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DCGA pledges more investment in agriculture

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PM Sogavare and his delegation visiting the noni stall

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Government has promised to commit to increasing its investment in the Agriculture sector.

This was revealed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during the launching event of the 10-year Agriculture Sector Growth Strategy and Investment Plan earlier this week.

“Be rest assured that this government is fully committed to progressively increase our investment in the Agriculture sector now that we have a plan to guide us on how and where will we put our income to,” Sogavare said.

He said this strategy recommends reforming and restructuring the Ministry of Agricultures and Livestock so it can effectively deliver especially the extension services infrastructure like fuel experimental stations.

“Our goal is to grow our subsistence small holder farmers to become to become commercial farmers. Our strategy as well is designed to facilitate nation-wide implementation involved both the public and private sector including farmers, their organisations and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO’s) supporting the farmers,” Sogavare said.

He said it also involves other crucial implementation partners, our international development partners, CSO and religious group.

“On this note allow me to thank all our development partners in our Agriculture sector development journey all these years,” Sogavare said.

Minister condemns alleged killing of seven-year-old girl.

Written by
Press Release
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Minister for Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Freda Rotutafi Rangirei.

THE Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Freda Tuki Rotutafi condemns in the strongest term the brutal killing of a young girl at Kolombangara Island, Western Province. 

Police media report stated the seven-year-old girl went missing on her way home from school on 14th October and was discovered dead on 18 October.  

 “I share my heartfelt condolences and deepest sorrow to the immediate family and relatives of this young child and those perpetrators must receive the toughest punishment under the Law of Solomon Islands,” Minister Rotutafi said in a statement issued yesterday.  

The Minister said the horrific act of taking away the life of an innocent child and any forms of violence is a serious crime and is not accepted and must not be tolerated.   

 “Every child including girls should be able to grow up safe and secure wherever they are – at home, at school and in their communities and deserve respect as any other individual.”  

She calls for more collective effort to stop any forms of violence against children whether it be physical or sexual abuse and others. 

Minister Rotutafi urges all actors including Government agencies, Non-government organizations, Churches, Schools, Community leaders and parents to act and help create safer environment for all children. 

“National and Provincial leaders, church leaders, community leaders, teachers, parents including men and boys must come out and speak against violence against children including sexual abuse. 

“Whilst the Government is committed to ensure that all children are protected from any form of violence and abuse at home, school, community and our society, we acknowledged the need to strengthen thegood traditional values and practices that help to provide for the care and protection of children and respect for women and girls.”

WPG Education authority condemns killing of girl, 7

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province Education Authority has condemned the gruesome killing of the seven-year-old girl in Kolombangara last week.

The victim was a student of Vaosau Sepe Primary School.

In a statement to Island Sun Gizo, Principal Education Officer of Western Education Authority, Freedom Tozaka described the action as “beyond normal human being’s reasoning”.

He said the sad incident reinforces the need for the government to improve access to education by bringing schools closer to homes.

Tozaka adds that the proposed Child Protection Act should be fast tracked, similarly more awareness should be made on the Family Protection Act.

“The Western Province Education Authority strongly condemns the brutal act of murder that has happened to one of our little girls aged 7 of Vaosau Sepe Primary school on Thursday, Oct 14, 2021.

Principal Education Officer, Freedom Tozaka

“This innocent child was struggling for her future to be one of our human resources.

“As Western Province seems to be expressing very high rape cases and child abuses we do strongly call to the public to stop touching our little children and do show respect of caring and loving.

“We also call to Solomon Islands Government to provide more resources on the Child Protection Act and Family Protection Act so that awareness from the shores of Solomon Islands and to jungles must be known to these important tools.

“We call on all key partners to work together and make awareness especially, Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, MEHRD, Police, Unicef, Save the Children and others partners.

“On behalf of the Western Province Education Authority and all children of Western Province we deeply share our deepest sympathy to one of beloved future human resources to the Parents and family members whom they lost their very love one,” he said.

Island Sun understands that two suspects are being questioned.

CAUSE builds new Jacob’s ladder for Jericho residents.

Written by
Press Release
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Jericho ladder

A NEW 270-meter long Jacob’s ladder (concrete stairway) is currently being constructed at Jericho community of Central Honiara.

It starts from the main road at the top and stretches right down to the community along the valley.

The project commenced construction in August and expected to be completed by the end of this month.

The construction is being undertaken by members of the Jericho community who trained under CAUSE Project’s 7-day Life-Skills Training.

A statement from CAUSE said of the 22 workers, 12 are female members while 10 are male. The project is valued at 120 thousand dollars. 

“The technical design has incorporated the provision of safety rails along steep sections to ensure safety of community members traversing this stairway every day,” the statement said.

“Jericho is a growing community and have faced difficulties in accessing essential services at the town centre because of the poor and hazardous state of the common foot trail servicing the whole community specially when it is soaked by rain,” it added.

The statement said CAUSE access infrastructures are designed to bring access convenience to daily users.

“During hazard events it essentially supports evacuation, facilitate emergency relief operations during disaster events and help accelerate post-disaster recovery efforts.”

This project is implemented by the CAUSE Project under Honiara City Council and funded by World Bank. 

WPG COVID-19 team heading to Rendova

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province’s COVID-19 vaccination team is heading to Rendova to carry out vaccination this week.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, Director of Western Province, Health and Medication Authority Dickson Boara said sites have been identified for people to get their vaccination.

He adds that those eligible for the vaccine will get the jab.

Boara said vaccination programme in other parts of Western Province are still ongoing.

He said Western Province’s vaccination teams have dispatched to Marovo, Noro, Vona Vona Lagoon and now at Rendova.

Boara also said, vaccination centre at Gizo is still open for public to get their jab.

He said vaccination rollout programme in Western Province has been successful with few challenges.

Boara reiterates his call on the public to get their jab as soon as possible.

“We are racing behind time and it is important that we must get the vaccine. Note, that the government is likely to open the border when we reach the expected percentage people getting the vaccine and this is why it is important for you to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your families,” he said.

Cyclone simulation exercise drill for Mala communities

Written by
Samie Waikori
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The simulation exercise at Baunani in west Kwaio.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

COMMUNITIES of Baunani and Bira in ward 26 of west Kwaio recently carried out a cyclone simulation exercise as part of preparing them to respond to disaster.

The simulation exercises were to test the communities’ response plan for cyclone after trainings and workshops on Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) the communities had undergone.

Assistance Provincial Disaster Officer (PDO) through Oxfam/NDMO AHP Disaster Ready Project in Auki, Mr Tony Wale said the programme was supported by Oxfam in partnership with NDMO through Malaita Provincial Disaster Office under the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) Disaster Ready project for the country.

Wale said the aim of the programme is for the communities to establish disaster risk committees that will look after the development of disaster risk reduction and disaster response plans for their communities.

He said the committees are tasked with important roles in organising their communities under the disaster response plan when it comes to disaster.

A mock first aid care applied to a boy during the simulation disaster evacuation exercise at Bira.

He adds, the simulation exercises were the actual demonstration of the disaster response plans the committees had developed for their communities. 

Wale said Solomon Islands is prone to natural disaster all year-round and now the country is approaching its cyclone session.

He said with that communities must training on basic cyclone response knowledge that are helpful for them when face with cyclone or any other hazards.

Wale said Oxfam through Malaita PDMO have also implemented similar program in other four communities in the province include; Anololo, Daedaesaru and Oibola.

MARA gov’t sworn-in five new ministers

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Five newly sworn-in ministers with Premier Daniel Suidani and some of his executive members during the swearing-in ceremony yesterday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

DESPITE the political instability that is rocking the MARA government, they still remain strong and expect an increase in their numerical strength before the October 27 no-confidence vote.

And in strengthening the MARA government, yesterday five newly appointed MPAs were sworn-in to take their ministerial portfolios.

The swearing-in was facilitated by a Commissioner of Oath through a provision under the Standing Orders.

That provision allows a commissioner of oath to facilitate oath taking in the absence of the Speaker or his deputy.

The newly five sworn ministers are:

  1. David Osuria, MPA for ward 6 as the new minister for forestry
  2. Meshack Maukera, MPA for ward 19 as the new minister for tourism and commerce
  3. Eric Daoni, MPA for ward 9 as the minister for women, youth and sport
  4. Benjamin Baetalua, MPA for ward 2 as the minister for MOI regional affairs
  5.  Glen Waneta, MPA for ward 8 as deputy premier and minister for fisheries and education

Speaking during the swearing in at the provincial chamber, Premier Daniel Suidani thanked his colleague MPAs for witnessing the swearing-in of their new ministers.

“Before we can work together as executive members, we must swear-in before the presence of the commissioner of oath or speaker for that matter,” he said.

However, Suidani said they were unable due to issues that were intentionally not to support the MARA government.

“But even then we are so thankful that there is an avenue under the law that provides for the swearing of the new ministers knowing during this situation we cannot control those that hold responsible officers like the speaker.”

He called on the newly appointed ministers to work together to carry MARA government and Malaita province forward for the betterment of the people

Suidani said the MARA government is looking forward to have two more MPAs soon as the lobbying continues ahead of the no-confidence vote.

He also thanked the commissioner of oath, Simon Suku and the office of the clerk to the provincial assembly for facilitating the ceremony.

SEA CHASE IN MALAITA

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Speaker leaves Auki unexpectedly before swearing in of new MARA ministers

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

In an unprecedented turn of events to Malaita’s political upheaval, yesterday saw a high-speed sea chase of Malaita’s provincial speaker from Auki to the Central province.

Report says Speaker Ronnie Butala was supposed to have facilitated the swearing in of five new ministers to the Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government, but left Auki unexpectedly onboard MV Taimareho.

Mr Butafa last night told Island Sun he had not been aware of the swearing in.

Premier Daniel Suidani has described Mr Butala’s action as “intentionally shirking and neglecting his duties”.

The swearing in was however carried out later the day under a commissioner of oath in Auki.

According to a provincial security officer, who was among those who chased MV Taimareho, the ship left Auki wharf at 8am yesterday morning.

He said shortly after the ship departed, members of MARA executive called Butafa’s mobile phone to check whether he was in Auki or in East Kwaio.

The security said all attempts were futile and they deduced that he must have left with MV Taimareho.

He said the captain of the ship was called to stop the ship while it was at Alite reef (only few kilometres from Auki).

“This is so that a boat could come over and check for Butala and return him back to Auki to facilitate the swearing-in.”

He said on their way they found that the ship had not stopped at Alite as arranged, but continued on its journey.

The security personnel said this forced them to continue with the chase, until they realised that they were running out of fuel; they had 10 gallons on a 60hp engine.

So, they called on the RSIPF for help with their fast craft in Auki.

He said within the boats were provincial security officers and police officers who chased the ship until Nggella where the ship slowed down after many attempts to signal the captain to slow down.

The security officer said they went boarded and relayed the message sent by Premier Suidani to Butafa, but he refused to return with them to Auki. They then returned to Auki.

Speaking to Island Sun last night, Butafa explains that he was not aware of the swearing-in because his office did not receive any notice from the premier.

He adds, he was at his office until 6pm on Monday but no one from the premier’s office came to notify him.

Butala said he had only learned of the swearing-in when the officers told him onboard Taimareho.

However, he said even he had been in Auki yesterday, a swearing in could not have been possible because he would have had to “seek legal interpretation first”.

Butala said recently Suidani filed a case against the deputy speaker on the delay of the swearing-in of the five appointed ministers and the matter is before court.

He adds, in order to facilitate the swearing-in of the appointed ministers, his office must receive appointment from the Minister of MPGIS.

Butala said the matter is complicated as it associated with law, which needs proper and thorough interpretation.

He said he left for Honiara to mourn with the families of his niece who had passed-on and will be back in Auki later this week.

Police question 2 over death of 7-yo girl in Kolombangara

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Gizo police, Western Province, are investigating an incident involving the death of a seven-year-old girl alleged to have been raped and killed near a village in North Kolombangara.

Gizo police confirmed yesterday they are questioning two suspects.

Gizo Police also confirmed the girl was a student of Sausepe Primary School in Kolombangara.

According to Police Media, the girl had gone missing on October 14.

Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu said investigation into the matter continues to make sure responsible people face justice for their actions.

 “On the initial report, the deceased told her elder siblings on their way home after school as they walked together that she was hungry so she started running ahead of them to quickly reach home.

“She reached a sharp bend of the main road where her siblings were not able to see her. When her siblings arrived home, they did not see her, that is when they alerted their parents, and the search began.”

Police Media said the search began three days ago but was unsuccessful, however on October 16 they found her school bag containing her slipper and her school uniform hidden among the roots of a tree.

“The search continued and on Monday this week they found her body inside a creek, which was in a state of decomposition but it is visible that her two arms were missing with a wound on her shoulder and bruises on her thighs,” police said.

Lenialu sends his condolences to the family of the deceased for the loss of their little girl.

 “Police urges parents to look out for your little ones and always take extra care especially for females who have seen to be the victim in such sad incidents. Children this age cannot fight for themselves and should be accompanied by adults,” PPC Lenialu emphasises.

Premier Gina condemns brutal killing of 7-yo girl

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PREMIER of Western Province has condemned the brutal killing of a seven-year-old girl, describing the action as barbaric and senseless.

Mr David Gina said those found guilty must receive the toughest punishment and the law of the land must respect and honour the life of the innocent girl at all levels.

“The school girl was innocent and her life was cut short. It is common sense that there is no single right for a person to take away the life of another person – meaning life must be fair and respected,” he said.

Gina calls on the law enforcement agencies to launch an investigation as soon as possible so that those behind the barbaric killing face justice.

He also calls on communities in North Kolombangara to help police in their investigations to arrest the suspects.

Women’s Groups, churches and leaders of Western Province have also expressed anger towards the inhuman action.

Report reaching Island Sun Gizo alleges that the girl was raped and murdered.

Police have confirmed that two suspects have been arrested and questioned.

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