Home Blog Page 780

Gov’t increases PCDF by 100%

Written by
Press Release
-
0

The National Government is increasing the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) that is responsible for much of the provinces’ small scale infrastructure developments from $30 million to $60 million.

Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGSP), Stanley Dick Pirione revealed this in his Provincial meeting with the Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani and his nine executive members and in the presence of the Malaita Provincial Government’s Deputy Provincial Secretary.

The Provincial Meeting took place in Auki on the 22nd of December 2021.

“The 100 percent increase of the PCDF demonstrated the national government’s commitment to continue the positive impact of the funding”, Pirione stated.

PS Pirione added that the increase will be effected in this year’s development budget.

MPGIS PS further highlighted that the increase of the PCDF reflected the national government’s confidence in Provincial Governments to continue to impact peoples’ lives through small infrastructure developments.

Stanley Dick Pirione also strongly emphasized that while the funding will increase, Provincial Governments must ensure that PCDF compliance are met and that finance, audit and project management and implementation are strictly in order to ensure services continue to rollout to the people.

PS Pirione revealed as well that the national government through the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening will be supported with a $800 million over the next 5 years, part of this funding will go to economic or income generating infrastructure projects.

“All Provinces including Malaita will benefit from these programs,” Pirione stated.

The PS highlighted, donors are attracted to the PCDF mechanism and have shown keen interest to invest in it.

“The MPGIS since 2020 has engaged in a number of consultation and has received positive support from the European Union through UNDP and UNICEF for $78M dollars particularly for Education and health sector,” Stanley Dick Pirione revealed.

Pirione also added that other commitments including a further USD $21 million from the World bank as a top up to the PCDF for the next five years, and support through Local (EU 7M Euro) for Climate resilience and infrastructures, also UNDP Climate resilience programs, DFAT and other partners.

Pirione concluded that the PCDF mechanism has proven to be a success and the national government’s increasing its budget is a testament of the positive impact of the funding on the livelihood of the people.

Meanwhile, PCDF Assessment for the 9 provinces has started late last year and will continue first quarter 2022.

The National Government has fully supported this program since 2014 (when EU and RAMSI pulled out) and the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) has put in the greatest support with $60M for this year.


This funding will go for small infrastructures in the provinces couple with capacity building workshops with continual improvement of current provincial processes and systems. 

The PCDF project is fully supported by Provincial Governments including Malaita Provincial Government because of the strong impact it has in the community level. 

—GCU

Mala women calls for ward councils

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0
President of Malaita Provincial Council of Women (MPCW), Ms Martha Rurai.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Provincial Council of Women (MPCW) has called on MPAs through the Malaita provincial government to support the establishment of Ward Council of Women (WCW) for the province.

President of MPCW, Martha Rurai has called for the support to ensure each of the 33 wards in the province have their own WCW.

She said setting-up of WCW ‘s are to align with the structure which the Ministry of Women (MWYCFA) through the National Council of Women (NCW) will connect to women in the province.

Rurai said the structure is, Ministry of Women (MWYCFA) through NCW will connect to MPG Women Desk Office and then to MPCW and down to WCWs, Community Council of Women and women in communities.

She said the importance of this link is; this is where programs and activities on women issues will be channeled either from national government or NGOs to reach women.

She said through the arrangement, women will be able to work uniformly on issues facing them within the society in partnership with other stakeholders.

Rurai said so far MPCW has set-up 18 WCWs and 15 WCWs are yet to established.

Rurai said the set-up of the 18 WCWs was done through the supports of donor partners like; SPC, Oxfam and the UN Humanitarian Fund.

She said they are now they left with 15 WCWs and they have invited MPAs through their Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and MPG to support them establish the WCWs.

Rurai said the alignment of this structure is an integral aspect of promoting women issues that has become an important aspect of development of the province and the country.

Malaita survey set to go

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0
Survey training at Hotel Malaita in Auki yesterday. Photo philip Subu

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

SURVEY on the socioeconomic, politic and self-autonomy for Malaita province will begin next week.

This after a one-day training for volunteers who will carry out the survey was completed at the Hotel Malaita in Auki yesterday.

A volunteer who attended the training, David Wairimalefo said more than 60 participants attended the training.

He said participants represented 33 wards in 14 constituencies of the province and they will go back to work with their people on the survey.

Wairimalefo said they were told during the training yesterday that the survey will begin next week.

In a recent interview with Premier Daniel Suidani, he said the idea towards the survey was passed by his executive.

Suidani said they have prepared questionnaire forms for the survey and the legitimacy of the volunteers to train and carry out the survey.

Suidani explains that the survey will not only take people’s view on the subject of autonomous, but on other issues like development affecting Malaita province.

He said this survey will be carried out from village to village basis in the 33 wards in the province and eligible people to participate in the survey are only those above 18yrs.

Suidani said the survey will also reach out to Malaitans who are in other provinces and those abroad.

He said Malaitan everywhere are part of the province and the MARA government will ensure they get informed on what the government and its people are pursuing for the province.

Suidani said after the survey, the MARA government will sit-down and look into the data collected on the survey to charter a way forward on the matter.

He said the subject of autonomy is just a portion of the whole program that will be covered during the survey.

Water bills to increase

Written by
Press Release
-
0

SOLOMON Water yesterday announced an increased in water tariff starting 1 January 2022.

The increases, Solomon Water says, reflects the cost of delivery of water and wastewater services and the continuous improvements that it will be undertaking to provide safe and reliable water services in our areas of operations. 

It says Government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury approved the increase.

Other minor changes including new domestic service connections and other fees  have also been approved. 

Board Chairman designate Tony Makabo thank the Government for working with Solomon Water and supporting the need for adequate funding for improvements to Solomon Water’s services. 

“We acknowledge that some households may struggle to afford basic services but note that the water supplied by Solomon Water meets World Health Standards 98% of the time and is safe to drink,” Makabo said.

“The new tariff represents only an increase of 84 cents per Kilolitre (tonne) of water for the lowest domestic tariff band,” he added.

“Our tariff is partly driven by high electricity costs and the need to provide our share of funds into the significant donor-funded upgrade programme.

“We also need to fund loan repayments to Government for some of the donor-funded works. 

“We ask Government to assist us with further donor grant funds instead of loans to assist in keeping water affordable to all our customers.”

Solomon Water says as part of its ongoing “We Are With You” campaign, the increase will be aimed at improving reliable water services to our customers and this includes Kongulai water treatment plant, renovation of the White River bore field, increasing production in the Kombito / Panatina area and upgrades to various provincial water supplies. 

“Solomon Water appreciates the difficulties to customers at present due to wet weather affecting the water catchment areas at Kongulai and Kombito and we are taking steps to try and reduce the impacts caused by the illegal activities that are causing the dirty water. 

“We have made several improvements in 2021 to increase our production capacity to reduce the impact of these shutdowns, and have several more planned for 2022.

“The Kongulai water treatment plant will also shortly start construction around mid 2022 and will be completed in late 2023 allowing Solomon Water to produce water regardless of weather and catchment conditions.

“Forty cents from every kilolitre of water sold will go towards future management and protection of the water catchment areas.

“We appreciate that clean water and good sanitation are essential for people to remain healthy, and Solomon Water’s vision of ‘Safe water for a healthy nation’ is at the heart of us working with our stakeholders, communities and customers in improving our services. 

“Improved water and sanitation lead to better health outcomes, healthier children, less time off school and work, and reduced health costs.

“We’re with you in improving value, improving services and improving for the future – all aimed at delivering our vision of ‘Safe water for a healthy nation’.”

Solomon Water it strives to provide its customers with safe and reliable water and wastewater services.

Back in 2012, Solomon Water used to supply water for around 5 hours per day.

“With the many improvements that we are undertaking, our supply duration is now over 22 hours per day, and we are striving to provide a 24 hours water service to our customers in the near future.”

.

Villagers told COVID, riot affect economy

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
Fire officers trying to put off fire at the kukum area during the riot. PHOTO: Mavis N Podokolo

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources and Member of the National Parliament for Central Makira, Nestor Ghiro has told the people of Manita in west Bauro how COVID-19 and the Honiara riots have badly affected nation’s economy.

He said Covid-19, with its three strains, has seriously affected the world economy.

This has had an impact on donor support to Solomon Islands.

He said because of that, the national government decided to come up with a Re-direction Policy to ensure the economy stays afloat.

But he said while the Government was still working on its Re-direction Policy development programs, out of the blue, the Honiara riots emerged, halting the progress and destroying China Town, as well as other commercial and industrial areas in the capital.

Ghiro said the Government’s economic assessment of the Honiara riots so far has put the cost to about $500 million, adding assessment is continuing.

He said as a result, the Government has requested the ministries, constituencies and the Provincial Governments to help the government by understanding the situation “our country has found itself in”.

Ghiro said while the national government will try to secure finances to continue to run the country, implementation of national projects will be slow.

He said what this means for Makira projects is the provincial projects remain Government commitments. – By George Atkin in Kirakira

Ghiro: gov’t commits to Makira projects

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
Minister for Fisheries, Hon Nestor Ghiro

Touring Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister and MP for Central Makira, Nestor Ghiro, has assured the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government and its people that the National Government is committed to develop their projects.

 He made the assurance while speaking to the people of Ward 9 in West Bauro at Manita Village on Boxing Day – December 26, 2021.

He said the six provincial projects are the Kira Kira Wharf (in tender stage); the Ngorangora Airport (Tar sealing in progress); the Rawo Bridge (Feasibility Studies next year); the Rawo to Wango Emergency Road Upgrade (completed);  Warihito to Marou Bay (Assessment and costing done, awaiting tender in the New Year); the Kira Kira Cocoa Factory (procurement in the New Year); and 18 Communications Towers (5 for West Makira, (6 for Central Makira), (5 for East Makira)  and two for Ulawa.

Assessments for all the towers have been completed towards the end of 2021.

Ghiro said because of economic losses to the Government caused by Covid-19 and the Honiara riots, implementation of the projects will be slowed but “I can assure you that the government will try its very best to ensure they are not withdrawn from the list of priority projects”.

He said work on the projects will start this year and “my Central Makira Constituency with a population of between 16 and 18-thousand people will greatly benefit from some of the projects”.

“They have already been provided with road transport and other services which are expensive to maintain, but at least cocoa farmers and copra producers are able to carry their products to Kira Kira for shipment to Honiara; and garden food, vegetable and fruit producers use the same road transport to travel to KiraKira to sell their produce at the market”.

Meanwhile, he said landowners and community leaders must allow their lands earmarked for the projects to be developed because land disputes in Makira hinder development. – By George Atkin in Kirakira

Makira villagers urged to take COVID-19 injections

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
-
0
AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by NDTV.

Fisheries and Marine Resources minister and MP for Central Makira, Nestor Ghiro has urged his people of Manita in West Bauro to get their Covid-19 injections.

Ghiro, who visited the Manita community on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, told the people that it is important they get the Covid-19 injections because Corona Virus, now in three variants, can kill infected people World-wide.

He said although the deadly viruses have yet to arrive at “our shores, it is important people get the injections to be protected against Covid-19”.

“It will be a sad scenario if children get infected with the deadly diseases because their parents have refused to take the injections,” Ghiro said.

He said the deadly world variants have not only been killing millions of people world-wide, but they have also been killing the economies of many countries around the world. – By George Atkin in Kirakira

Peaceful festive season in Ward 7, Vella la Vella

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Community Policing officer Ward 7, Stanley Hemi

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

COMMUNITIES within Ward 7 in Vella La Vella have expressed their appreciation towards community policing officials in making sure law and order were upheld in the recent festive season.

Report reaching Island Sun Gizo highlights that activities during the festive season (Christmas/New Year) were peaceful and enjoyable.

In an interview with Island Sun, Community Policing Officer for Ward 7, Stanley Hemi said survey carried out by his team after the festive season show excellent results.

“The survey shows that there was no disturbance in the communities and this encourages children, women and youths to enjoy the Christmas and New Year.

“From observation, this festive season is better than the previous years and I must commend community leaders for taking the role in keeping peace,” he said.

Hemi believes that the improvement in community social issues is in response to awareness carried out by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Community Policing Department in Gizo along with Community Policing representatives before the festive season.

He said the awareness focuses on alcohol abuse so as other actions deem illegal in the eyes of the law.

Hemi said Ward 7 Community Policing representatives will continue to maintain their roles in the communities.

How CDF touches lives of constituents

Written by
Press Release
-
0
Chief Kokem Noga from Yellow Bamboo Community at New Zealand Camp is interviewed by MRD M&E officers.

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has touched many lives and better constituent’s livelihood despite negativities steamrolled against it by certain members of the public and constituents.

Constituency offices of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) has facilitated soul moving assistance to citizen’s over years, but that has gone on gradually without much publicity, thus, exacerbating public opinion and criticisms that the fund brings no finer impact on the livelihood of people in the country.

Despite these condemnations, there are success stories and positive impacts that CDF has brought to many with little made known to the public.

MRD Monitoring and Evaluation officers (M&E) interviewed a number of beneficiaries of the fund in Central Honiara Constituency (CHC) in November 2021 and obliged to get encouraging testimonies about the CDF.

“I received an assistance of $5000 from CHC for my family’s small piggery farm venture.

“To me, this is a great help. It may seem small, but growing and making the most of the funds is important.

“The financial support is a boost for us and we have utilised it for the expansion of our family piggery farm business,” CDF beneficiary, Job Lanisi from Namoliki community, said.

Lanisi said his small piggery farm has served him well to support his family obligations.

“The CDF assistance is an advantage for my family. Therefore, I must thank the government through CDF Program for the funding assistance.”

He suggested if possible, responsible authorities should consider maintaining the CDF funding assistance in the future to guarantee people are increasingly engaged in socio-economic development activities that would improve their standard of living.

Babra Maomaeasi from Kaibia community while sharing the same sentiments said she was overwhelmed by the value CDF aid bring to her family.

“CHC office assisted my family with $5000. We invested it into a family canteen. The funding assistance may be small but we have seen it grow over time.”

“While I understand every individual have different challenges and commitments with pressures from Urban living, I still have trust that once you put good use of the money received under CDF, whether small or big it would no doubt sustain your livelihood in the long run.”

She thanked government for the initiative and calls on the government to continue with the CDF funding assistance to ensure people participate in socio-economic development activities to improve their livelihoods.

Chief Kokem Noga from Yellow Bamboo Community at New Zealand Camp said his community was one of the happiest beneficiaries of CDF through Central Honiara Constituency (CHC) support for their Water Supply project worth $12,000.

“I have been residing here for more than 20 years now, and the main problem for the community is access to proper water supply.

“But, thanks to CHC for addressing our primary need by funding a water borehole that we are now using for cooking, drinking, bathing and washing,” an excited Noga said.

“For the last 20 plus years, we have to walk to the Lunga river to fetch water for domestic use.

“And seeing that such assistance through CDF benefiting us is remarkable.

“Therefore, we would like to thank government for the CDF funding that ensure we have a proper water supply in our community.”

Noga said CDF has touched his community hearts adding he wants the government to continue to render services to constituencies through the fund and to make sure constituents meaningfully participated in important socio-economic development for better life.

Stephen Aofia, who was the latest recipient of the CHC housing assistance project, could not hold back his tears of joy, when a delivery of timbers for a full skeleton two-bedroom house was delivered to him on 23rd November 2021 at Jericho 2 community.

“I am a permanent resident of this community and a constituent of CHC but never ever received such support like this all through my life.

“This is the first of its kind. No words to express how I feel now.

“To receive timbers for a full skeleton house without even spending a penny is indescribable,” Aofia tenderly attested as tears of joy rolled down his chin.

He then thanked CHC office for the boundless help.   

However, a constituent who want to be named as Mike while acknowledging CHC for assisting its constituent’s towards improving their standard of living, wants to see fair distribution of assistance transpire in the constituency.

“What I mean here is, such support should include all constituent’s, regardless of whether you are a voter or a non-voter of the Honourable Member (MP).

“This is not only for CHC, but I wish to see it transpired in all the 50 constituencies too.”

SIG CDF allocation for Central Honiara Constituency for year, 2020 was 3 million. Allocation by sectors showed $1,171,385.00 allocated for General, which include Administration and Logistics, Education, Empowerment of Women, Youths, Sports, Medical/health and General Assistance while, $1,828,615.00 apportioned for Infrastructure/Housing Scheme which include housing Hardware Materials plus Poly pipe rolls of different sizes.

The constituency was also allocated in 2020 the PRC CDF support of $1.8m to fund income generating, community infrastructure projects such as education and health facilities and community water and sanitation projects.

CHC commitment is to make sure all constituent is assisted and meaningfully participated in socio-economic development activities to improve their livelihoods, despite budget constraints. – Source: MRD Media  

File of missing $300k back to investigators

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mostyn Mangau says the Director of the Public Prosecution has returned the file in relation to the missing one link exhibit money to investigators for a final patch-up before charges are placed.

Commissioner Mangau confirmed this during a press conference yesterday.

 He said the file was returned to investigators before the Christmas period and there are a few things that the DPP has requested that needs to be sorted out before charges can be laid.

Mangau said investigators upon request of the DPP will finalize a few things that need to be added on to the file, before they can return it back to the DPP for charges to be laid on the suspect.

However, investigators are yet to look into the file as they have been engaged during the Christmas and New Year’s operation which was stood down on January 4 2022.

This is the case of the missing $300,000 cash money that recovered from the so-called Director of One-link Pacifica during police investigations early last year.

The money recovered are supposed to be kept as exhibit into the one-link case, currently ongoing before the court, however that money went missing while under the care of trusted officers of the RSIPF.

A police officer has been suspended while investigation was carried out.

1...779780781...1,675Page 780 of 1,675