Home Blog Page 662

SIEC prepares for Western and Choiseul elections

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

ACTING Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, Freddrick Bosoboe says they are preparing for provincial elections in the Western and Choiseul provinces.

The CEO told the local media during a press conference in Auki that they are working on updating the voters’ list for the two provinces.

“Currently, we are working on the voter’s registration for Western and Choiseul provinces in preparation for their provincial elections,” he said.

Bosoboe said the two provincial assemblies were dissolved on June 13th 2022, and due to funding difficulties, elections which were supposed to be held straight after dissolvement were delayed.

He explained that as per the provision under the Provincial Government Act (PGA) the requirement is on the day after their four-year ends, elections are supposed to be held.

Bosoboe said the PGA clearly states that provincial assemblies are to be dissolved on the day before provincial elections are to be held.

He said Provincial governments don’t have windows like the national government where four months is given between the day of dissolvement to the day of election.

 He said the Honiara City Council (HCC) had also adopted a similar approach to the provincial governments.

Bosoboe said this is the issue that they face with elections for Western and Choiseul provinces, however they are behind with the elections scheduled for December 2022.

He said as long as they complete the voter’s registration update for the two provinces they will go straight into their election.

Bosoboe said other provinces that are close to dissolutions are Malaita, Isabel, Rennell & Bellona, Guadalcanal and Central provinces on 11th June 2023.

Honiara City Council will dissolve on May 2023.

On the same note, he mentioned their preparation for the next National General Election which will be in 2024.

“As everyone is aware, recently the national government has passed an amendment to the constitution to defer the National General Election.

“So, at the moment, one of our immediate tasks is to abide with the financial requirement of the government in terms of financing and budgeting of the office for the next fiscal year.

“And due to the deferment of the election, we started reviewing our plans and activities in preparation for the national election,” Bosoboe said.

$4,000 raised for school water project

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
Education Agency Foursquare Church Nei Manu (L), School Principal Craelyn Kuriti Da'agi and a staff of Gospel Light School standing at the front of the water tanks

BY NED GAGAHE

The Gospel Light Christian School has raised over $4,000 during a recent fundraiser programme for the school’s clean water project.

School Education Agency (Foursquare Church) Nei Manu and School Principal Craelyn Da’agi disclosed this yesterday.

Part of the funds will go towards their Early Childhood Education (ECE) Sector.

According to Head Teacher for Primary, Ian Gioni, the school has been without a clean and safe drinking water facility for some time.

However, during the height of the COVID pandemic early this year UNICEF stepped in and supported the school with the delivery of two new 5,000-Litre water tanks from Rotomould.

The fundraiser event was well supported by parents, teachers, students and the surrounding community in the area.

Gioni said without the much need funds, the school was unable to properly install these tanks and make it available for use.

He said the water tanks once installed will supply the school with clean, fresh and safe drinking water from the rain.

Meanwhile, Gioni said that the tanks will be put up and should be available for use before the school begin its semester two.

According to Principal Da’agi, about 300 Students and staff of Gospel Light Christian School will soon have access to clean and safe drinking water tanks.

The installation of the tanks is expected in the coming weeks.

Gizo among recipients of waste recycling fund

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Members of Plastic-wise Gizo showcase Hand bags made from rope which normally wraps around carton of noodles

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

GIZO has been named as one of the recipients of the PacWastePlus funding mechanism designed to facilitate the recycling or recovery of waste.

The funding will provide a sustainable financing systems to enhance solution for long-term management of low-value recyclable materials by providing financial security for the recovery, dismantling, sorting, packing and shipment of materials to recovery and recycling markets.

The country project will design and implement an organic processing programme in Gizo that will collect and process all organic waste generated at the Gizo market.

Additional support to Gizo includes the construction of an Organic Processing Facility that will receive and process the collected organic materials from the Gizo market, and a recycling facility to process and store recyclables collected in Gizo.

Representatives from Government and Local Government such as Honiara City Council, Ministry of Health & Medical Services, Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Finance & Treasury; State Owned Enterprises such as Solomon Islands Ports Authority and the private sector including Design Technology Centre, BJS, PATSALE Pty Ltd, Solomon Energy & Logistics, Rax Boy, Zed Construction & Tongs Corporation came together this week to pilot the project.

Speaking during the consultation, Deputy Secretary- Corporate for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology Karl Kuper calls on all stakeholders and partners to identify areas they can assist the Ministry with the implementation of the project.

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology is utilizing PacWastePlus investment to introduce new systems that improve the management of organic waste and recyclables.

The aim of the project is to have an effective and self-funding solution for the collection and processing of organic waste and recyclables in the future.

60, 2019 candidates yet to retire expenses

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

ACTING Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, Freddrick Bosoboe says up to 60 candidates who contested the last national general elections in 2019 are yet to submit their election expenses.

He mentioned this to the local media in Auki during a press conference yesterday.

He said the list of the candidates’ names are with the courts for legal supervision.

Bosoboe confirmed that the Magistrate has ruled on the first cases of the election offense last week, but they were only dismissed due to evidences provided.  

Thus, he said the list of the candidates is with the court and police are investigating them.

Bosoboe said more than 300 candidates had contested the 2019 elections and it’s a requirement that they must submit their election expense 90 days after the election.

He said the majority have done so, while a minority have not, however, since it is mandatory all candidates must submit their election expense.

Bosoboe said there are penalties for the offense which can result in imprisonment and hefty fines.

He also said breaching the offense will cause implications for them when trying to contest in future elections.

He said cases on election offense has started and the courts will follow the list of candidates that failed to submit their expenses

Why SIPA workers want their CEO out

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
CEO of SIPA Mr Eranda Kotelawala.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE dispute between Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI) and Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) Chief Executive Officer, Eranda Kotelawala is centred around three issues.

This was revealed in an application WUSI filed to the Trade Dispute Panel against Kotelawala on 2nd September 2022.

WUSI claimed:

  1. The Chief Executive Officer of SIPA changed the signed Collective Agreement between WUSI and SIPA, dated 8th February, 2018, without consulting the Workers Union of Solomon Islands.
  2. The CEO of SIPA deliberately delayed and refused to negotiate and deal with workers Log of Claims for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
  3. The management style of the CEO of SIPA is such that becomes a threat to the industrial relation peace in Solomon Islands.

WUSI General Secretary, Tony Kagovai said based on their experiences in these positions over the years, they are very concerned about what they see as a real threat which the CEO of SIPA Kotelawala has posed upon the Industrial Relations system in the Solomon Islands.

“There are eleven registered trade unions in Solomon Islands. Ten of them represent public sector workers such as public servants and teachers.

“The Workers Union of Solomon Islands is the only trade union that represents private sector workers in Solomon Islands including SIPA workers,” Kagovai said.

He said WUSI has been negotiating Collective Agreements over the years, with companies and statutory corporations such as SIPA which covers all the terms and conditions of employment of these private sector workers in the country.

TDP has already informed CEO of SIPA on 5th September 2022.

Kotelawala said he will comment when seeing the content of the application.

Under Section 10 of the Trade Dispute Act 1981,

10.-(1) At any time when a trade dispute has been referred to the Trade

Disputes Panel and the Panel have neither –

(a) succeeded in bringing about a settlement of the dispute by negotiation, nor

(b) made an award in the dispute, no person shall do any of the things mentioned in subsection (2).

(2) Those things are

(a) calling, organising, procuring or financing a strike or other industrial action short of a strike in furtherance of the dispute, or threatening to do so;

(b) instituting, carrying on, authorising, organising or financing a lock-out or other industrial action short of a lock-out in furtherance of the dispute, or threatening to do so; or

(c) terminating (for whatever reason) the contract of employment of any employee whose conditions of service are in issue in the dispute.

TDP is still to set the date for the preliminary hearing for both parties.

Peaceful by-elections, counting starts today

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

WEST Kwaio constituency and its provincial ward 28 held peaceful by-elections yesterday.

The by-elections, especially for ward 28, was second to test the synchronize election system and generally things went well during the polling.

Speaking during the opening of polling at Bina village yesterday, Chairman of Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, Pattison Oti acknowledged the people of West Kwaio for turning up for the by-elections.

“Today is an important day for ward 28 and West Kwaio constituency,” Oti said.

A voter is assisted by election officials at Bina Polling Station.

“What you will witness particularly for ward 28 of West Kwaio is for the first time to vote for two ballot boxes at the same time,” he added.

“And you’ll test out the new voting system where one ballot for your provincial member and the other for your member of parliament.”

Oti explained that this is a trial to what SIEC wants to put in place “synchronized election” where voters will vote their members of provincial assemblies and members of parliament at the same day.

He said the initiative is trying to review the current system of hosting separate elections for both province and national only for a one election.

Oti said in light of the initiative, a taskforce established under SIEC had consulted Malaita Provincial Assembly and stakeholders in the province on the policy this week.

Voters checking them names on the voters list.

Island Sun observed a number of polling stations in the constituency yesterday and Election officials expressed the strangeness of the new voting system.

They said the system is new, however voters adapted to it well with their guidance and generally a successful synchronized election particularly for ward 28 and West Kwaio constituency by-election.

The POs said there was also calmness amongst voters and people everywhere in the constituency during the polling.

All ballot boxes were retrieved to Auki after the polls closed at 5pm yesterday for safe storage by the police and counting will start at 9am today.

BAD WEATHER WILL IMPROVE

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
Senior Weather Forecaster Michael Siau at the weather office.

Trough lies over Temotu, Renbel and Makira, says MET.

BY NED GAGAHE

THE Solomon Islands Meteorological Service has forecasted an ease to the current bad weather the country is facing in coming days.

In an interview with the Island Sun yesterday, Senior Weather Forecaster Michael Siau said the current bad weather is due to a trough that is over the Northern parts of the country.

“A trough is an area where clouds can build up and can cause bad weather. A trough is current over the Northern parts of the country. Causing cloudiness and wet weather we are facing now,” Siau said.

He added that the forecast for the next few days indicates that the weather will improve and rain will ease.

Met Service Senior Weather Forecaster Michael Siau at the Weather Office yesterday.

“Our outlook for this weekend, we are expecting good weather.”

However, Siau said they are keeping a close eye on the situation as the presence of the trough is still in place over Temotu, Renbel and Makira provinces.

He said for the coming week we will expect more showers

Earlier this week, Honiara residents were shaken by sudden strong winds, coupled with heavy rain that caused damages to homes, gardens and properties in some parts of the city.

Yesterday, The Island Sun was mobilized to observe whether classes are closed as precaution measures due to the current weather conditions.

Gospel light school empty compound, classes were called off early yesterday morning as precautionary measures due to bad weather conditions

It was observed that some schools have called-off classes early as a precautionary measure due to heavy rain.

Gospel Light Christian School at Henderson was one of them.

Speaking to Island Sun yesterday School Principal Craelyn Da’agi said due to the heavy rain they have to call off classes until the weather returns to normal.

 The school, located near the Lungga River mouth, is prone to flooding.

SIPA steps up for Honiara road

Written by
Press Release
-
0
SIPA and MID officials pose after the signing ceremony.

Solomon Ports yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) for the provision of Traffic Lights, warning signboards, and road markings for Honiara City.

The signing was conducted by SIPA’s Chief Executive officer Eranda Kotelawala, and the Permanent Secretary of MID Stephen Maesiola at MID’s headquarters in Honiara.

A statement from SIPA says the agreement will govern the provision of Traffic Lights, and other materials for the upgrade of identified sites near Honiara’s Central Business District.

“The installation of the traffic lights, warning signboards, and road markings are voluntary work done by SIPA to enhance the safety of road users in Honiara,” the statement said.

“Solomon Ports has already been in discussions with Honiara City Council, RSIPF’s Traffic Unit, and MID over the past months to discuss matters and ways in improving traffic safety in Honiara City,” it added.

“The assistance is also to assist the government in promoting road safety for road users, and to educate drivers and pedestrians on how to use road signs the right way.

“The total cost of all the materials, equipment, and the installation is $250,000, which is fully funded by SIPA.”


Speaking during the signing, SIPA CEO Kotelawala thanked MID for engaging in discussions over the past months in planning the rollout of this assistance.

He said SIPA recognizes the need for proper pedestrian crossings in especially the busiest parts of Honiara City, and where pedestrians are more vulnerable to car accidents.

“As one of the country’s leading SOE, I believe it is also our social responsibility to help the community, and we are also thankful to have support from the government in enhancing the overall outlook and appearance of Honiara City,” he said.

“Also, this will instill a culture of discipline for both the pedestrian to cross in the appropriate place, and also to drivers to respect pedestrian crossings and road signs as well.”

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of MID Maesiola acknowledged Solomon Ports for assisting his ministry, as it was also inline with the resolutions of the Road Transport Board, which is to improve road safety in Honiara.

“I’m happy that Solomon Ports has taken up the responsibility to assist us, the government, and the road transport board, by installing all these traffic lights and signs in our roads,” he said.

Solomon Ports will appoint a taskforce team to carry out the installation of the road safety equipment’s and signs, where installation are expected to commence soon this year.

Solomon Ports will also do regular maintenance of the traffic lights and road signs, once they are completed and in operation.

Persons with disability struggle to earn income

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
President of the People with disability in the Solomon Islands Simon Dolaiano

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

PERSONS with disability are often denied access to formal employment according to the President of the People with disability, Simon Dolaiano.

“Financially people with disabilities are often denied access to formal employment or capital. Also a lack of disability accessible infrastructure means many are unable to attend school or attend health clinics,” Dolaia no said.

He adds that due to gender inequities in the Solomon Islands, women and girls with disabilities are more disadvantaged and face specific challenges accessing resources, services and facilities in securing a livelihood or being provided opportunities for participation in decision making.

Dolaiano however said with the recent financial support provided by the European Union and the International Women Development Agency, the disabled people association is hoping to see changes in the formal and informal spheres in the country.

“We the PWDSI members are hoping to see changes in the formal and informal spheres to produce sustainable and meaningful change for the rights of people with disabilities,” he said.

Dolaiano said he understands that the key principals in this project implemented jointly by DPASI and IWDA reflect the following.

“Nothing about us without us, which is an ongoing consultation with people with disabilities, occurring throughout the project, ensuring that activities properly respond to their needs, wishes and interests?”

“Strength based approach- meaning the project operates around the idea that people with disabilities are agents of change. This means focusing on the skills and abilities that people with disabilities have and harnessing them so they can lead in their own sustainable development,”.

“And stronger together which refers to strong partnership and multi-sector stakeholder collaboration is required at all levels if we are to address the exclusion faced and advance the rights of people with disabilities,” he said.

Dolaiano thanked the support of the European Union and assured them that his board and management team will implement the project to their best capabilities for the maximum benefit of the Disabled People Association in Solomon Islands.

MASI thanks SIPA for support

Written by
Press Release
-
0
: Chairman of the PMS Douglas Marau acknowledged the support from SIPA CEO Mr Kotelawala.

THE Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) has acknowledged the support by the Solomon Islands Ports Authority for preparations towards the 6th Pacific Media Summit 2022 (PMS).

PMS is the largest media gathering in the region and will take place in Honiara next week from September 26 to 30, 2022.

More than 100 participants will attend the summit which will include media representatives and top media executives who will start arriving in Honiara this Friday.

Eranda Kotelawala, chief executive officer of SIPA, during a brief ceremony said SIPA is happy to support the regional media gathering.

“I wish you a successful media summit,” he said.

Douglas Marau, Chairman of the PMS Organising Committee and Vice President of MASI, acknowledged SIPA for seeing the importance in supporting the media regional event.

He said this is the largest regional gathering of this sort after COVID and an opportunity for Solomon Islands to welcome our pacific friends back into the country.

SIPA donated $10,000 to MASI to assist in its secretariat, operations and logistics during the one-week event.

MASI and the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) are co-hosting the PMS this year.

MASI won the bid to host the PMS back in 2018 in Tonga.

Originally, PMS was scheduled to take place in September 2020 but the COVID 19 pandemic restriction hindered the summit to occur.

Theme of the Pacific Media Summit 2022 is-“The digital revolution- turning threats into opportunities for the Pacific Media.”

1...661662663...1,663Page 662 of 1,663