” he said.

“In some areas in Honiara, Auki and Noro, the people were reluctant to do vaccination.

“We have to go to the communities and explain, because without vaccination we cannot do the training,” he added.

“If we do not get to employ the people, we cannot finish the work.

“During one and half years, we struggle against pandemic,” he added.

However, Afable said they were again somehow level up because of proactive stand they are doing with regards to vaccination requirements.

“It stuck a while for three months, then we find a way, luckily no infection, so we have to invest in PPE like masks.

“Pandemic made us a bit worry, if it continues on, it would have an impact on us,” he added.

Despite the challenges, Afable said they are now even with their targets, expenditures and timelines.

“We are right now on track and we are confident to finish the work before the end of the project in April 2024,” he added.

CAUSE is Government of Solomon Islands programe.

It is funded by the World Bank and the Australia Government Funding and PNG and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility Grant.

LMU commences screening of applicants

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Two female interviewers (left) one is taking notes and the other talking to applicants as part of the screening process for LMU recruitment yesterday at St Barnabars Cathedral.

BY NED GAGAHE

Screening process for the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) has kicked off at the St Barnabas Cathedral with the first batch of 151 applicants attended yesterday.

The programme commenced at 8am where the applicants have face-to-face interviews and fitness assessments conducted by panels led by LMU staffs and officials from Pasifiki HR.

Day-two of the screening process will continue on today where another 152 applicants will go through the same screening process.

Speaking to the Island Sun yesterday, officials who conducted the panel sessions explained the process involved assessing the applicant’s fitness by recording necessary information and actual face-to-face interview.

The official said the key focus of the sessions is to ensure that applicants meet strict requirements before their application is registered in the work ready pool.

She clarified that the sessions do not guarantee candidates work but is an initial step of the recruitment process.

Jason Lagho a 23-year-old youth from Lambi, west Guadalcanal was excited to be amongst the first group.

He said he is confident that he will get through the process.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) said that the two-day sessions are just the beginning of many more screening to be hosted in the coming months.

Applicants are encouraged to listen out for further advices on the upcoming interviews and fitness screening as they will be informed via calls or through published lists.

MFAET said the screening will proceed following the order in which applications were received.

The screening process will conclude 4pm today.

Bilateral agreements can play a role in climate accountability: Green

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA

BILATERAL agreements are a vital avenue that countries like the Solomon Islands can channel negotiations to hold countries with the highest rate of global emission accountable.

Speaking to international journalists who have engaged in climate change advocacies, Jillian Green, a decorated and award-winning Journalist from Africa said countries at the receiving end of climate change but are unable to directly deal directly with global emitters can do so through bilateral negotiations with developed countries.

She told journalists that approaches to make sure industrial companies in respective countries in the world are accountable for their action differs from regions around the global setting.

“When a country is on the receiving end of the impacts of climate change, your approach is different.

“It’s hard for you to hold a country outside your geographic location accountable but what you can do is to hold your government countable to push incentives that would hold other countries countable.

“It is important to figure out where your power lays and know that your influence is within your country in other words your government is to be held accountable for driving green-washing and accountability agendas.

“Bilateral agreements with polluting countries is one way of domesticating global agendas,” Green said.

She said the role of local journalists is to make sure the agreements can be environment-friendly.

Senior Reporter for Climate based in London, Akshat Rathi adds that another approach that small states can drive their agenda is through COP meetings.

He said Small Island States can be heard if they go into COP as a group to present their agendas and to vote for greater consideration on the 1.5 degree Celsius agenda.

These statements were made during Oxford Climate Journalism Network’s (OCJN) first session for 2023.

The topic discussed during the session was Green-washing and Accountability.

Afio AHC not well resourced: MPA Pola

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The Afio Area Health Centre (AFC) is reportedly not well equipped with medical apparatus, drugs and human capacity.

This is according to the Member of Provincial Assembly for ward 21 (Raroisu’su ward) in Malaita Province Dickson Pola.

“As one of the concern leaders, the issue of having one of our Area Health centres not well equipped with human capacity, medical drugs and equipment worries me a lot,” Pola said.

He said during the handing over event of this AHC last year there is still no effective health care services this hospital is delivering.

“It seems that the main aim of constructing this mini hospital is not being achieved.”

Pola said Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana when handing the Afio Area Health Centre assured the people of Southern Region of Malaita that within a couple of months after the handover occasion the facility would be well equipped with human resources and necessary equipment.

“I can confirm here that after the official handing over there is nothing much happen.

“Therefore, I call on the ruling DCGA and its ministry responsible to quickly consider the health care services for the people of southern region, where is the goal of universal health coverage, is the Roll Delineation policy archived its objective or just a piece of note,” he said.

Pola adds, Afio Area Health centre was built to address the issue of transporting sick patients to Kilu’ufi hospital and Honiara by Out Board Motor to prevent avoidable deaths.

He in the same note called on the current southern Region Member of Parliament and Member of Provincial Assemblies work collaboratively in addressing this issue.

12 male candidates for West Kwara’ae by-election

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

A total of 12 male candidates have been nominated to contest the West Kwara’ae by-election.

This was confirmed by the electoral team at the nomination centre at Buma after the close of nominations at 4pm yesterday.

Election Manager, Mr David Filia Tuita said “as of the closed of nomination at 4pm, 12 candidates have been nominated to contest the by-election.

He said a list of the candidates will be published by the Election Commission’s office later.

According to the timeline for the by-election;

  • Wednesday 12th April 2023, last day of delivery of nomination papers (closed) [sect.59] publishing of ballot paper draw notice [sect.74 (2)(a)]
  • Thursday 13th April 2023, last day of checking validity of nomination papers (closed) [sect.64 (1)(b)]
  • Friday 14th April 2023, last day of withdrawal of candidature [sect.66 (2)]
  • Wednesday 19th April 2023, last day of ballot paper draw [set.74 (2)(a)]

The closed of nomination yesterday will begin the political campaign for intending candidates until the last day of campaigning on 22nd May 2023.

Polling day or election day for west Kwara’ae by-election will be on May 24.

So far, Malaita province held three by-elections under this current term. Two provincial by-elections for wards 18 and 28 and one national by-election for West Kwaio constituency.

Fourth for the province will be the upcoming by-election for West Kwara’ae constituency.

HCC, NHA to sign deal before release of $6m

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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City Clerk Justus Denni

By EDDIE OSIFELO

BOTH Honiara City Council and National Hosting Authority will need to sign an agreement first before the release of the $6 million to the 12 wards councillors.

City Clerk, Justus Denni explained this after he submitted the work plans of the 12 councillors to Government Services Integration Committee (GSIC) to approve last week.

Denni said HCC ‘accepts and appreciates things have to go through process’.

“We give them time and look through what we have submitted.

“Then they are going to prepare some kind of agreement to sign between NHA and HCC,” he said.

Furthermore, Denni said HCC as recipient must be accountable, therefore there needs to be proper reporting and accounting must be in place.

“That’s why MOU must be in place.

“For people to want to see the funds available quickly, that’s not the process,” he added.

Apart from that, Denni said NHA will also be allocated $6.5 million to Ministry of Infrastructure Development to purchase garbage trucks and compactor trucks, before handing over to HCC.

Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmy Rodgers assured HCC last month that the Government will give half a million each to the 12 wards, to implement regular clean ups in their respective wards, ahead of the Pacific Games in November.

Dr Rodgers said under the programme, they want to see daily clean-up programmes, a least two hours a day, in the wards by youth groups, women, schools and churches to clean Honiara.

Apart from that, the Government agreed to support the HCC enforce its bye laws on May 1.

Dr Rodgers said the legal instruments are there but what is needed is the support for HCC to enforce them.

With the enforcement, the HCC will once again re-enforce the ‘on the spot fine’.

Australia support Garanga RTC

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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APTC Country Director for the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, Abigail Chang and Garanga RTC principal, Mr. Christian Advent, signed out the handover documents with students looking on.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

AUSTRALIA through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) recently handed over tools and equipment to Garanga Rural Training Centre in Isabel province to strengthen the delivery of their Carpentry, Construction, and Joinery qualifications.

The support was part of the Solomon Islands Skills Strengthening initiative that is being implemented with ten national training providers to strengthen the national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.

The tools and equipment were presented by the Second Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Solomon Islands, Christina Skoumbourdis to the Chairperson of the School Board, Bishop Ellison Quity, Bishop for Isabel Diocese, and witnessed by Honorable Minister for Education, Hugo Manegegu and Principal Christian Advent.

In her remarks, Ms. Skoumbourdis said, “TVET plays an important role in our economy, and it is critical that everything Australia does, is genuinely inclusive. Ensuring that everyone is included and allowed to reach their full potential is paramount. Our attention should not be limited to just Honiara,”

“I am confident that these contributions will add value to the important work Garanga RTC is already doing to help transform lives through training and skills for employment.”

Minister for Education in Isabel Provincial Government, Hon. Hugo Manegegu acknowledges the Australian Government for the support saying handing over of the tools and equipment demonstrates the strength and progress of the partnership Garanga Rural Training Centre establishes with APTC.

“Isabel Provincial Government fully support and acknowledge the assistance provided by the Australian Government, one of the Solomon Islands’ traditional partner. Such support will boost the social and human resource development in Isabel and wider Solomon Islands.”

Manegegu said he is confident that the tools and equipment will improve the teaching and learning capability of the staff and students who undertake carpentry, construction, and joinery qualification at Garanga.

As a pioneer student of Garanga RTC and currently, the Chairperson of the school board and Bishop for Isabel Dioceses, Ellison Quity, said the school started with challenges and opportunities, and to receive a such contribution from the Australian Government through Australia Pacific Training Coalition is a blessing.

He reflected that Garanga RTC is run by the church, and has been encountering challenges in terms of its operations, administration, and quality training delivery. This support from Australian Government will strengthen our delivery in carpentry, construction, and joinery qualifications.

“We must work hard together as a team to meet our goals. RTC students need to be fully supported everywhere in order to give real meaning to our young people in the Solomon Islands,” Bishop Ellison said.

Garanga Rural Training Centre was founded by Retired Bishop Richard Naramana in 1986 with a mission and vision to train school drop-out with life skills training. Over the years, Garanga RTC has been transforming many young people with skills and returns to support their respective communities.

Climate change projection not good for SI

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Climate change effects on the Mangrove habitat in Isabel Province

BY BEN BILUA

A study carried out by Asian Development Bank founds the Solomon Islands could lose up to 4.7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product by 2100.

The research focuses on the Economics of Climate Change in the Pacific.

It includes modeling of future climate over the Pacific region, assessments of the potential impacts on agriculture, fisheries, tourism, coral reefs, and human health, and predictions of the potential economic impact of climate change for specific sectors and economies under various emissions scenarios.

According to the report, the sea level will rise 1.74 meters meaning agriculture, fisheries and other sectors of the economy will take a severe hit in the face of more extreme temperatures and other climate change-linked events which can lead to economic losses.

The temperature will rise by 2-3 degree Celsius by 2070 meaning there will be a significant decrease in rain-fed agriculture, reduced fish catches, widespread coral bleaching, and falling tourism numbers.

According to the report, the most significant economic losses would be felt in PNG, where climate change impacts could trigger a loss of up to 15.2% of its GDP by 2100. Timor-Leste’s GDP is predicted to drop by up to 10%, followed by Vanuatu at 6.2%, Solomon Islands at 4.7%, Fiji at 4.0%, and Samoa at 3.8%.

Director General of ADB’s Pacific Department, Xianbin Yao says there is a very real possibility that climate change could unravel the significant development achievements that have been made in the Solomon Islands unless tough policy decisions are made.

Work on infrastructure projects in Mala continues

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

WORK on infrastructure projects in Malaita province is ongoing.

The projects on bridges and road upgrade come under component 1 & 2 of the Solomon Islands Road and Aviation Programme (SIRAP) under MID.

Provincial Secretary (PS) acting for Malaita province, Mr David Filia Tuita said work on two bridges in West Kwara’ae are going on.

He said the work is carried out by the Reeve Company.

Tuita said still under component 1, there is a road upgrade in West Kwara’ae carried out by Exodus Trade Development company, and one more bridge to be implemented still within the area.

He said under component 2 of the programme, there will be construction of Su’u and Bira bridges in West Kwaio and two other bridges in north Malaita.

Tuita added that another bridge that needs urgent attention is Anonakinaki bridge in Central Kwara’ae. Saying, MID has informed his office on the bridge and he is waiting for MID to initiate work.

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