Home Blog Page 681

Oxfam conducts reflection workshop on Safe Families Project

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Group photo of all participants

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO  

A four-day workshop for Oxfam Solomon Islands Safe Families Project aimed at providing a safe space for Oxfam and its partners and key stakeholders is underway.

According to Oxfam office, the workshop will discuss the Safe Families Project key progress and milestones, dialogue on partnership models and collectively agree on key lessons learnt and actions.

“The reflection workshop will also create space for information sharing, strengthening coordination and collaboration with Safe family’s project partners and other key stakeholders and Government sector,” Oxfam office said.

Participants from Honiara, Western and Malaita province

Oxfam Solomon Islands Country Co-ordinator Lavinia Dakei when delivering her welcome remarks, saluted all participants and Oxfam partners who witnessed the opening of the four day workshop.

Solomon Islands National Council of Women (SINCW) Ella Kahue acknowledged this huge initiative and support by the Australia Government under Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women), to prevent and respond to Island family and sexual violence.

“By being the donor of this project, we are part of it today through Oxfam,” Kauhue said.

“This is an important initiative because it is targeting many families by reaching out to them as they are the foundation of this country,” she added.

“NCW, as one of the partners, calls for further collaborations by calling for action to work together.

“That this program is to take on by the government through the provincial government.

 “As the umbrella body of women’s organisations in Solomon Islands, it has a critical role in speaking out on national issues that affect the lives of women and girls and one of those national issues is Gender Based Violence.”

Deputy Premier for Malaita Provincial Government Glen Waneta said the protection of families is crucial in ensuring that the vulnerable in the society are protected and are given the due consideration they deserve.

Malaita Deputy Premier Glen Waneta

“Our children, girls and women as reported have unnecessary been put at the forefront of violence,” Waneta said.

“This is something that is shameful taken into consideration that Solomon Islands professed to be a Christian country and a country that treasured its customs and traditions,” he added.

“I believe if we continue to highlight that, our common responsibility to fight this scourge within our society is required than ever.

“We should not be sleeping until our vulnerable ones are given the protection that they deserved.”

Oxfam partners include MWYCFA (Ministry of Women, Youth, Children & Families Affairs) through the Solomon Islands National Council of Women and three provincial councils; Western PCW (Provincial Council of Women), Choiseul PCW and Malaita PCW.

Moreover, the Oxfam ‘Let’s Make Our Families Safe’ (Safe Families) program is supported by the Australian Government under Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women), to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence in Solomon Islands.

It is part of a 10-year strategic initiative.

Suspended sentence for woman guilty of killing new-born baby

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE High Court has imposed a suspended sentence on a 29-year-old woman guilty of killing her new-born baby.

High Court Judge Justice Maelyn Bird in sentencing told the woman that her action had deprived the child of the right to life.

“You had no regard to human life, a right which is provided for and protected under our national Constitution.

“Having noted the views of the Court of Appeal and this court on sentencing of like offenders, I wish to state that this type of offending in increasing in our country. A clear message needs to be sent out to offenders and would-be offenders that the courts do not condone and will not tolerate these types of offences,” Justice Bird.

This case occurred on March 23, 2018, where a woman delivered a male child at the village in Russell Central Islands Province.

The deceased infant was under the age of twelve months at the material time. On that date between 4am and 5am, neighbours heard the woman cry very loudly behind their kitchen house and not long after a neighbour heard the sound of a baby crying from the same direction behind the kitchen.

Ms Bird told the woman that from that location, she took the baby and threw it at a koilo tree. The baby only cried once and stopped. She drowned the baby in the sea and put a big rock on top of the body, she then went and hid the body at a different location.

“After giving birth to the baby, you went and sat inside a shallow part of sea on the beach. The sea around you was full of blood. You told your sister that you have given birth to a snake and you did not know where that snake had gone to. You then swan further out to sea with only your head out of the sea. You were pulled out from the sea and taken to Pipisi Clinic for medical examination. You told the nurse that you aborted the baby. The medical examination showed that it was a full-term baby,” Bird said.

After considering the circumstances of the case and taken into account the delay in the prosecution of the case, the court views that as an unreasonable delay which is caused by the office of the DPP.

The offence was committed on March 23, 2018. This matter was committed to this court on January 15, 2020. The information against you was filed by the office of the DPP on April 12, 2021, some 15 months after committal

Therefore, the court put the starting point at 20 months imprisonment, for the aggravating features, Ms Bird increases the sentence by 12 months, and for mitigating features and especially the woman’s guilty plea, she reduced the sentence by 12 months.

However, for the delay in the timely prosecution of the matter, Ms Bird further reduce the  sentence by 12 months. And the total sentence to serve is one of 8 months imprisonment and further ordered to be wholly suspended for 12 months.

Civic Training underway in Gizo

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Participants during the training

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

SELECTED participants who will be assisting the Electoral Office during the upcoming provincial elections in Western and Choiseul Provinces are undergoing civic training in an effort to hold smooth elections.

The participants were greeted by the Western Province’s Administration representatives during the official launching of the program.

Speaking to the participants, Speaker of Western Province, Adrian Gina congratulated participants who were selected to be part of the program on behalf of their communities and wards.

He told those present that election is vitally important to nominate and vote for new leaders who will be taking the lead in the development aspiration of the province so as delivering needed services for the people.

Gina adds that preparation for the upcoming provincial election is paramount, voters list must be reviewed in doing so can give voting rights to those eligible.

WP Speaker delivering his key note address

“This is the process whereby you as elected participants of upcoming provincial elections drive the democratic process in electing our leaders.

“We must inform, empower, motivate and build our people’s confidence to fully take part in the democratic process of election,” he said.

Gina urged participants to be aware of misinformation that would put to risk the importance of civic education and awareness that has been carried out prior to the election processes.

Philothea Paul, Media Communication Awareness, Team Leader of SIEC

“On behalf of Western Province caretaker administration and leadership, I would like to convey our appreciation to all of you civic and voters’ awareness team members for availing yourselves for the work that is ahead of us,” he said.

PMO halts church devotions on SIBC

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

OFFICE of Prime Minister and Cabinet has ordered the suspension of the government-sponsored church devotion programme on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) early this month.

SIBC signed a contract with the Government since 2019 during Covid-19 to allow Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) and Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA) to encourage citizens with the Word of God from Monday to Sunday on air.

The contract is expected to end this month.

But recent, SIBC was directed by the PMO to end the programme because the Government would not longer meet its cost.

However, SIBC last Friday informed the churches to continue with the devotion because the existing contract is still valid until the end of this month, which saw the devotion resumed on Monday.

One church leader told Island Sun they were told the Government has directed SIBC to end the daily devotions.

He said some of the leaders of SICA and SIFGA were shocked because it was the government’s initiative to sponsor the programme.

“The Government actually invited SICA and SIFGA in Cabinet and asked them what they could do to help the people during the pandemic.

“We told the government a way forward is to continue preach the word of God to the people,” the church leader said.

However, the church leader said they are happy to bless citizens with word of God in the last three years to the people on air.

“We do it from our hearts for this nation and never get paid for this activity,” the church leader said.

The reason behind Government’s move to suspend the devotion programme is still unclear.

However, recently the churches opposed Government’s move to extend the term of Parliament from four to five years.

Its like a dream come true

Written by
Press Release
-
0
Wheelchair with joel, mum Eve, Rotarian Tina and Doreen

Joel Tereoha was born 11 years ago with severe Cerebral Palsy. 

His grandmother, together with his loving family, have coped with his disability until he became too heavy for them to lift.

The Rotary Club of Honiara are engaged in an on-going project to source medical equipment for hospitals and clinics throughout Solomon Islands through Rotary in Australia. 

Francis Kennedy, an Australian nurse at NRH, who assisted the family manage Joel’s care, was contacted by the Rotary Club of Honiara and she identified Joel’s specific needs. 

With the help of The Rotary Club of Surfers Sunrise on the Gold Coast, a specially built wheelchair was sourced, together with a portable bed hoist unit that is able to lift Joel from bed to the wheelchair and to/from other parts of the house.

The next issue was to get the equipment to Honiara. It was very heavy and would be expensive through normal routing.

Rotary approached the Australian Defense Force, that is currently working in Honiara; they agreed to airlift the equipment on one of their military aircrafts that comes in regularly from the Amberley Airbase in Brisbane. 

Colin Laurenson, Club member of Rotary Surfers Sunrise and Director of Medical Repurposing Network Inc, undertook to deliver the equipment to the base.

The chair and the hoist machine arrived last week in Honiara. 

rotary hoist, Rotarian Keithie, and President Tina with Eve and Opaka

With the assistance of Francis and Kevin Kennedy the equipment was delivered to the parents’ home of Eve and Opaka Tereoha.

Mother Eve said “it is like a dream come true”, and a huge blessing for the family to receive such a wonderful gift for Joel!  

The whole family were so grateful for the donation.

New hemodialysis machine to deal with Kidney issues

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
A Hemodialysis machine at a hospital.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Solomon Islands will soon take charge of a hemodialysis machine to assist patients with kidney problems.

This was confirmed by the Medical Superintendent of the National Referral Hospital, Dr Janella Solomon during the Gala Chinese Cultural show last week.

“I am moved by Chinese Medical Team’s sincereness; they will take one container drugs and equipment for NRH which include a new hemodialysis machine for us.

“The nation will have its first hemodialysis machine and under Dr Carry’s help, NRH will have the capability of using hemodialysis to save lives, as we have seen people die from us not having this machine,” Solomon said.

Dr Carry from China is working with the internal medical ward at NRH.

Dr Jones Ghabu, Consultant Physician at the National Referral Hospital adds that the that the hemodialysis or dialysis is a machine used to filter blood.

Ghabu said this machine can be used when kidney fails to do its work by removing toxins accumulated and poisoning the body.

He said blood will be filtered by using this machine then given back to the human body.

TRC REPORT COMING UP

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
National Parliament of Solomon Islands

Sogavare intends to have it discussed in parliament

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE five-volume report of Truth and Reconciliation Commission is among important businesses the Sogavare-led Government plans to discuss in the current 11th sitting of Parliament.

A Commission of five members mandated under Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2008 came up with the report after conducting public and closed hearings; collecting statements from victims, perpetrators, and other involved parties; facilitating focus group interviews with all sectors involved in the conflict; and organising research on issues related to the conflict from 2009-2011.

This was to discover the causes, details and effects of the country’s “ethnic tension” crisis of 1998-2003.

However, the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) is still to table the Bill in Parliament to extend the term from four to five years.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare confirmed this during the opening of Parliament meeting on Monday.

Sogavare said the report was handed to government in 2013, laid in Parliament and yet to be discussed fully by Parliament.

He said Caucus would like to have a meeting with relevant ministries to prepare the government for presentation of very important recommendations.

Furthermore, Sogavare said Caucus would like to meet with relevant ministries, especially Ministry of Finance because the Payment System bill is before Parliament.

However, the Opposition has asked the Prime Minister and his government to clarify a planned payment of $300,000 to ex-militants.

Former police officers and others categorised under Essential Services that worked during the ethnic conflict from 1998-2003 have also submitted their claims to the Government.

However, members of Guadalcanal Post -Conflict Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Restoration Association for Western Region are not aware of the $300.000 payments.

Association Secretary, George Hilly said they are only aware of the Re-integration and Rehabilitation for ex-combatants and victims of the conflict.

Hilly said from information relayed by Prime Minister Office to him, a Commission funded by United Nations will be set up to run the programme.

He said the Commission will identify genuine applicants and submit to the 34-line ministries to implement the programs.

Both Guadalcanal Post -Conflict Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Restoration Association and Malaita Solomon Islands Post-Conflict Rehabilitation and Restoration Association will have offices to work with the Government in the implementation of the programmes.

Island Sun contacted Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs, Peter Mae yesterday but he declined to comment.

The Parliament meeting resumes on Monday 25th July 2022.

Buka biggest ever can-earning!

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Patteson Buka was $3,378 richer yesterday.

By MAVIS N. PODOKOLO

BUALA resident Patteson Buka was $3,378 richer yesterday after selling 563kilograms of empty cans to buyers Tin King.

Tin King, a company owned by Northwest Guadalcanal MP Bodo Dettke, is the leading buyer of empty aluminum cans in the country.

“I’ve never earned this big before,” Buka told Island Sun after receiving his cash from Jeff Hou of Tin King yesterday.

“I’ve been collecting and selling empty cans to another buyer since 2001 but this is the biggest earning I’ve made since then,” he added.

From Buala, provincial capital of Isabel, Buka loaded bags of empty cans in a ship and travelled over to Honiara.

Patteson Buka loading his bags of cans into a vehicle at Point Cruz wharf yesterday morning

He arrived yesterday morning, and Hou was at the wharf to meet him.

By afternoon, Vuka was smiling with $3,378 cash in his pocket.

“I’m heading back home tonight,” he said.

“Need to go home and collect more cans.”

According to Hou, this was the biggest purchase they’ve made from a single person.

“Vuka is now our agent in Isable,” Hou said.

“He’s a long-time collector and a consistent client,” he added.

Hou explained MP Dettke decided to establish Tin King as his contribution to cleaning up our city and country of empty aluminum cans.

“We pay $5 a kilo.

“This is the best and highest price anyone could offer,” Hou said.

He encourages low-income earners and those without a job in Honiara to find empty cans for extra cash.

“In doing that, people not only engage in cleaning up our city, but will also earn a bit of income when they sell their cans.”

For Buka, his next can collection plan has been already hatched.

“There were seven beer outlets around the Buala area,” he said.

“On my return, I will put up collection bags at each of the outlet.

“Instead of throwing those empty cans away, people can just drop them in the collection bags.

“In that way, we keep Buala and the surrounding environment clean of empty aluminum cans,” Buka said.

200 visitors expected for war anniversary

Written by
Press Release
-
0
The Battle of Guadalcanal will be commemorated in Honiara

HOT on the heels of its official border reopening, the Solomon Islands tourism industry is back in business in a major way, preparing to welcome international tourists attending the 80th anniversary of the Guadalcanal campaign. 

More than 200 visitors are expected to attend the event including dedicated tour groups from Japan and the US who will all stay at the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel in Honiara during their stay with all arrangements being managed by local tour operators, Travel Solomons and Pure Solomons.

Tour programs, in the main running from 07 – 12 August, have been designed to incorporate many of the key battle sites in and around Honiara and will also include a visit to Tulagi’s famous Blue Beach and Tokyo Bay in the Florida Islands.

Itinerary highlights include both the Japanese and American Memorials, Galloping Horse Ridge, the Matanikau River, the National Parliament Building (a gift from the American Government on the 50th Anniversary), the Gifu, Fighter 1 and Fighter 3 and the Crash Strip, Henderson Field, Alligator Creek, and Beach Red.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manesseh Sogavare, representatives from the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand governments, ministers and cultural leaders will be in hand to commemorate official anniversary proceedings which take place on 07 August, the date on which in 1942 US Marines landed in Guadalcanal, Tulagi and the Florida Islands.

Tourism Solomons CEO (Acting), Dagnal Dereveke, said the destination’s heavily impacted tourism sector’s revival could not have got off to a better start so soon after the border reopening.

“We appreciate this is a small start on our road back to recovery but it’s a good start,” he said.


“Placing us in the world tourism spotlight, even if only for a short time, gives us confidence the G80 Anniversary will act as a catalyst for a fast return to where we were before we closed our border in March 2020,” he said.

Malaita soon to have children desk office

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0
Group activity during a meeting conducted by a team from Ministry of Women (MWYCFA) with stakeholders and MPAC last week in Auki. The meeting is in preparation to establish a Children Desk office under MPG.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs is working closely with the Malaita province government to establish a Children’s Desk office in Auki.

This is the first for the province to have an office charged with children’s affairs and promote advocacy for children’s rights in the province.

A team from MWYCFA visited Auki last week consulting various stakeholders as part of preparations to incorporate plans for the establishment of the office.

MWYCFA’s Provincial Desk Coordinator for Malaita, Isabel and Central provinces, Donnie Saelea said the whole effort came as part of the plan of the ministry to establish a children’s desk office in the province.

He said in doing so, the ministry created Malaita Provincial Advisory Committee (MPAC) which comprises of various stakeholders in the province to lobby with MPG for the establishment of the office.

“The team is here to consult with stakeholders and align action plans require from responsible offices to support the operation of the children’s desk office when operates,” Saelea said.

He said upon report from the advisory committee and Save the Children, MPG agreed to take onboard the child desk office for the province.

The understanding now is, Saelea explained that MPG will house the officer under the Women, Youth and Sports desk and Save the Children will be responsible for the officer’s salary.

He said based on the understanding, in the future the office will be absorbed into Malaita’s provincial system.

Saelea said recruitment of the officer has been done and awaiting formalities.

1...680681682...1,662Page 681 of 1,662