THE Market Manager of Gizo Market has warned vendors that discrimination is not allowed at the market.
He made the call following his administration’s decision to allow vendors to sell cooked food at the market last week.
Moffat Maeta said vendors must share the services to earn money to help their needs.
“We welcomed those who are not properly trained on food catering to sell their products and I call on those who are trained not to discriminate others at the market.
“It has come to our attention in the previous years that some women are abused by other women forcing the victims to stop selling their products at the market.
“This call is to make sure vendors come together and sell their products freely or without discrimination,” he said.
Maeta also calls on vendors to be responsible in working after the Market’s facilities and properties so that services will continue to be provided.
“If they pay for chairs or other things that belongs to the market, please return them to where they should be stored before leaving the market so that you can use the resources the next day.
“Our market provides us the opportunity to earn money as such we need to work together,” he said.
Food will be available for families who need food during lockdown.
The ministry of agriculture (MAL) has been assigned to make sure this service is available during the 36-hour lockdown which starts 6pm this Sunday.
However, due to the limited resources, MAL says it will only respond to people who genuinely need food during the lockdown.
MAL therefore appeals to public to stock up before lockdown, and for public to be honest with themselves and to call only if they “really need food” during lockdown.
MAL says this food service was also available to public during the country’s first lockdown exercises.
Chairman of the Livelihood Sector Committee Michael Ho’ota revealed during a joint press conference yesterday that his committee will be preparing food for people who cannot afford to stock up for the lockdown.
He said from the previous lockdown experience, they started receiving calls of food stress after 24 hours of lockdown.
“So, we will be monitoring that hour but the committee call on the public to stock-up food for 36 hours, because we only have very limited resources.
“But in the event people really need food they can contact us on phone 28116,” Ho’ota said.
He said they will be making food packages that will fit around five people each.
Ho’ota also confirmed that the number will be activated as the lockdown hour started and will monitor calls, as some people will encounter food stress within 24 hours.
Ho’ota said they want people to be true to themselves when making calls for food because they will only respond to people who really need food during those hours.
Meanwhile Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment (MECDM) Melchior Mataki said that the Livelihood committee also has an operational centre which will be in operation as soon as lockdown hour starts.
“There is also the National Emergency Operation Centre and the number people can call is a toll-free number 955.”
Mr Mataki confirmed that the Livelihood budget is also part of the $1.8million budget, and will also cover allowances, logistics and other needs each of the six sector committees need during lockdown.
He also explained that the $1.8million is the total budget for the 36-hour lockdown provided by the six sector committees under the National Disaster Managements Operational Committee that is chaired by the Director of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).
There will 10 police check-points within the emergency zone from Poha to Alligator Creek during the 36-hour lockdown.
Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava revealed during a joint press conference yesterday that public within the declared emergency zone must stay home, movements are restricted.
“However, when emergency issues arise, like people who are sick during the lockdown can call the ambulance or if they have private vehicle, they can use that and explain to police officers at the check-points.”
Pogeava said police officers are supporting the leading agencies and the Ministry of Health during the lock down, and their role is to maintain security.
“Police will enforce order should there be any breach during the lockdown therefore the public residing inside the declared emergency zone must abide by the regulation,” Pogeava said.
He said the emergency area from Poha to Alligator Creek has been zoned in six zones and inside the six zones, there will be 10 check-points.
Pogeava explained that zone 1 is from Poha to Rove Police Headquarters, Zone 2, Rove PHQ to HCC roundabout, Zone 3 HCC roundabout to fishing village roundabout, Zone 4 Fishing village roundabout to Ranadi roundabout, Zone 5, Ranadi roundabout to Lungga bridge and zone 6 Lungga bridge to Alligator creek.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment (MECDM) Melchior Mataki reiterates that movements are restricted during the lockdown, and inside the zones people should not move around but stay within their own residence.
He said the zones were created for security purposes, because during the lockdown security must be maintained.
Minister Seleso hands over the key of the building to the acting premier of Malaita province, Hon Nelson Lenty.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
Government has announced there will be an increase to the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) for provinces by 2022.
This means there will be more projects to be implemented in the provinces under the PCDF programme, which has so far proven itself through benefits for rural communities.
Minister for Provincial Government (MPGIS), Rolland Seleso relayed the announcement from Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during his address to handover a SIG-funded six-block classroom to Faiako school yesterday.
“You may be aware that the prime minister has announced good intentions of increasing the PCDF starting from 2022 budget.
“This is resulting from the tangible impact he has seen as he went round the entire country to attend the second appointed day celebrations of the respective provinces,” he said.
Seleso said his ministry will press on behind the intention to ensure it happens.
“On my return to Honiara, I will be submitting a cabinet paper on the policy proposal made by the prime minister for the cabinet endorsement.
“My ministry is also available for any technical support that Malaita may require to improve its human capacity to support its service delivery objectives,” he said.
On that note, the minister congratulated Malaita province for meeting nine minimum conditions in the recent assessment of the PCDF that has qualified the province to receive $5.6 million for its capital budget 2021/2022.
“I must inform you that 60 percent of this money has already been transferred by the SIG into Malaita provincial government’s account for its projects,” he said.
Seleso said since the inception of PCDF in 2008, Malaita provincial government has so far delivered 190 projects across the province at a total cost of about $60m.
He said most of these projects have gone a long way in improving the living conditions of the people who are benefiting from them.
Seleso commended the Malaita provincial government for the efforts they had rendered to improve the living conditions of its people in Malaita.
Special Secretary to the Prime Minister Albert Kabui. Photo supplied
By EDDIE OSIFELO
GOVERNMENT has no role to order businesses to change their policies.
This explanation came after some businesses houses made rules to accept customers who have been vaccinated only.
Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Albert Kabui said business policies belong to businesses and Government can’t tell them to change their policies.
“In terms of them denying certain services to customers, that is their decision,” Kabui said.
“But if customers feel they override their rights, they can go to court,” he added.
Kabui said Government has no part to play in such circumstance.
Furthermore, he said the Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Solomon Islands Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) for private sectors to take vaccination.
According to SICCI, it is urging members, their employees and eligible members of the general public to be vaccinated to protect them from the COVID-19 virus as soon as possible.
SICCI, as the peak body representing private sector in the country, acknowledges that vaccination is the most effective and efficient means in which we can protect ourselves and our country against the deadly virus as waiting for a community transmission will already be too late.
“As a Chamber, we commend Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for rolling out the country’s vaccination program in Honiara, Guadalcanal, Choiseul and Western Provinces including Malaita Outer Islands,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Natalina Hong, said.
“However, we share the same concern on the slow uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in the country to a level that would protect our population from COVID-19 in the event the virus breaches our borders and reach our communities,” she added.
THE Prime Minister’s Office says the front page headline by Island Sun newspaper ‘GOVT BOWS TO MALAITA’ is outright misleading and way off the mark.
Special Secretary to Prime Minister Albert Kabui urges media outlets to report facts and not creating agenda plucked out of thin air.
Kabui reiterated that issues in the petition by Honiara based Malaitans is now being dealt with by the relevant ministries.
“In fact, some of the issues raised was already being dealt with and is progressively worked on by the Government,” Kabui said in a statement issued yesterday.
“The Government will, like always, engage with the Malaita Provincial Government who is the mandated authority,” he added.
Kabui explained that national government is not coerced by any groups or entities to engage with MPG, the proposed dialogue with MPG is a normal practise provided for by the Provincial Government Act.
“Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening as the rightful ministry will provide update to MPG as and when appropriate,” Kabui stated.
The SSPM reiterated the call for media to exercise responsibility and provide accurate information so as not to mislead people.
PREMIER of Western Province says the existing governance hierarchy from the central to provincial government is a curse to development.
David Gina made the statement in reference to greater partnership and collective decision-making process towards needed development.
“I believe one of the glaring inadequacies of our current provincial government system is the detachment of our rural populace from the national government and the day to day running of the country or province for that matter,” Gina said.
He said provincial governments are the closest semblance of any formal governance structure that people can access, adding provincial governments know better the need of the people.
However, he said provincial governments have been abandoned in policy making process leaving provinces with no option but to receive services that are being provided without having any say in their needs, priorities and policies that areas are pressing in respective localities.
Gina said, the dissolution of Area Councils in the 1990s followed by the enactment of Provincial Government Act [1997] were the biggest errors that led to the disconnection between national and provincial government when it comes to shared decision-making processes.
“This marked the gradual concentration of the decision-making powers to Honiara and the reciprocal “disconnect” between the ruling few and the past.
“This is further compounded by the fact that under the Provincial Government Act [1997] (PGA), Provincial Governments are viewed as “agents” only rather than partners. It therefore follows that how can development be progressed when we are not on the same footing,” he said.
Gina described the establishment of Ward Development Committee (WDC) following a cabinet decision in 2012 as a mirror reform strived to reconnect the national and provincial government in policy development and implementation processes.
“The reason being that whilst the intention of the WDCs is to involve the rural people in governance through a participatory planning process, this does not come with fiscal devolution in order to render meaning and significance.
“We are only in the early implementation stage and we are already seeing the superficial nature of these arrangements.
“It is my humble opinion that for meaningful development to take place, we must first of all address the discrepancies and gaps within the current system so that it fosters a genuine partnership environment rather than one of master and slave,” he said. “These are some of the underlying weaknesses which continue to doze the existing system rendering its efficiency,” Gina added.
PRC’s deputy ambassador Yao Ming, left, with Lloyd Loji of Island Sun displaying notes of exchanges during the handing over of the computers, yesterday.
THE People’s Republic of China (PRC) Embassy has donated sets of computers to Island Sun to support the newspaper’s role in the dissemination of information during the Covid-19 challenges.
PRC’s Counsellor and deputy ambassador Yao Ming handed the computers to Island Sun Management representative Lloyd Loji.
Ming said the media has played an important role in disseminating information to the public and in recognition of that they are happy to support Island Sun newspaper during this difficult time.
He said he hopes the computers will equip news staff of Island Sun to do their duties effectively to meet deadlines.
Loji, on behalf of Island Sun Management, thanked PRC for the timely donation, adding the newspaper looks forward to working closely with the Embassy in the future.
THE Tina River Hydropower Development Project has partnered with the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to enroll 15 students from the Tina River communities to upskill and train locals under the Community Benefit Sharing Program (CBSP).
Starting next week and continuing into 2022/23, the students will be trained in certificate and diploma courses in fields such as Electrical, Plumbing, Business, Survey, Carpentry and Joinery, Environmental, Automotive Engineering and Secretarial studies.
In a first-of-its-kind extension program, the students were identified and selected after attending the CBSP’s Pre-Employment Training which was made available to eligible members of the Tina communities.
PET training and University courses are designed to upskill, equip and prepare people to be job-ready for employment opportunities during the construction and operational periods of the Project.
Speaking at the official ceremony of awards last week, Deputy Project Manager for Tina Fred Conning, described the program at SINU as an outcome of the communities’ request during the consultation phase 11 years ago.
“During the consultation phase of the Project, catchment communities had requested we assist the younger generation to grow with the Project.
“We took that very seriously and that is why when we designed the Project agreements, we included things like benefit shares and training,” he explained.
He also congratulated the students saying they are fortunate to be selected as the first recipients to be a part of the CBSP pilot program and enrolled at SINU in various courses under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training component.
Conning also encouraged all young people to participate actively in the Project and to take advantage of what is ahead.
One of the new students is Hubert Siapu and he thanked the Project for allowing him to further his education.
“I am very grateful to the Community Benefit Sharing Program for giving me another chance to further my studies. After completing the course in two years, I look forward to working on the Project.”
CBSP Coordinator Francis Kapini also added all the training at SINU for the participants is fully funded under component 3 of the Community Benefit Sharing Project.
“The students were selected after fulfilling SINU criteria and requirements and were identified from the previous Pre- Employment Training,” he said.
SINU’s Principal of Student Services Officer James Lengi said the University is privileged to partner with the Tina River Hydropower Project and sponsor the students.
“SINU has intended to reach out to institutions like the Tina Hydro Project to sponsor students at the University especially during this difficult time with COVID 19, when finance is becoming a major issue for students who are required to pay fees before enrolling to attend classes.”
He added with this program now in place, SINU looks forward to working with the Project office on this very important initiative to invest in future leaders and generations for the country.
“This is a very wise decision made by the Tina Hydro Project Office through the CBSP platform with the support of its other stakeholders,” he emphasized.
Among the recipients is 20-year-old Ileen Erisha of Malatoha in the Malango Region.
She is currently enrolled to commence a Certificate in Plumbing Services.
“I decided to study plumbing because my father is a carpenter and has encouraged me to learn a trade,” she said.
Erisha will graduate with a Certificate in Plumbing in 2023, looks forward to completing her studies and assisting the Project in the future.
The CBSP component 3 is for capacity building of community members through selected training and employment opportunities during the construction of the Project and will continue to positively impact the people of Tina into the future.
GRWA Executive and members standing with the GP Provincial Minister for Women, Youth and Sports, Hon Rose Tala [standing sixth from right].
THE Guadalcanal Provincial Government’s provincial Minister for Women, Youth and Sports opened the Gold Ridge Women Association shop yesterday.
Situated at the Gold Ridge Mine Site, the retail shop is registered and trading under business name Suta Enterprises Company Ltd, and will serve company workers and the company’s kitchen.
Speaking during the occasion, provincial Minister Rose Tala acknowledged the GRWA’s invitation for her to be the guest of honor and opened the shop.
She began by congratulating the women of Gold Ridge for the milestone achievement.
“This occasion signifies a milestone achievement of partnership between the developer and the people.
“You see in any country and society for this matter, Human Resource is the most critical resource; more valuable than Gold or Silver. This occasion indeed showed that you value the landowners, specifically the women of Gold Ridge”, Tala said.
Part of the crowd witnessing the opening of the GRWA shop.
Minister Tala said the current Guadalcanal provincial Government promotes gender equality and gender balanced participation.
“The current Guadalcanal Provincial Government in it’s governance policy promoted gender equality and gender balance participation in sustainable development of Guadalcanal province. In this regard, I sincerely acknowledge GRML for recognizing and believing in the women of Gold Ridge and Guadalcanal province, so that they can be equal partners through this project in sustainable development of Guadalcanal province.
“Secondly, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government under its service policy wish to empower youth, women, sportsmen and women of Guadalcanal province to recognize their potential to contribute to Social and Economic growth of Guadalcanal province”, she explained.
Ms Tala said the milestone initiative has enabled the women of the region to equally participate in economic activities within this economical region.
Furthermore, the Minister said the Guadalcanal Provincial Government in its policy seeks to improve economic status of women through business partnership and development.
“This occasion we are all here to witness is a drive aimed at facilitating our women to be active partners in business and development.
“And for this, I wish to earnestly thank the GRML Management for sharing the same vision and aspiration as the Guadalcanal Provincial Government”, Minister Tala said.
The provincial Minister also highlighted that women are managers of the family.
“Women are the managers of the family and when you empower more women you are empowering the capacity of individual families, let alone the whole society to actively participate in meaningful development and progress in our society.
The provincial Minister’s special message to the women of Gold Ridge is for them to be proud recipients and beneficiary of this project.
“We must be grateful for allowing our resources to be harnessed in an economical way. Today we witnessed a classic example of positive feedback from allowing investors into our community.
“I on behalf of the Guadalcanal Provincial Government wish to strongly call upon all women to feel the ownership of this shop and to harness the economic opportunities that will be presented and work together to ensure its sustainability”, Minister Tala said.
Speaking on behalf of the Gold Ridge Women Association, the Chairlady Joycelyn Pohungke said it is indeed a historical day for the women of Gold Ridge.
“Today is a historical day for us the women of Gold Ridge area because it is the first time we are given the opportunity to form our own Association under any mining company operating here in Gold ridge.
“We are also privileged to have our Association registered as a legal body. This is a successful initiative by the company management through dialogues with the women from the 10 communities in Gold ridge,” Pohungke explained.
Pohungke briefly outlined the reasons for the Association.
“This Association is established to ensure that the women of Gold ridge are given the freedom, protection, confidence and assistance to explore plan, develop proposals and implement projects that will assist in raising our children free from discrimination and in sharing to improve the living standards of all the residents in our communities,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the company, GRML Director and Deputy General Manager assured the women that the company is committed to assist the Association.
“Thank you for putting a lot of effort to make things happen today, and I can assure you that this is the beginning of many more good things to come.
“This symbolizes the foundation and partnership that sets this project on a strong foundation for us to develop Gold Ridge, not only the mining project but other business opportunities deriving from the gold project.
Wang told the women that their Association is an opportunity to bring all the women of Gold Ridge together.
“Using this opportunity wisely, you can run for a couple of decades.
It’s good that we start to work together. The shop is just a start. I know you can do more things once you have the capabilities.
Wang added that Gold Ridge through this program will bring women closer together and encouraged the women to develop the passion of sharing.
“Now that you have an association, you can collaboratively share your experience, share your knowledge share your wisdom, and share your passions with your husbands.
‘The management team will honour our commitment in terms of business trainings and the support that you need. We will be listening to your concerns, and we will also listen to whatever advice you will have to make this a successful business”, Wang said.
He thanked the community relations team, GCIL and GRCLA for the support and advice rendered to the women Association.
“Indeed, this is a very exciting moment, and I hope you will keep this enthusiasm and maintain that level of enthusiasm. Make sure it is consistent. Going forward, I hope to see the same level of enthusiasm maintained, and hope to see the same effort put into running the shop.
Meanwhile, Hon Tala together with GRML Directors Walton Naezon and Allen Wang cut the ribbon to officially open the Suta Enterprises Company Limited shop.
Hundreds of women, men, youths and employees witnessed the opening of the shop.
