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VEO SWINGS INTO ACTION

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Premier Billy Veo in the middle and his newly appointed Executive

Western Province appoints new ministers

BY BEN BILUA

BILLY Veo wasted no time following his election as new premier of Western Province, Monday, appointing his new executive on January 10

The executive members took their oath yesterday in front of the Speaker of Western Province, Commissioner of Oath and officials from Western Province’s Administration.

Here are the new ministers and their portfolios:

Premier Billy Veo – Minister for State, Community and Ecclesiastical Affairs

Carlrick Runimetu – Deputy Premier, Minister for Finance and Treasury

Pitrie Sute – Minister for Lands, Housing and Physical Planning.

Gordon Zebo – Minister of Education and Human Resource Development

Alesina Redfern – Minister for Planning, Economic Development and Aid Project Coordination

Jennings Movebule – Minister of Commerce and Investment

Ron Kituru Ghemu – Minister of Culture and Tourism

Jenty Isaac – Minister of Agriculture and Forestry

Stutcliffe George – Minister for Energy and Natural Resource

Brian Lotikena – Minister of Transport, Works and Communication

Kenneth George Minister of Health and Rural Water Supply

Richard Beck – Minister of Women, Youth and Sport Development

Fredrick Alepitu – Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

In his short remarks during the swearing-in ceremony, Premier Veo said he is confident that his executive will carry out the tasks successfully.

“After spending weeks with these leaders, I’m confident that they will deliver their mandated tasks.

“I hope and believe that my executive will perform in a highest standard and professionalism,” he said.

Veo said he expects his ministers to start mobilizing and get to work as soon as possible as Western Province needs to move forward after the long halt since June last year.

He said his government will work closely with Western Provincial Administrations and the office of the speaker to make sure needed developments are achieved and also services are effectively delivered.

Deputy Provincial Secretary (Acting Provincial Secretary) of Western Province, Patrick Toiraena told the executive members that the provincial administration is looking forward to support the new government.

“We are just implementers of government policies and at the same time delivers needed services, as such we are looking forward for your cooperation and supports,” he said.

Toiraena said Western Provincial Administration gives its support towards the new government.

He congratulates the new executive for their appointments.

Speaker, Ramrakha Talasasa shared similar sentiment saying that the Assembly Office will behind the appointed executive.

He urged that executive to support the Premier in delivering the government’s policy.

“Our Premier needs you so as the people needs the government. Our cooperation is paramount,” Talasasa said.

The new government of Western Province consists of seven former MPAs and six new ones.

Love beyond words

    Written by
    Ben Bilua
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    Diku and Walemae pose for the camera at Kennedy Island

    BY BEN BILUA

    When love is rock solid, no one can change it unless by force. In the case of Solomon Islands, it is uncommon for a boy with disability to marry a girl without one.

    But some wise men once said, seeing is believing and this was something I got from Diku Salau and Stephenson Walemae’s wedding.

    Walemae was born with speech impairment, but that did not stop Diku Salau from falling head over heels with him.

    She said yes to his marriage proposal last year.

    You are now wife and husband.

    Walemae and Salau tied the knot in a special ceremony first at Kennedy Island where they exchanged rings and then at Gizo Outback Living where the Garden wedding ceremony took place.

    A special escort was arranged where the couple were transported by a fast-craft while families and friends including flower boys and girls filled more than nine boats to Kennedy Island and back to Gizo.

    The wedding party were then escorted to Gizo Outback for the blessing of the marriage and feasting.

    Walemae was the happiest man in the world, his smile throughout the wedding ceremony said it all.

    On the other hand, Salau eyes also fixed on Walemae smiling as they were given special escort from Kennedy Island to Gizo hotel jetty and to Gizo Outback.

    Diku and Walemae pose for a photo at Gizo Hotel Jetty.

    “Love is blind but as a human being I see no difference between us. Our love is more than any definition you can give,” Diku said with a huge smile.

    She recalled sighting Walemae during her graduation. Walemae was at the graduation to support his sister who also completed form seven at the same school.

    It was the beginning of bigger plans but they went separately on their way home.

    Walemae lives at Simbo and Diku at Kolombagara.

    “At one point we met at Gizo and we started speaking to each other. I fell in love with him but cannot tell him.

    “We were attracted to each other and continued to say hello whenever we met.

    “Our friendship become romantic when Walemae asked for my facebook account. I gave him my account.

    “One day I was checking my facebook and a message popped out. It was Walemae and he ask me and he wants to be my boyfriend.

    “I accepted his proposal and we started dating. This was in 2021,” Diku said.

    During the height of COVID-19 community transmission in Western Province, Diku and Walemae were separated again.

    The night before they were about to travel to their separate islands, they met up for the last time and when the day broke, they went their separate ways.

    Diku went back to Kolobangara and Walemae went back to Simbo.

    The couple and their best maids.

    “It was really challenging but we managed to keep in touch on Facebook. We continue to talk to each other until one day my Walemae lost his sim card.

    “We lost contact and insecurity beginning to grow within me. I was desperate to speak to Walemae. One evening I was sleeping on my bed with lots of thoughts going through my head, I saw a text message. The statement reads ‘this is my new sim card’. I was comforted and I came back to Gizo to meet my husband.

    “It was this time that we decided to let our parents know,” Diku said.

    She said Walemae was the first to inform his family about their relationship.

    “At that point, my mother-in-law very skeptical about our relationship because my husband has speaking impairment.

    “She questioned me many times but my answer was the same. I moved to their home and I lived there with my husband. All these time, my in-laws cannot believe me, they were thinking that I’m just messing around with their son,” Diku said.

    She recalled having a serious discussion with her mother-in-law and soon an engagement was made.

    Diku said the fact that her husband has speech impairment does not change her feeling for him.

    Her love for her husband is ‘rock solid’.

    Walemae recalled meeting Diku for the first time was funny and a bit odd given that he was not able to speak.

    “I saw her during her graduation and my mind was unsettled. I promised myself to pursue my love for her.

    “I think far and near how to approach my wife but then I realize the easiest way to ask her is give her a message on Facebook and that was why I asked for you Facebook Account.

    “It worked and I’m one of the luckiest man in the world,” he said.

    Diku smiles as she and her husband was escorted to Kennedy Island for the exhange of rings.

    Walemae described her wife as very loving, understanding and the best person he wants to spend the rest of his life.

    “People like me always neglected in Solomon Islands and I want to prove that we are all human. We can enjoy life together if we have true understanding for each other.

    “It was my desire to marry a girl that can talk or speak so that she can help our kids in the future,” he said.

    After their spectacular wedding on Thursday, Diku and Walemae were given special treat where they spent a night at Gizo Hotel.

    Auki police investigate Ambu traffic accident

    Written by
    Samie Waikori
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    BY SAMIE WAIKORI

    AUKI police are investigating a traffic accident that occurred over the weekend at Ambu village, near the provincial capital.

    PPC Lesley Kili told SunAuki yesterday that the truck was used to provide public transport service in and around Auki.

    He said on 7th January (Saturday) the truck picked passengers from Fauala in the interior of Central Kwara’ae and along the south-road on its way to Auki.

    Kili said between 600hrs – 700hrs just as they were coming to Auki town, the driver fell asleep and the truck veered off-road and rolled downhill towards Ambu village.

    He said police were alerted to the accident and responded with the support of members of Ambu community to assist more than 10 passengers onboard the truck.

    Kili said several passengers sustained injuries and medical examination taken on passengers onboard the truck during the accident was submitted to police.

    He said in their investigation, the driver was served with a notice to provide his driving documents to police to help in the investigation.

    Kili said the case was established under the traffic law and investigation is ongoing. No death is reported from the accident.

    SINU pre-enrolment underway

    Written by
    Ofani Eremae
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    BY NED GAGAHE

    Solomon Islands National University (SINU) pre -enrolment is currently underway.

    SINU also kicked off its 2023 academic year as of yesterday, January 9, where it announced it is open for business.

    According to its 2022 -2023 timetable this week from January 9 to 15 is the week five pre-enrolment week.

    Next week from 16th to 22nd January will be enrolment week one and from 23rd to 29th January 2023 will be enrolment week two.

    The first trimester will begin on January 23.

    Meanwhile, according to the timetable, SINU will run for 35 weeks only in the 2023 academic year.

    In semester one, 18 weeks are allocated for the whole semester whilst in semester two 17 weeks.

    For semester one, 14 weeks for lecture, one week each for mid-semester break and study break and two weeks for final examination.

    For semester two only 17 weeks. There will be 14 weeks for lecture, two weeks for mid-semester break and study break. Then one week for final examination.

    Finance delays road repair

    Written by
    Eddie Osifelo
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    MID Permanent Secretary (PS) Stephen Maesiola

    By EDDIE OSIFELO

    MINISTRY of Infrastructure Development has blamed the internal processes in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury for the delay of upgrading the deteriorating roads in Honiara City.

    This was after the public accused the government for not maintaining the road on the city’s highway from White River to Alligator Creek and the feeder roads in the outskirts, since last year.

    MID Permanent Secretary, Stephen Maesiola said the process in the Finance is very slow, because the Compliance team could not approve the tenders after the competition of scoping study, so that the contractors could commence their work on the roads.

    He said it is not MID’s problem that contributes to the slow maintenance of the roads.

    As part of the addressing the issue, Maesiola said MID, Ministry of Finance and Treasury and Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet will meet today to iron the out issue.

    He said in an emergency situation like this, some of the processes in the Finance should be fast-racked to allow work to continue rather than waiting for months.

    Further to that, Maesiola said the three Ministries will also discuss the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Land and Maritime Connectivity project, to rehabilitate the road from Point Cruz to White River.

    He said this is to see whether to start the work before the Pacific Games or next year.

    Moreover, Maesiola said the upgrade of the second phase of the Kukum Highway from Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to Lungga Bridge, and from Lungga bridge to Henderson Airport, still continues.

    Also, three contractors, EMCO Pacific (SI) Limited, Solomon Sheet Steel and Xiao have carried out temporarily work on the deteriorating roads in Honiara already.

    I FEEL LOVED

    Written by
    Eddie Osifelo
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    Outgoing premier of Choiseul Province Tongoua Tabe. Photo supplied

    Choiseul makes history with election of Tabe as premier

    By EDDIE OSIFELO

    CHOISEUL Province made history yesterday when it elected Tongoua Tabe to be its next premier.

    Tabe becomes the first person from the minority ethnic group of I-Kiribati (Micronesians) to be given the honour to lead Choiseul for the next four years.

    He swept to victory with 10 votes ahead of his rival David Deva, who collected six votes in the 16-member Provincial Assembly.

    “I feel very emotional,” Tabe told the Island Sun from provincial capital Taro after his victory yesterday.

    “In fact, I am in tears,” he added.

    “I feel loved, appreciated and respected by my colleague MPAs.

    “I can see the Spirit of God with us in the chamber.

    “Gracing us with love, unity and respect from our camp and the other camp too.”

    Tabe later addressed the Choiseul Provincial Assembly Chamber.

    “Let me, at the very outset, state this.

    “I am not making a speech to you as your new Premier.

    “Today, I want to speak to you and our people directly from my heart and on behalf of my Tabe family and the people of my Wagina Ward.

    “I have plenty of time to speak to you later as your Premier.

    “The election of any person to a high Executive Position is a demonstration by electors of their confidence in the person elected.

    “You have precisely done that to me today in electing me as your Premier.

    “Well, I can reply to that expression of your Will with two words best known and deeply engrained in me. ‘Work hard, and work harder’.

    “I therefore, solemnly pledge to you today that I will work hard, and even harder, to repay the confidence you have in me.

    “I am not a stranger in this beloved Province of ours. I am a born-and-bred Lauruan, but you all know that I come from our minority ethnic group of Ward 1 in our province.

    “This makes your expression in electing me as your Premier extra special.

    “It is fitting, therefore, at this time, that I, on behalf of my Tabe family and ethnic group of Ward 1, thank you sincerely for valuing the contribution of one of their sons, to this highest office of our beloved Choiseul.

    “We will be getting down to businesses in the next 24 hours. I will, of course, be counting, 24/7, on our Ministers in the Executive Government and our very capable civil servants to push our development agenda.

    “We will be a consultative government and leaders who will always uphold the rule of law and have high respect for our Offices and the people of Choiseul, whose power we will be exercising in the performance of our functions as Ministers in this Government.

    “Solomon Islands has a Unitary Government, which means a provincial government must work with the National Government to optimise the delivery of our development priorities.

    “This means that we must work hard to negotiate and then integrate our development aspirations and priorities with those of the National Government.

    “Let me also state openly that whether you have voted for this government or not, this Government is for all the people of Choiseul.

    “It is my intention to visit all wards in the next four years. But for now, allow my team and me to first put together our ‘brains’ in the next few weeks to determine our deliverables in the first 100 days and thereafter.”

    Tabe, an educationist by profession, told his people of Lauru that he will work very hard with his government, to pay back the trust they accorded him on this Premier post.

    He said they are still working on their key priorities but obviously, they will carry on from where the previous government left.

    Tabe will appoint his ministers tomorrow.

    Prior to his appointment, Tabe was a Secondary school teacher and later, an administrator.

    He then became a classroom assessment officer within the Ministry of Education and Human Resources (MEHRD), where he served for six years.

    Tabe got a Bachelors in Education and Masters Business Administration (MBA) from the University of South Pacific in Fiji.

    Roderick Bay sets to bounce back from pandemic

    Written by
    Mavis Podokolo
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    Roderick Bay Beach Bungalow Manager Mr Sara and Cruise ship team leader Mr Fren visiting Roderick last year. Photo credit. Roderick Bay Beach Bangalow.

    BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

    RODERICK Bay Beach Bangalow in the Central Province says it looks forward to the opportunities 2023 will bring following the reopening of international borders.

    It also anticipates an increase in demand of both international and domestic travellers who wish to spend timeout with families and friends on a jaw dropping adventure and journey away from home for this New Year.

    Roderick Bay Beach Bangalow is well known for its fun activities like snorkeling around the World Discoverer, village tour, cultural activities, bird watching, zip-line across world discoverer and it also presents you with its delicious Island recipes that are healthy and looks impressive (tastes great).

    Zip-line across world discoverer. Photo By RODERICK BAY BEACH BANGALOW.

    Operating manager for Roderick Bay Beach Bangalow Patrick Sara told Sun paper the Tourism industry is one of the sectors that is hit the hardest by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

    “The global pandemic has crippled almost all local operators,” Sara said.   

    “We (tourism Operators) were down-hearted and hopeless thinking that that is the end of our business knowing in mind that borders will remain closed and so we were really discouraged to go on,” he added.

    But amidst the chaos and uncertainty one stream of opportunity was discovered.

    “I have discovered the sudden increase of domestic tourists with high demand flooding my business.

    “I know my brother operators will articulate to you this same line of experience.

    “At first, I did not believe receiving enquiries and bookings from local guests who are inspired to travel out from Honiara to Roderick Bay.

    “All those years I thought only white people are tourists but am wrong, everyone else needs time out,” he said.

    Sara said the increasing demand of domestic tourists has made him to see the silver lining covid-19 has brought to local operators.

    The opportunity brought forward had enabled him to sell out its domestic packages that qualify him to keep his operations up and running.

    He smiled and said entering into the New Year 2023 the demand is starting to increase rapidly and therefore, his team is looking at expanding the existing bangalows and also looking at erecting new ones.

    This is to cater for number of guests.

    They will also start to make more day cruises but they will first improve all their outdoor facilities and having additional outdoor activities for day trippers.

    The World Discoverer. Photo credit, RODERICK BAY BEACH BANGALOW.

    Sara also highlighted the challenges his operation is poised to face in the new year.

    He stated for any business to move forward they need finance.

    He said he wants to do things his ways, meeting peoples demand, but only finance will determine these things because this industry is very demanding when it comes to maintaining the Minimum Standard.

    “The Minimum Standard is highly recommended and operators must meet it.

    “The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has reminded us to meet the minimum standard but we operators do not have sufficient finance to back and empower us to meet the Minimum Standard.

    “Frankly, meeting the Minimum Standard is very challenging,” Sara stressed.

    He adds that despite all these hiccups his team at Roderick Bay Beach Bangalow is looking forward to new and exciting opportunities that this New Year 2023 will bring forth.

    Sara further adds by encouraging his colleague operators to accept challenges the journey offers.

    “Do not wait, work hard and be creative and maintain what we have.”

    He says he believes Solomon Islands is a country that has a high potential in terms of tourism in the Pacific.

    “We are not rich in tourism but we are rich in other resources and our culture is very unique and diverse,” Sara said.

    Speaking of his education, Sara said he finished his high school level of study at Vonunu Provincial Secondary School, Vella la Vella Islands, Western Province.

    “I finished my education level at form three. I am a village boy.

    “Nurturing Roderick Bay Beach Bangalow is my late uncle’s dream, my mum’s older brother.

    “My late uncle started building the Roderick Bay Beach Bangalow dream in 1997.

    “He couldn’t see his dream flourishing because he is growing old so he decided to pass it on to me to carry on his dream,” he said.

    Sara says his uncle said to him ‘You will not fail, you are the right person for this dream, carry on and never back down.

    “With zero knowledge of the Tourism industry, I accepted his request and push my way through. And in 2002, I bid farewell to my uncle,” he said.

    From then on, Sara said he started to attend minor tourism trainings organised by the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau before it was rebranded to Tourism Solomons.

    Roderick Bay Beach Bangalow bangalows.Photo credit RODERICK BAY BEACH BANGALOW.

    “That is the time I started to pick up, and get to know more about the industry, from then on these workshops started to make the tourism industry part of my interest.

    “I struggled to build three Bangalows. In 2013, I was awarded one tourism training opportunity in New Zealand for six months. I went over and make good use of the opportunity provided.

    “So with the little I have I put my efforts together not to compete with other operators but work towards preserving and reviving of culture.

    “This is because culture plays an important role in this industry.

    “My other brother operators do their business in their own styles – more of modern styles.

    “But for my business here am using culture to attract tourist both domestic and international.

    “I am very proud of using local materials to build and decorate Roderick Bay Beach Bangalow.”

    Billy Veo new Premier for Western Province

    Written by
    Ben Bilua
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    Billy Veo

    BY BEN BILUA 

    BILLY Veo has pulled a majority vote to win the Premier’s election today.

    Veo got 25 votes while his rival Edward Ngava got 1 vote.

    The result was welcomed by Gizo general public.

    The crowd gathered outsite Chacha building came alive cheering when Speaker of Western province announced the result.

    A spectacular display of honor was made by Royal Solomon Islands Police force to welcome the new Premier.

    Assembly will be suspended until Friday next week.

    According the Speaker, Ramrakha Talasasa, the task is on the new Premier to appoint his executive.

    “We are expecting the executive to be appointed this week, given that we are running behind schedule.

    “It is my office’s interest to speed up the process so that we can appoint the Provincial Public Account Committee to look at the Supplementary budget as well as the 2023/2024 Appropriation Ordinance,” he said.

    End

    Japan and SI on blue economy 

    Written by
    Mavis Podokolo
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    Masanori Kobayashi

    BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

    Solomon Islands and Japan, through the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), are looking at further developing their fisheries cooperation.

    This is according the SINU office.

    A statement from SINU says Japan and Solomon Islands have established a close cooperative relationship in the field of tuna fishing even before the country’s independence in 1978.

    “As maritime nations, fisheries occupy an important position in the economies of both countries.

    “With the emergence of the concept of the ‘Blue Economy’, a comprehensive view on ocean-related economic activities, including fisheries, shipping, offshore wind power, marine sports, and marine tourism has started to prevail,” SINU office said.

    The statement adds in order to address challenges such as global warming, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and marine plastic debris, we have to introduce measures for decarbonization of shipping, elimination of IUU fishing, and countermeasures against marine plastic debris have also become challenges.

    “In the midst of these global trends, it is important to consider how Japan and Solomon Islands should cooperate in addressing these issues, and how shall we develop the cooperation not only in tuna fishing but also in coastal fisheries.

    “This workshop is an attempt to provide an opportunity to discuss these issues by Japanese and Solomon specialists and the participants of the workshop,” the statement said.

    Presentation and talks will be made by SINU Vice Chancellor Dr Transform Aqorao and Masanori Kobayashi, a senior researcher Fellow, Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

    Road repair to start

    Written by
    Eddie Osifelo
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    Water logged on the road in front of the National Stadium at King George Six.

    By EDDIE OSIFELO

    EMCO Pacific (SI) Limited is expected to start covering some of the potholes on the Kukum Highway to Henderson in East Honiara.

    The road has been deteriorating following the rainy season, in the past days.

    Vehicle owners have to endure the slow and bumpy ride when travelling on the roads.

    Currently, Kitano Construction is working on the second phase of the Kukum Highway upgrade from Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to Lungga Bridge (4 lanes, 5km) and from Lungga Bridge to Honiara International Airport (2 lanes, 2km including Lungga Bridge).

    A spokesperson for EMCO said they will work according to phase 2 of the Kukuk Highway project.

    “We cannot do routine maintenance on the road because it is under currently in the hands of the contractor.

    “For example, we will maintain in front of the ANZ building opposite Marine School and the National Stadium at King George Six,” the spokesman said.

    He said his boys will level the surface, and if the weather is good, they can patch the pot holes.

    Apart from that, Solomon Sheets Steel (SSS) has started patching the pot holes on the road opposite the junction leading to Commonwealth Street at Point Cruz yesterday.

    It is still not clear if Xio commences work on the feeder roads from Vura to Naha.

    The Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet stepped in to sort out an internal issue with Ministry of Finance and Treasury, to allow the three contractors to start work on the roads, following huge public criticisms.

    However, the maintenance of these roads depends very much on the weather in the capital.

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