Councillor for Vura ward in Honiara Reginald Ngati has acknowledged the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) for reigniting the responsibility of looking after roads within the city.
He said this is important for the Road Transport Board (RTB) under MID to apply rules and regulations for public to abide by.
“As a Councillor I’m pleased as this is a good impression to see changes that will put a stop to bad practices on roads.
“We have witnessed there are illegal humps been created, houses built along roads and drainages, but through the RTB I believe we can have control and try to reorganise the city into what we expect,” he said.
Ngati further called on the Minister of MID to consider Honiara City Council as the authority within the city to be part of the Road Transport Board.
“HCC needs to be part of and made aware of such developments so it is important for HCC to be included in the RTB,” he said.
He said the HCC’s works division use to do such programmes but since MID has taken back the responsibility, it will be proper if HCC can also be part of it through the RTB to be more inclusive.
He added working together with the Councillors of the 12 wards will be very important as each ward have their advisory committees who have direct link to the people to best address these issues.
Cutting of the cake to mark MERMAID project official launch
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
A PROJECT called Melanesia Rural Market & Innovation-Driven Development Programme (MERMAID) that aims to reduce rural poverty, improve nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and empower women and youth has been launched yesterday in Honiara.
IFAD awarded the project grant to fund this program to World Vison Solomon Islands.
This is to empower communities on nutrition, which is a very important part of our lives.
World Vison Solomon Islands National Manager Jimmy Nadapdap said the project team under his office had already signed understanding with the 10 communities to work with.
World Vision Solomon Islands National Director Mr Nadapdap delivers his remarks
“I have confidence for a successful project,” Nadapdap said.
“Our work is basically to ensure communities are resilient and be able to self-reliant through the knowledge they gained from the project,” he added.
Participants witnessing the launch
Nadapdap said nowadays rural communities have struggled with under-nutrition, over-nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
He pointed out that according to World Health Organization Survey conducted in Pacific Island nations, less than 20percent of people surveyed reported eating the five recommended portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
The World Vision manager said the survey recorded that the prevalence of under-five stunting and under-nutrition is unacceptably high at an average of 30percent (29 percent in Vanuatu, 33percent in the Solomon Islands), while at the same time, more than 70percent of adult women are overweight.
Participants attending the launch
“A drop in the diversity of available fruit and vegetables, coupled with increasing reliance on cheap food imports, have contributed to the substitution of nutrient-rich local fruits and vegetables with foods high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt, leading to increased rates of diet-related NCDs,” Nadapdap said.
Deputy Premier for Malaita Province, Lenty Nelson, said 10 communities in his province will benefit from the project.
“Today, World Vison has decided to launched the MERMAID program to establish scalable pathways for increased consumption of local and nutritious foods and improved rural income in Malaita,” Nelson said.
Panpipers performing on MERMAID project launching event
“I am pleased that our international partners support us in our struggle to eradicate the inequality that exist within our communities,” he added.
The goal of the project is: Reduce rural poverty, improve nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, and empower women and youth (SDGs 1, 2 and 5), with an objective to: Establish scalable pathways for increased consumption of local and nutritious foods, and improved rural incomes.
MERMAID project manager Roselyn Kabu
The project also has three key components:
Component one (1): Demonstrating Responsive Service Delivery for Rural Communities
Component two (2): Innovations for investing in women and youth
Component three (3): Knowledge sharing, policy and advocacy
The project is an IFAD funded project for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
In Solomon Islands the project is implemented in 10 communities in Malaita Province, and is expected to benefit approximately 49,233 people.
THE communities surrounding the Cross-road area and Blood ridge have launched their community by-laws yesterday.
Chief Wesley Tuita Ramo in an interview with Island Sun said the community is very grateful for the launching of the By-laws as it will help combat issues and crimes that occur within communities from Cross-road Henderson up to Blood ridge.
Mr Ramo said following the establishment of other community by-laws in other Honiara communities and how successful they are, they called a meeting with community members and decided on establishing six zones, each with their own committees.
Chief Wesley Tuita Ramo excited after successful launch of their community policy
He said it was a very challenging job to do as people in their community are not those who can easily understand things.
“It was hard to call everybody in the community to convince them setting up such community by-laws, because people want something out of what we are doing, they don’t worry about how peaceful and free community but all they want is money.
“So, with the support of the Police, Chief and Churches we are able to over come the challenges and here we are with excitement to launch our community by-law.
Part of the crowd attending launching of the Bloody Ridge Community Policing
“It is with tears of joy that we are successful, we cannot rely on the government to do something for us, but we ourselves can make change to our communities”, Ramo said.
He said they have drawn up 50 by-laws for the communities to abide and adhere to, and once anything arises in the community, appointed committees will deal with the issues and once the committees cannot deal with it, then it goes to the Church and then the Police.
Zone two community within Bloody Ridge providing entertainment
“Any outsiders wanting to sort issues that any member in our community create will consult our committee, before dealing with the person concerned.
“We do not want people to just come and directly ask any sort of compensation to our individual members, our process is that they have to come through our committees and it is us to approach our people under our care”, Ramo said.
Zone three group perform their item
Yesterday almost a thousand people gathered at Blood ridge community to witness the launching.
A recent mining exploration on Isabel Province. Photo by Axiom Mining Solomon Islands.
PM: need to properly tax miners
By EDDIE OSIFELO
PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says there’s lack of proper taxation regime to address loopholes in the mining industry.
This was after Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale called on the Government to place an indefinite moratorium on mining licenses.
This include both prospecting and mining leases until new legislation has been passed in parliament or at the very least that the weaknesses in the current law are rectified.
Sogavare told Parliament last week that they entered mining really unprepared as a nation.
“We don’t have a specific proper taxation regime for mining.
“What do you do with excess profit?” he asked.
Sogavare said there is nothing like that in the existing system.
He said mining can be taxed as any company on their profit.
“When you frontload their costs, their big capital costs, they will obviously declare loss for nearly seven years.
“So, you don’t collect company taxes from them,” he said.
“So, what do we do. Do we value add on something we take from them?
“That decision was never made right in the beginning. We adopted a chaotic mining legislation which is already there,” he added.
Sogavare added and pressured by the need to float the economy, the need they must develop our resources to help us, they go ahead.
“This is a tough thing when we held by the throat, we allow painfully some of these things to continue,” he said.
However, Sogavare said: “The time is right for us to look seriously more on how we develop our important resources like fish, minerals and forestry.
“The main ones that continue to hold this country even before Independence.
“We owe the existence of this country on these important resources,” he said.
Sogavare said the development strategy that was handed down, that they have problem with it.
“We will work on it.
“There are people now interested on establishing gold refinery, this is something we need to look seriously into it. So, we refine the gold before it goes,” he added.
Opposition leader Wale said the first-come-first-served rule in the current law is outdated and is a great risk to the proper management of our minerals sector.
He said it is being exploited by companies with dubious capacity owned by shareholders with dubious characters.
“The government’s policy to fast track three mining licences is a bad decision.
“Our minerals are a non-renewable resource and must be protected,” he said.
Wale said the companies that are being considered for these fast-tracked licenses have a clear and direct association with individuals we know from the logging industry to have participated in transfer pricing and other illegal and unethical conduct.
He said the government must not allow the practices in the logging industry to be migrated over to the mining industry.
INTERNET subscribers in Solomon Islands has reached 464,000 with the number expected to increase in the coming years.
Ministry of Communication and Aviation’s ICT Director Communications Alwyn Danitofea said the increasing number of subscribers indicates that there is a need of a cybersecurity policy.
He adds that mobile penetration rating is currently at 18.7 percent but that is expected to double following the recent improvement of network systems from 2G to 3G and 4G in parts of Choiseul and Isabel provinces.
Danitofea said internet is a space where both negative and positive information can be accessed and that it is important to be managed.
He said the government has blessed a policy paper now called the National Cybersecurity Policy which is currently under consultation.
Danitofea stressed that the National Cybersecurity Policy is an important piece of document looking at addressing some of the present and future cyber issues.
Premier Suidani is carried on a platform as he and his delegation was welcome by Malaitans in Auki .
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
PREMIER Daniel Suidani says his MARA Government will continue to lead and serve the people of Malaita.
He made the assurance when addressing a huge crowd that turned up in Auki on Monday to welcome him home after his six months away overseas on medical grounds.
“My good executive, I know the situation faced is like when Moses went up to the mountain and people stay behind start to worship idols,” Suidani stated.
“But I trust Joshua, who had looked after the people,” he added.
“Though the situation is like that, Malaita people – MARA government will still continue to look after you.
“And I would like to thank the very powerful executive; those that still remain with the MARA government for the strength, power and concern you have for the people of Malaita.”
Suidani told members of his executive that if they don’t have hearts for Malaita, they would have already left the government, but thank God that they didn’t have the heart for money or any other special things.
And rather they have heart for the children of Malaita – the children of their children that is why they remain standing bold with MARA government even though a few of them had presented during his arrival.
“My good people of Malaita, we are now here and I believe that the boat only rocks when the captain is out.
“And what I told my crews was to anchor the boat, don’t sail so that you won’t meet more bad weather. Steadfast and anchor the boat while the captain is away.
“Now the captain is aback, he will take the ship and continue to sail despite the bad weather because calm weather is near,” he said.
Suidani told his people that the day of unity is here, the day of good things is here and days to struggle as brothers and sisters are here.
“I have a believe in me that if we continue with our stand we will reap good things,” he said.
On that note, Suidani said he’s aware of a looming motion of no confidence.
“I must make it clear here on the motion of no confidence against MARA government that, democratically the motion belongs to people.
“If you people are still with MARA government, then who does the motion belongs to them or in whose interest is the motion?” he said.
Pacific Casino will be again one of the quarantine sites
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
FOUR quarantine sites have been identified to accommodate repatriates from the planned flight on Oct 26 to Fiji.
Senior Advisor for Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr Yogesh Choudhri told journalists the sites are GBR quarantine site, SA apartment quarantine site, Pacific Casino Hotel quarantine site and Honiara Hotel quarantine.
Attorney General John Muria Junior assured that they try to keep all incoming passengers on the eastern side of the Mataniko Bridge.
Muria said the conditions for them to board the flight includes fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines, three negative COVID-19 tests, self-quarantine for 21 days and Prime Minister will have to exempt them to enter because at the moment Fiji has recorded increased number of delta variant cases.
“Upon arrival they will be serving 21 days mandatory quarantine period,” he said.
Muria stressed the Fiji-repatriation flight is yet to be confirmed. But it is tentatively set for Oct 26.
“There are number of arrangements need to be finalised before approval will is given by the cabinet,” he said.
OUSTANDING files at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that have been pending investigations for over 10 months is concerning.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Andrew Kelesi expressed this in the High Court yesterday.
Assistant Crime Manager for Henderson Police Senior Sergeant Saxon Sai revealed in court when he was summoned to appear before the Chief Justice.
Sai was summoned to explain why officers at Henderson are not serving the summon on the case of Peter Kukiti.
He blamed lack of vehicle for the delay and revealed some files are lying in the office for almost 10 months.
Kelesi said the statement by the officer is concerning because victims and complainants have been waiting to see justice take its course.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Kelesi said.
He said section 10 of the constitution clearly mentioned this and police need to look at this issue and assess carefully how best they deal with the problems they have.
“I believe RSIPF executive will address this issue,” Kelesi said.
Meanwhile, Public Solicitor lawyer Stanley Aupai expressed similar concerns.
He said those pending cases does not involve any accused currently remanded at Rove, otherwise they will be remanded forever given the issue of no vehicle to assist the CID officers to carry-out their duties.
However Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer said the courts and legal sector are concerned of high number of remandees in the prisons.
“I already highlighted in one of my speeches.
“This is not a good picture.
“We have the highest number of remandees in our prisons in the region.
“Having understood the problem, the courts have also tried to address the problem aggressively.
“There is no short cut to the issue or dealing with trials and addressing the high number of remandees.
“The courts have to sit to trials and since my remarks earlier on this year, we have consistently tried to increase the number of trials and circuits as well to the districts centres, and in one sense we have been successful.
“And what we have faced in this case is one of those challenges because court cannot do it alone; it requires the cooperation from the legal sector, prosecution, defence and the police,” Sir Albert said.
He also said if the cases did not proceed in time further delays will be experienced and longer the person being remanded behind bars.
“Therefore, the concern is for every stakeholder to proactively work together to ensure that trials proceed on time.”
Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Community Engagement Team consisting of police officers and Director of the Solomon Islands Community Development Programme (SICPD) conducted Crime Prevention and Community Setup awareness programmes at White River, West Honiara on September 26.
Commander and Crime Prevention Programme Coordinator Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Macfretch Tesuatai says, “During the awareness talk there were about 50 people from their community present. This includes men, women, youths and children. They express their gratitude towards the initiative and time rendered in presenting the program to their community.
“The community engagement team emphasizes more on the main issues shared to every communities and schools visited in Honiara and provinces concerning the five drivers of crime. The drivers are alcohol and drugs, family violence, Issues affecting youths, resources, environment and other emerging issues.
“The community were made aware about the five drivers of crime and the main cause of crime that are stipulated in the crime prevention strategy model. This was followed by the topic of community ownership urging the communities to be proud of and take ownership of it.
“The awareness is to inform the community about the need to set up a crime prevention committee on how they can create by-laws for their community to make it a better environment for their children to enjoy free without fear of criminal activities. Communities were also being warned of taking illegal substances and other dangerous drugs commonly used by some youths.”
Community Chairlady Susan Funu in her concluding remarks says, “I on behalf of the communities in and around White River would like to thank our police team and other stakeholders for your time to conduct this important awareness talk to our community.”
The community acknowledges the awareness team and expresses the need for police to assist them in setting up their community Crime Prevention Committee (CPC) to work in partnership with police.
The community assured the awareness team that they will work closely with the police since the program marks a beginning for their community to set up their CPC.
Tesuatai says, “I would like to acknowledge the community for taking the initiative seriously as they looking into setting up the CPC soon. Looking forward in working together with them.”
The Stimulating Progress towards Rural Electrification in the Solomon’s Project (SPIRES) recently received its zoom facilities from UNDP during an official handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Mines and Energy conference room.
SPIRES is funded by GEF (Global Environmental Facility); administered by UNDP and implemented by SIG through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification.
During the handover, UNDP’s operations manager Keswaar Leelah said:
“Due to current pandemic situation, it is important to have a virtual form of communication in hand.
“This applies to ministries, organisations, private sectors and also individuals to be able to communicate with each other.”
The SPIRES project will benefit from this facility by virtually interacting with their partners in Bangkok through zoom calls online.
Mines Permanent Secretary Chris Vehe signed the handowner documents.
Vehe said SPIRES and the energy department will be responsible in looking after the facilities given to them.
“This is where the operations and maintenance of the system must be taken care of to last for some time and that such facilities will most definitely benefit the whole ministry as it is quite difficult to obtain such materials during this time,” Vehe said.
The handover ceremony was attended by the UNDP team, the SPIRES team and Mines officials.
