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Legalise Townsville Agreement

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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RAMSI's arrival two years after the signing of the TPA

—GP group wants land issues addressed as development increases

By EDDIE OSIFELO

The Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government is urged to legalise the Townsville Peace Agreement to address land issues on Guadalcanal.

Guadalcanal Post-Conflict, Reconciliation Rehabilitation and Restoration Association (GPCRRRA) Western Region made the call after successive governments including the current government are still to implement 75 percent of the agreement.

The National Government, Malaita Province, Guadalcanal Province, Isatabu Freedom Movement and Malaita Eagle Force signed the TPA in Townsville, Australia on 15 October 2000 to end the civil unrest.

GPCRRRA Western Region General Secretary George Hilly said today they see reengagement of companies, national projects and individuals on abandoned land on Guadalcanal.

Hilly said they believe that if the Government does not address the abandoned land issue, it could lead to another uprising.

He said it is important for the government to gazette the TPA into law.

“We believe this agreement paves way for peace and stability in the country,” he said.

Furthermore, Hilly said North West Guadalcanal is currently the host of two national projects at Mamara and Aruligo.

He said the coming of national projects give greenlight for other investors to come and invest on the abandoned land again.

Moreover, Chairman of GPCRRRA Western Region John Damusi said what he observed within the communities, people have disagreement over this long-awaited issue that the Government needs to address, especially on land.

He said GPCRRA Western Region looks forward for the Government to address land issues according to its timeline.

However, he said Government has put a halt on the Commission of Inquiry into abandoned land on Guadalcanal.

“The COI office at Townground has shut down already.

“We feel pressured today because of national developments and people who left have come back to resettle on these abandoned lands,” he added.

Damusi said it seems the Government under the watch of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare did not prioritise the concerns of Guadalcanal people.

In 2014, both members of the IFM and Malaita Eagle Force held a reconciliation and apology ceremony at Rove Police ground.

Hilly said it seems the Government has the interests of investors and not interests of the people.

Filualea happy with dental clinic in North Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malu'u Area Health Central new Dental Clinic.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MEMBER of Parliament for North Malaita constituency, Senley Filualea is happy that a dental facility is in his constituency.

He said the dental facility at Malu’u health centre will see dental health service in the northern region of the province as an issue in the past.

Filualea also said that the dental clinic will save cost and risk of transporting dental patients to Kilu’ufi hospital.

“Now, the problem has solved whereas the much needed health service is serve at Malu’u and within your mean of affordability and accessibility,” the MP said.

On that note, he appealed to the management of Kilu’ufi hospital and people to take great care for the facility for the benefit of all and to benefit future generations.

“North Malaita Constituency has spent up to $250,000 to co-fund the establishment of the dental clinic and it’s your money that was been used.

“I know the clinic is not enough to serve more than 50,000 populations in the northern region of the province, but having one is better than seeking the service a far,” Filualea said.

He also called on the provincial health to support the dental clinic for its meaningful service to the people in the northern region as intended.

Filualea thanked the Australian friends and Ministry of Health (MHMS) through the provincial health, Malu’u AHC, resource owners and other stakeholders for their supports towards the establishment of the dental clinic.

Malu’u health centre begins dental service

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Dental equipment within the clinic.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALU’U Area Health Centre in North Malaita now offers dental health services.

This follows the opening of its dental facility this week.

The facility was officially handed over on Wednesday by MP for North Malaita constituency to the Director of Malaita Provincial Health Service, Dr Rex Maukera.

Speaking during handover, Mr Maukera acknowledged the Australian friends and North Malaita constituency for co-funding the facility.

“Initially, I understand that the dental caravan was donated to MHMS through our Australian friend.

Inside the dental clinic.

“With few that had arrived, the ministry through the dental department allocated one to the province and particularly to Malu’u AHC,” he said.

Maukera said from there the caravan was transported to Malu’u by MP for North Malaita Senley Lewi Filualea and constructed a building for the facility.

He thanked MP Filualea and his constituency office for serving their people and seeing the importance of health service.

Malu’u AHC staffs and people witnessing the handing over and opening of Malu’u new dental clinic on Wednesday this week.

Maukera said the establishment of the dental clinic at Malu’u AHC is a relief and advantage to support dental services to more than 50,000 people within the northern region.

He said Malu’u AHC is categorised as AHC 2, this mean Malu’u should have basic additional services like dental, x-ray, laboratory services and doctors to provide the services.

“However, we are faced with many challenges like finance, human resources, accommodation and equipment to support all these services to Malu’u.

“But seeing this dental services added to the AHC current service, I am so happy to see the fulfillment of the Role Delineation Policy and Universal Health Coverage taking shape in Malu’u AHC,” Maukera said.

On that note, he stressed the importance of partnership efforts rendered to the completion of the dental facility that clearly portrayed the slogan “health is everyone’s business” .

Maukera called on the management of Malu’u AHC to care for the facility as his office will allocate staff to look after the dental service at Malu’u AHC.

Gender analysis training completes

Written by
Press Release
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Dr Atsuko Nonoguchi making an illustration as participants watches with enthusiasm

A two-day training on gender analysis targeted towards Sustainable Forest Resource Management (SFRM) was completed yesterday in Honiara.

Gender Expert, Dr Atsuko Nonoguchi under the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sustainable Forest Resource Management (SFRM) Project facilitated the training with emphasis on why gender is a matter for Sustainable Forest Resource Management.

In his opening remarks, JICA SFRM Project Technical Advisor, Dr Nishikawa Tatsuji says JICA has been studying the forest sector and gender for a long term here, and efforts have been made to better link forestry activities with gender issue.

“Recognising the need for gender analysis in JICA SFRM project in the Solomon Islands, we asked Dr Nonoguchi to undertake this task from two years ago.

“Thus, I would like to thank her for the opportunity to having this gender seminar starting today (Wednesday), and measures to address gender issues in the Solomon Islands.

“We would like to make good use of this opportunity to exchange of views and ideas for the betterment of forest management into the future.”

He added that this the first of its kind especially gender analysis targeted towards sustainable forest resource management and the SFRM project is indeed grateful to help assist and bring the training facilitator.

Tatsuji also stresses the importance of gender analysis in the forest sector noting that in the Solomon Islands, women protect the economy of each household, as it is noticeable that women generate much of the cash needed by each household.

Thus, it is equally important that this gender issue is also factored within the forest sector as well, he adds.

Ministry of Forestry and Research Deputy Secretary, Wilfred Atomea acknowledges JICA SFRM project’s initiative for providing the training that will sure be very helpful to implementing similar approaches within the forest sector.

He also thanks the expert on gender issues as facilitator, Nonoguchi who gave time and effort to share her expertise on the ideas and views shared.

“It is indeed an opportunity that most of our foresters have learned from and trying to contextualise it in our local setting is yet another bonus to our works as we will continue with our activities with the rural communities and villages.”

–MOFR PRESS

Case of man alleged of having sex with daughter returns June 16

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man alleged of having sexual intercourse with his 13-year-old daughter in 2019 will appear again in court on June 16, 2022 for possible plea.

The accused was convicted and sentenced by the magistrate court previously, but the defence was not satisfied with the presiding magistrate’s decision and appealed the conviction and sentence to the High court.

The High court after considering the appeal made its ruling by remitting the case back to the Magistrate’s court to be re-heard by another magistrate.

Public Prosecutor Jonathan Auga told court yesterday that they had received a proposal from the defence counsel for a plea bargain, and had sent a memo to the Director of Public Prosecution.

He adds, feedback was received and sent to the defence, however defence disagreed with the feedback from prosecution regarding their proposal.

Meanwhile defence lawyer Benham Ifutoo informed court that the defendant will maintain a not-guilty plea to the charges.

Ifutoo also said that he will make a bail application on behalf of his client as he has been in custody for quite some time.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi then asked the defence to file their application three days before the actual hearing date, so that prosecution can make their response once they object to the application.

This is the case that occurred on two separate dates, the first incident occurred in 2013 when the girl was seven years old.

Prosecution said the first incident occurred on unknown dates in 2013 where the father allegedly indecently assaulted his daughter while she was sleeping.

Regarding the second incident, it was alleged to have occurred on September 28, 2019 at the Panatina area, where the father allegedly had sexual intercourse with his daughter.

Case of missing One Link money trudges on

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Investigations into the missing One Link exhibit money has completed, and prosecution says it is now ready to serve defence with disclosures.

Public Prosecutor Olivia Ratu told the court on Wednesday, investigations on the police officer accused of stealing the money has been completed.

The case was mentioned before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti on Wednesday.

Ms Ratu said she would serve defence the disclosures before close of business on Wednesday.

Since the file is huge, defence said it needed time to consult with the accused.

Thus, Magistrate Beneteti adjourned the case to July 6 for mention and possible plea.

The accused, Makasi Dolaiano, is facing one count of larceny by servant in relation to an incident which allegedly occurred in 2021.

This is the case of the missing exhibit money of around $300,000 that was earlier recovered from the so-called Director of One-link Pacifica during police investigations in early 2021.

The money was kept under police custody as exhibit for the courts.

However, it was reported missing later that year.

Coral Triangle on Blue Economy

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Team WWF at their stall

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

This year’s Coral Triangle Day theme is “Sustaining the Coral Triangle Ecosystem through Blue Economy” and this aligned with the international UN World Ocean Day which calls for Revitalization of Collective Action for the Ocean.

Representative of Coral Triangle Initiative, Salome Topo said the organisation is focusing on sustainable Blue Economy to help ensure economic development of the ocean includes protecting the health of the ocean and all living creatures that lives below in doing so encourage positive contributions to true prosperity for all people at the present and into the future.

She said the ability of marine environment to provide jobs and nutrition over the long term has already under pressure from human economic activities.

“It is being further threatened by human action such as overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, unsustainable developments and the impact of climate change,” Topo said.

She said Blue Economy is a best approach going forward as it provides a balance in human to environment benefits.

“Blue Economy means, the use of the sea and its resources for sustainable economic development and growth. In other words, it simply means any economic activity in the maritime sector whether sustainable or not,” Topo said.

She said Coral Triangle with the help of Western Province Network for Sustainable Environment will continue to advocate as well as provides trainings on the importance of Blue Economy within the province.

New website offers free legal information

Written by
Press Release
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Officials at this week’s launch of the website.

 A new website for the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) will make free legal information available to support Solomon Islanders address their justice issues.

The website (www.pso.gov.sb) is part of a systematic effort by the PSO to enhance access to justice.

It contains a wide range of easily discoverable legal information resources including publications and knowledge products as well as providing general information and links to other relevant resources.

To ensure people that may have visual impairments also have access to the information available on the website, a screen reader with an automated voice option is available to read out content on the page.

The launch of the PSO website coincided with a PSO office tour showcasing a refurbished office space, enhancing both the work environment for PSO staff and the consultation environment for clients.

A refurbished board room has proved invaluable during the recent period of Covid-19 community transmission as it provides a quiet space to conduct online court hearings.

The refurbishment also includes an extension and cataloguing of the PSO library.

The library reading room provides a space for PSO staff to conduct legal research and also to read for relaxation in support of mental wellness.

 Adopting a people-centered approach to access to justice, there are now separate entrances for criminal matters and family law matters, enhancing client privacy and reducing potential instances of retraumatisation.

 The event was attended by the Australian High Commission’s Governance Counsellor, Andrew Elborn, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager for Solomon Islands, Berdi Berdiyev, the Public Solicitor, George Gray and Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Joy Angi along with PSO staff and development partners. 

 “It is most appropriate that we undertake this office tour in tandem with the website launch as it marks an exciting time of accelerated growth for the PSO,” said Gray.

“With legal information for the people of Solomon Islands now just a click away, lawyers can spend even more time focusing on technical legal advice and client representation.” 

He added, “Today we cross off major milestones set out in our five year strategic plan, and we are very thankful to our development partners in UNDP and the Australian Government for their efforts in supporting our mandate.”

Since 2019, the PSO through the Solomon Islands Access to Justice Project have deployed Provincial Paralegals and Community Legal Aid Advocates (CLAs) to remote communities as a means of enhancing access to legal information through outreach and supporting the PSO to deliver effective and efficient legal services.

“The Australian Government is a strong supporter of the Solomon Islands Government’s efforts in accelerating its digital development and with the global COVID-19 pandemic, it further underscores the need for more entry points of access to justice information,” said Andrew Elborn.

He added, “We are proud to support an initiative that ensures people will continue to access justice information without disruption and we are happy to note that this, together with the support from the paralegals will mean even more time for lawyers to focus on delivering justice, especially for women, youth and people with disabilities.”

According to market statistics from Telecommunications Commission of Solomon Islands, the telecommunications sector has seen key improvements in broadband and bandwidth usage due to the successful set up of the international coral sea cable (CS2) and the Solomon Islands Domestic Network Cable resulting in improved internet connectivity since 2010.

“Digitalization of justice information enables the scaling up of the PSO’s awareness raising efforts by empowering users to access legal information from their own homes,” said Berdi Berdiyev.

He added, “We are very pleased to support the PSO in delivering an inclusive, user-centric, accessible and sustainable website.”

The website launch and the refurbishment of the new PSO office was supported by the Access to Justice Project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs through the PSO and supported by the Australian Government.

MHMS to revisit agreements with PWDSI

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PWDSI manager shares story with the invited guests

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is looking at revisiting a number of communiques and agreements to progress their effort towards a common direction with PWDSI.

This was mentioned by Elsie Taloafiri from the CBR division, MHMS.

Ms Taloafiri said the approach of collaboration between the Ministry and People with Disability Solomon Island (PWDSI) has been cemented in a number of communiques and agreements.

“It would be appropriate for us to revisit those collaborative agreements and progress our efforts towards common direction with agendas stipulated in those agreements in embracing disability inclusive development collaboration,” she said.

Taloafiri on the same note reiterated their commitment towards disability inclusive development and the division within  the Ministry that is responsible for disability is anticipated to follow up in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Medical Service Partnership Coordination Desk and People With Disability Solomon Islands to start the discussions and finalise the Memorandum of Understanding for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Executive to sign with People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI) Executive Board.

Please ratify our convention: PWDSI

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PWDSI staff

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

The Persons with Disability office is calling again on the government to ratify the Convention on the Right Persons with Disability.  

Office Manager for People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI) Casper Fa’asala echoed this statement this week during the official opening of the PWDSI new office building.  

“Here we are telling the government to not be afraid to sign or ratify the convention because we are already advancing some of the articles in the convention,” he said.

Fa’asala said one example is that PWDSI has supported the government under Sustainable Development goal four in the article of Education.

“We have supported the government to ensure they have inclusive education policy and that is something significant that we have add value to support the government on.

“We have also supported the Ministry of Health and Medical service in reviewing that disability policy. Before it was disability policy but now we have inspired the government to say no you need to rename the policy because the same will depict a negative picture to the public. So that disability policy now becomes inclusive development disability policy. So, those two policies are very important in terms of advancing towards ratifying the convention,” he said.

Fa’asala said they have also talked about climate change, humanitarian assistance, and supporting women with disability.

“We already have advance implementation of the policy and of course implementation of the convention.

“So what I am saying here is that we have already advancing implementing some of the articles in a convention. So I want to encourage the government now please do not wait ratify the convention. Please ratify the convention tomorrow we need that now,” he said.

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