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SICCI acknowledge Pasifiki HR’s disabilities database for employment

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Strongim Bisnis representatives, Managing Director Pasifiki HR, Mr Bob Pollard and staff at Pasifiki HR. Photos: SICCI Media.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) acknowledges one of its members, Pasifiki HR for a new service they have introduced which will provide employment support for people living with disabilities.

This new service was recently launched during SICCI’s latest Business After 5 (BA5) networking event on Friday 6 August, 2021.

Pasifiki HR, which has over 20 years’ experience in employment and human resource consultancy services in the country, is currently working with Strongim Bisnis in developing a database for people living with disabilities.


Pasifiki HR’s People Manager, Alphea H Tufah introducing the new service for people with disability during the BA5 event.

“Basically, what this new service involves is that we work with training institutions that train people living with disability and disability organisations to source people with skills,” Pasifiki HR’s People Manager, Alphea H Tufah, said.

“We will have this database that we are going to register them on and then we will work with employers on giving them work experience,” she added. “If any employer is interested in employing them then we are happy to support them in that aspect as well.”

“We look forward to having more employers come forward and support our people who are living with disabilities,” Mrs Tufah said.

People living with disabilities make up 10% of the country’s population that is being excluded from economic activities.

Mr. Tim Lawther, Business Partnership Director at Strongim Bisnis, said to quantify the issue in Solomon Islands, the skills, talents and efforts of in excess of 50,000 people are not being utilised.

“The opportunity cost for allowing this to go on unchecked is too great,” he said.

Mr. Lawther have spent five years working with the national disabled people’s organisation in Timor-Leste on economic inclusion and market development projects.

He said by addressing this we are doing so on moral and economic grounds.


Pasifiki HR Managing Director, Mr Bob Pollard delivering his remarks during the Business After 5 event.

“Data shows that people with disability are loyal and committed employees. The unfortunate reality is that many of them are afforded fewer opportunities to actively participate in the economy, so when they do, they don’t waste the chance.

“Pasifiki HR have proven themselves to be pioneers in improving employment of people with disability. They are presenting market solutions that Strongim Believes have a good chance of sustained success – changing the nature of the labour market,” Mr Lawther said.

He said Strongim Bisnis will share in the risk of this new venture for both Pasifiki HR and the employers who engage them.


Jessica Kuve of Pasifiki HR presenting on one of their services during the Business After 5 event.

Strongim Bisnis will be offering subsidies to employers who take on employees (people living with disabilities), as well as tied grants for workplace accessibility modifications. Pasifiki HR will be building a database of jobseekers with disability, including their specific skills – presenting a strong pool from which employers can draw.

The Team at Pasifiki HR also took the opportunity to present to SICCI members at the Business After 5 event other services they are currently offering including vacancy advertisement, source and supply employees, referral services, full recruitment, payroll, and diagnostic testing.

The Business After 5 event is the largest business networking event in the country providing the opportunity for SICCI members to network with other likeminded individuals in the business community.

-SICCI Media

Express Freight launches ‘Less Than a Container Load’ service at SICCI’s BA5 event

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Representatives from Strongim Bisnis, Express Freight Management and Ueniusu’unu Agribusiness Group during the SICCI BA5 event.

For local businesses and exporters in the Solomon Islands the risk of putting on a regular service for less than full container loads are great. Sectors involving in the export of products are not big enough to incentivise to put on less than a container loads.

Fortunately, there are some committed to unlocking this impasse.

Express Freight Management (EFM), with support from Strongim Bisnis, have invested in the creation of a scheduled less than container load service. With this service local exporters can ship as little as 1m3 and only pay for that amount, instead of the whole container.

This new service was launched during the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Business After 5 (BA5) networking event on Friday 6 August at the Heritage Park Hotel.

EFM Country Manager, Mr. Ronnie Isip says at the moment they are focusing on exporting agricultural products to the global market as a way of providing assistance to local agricultural farmers.


Express Freight Management Country Manager, Ronnie Isip.

“At Express Freight we are aware of the requirements and needs of the people and through our services we will give time to consolidate those products, put them in a container and then send them globally opening the market for Solomon Islanders,” he said.

According to Mr. Tim Lawther, Business Partnership Director at Strongim Bisnis, Sectors cannot grow unless they can trial new products and/or new markets.

Mr. Lawther said Express Freight have proven to be a collaborative and reliable partner to Strongim Bisnis in this initiative.


Mr. Tim Lawther, Business Partnership Director at Strongim Bisnis, delivering his opening remarks during the SICCI BA5 event.

“Strongim Bisnis will guarantee the empty space under 13m3, which is roughly the break-even point to send a container.

“This means if only 6m3 of space is bought by an exporter, we (Strongim Bisnis) will cover the remaining 7m3. If 11m3 is bought, we’ll cover 2m3,” he said.

He said, as long as at least 1m3 is booked, Strongim Bisnis will cover 12m3 and the container will go every two months for a start, to Singapore, and from there anywhere in the world.

“If this is successful, we may guarantee the Less Than Container Load (LCL) services with greater regularity to other locations. And with other freighting firms.

With this LCL service Strongim Bisnis will also be collaborating with the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA Plus) and Mr. James Kana from Ueniusu’unu Agribusiness Group who have launched an LCL Platform, to allow businesses to book consignments online and with ease. The two interventions will fit together and give exporters options.

“I think it’s going to be transformative for any Solomon Islands business requiring outbound freight,” Mr Lawther said.

Strongim Bisnis is an Australian Government initiative working with the private sector and Solomon Islands Government to make a strong, positive and lasting impact through business growth.

SICCI, as the peak body representing private sector, acknowledges its member Express Freight Management and partner Strongim Bisnis for this new service that will go a long way in benefiting, particularly small and medium sized businesses especially during this pandemic.

“This is a very helpful solution and not only for the reason they don’t need to produce large amounts of product to fulfill an entire space. The main advantage is saving – they pay only for the parts they use.”

“For some businesses, this means significant cost reduction and directing money to more necessary needs which is extremely important during the pandemic,” SICCI’s Export Industry Development Officer (EIDO), Ronnie Golopitu, said.

Mr. Golopitu said, according to surveys conducted by the Chamber, export businesses are very affected by the pandemic and LCL is not only a smart but also effective way to do business.

“LCL can be one of the essential options for saving the necessary strength for the business steps in the future. Those kinds of benefits can help them not only to adapt to the coronavirus circumstances but also to focus on their own business as effectively as they can.

“This LCL service falls in line with SICCI’s goal through its EIDO Department to progress relevant market access related activities to assist in export industry growth in Solomon Islands,” Mr. Golopitu said.

-SICCI Media

MALA THANKS GOV’T

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Many say it’s a birthday gift

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Despite their political differences, Malaita provincial government says ‘thank you’ for what many are seeing as a birthday gift by the national government.

The capital of Malaita, Auki, is seeing a facelift ahead of next week’s Second Appointed Day, thanks to the national government.

Auki’s CBD today is different to the Auki CBD of two weeks ago.

The rutted road is gone, replaced with a smooth one, upon which vehicles and passengers cruise with no creaking sounds; even no sound from the tyres rolling on the road, some say.

Malaita’s Minister for Public Works, Labour, Transport and Communication, Timeas Waledala relayed his government’s applause and appreciation to the national government, especially the ministry of infrastructure development (MID), for rehabilitating Auki’s road.

Speaking to Sun Auki yesterday, he said since last week the public of Auki and visiting citizens from other parts of Malaita have been enjoying the smooth road.

The national road rehab project began two weeks ago, he said.

“The bad condition once endured with the Auki roads since last year until the past weeks has gone as roads were mended and will provide a transport ease for everyone.

“Currently the focus of the work is within Auki CBD and if required work is completed, work will expand to roads leading to the suburbs of Auki.

“The duration of the project is three month and there is enough time to complete maintenance of roads within Auki that are captured under the project.”

He stressed that the road work, plus the facelift, is timely as the province looks forward to celebrating its 38th birthday on Monday next week.

“I want to thank the national government that although we have political differences, they didn’t let go of us but continue to support and respond to our needs.

“This project is one amongst other supports from the national government to Malaita province and it also shows partnership between SIG and MPG despite the differences,” Waledala said.

He assured that as the responsible provincial minister, he will continue to work alongside MID to see a successful completion to the project.

Meanwhile, Waledala thanks JED Enterprise Construction Company for implementing the project.

Hospital to implement screening measures soon

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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BY JARED KOLI

The National Referral Hospital (NRH) will shortly be implementing COVID-19 screening measures at its car park area between the hospital and eye centre for all patients presented to the hospital.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said these measures will improve the NRH’s ability to respond to any potential community transmission of COVID-19.

“Observing the current outbreak in Fiji, and how it impacts Fiji hospital systems, the National Referral Hospital will shortly be implementing COVID-19 screening at its car park area between the hospital and eye centre for all patients presenting at the hospital,” said the Prime Minister in his nation-wide address on Monday.

He said the public is reminded that only emergency cases or the very sick and referred cases will be allowed to go to the NRH.

Sogavare adds all other health complaints will be attended to at the respective clinics in Honiara city.  

“The NRH gates will be tightly guarded to prevent any unnecessary entry with tight restrictions on visiting hours and number of visitors and family members to care for their sick at the NRH.

“All infection, prevention and control measures within the hospital will be upgraded and strictly followed as if we are experiencing a community transmission.

“The public is asked to observe and adhere to the measures that will be implemented at the NRH,” he said.

HCC with no Clerk

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Honiara City Council is still without a City Clerk.

This is prompting councillors to call on the Ministry of Home Affairs to pull up its socks and find a candidate soon.

HCC Councilor Reginald Ngati told this paper that Home Affairs should quickly fill the position, as the City Clerk is the person responsible in overseeing the Council’s operations to ensure effective, efficient, and economic management of activities and planning of the Council.

He said as the Council is heading towards its budget the presence of the City Clerk is very important.

“I understand that there has been an advertisement published and three candidates have been interviewed, and I am asking why the delay in the appointment of the suitable candidate,” Ngati said.

He said the ministry must appoint someone who is neutral and a person who has wealth of experience that can “reform the council back to its original idea of why HCC was established”.

“HCC need people who think of serving the people and not for self-serving, HCC now is like a fundraising institution, an institution without any powers, and so we need someone who can put those things in order and for the smooth running of the council.”

This paper contacted the Ministry of Home Affairs for comments but was unsuccessful yesterday.

The position has been vacant since the former was kicked out earlier this year for several allegations of gross abuse of office.

Ngati calls on the AG

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Honiara City Councillor, Reginald Ngati

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

VURA ward Councilor Reginald Ngati has called on the Attorney General’s office to tighten up the Honiara City Council’s legal office to do its mandated duties.

Ngati made the call following statements made by a Magistrate regarding confiscated items not produced in court as exhibit by HCC Law Enforcement officers.

He said there are a lot of things needed to be put right in the council, the legal office needs to interpret the regulations properly so that officers know their roles when implementing the ordinances.

“I applaud the Magistrate who made the ruling concerning the behaviour of the HCC law enforcement officers, for not providing confiscating items like the cigarette rolls and betelnut fruits in court.

“I just wonder how some previous HCC cases got convicted without those exhibits,” Ngati said.

Ngati said he wanted the Attorney General’s office to look into those issues and tighten up the office, as there are a lot of wrong legal interpretation on issues within the HCC.

He also said that HCC is an institution run by law and ordinances and the legal office is very important to guide this institution.

Alumni celebrates strong Solomon Islands-Australia links

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From left to right: Janice Ashwin Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) Secretary; Elizabeth Belapitu, SIAAA Alumni, Dr Lachlan Strahan, Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands; Hon.Lanelle Tanagada, Minister of Education & Human Development Resources, Dr John Fasi, SIAAA President and Louise Jennion, Team Leader, Australia Awards Solomon Islands

At its 2021 annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, the Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) celebrated the achievements of its members and the strong relationship between Solomon Islands and Australia.  The Gala Dinner brought members together under the theme ‘Linkages’, to network and share experiences.  The Minister for Education and Human Resources Development, Lanelle Tanangada, and the Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan were guests of honour at the event.

SIAAA membership comprises alumni from Australian tertiary institutions and from Australia Awards scholarships in Australia or the region.

SIAAA President Dr John Fasi said the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Australia Global Alumni in their home country, across the Indo-Pacific region, and for some on a global scale.

In her opening remarks at the Gala Dinner, Tanangada said, “The Solomon Islands is fortunate to have such an enduring partnership with Australia…whose government both values and supports the importance of education in our country and across the Indo-Pacific region.

“We are so fortunate to have so many Australia alumni, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in government, the private sector, academia and their communities.

“I would like to acknowledge the important and ongoing work of the Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) committee, organizing committee and its entire membership of around 400 people. This body provides further links between scholars and our countries.”

In his remarks, the Australian High Commissioner, Mr Strahan said, “Australia Awards is fundamental to meeting the needs of Solomon Islands’ economy and providing sufficient skills for economic growth.

“For this reason, the Australia Awards scholarships program has long been a key component of Australia’s development assistance to Solomon Islands.  It is also about building warm and friendly people-to-people links between Australia and Solomon Islands, as one of our closet neighbours.”

Guest speaker, Australia Awards alumni Dr Transform Aqorau stressed the importance of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of attaining an Australian tertiary education and encouraged the alumni in attendance to build their linkages in-country and with Australia for mutually beneficial development outcomes.

Mr Aqorau completed a PhD in International Fisheries Law and Management at the University of Wollongong in 1997, was recently awarded the 2021 Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to national and regional development and the diplomatic service.

Guest speaker Elizabeth Belapitu, Senior Mines Inspector in the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Development, said that her Australia Awards scholarship to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) with Honours at Curtin University (Western Australia) and her subsequent experience as a woman in a male-dominated sector helped her to understand the importance of empowering women and young girls undertake studies in the field of statistics, technology, engineering and mathematics to make difference in Solomon Islands development.

–AUSTRALIA AWARDS SOLOMON ISLANDS

Papa Mau front liners discharged

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Frontline workers quarantined at GBR in relation to the MV Papa Mau covid-19 incident have been released.

Their release is reportedly in line with testing protocols and quarantine guidelines.

This was confirmed by Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, in a radio talkback show on covid-19 updates on the SIBC.

“Persons who are quarantined at GBR in relation to MV Papa Mau covid-19 incident were released following testing protocols and quarantine guidelines.

“Thank you so much to frontlines who maintaining and complying with measures that are put in place,” McNeil said.

She adds, at the moment only four people at the quarantine. Two pilots at the King Solomon Hotel. One person at SA quarantine station and one foreign ship crew member at Pacific Casino – this person needed hospitalisation so after getting medical treatment the person is now serving mandatory quarantine period. He will return today if his vessel comes.

McNeil said for National Referral Hospital Isolation facilities there is no patient there

“At the moment we have no patients at the NRH, Isolation facilities we still very much zero indicators at the moment. Zero patients, zero community transmission and zero detected cases at the quarantine stations.

So, we are still very much on a zero platform,” she said.

Woman heads land board

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Honiara

By EDDIE OSIFELO

A WOMAN has been appointed on Monday to lead the Land Board in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey.

Samantha Tuti was a voting member before her appointment as chairlady.

She replaced outgoing chairman Alfred Soaki, whose two-year term ended on Monday.

Former Guadalcanal Premier, Stephen Panga was also elected to the post of Vice Chairman, replacing former Commissioner of Land, Silva Dunge.

Dr Divinal Ogaoga was also appointed as a new voting member.

Tuti said she looks forward to the challenge and is thankful for the confidence that her colleagues have in her to lead the Board.

She said it is a new experience for her but her experience in other boards previously and currently would help her in her new role.

The other voting members are:

  1. Minister’s appointment nominated by Cabinet – Waeta Ben Tabusasi
  2. Minister’s appointment nominated by SICCI – Natalina Hong
  3. Minister’s appointment nominated by Ministry of Women – Samantha Tuti
  4. PS Lands – Stanley Waleanisia
  5. PS MID – Stephen Maesiola
  6. PS Environment – Dr. Melchior Mataki
  7. PS Provincial Government – Stanley Pirione
  8. PS Commerce – Riley Mesepitu
  9. Former Honiara City Clerk – Rence Sore
  10. Nomination by Chairman, Honiara Planning & Development Board – Ray Andresen
  11. Chairman, Guadalcanal Planning & Development Board – Timothy Ngele

Non-voting Members:

  1. Commissioner of Lands (Acting) (Secretary) – Alan McNeil
  2. Valuer General – Joyce Galo
  3. Surveyor General – Jimmy Ikina
  4. Director of Physical Planning – Rowley Wanega
  5. Registrar General – Joseph Aleve Malanga

According to MLHS website, the Land Board makes all decisions relating to allocation of interest in registered land in Solomon Islands.

This includes the power to grant and transfer Fixed Term Estates, the power to set land premiums and rentals, the power to decide whether to allocate interest in land by direct allocation or by ballot or auction, and the power to grant temporary occupation licenses.

The Land Board was formed after the National Parliament passed the Land and Titles (Amendment) Act 2014, which came into effect on 1 December 2014.

Prior to this, all decisions on allocation of interest in land was done by the Commissioner.

In some cases, the Land Board has delegated certain types of decision-making back to the Commissioner of Lands, including transfer of Fixed Term Estates between non-government parties.

PM congratulates Solomon Submarine cable for new innovation

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

BY JARED KOLI

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has congratulated the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Management of Solomon Submarine for the newly launched alternative of volume-based pricing model.   

Prime Minister Sogavare said Volume based pricing simply charges by the Gigabyte of the data that is transferred by the retailer.

“Let me share with you a new and exciting development by Solomon Submarine Cable. Our very own cable company has launched an alternative of volume-based pricing model in addition to the traditional bandwidth pricing model to provide flexibility to its customers.   

“Volume or traffic pricing lowers the barrier threshold to entry to the market to allows new and smaller internet service providers to engage and simply grow with their traffic without a fixed commitment in bandwidth,” said the Prime Minister.

He said volume pricing is a more traditional retailing model that allows the operator to sell its unit for data at a known margin to help their business.

Sogavare said the operators can use as large the bandwidth as the network will allow, so ensuring consistently fast services to their customers.

In this way, the operator removes any speed constraint to its customers and charges them for the usage, much like customers use and pay for water.

Ultimately, smaller providers can enter the market and the competition will be beneficial to users who can look forward to faster, cheaper and reliable internet services.

“Let me congratulate the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Management of Solomon Submarine cable bleeding the world in this innovation,” the Prime Minister said in his fortnightly nation-wide address on Monday.

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