A 50-metre seawall has been completed at Malakerava, adding value to the beauty of Gizo town and also providing safety to communities from sea level rise.
The seawall is constructed by Fair Trade Company with support from the National Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
According to Fair Trade Supervising Engineer, Jealot Giri, the seawall was completed within three weeks after planning and mapping out of ground works.
The height of the seawall
“Resources such as stones and gravels were on our side so as soon as we collect these important component for the project, we get down to work.
“Additionally, the area was idle for engineering work as the ground was strong with rocks intact, so the task was a bit easy,” he said.
Giri said the seawall is of the many projects that Fair Trade was tasked to carry out in Gizo, Western Province.
He said the purpose of the seawall is to enhance safety and also soil erosion caused by sea level rise and also raging waves during bad weather.
Fair Trade Staff Jealot Giri
Giri stressed that there is a need to extend the seawall along Malakerava shoreline as sea level rise is eating up the land at a rapid pace.
“As we see, the ocean has swallow large part of the shoreline and there is less time left before the beautiful shoreline will be gone,” he said.
Gizo Resident, Sharon Dina said constructing seawall along Malakevara shoreline is the best option to save the shoreline from disappearing under water.
Gizo Residence Sharon Dina
“This seawall is a best start and it would be more helpful to protect the shoreline if the sea wall is extended to the entire of Malakerava shoreline.
“I’m of the view that it is time for the national government and donor partners to fund such project as it protect our urban centers from sea level rise,” she said.
Dina acknowledged Fair Trade Company for the job well-done saying that the seawall will not only protect the communities from sea level rise but will also provide recreation for residents to chill out.
Mr Bix Paul with his healthy organically grown cabbages. On his right hand is Pak Choi and left, Saladia
BY JARED KOLI
Motivated by the healthy growth and harvest of his organically grown variety of cabbages, Mr Bix Paul travels more than 200 kilometres from Bellona in the far south-eastern province of Renbell to Honiara yesterday to promote his produce and share his story.
Mr Paul is the chairperson of the recently formed Bellona Organic Farmers Association (BOFA) and this harvest is a fruit of their labour.
Paul brought his sample harvest of about 30 heads of fresh-looking healthy cabbages in a flight from Bellona to Honiara yesterday morning, a mix of Saladia, Pak Choi and commonly known Slippery Cabbage.
“We don’t depend on fertilisers, we can plant organically,” he started.
“What motivates me to come over here and promote my organic farming is seeing the healthy growth of the varieties of cabbage planted which is entirely grown organically.
Mr Paul said BOFA formed in 2019 and has 75 member families. The association is affiliated to Kastom Garden.
“I come here to promote my Bellona Organic Farmers Association for their hard work. These cabbages were grown on our Phosphate Island of Bellona, given to us by God,” Mr Paul said.
He said currently his association make a garden of 150 meter in length and 35 meter wide in preparation for their 1000 cabbage which were now on nursery.
“We are now do pricking in preparation to plant in this garden,” he said
Mr Paul thanked the Kastom Garden staff for their support in terms of seeds.
“My greatest wish if the National Government to devolve its agriculture development plan to institution such as Kastom garden, it will work better because Kastom Garden has programmes of visiting rural areas in the country,” Paul said.
He said no one from the Ministry of Agriculture visit them.
“If the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Development devolve all funding in terms of funding on agriculture development to Kastom Garden, they can improve on the agriculture development down to remote rural areas such as in Bellona.”
Paul said one of their long-term objectives is to contribute to supply for the South Pacific Games in 2023 with honey, pawpaw and melon because they can produce these organically with high quality.
He adds this is just a beginning and they still need support from the government and others who might willing to assist the association.
Dulma Zama and Lency Lamupio with Dive Munda Instructor Euna Zio (middle) undertaking Advanced Adventurer dive course requirements in Munda.
110 Solomon Islands youth now certified divers
20 more sponsored youth now in the programme
More youth sponsors invited to join the programme
SOLOMON Airlines, Dive Munda and Agnes Gateway Hotel are marking International Youth Day 2021, celebrating 12 months of their successful Youth Diver Sponsorship programme, and by confirming their ongoing commitment.
The partners will also mark the occasion by bringing six youth from Auki, Honiara and Gizo together with youth in Munda to each undertake a Scuba Schools International SSI ‘Advanced Adventurer’ diving course.
After the closure of international borders in 2020, the national carrier, dive operator and popular hotel joined forces to do something positive for Solomon Islands youth.
Together they created a ‘Learn to Dive’ Youth Sponsorship Programme, inviting individuals or families, businesses and organisations to join them in sponsoring dive training for eligible Solomon Islands youth.
In Phase One of the programme, 110 sponsored youth (60% female, 40% male) received their initial dive training.
During the current Phase Two of the programme launched on 31 July, 2021, a further 20 sponsorships have already been pledged with 10 youth already receiving initial dive training, and two female youth receiving additional training to become dive professionals.
Other projects include youth experience dives, beach clean-ups, coral restoration. Phase Three of the programme is also in development.
“International Youth Day is the one year anniversary of starting the project to encourage more youth to learn to dive and support our ocean environment, and it has been an outstanding success,” said Belinda Botha Operations Director at Dive Munda.
“Initially, we aimed to train 50 youth to dive by the end of 2020, and due to enthusiastic response from sponsors and youth applicants, we far exceeded that goal.
Young divers now certified under the programme – Benjamin Lamupio, Kavana Kama, Dulma Zama, Caroline Daga, Clayton Kera and Lency Kasa.
“We were delighted to received sponsorships from all over the globe, including from corporations and individuals,” she said.
“The theme of this year’s International Youth Day highlights potential solutions developed by young innovators around the world to address challenges to our food systems, issues such biodiversity loss, threats to our environment and much more.
“This is very relevant to the preservation of our oceans as a major food source.
“Oceans sustain us and by introducing our youth to different disciplines within the diving world, we aim to expand their knowledge, capability and ability to drive the sustainability of our ocean ecosystem well into the future,” she said.
Colin Sigimanu Manager Commercial for Solomon Airlines agreed.
“This is a very valuable opportunity for young Solomon Islanders to gain new skills and become certified divers under a sponsored programme,” he added.
“Young people need help, mentoring and sponsorship to develop their skills and knowledge, so they too can take their place in our future dive and tourism industries and in turn help educate more people about the vital need to protect our unique environment,” he said.
“Solomon Islands already is referred to as one of the world’s most desirable dive destinations and that is very important for our tourism future,” he added.
“Solomon Airlines is very proud to support this programme, it is an example of what can be done in times of adversity when partners put their heads together to focus on mutual opportunities for the future.”
HOW TO DONATE OR SPONSOR YOUTH DIVER TRAINING
Under Phase Two of the programme, in partnership with Agnes Gateway Hotel, Solomon Airlines, Scuba Schools International, Blue Oceans Program. Coral Sea Foundation and Plasticwise Solomon Islands, sponsors can contribute to support the development of youth including:
Training local girls certified under Phase 1 to launch a Munda plastic recycling project
Training local youth certified under Phase 1 to spearhead a coral restoration & rehabilitation program
Supporting monthly beach and underwater clean-up dives
Sponsoring a local youth to do the SSI Advanced Adventurer certification course for AUD$250
“In Phase Two we are continuing dive education for the certified youth, and we are keeping them diving with a beach and underwater clean-up program, starting with our very own coral restoration, identification and rehabilitation project in Munda, and our “Stop Plastic Pollution” project.
“We are also aiming to train more local female dive instructors,” she said.
To help continue Dive Training and Ocean Preservation education for Solomon Islands Youth, sponsors can participate in the programme by emailing Dive Munda on [email protected].
FISHERIES minister Nestor Giro last Friday received keys to a newly constructed fisheries building at Kirakira, Makira Ulawa Province.
The handing over of the building coincided with the 38th Second Appointed Day of the Province.
Speaking on the occasion Hon Giro told the Makira Ulawa Province Premier Julian Maka’a, invited guests and others who were present that the DCGA government is committed to deliver projects to the provinces.
He said implementation of flagship projects is a top government priority and urges the Makira Premier to free up more land to allow for development to take place.
The Minister reiterated that the DCGA government focus is on strengthening the economic subsistence an approach that is envisaged for implementation beyond the current global pandemic”.
Hon. Nestor Giro during the staff House opening in Kirakira.
Minister Giro also thanked the builder, SMU Quantity Surveyor & Construction Cost Consultant Company for completing the building within given time frame.
He praised Company Managing Director, Mary Kouto who played a leading role in the construction process, saying women are equal partners in any development.
Minister Giro said the handing over of the Kirakira staff house marks another milestone achievement and in particular the recognition and continuous commitment of the national government to strengthen and support the fisheries sector of this country in line with the Redirection policy.
“It is my ministries commitment under its development plan to support the provincial fisheries to build fisheries infrastructures such as this residential accommodation for fisheries officers in most Provincial Headquarters this year and beyond,” he said.
The Minister applauded the Provincial government for supporting MFMR to fulfil one of its national fisheries infrastructure development for Makira Ulawa Province.
“In particular, I wish to thank Provincial Government for offering the land in Kirakira for my ministry and the building construction company to build and complete this staff housing project within the given time frame,” he added.
Giro stressed that as a productive sector, the Ministry of Fisheries places a lot of emphasis on recruitment of qualified and competent fisheries officers to serve in rural and provincial fisheries, in the same manner recognise the need to build new or renovate existing staff houses for seconded fisheries officers living and working in the Provinces.
“With this understanding MFMR is embarking on this fisheries infrastructure development plan in the next few years,” he said.
The Fisheries Minister also used the occasion to thank the Fisheries Management, the MFMR Project Management Division and Provincial Fisheries Division, key line ministries including Ministry of Infrastructure Development for driving this project.
Deputy Secretary Technical, Rosalie Masu who also spoke during the handing ceremony said it was in 2019 when a team from the Ministry of Fisheries travelled to Hagapore in Makira Ulawa Province for the official opening of the fisheries centre there that the idea to build a new staff house was first raised by fisheries officers from Kirakira.
Deputy Secretary Technical, Ms Rosalie Masu at the Staff House opening in Kirakira
They then went ahead and pursue the idea with the provincial authorities who agreed to the proposal by allocating the piece of land this building is built on.
Masu said issue of land is the main obstacle standing in the way of development in both Honiara and the Provinces.
“Land dispute and long process of acquiring land through traditional and government bureaucracy has slowed down the MFMR to deliver national fisheries projects. Therefore, I would like to thank you Premier and your provincial government for allocating land for this fisheries staff house,” she added.
SMU Quantity Surveyor and Construction Cost Consultant Company Ms Kouto said it took her company three months to complete the project.
She admitted they encountered challenges during construction period however they managed to overcome them paving the way for the project to be completed as expected.
She acknowledged the assistance of the Provincial Government, business houses and local communities who provided much needed materials when her construction company need it.
She also thanked the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for the trust and confidence placed in her company.
“Thank you for the trust and confidence you placed in my company. The success we witness today (Friday) is the manifestation of the partnership we build in the last 3 months of 2020,” she concluded.
PRESSURE on Government’s cash-flow is expected to ease this week.
This is after the Ministry of Finance and Treasury began releasing some of the money it collected domestically earlier this week.
Permanent Secretary McKinnie Dentana revealed this during a media Press Conference Cabinet yesterday.
“I am happy to inform the Press from this week we start to mobilise some of the domestic raised resources.
“Later this week the Minister of Finance will sign the first bond agreement from a bond purchaser that will help to implement government programmes especially the Development Budget,” he said.
The Government aims to raise about $300 million of bond in the $3.9 billion budget passed in April this year.
“So hopefully by the end of this week and going forward, this mismatch or the pressure should be eased when we start to receive other sources to fund the Development Budget,” he said.
Furthermore, Dentana said hopefully by the end of this week they should clear some of the arrears both in terms of the development as well as recurrent expenditures of government.
There is $2.7 billion in the Recurrent Budget, $938 million in the Development Expenditure and $258.5 million in the Budget Support Expenditure.
“Although this is a challenge we face, in terms of recurrent budget, at the end of July we implement more than 50 percent because of the prudential cash management in order to meet the priority of the government and ensure we implement the development budget.
“As of end of last week, we execute more than 25 percent of the Development budget,” he said.
Dentana said this is in line with their estimate because the Development Budget began implementation in June.
He said majority of the funding comes from control made on domestic revenue.
“As soon as additional funding help to fund Development budget, the pressure should be eased on the Recurrent Budget as well as Development Budget.”
Furthermore, Dentana said two major revenue streams of the Government, Customs and Inland Revenue Division performed strong up to end of July.
“Customs is striking above budget by 5 percent and Inland Revenue Division is performing above budget by 1.6 percent,” he said.
This is equivalent to $22 million collected by Customs and $16 million for IRD.
However, Dentana said the worrying part is in non-tax revenue where it involves Fisheries.
“Fisheries were below budget by 28 percent up to July.
“Most fisheries revenue not come together at one time. We expect big payments from Fisheries in fourth quarter of this year,” he said.
Moreover, Ministry of Finance and Treasury in consultation with Central Bank of Solomon Islands has revised the Gross Domestic Product growth rate from one percent to 1.3 percent.
CALM DOWN: Police Inspector Tex Tafoa addressing a crowd that gathered at Kukum yesterday in anticipation of a protest march to the Prime Minister's Office. Heavy presence of Police on ground at Kukum on Monday calmed the rowdy crowd and dispersed them while their leaders worked with Police to address the issue.
THE Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet is still to receive the petition from the so-called Honiara based Malaitans group.
Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, Albert Kabui told media in a press conference yesterday that they are still to see the petition.
However, he said if the office receives the petition, they will look into it.
Kabui said there was no petition received in July as claimed in the media.
Attorney General, John Muria Junior said the government has a process to receive submission.
Furthermore, Kabui said in terms of assembly by the group that breached the Emergency Regulation under the State of Public Emergency, this is up to the police to deal with it.
He said any arrest is subject to police investigation.
A spokesman for the group, Noxly Atu earlier told Island Sun they had been in dialogue since Thursday last week because the Prime Minister reportedly did not receive the petition, they had handed his office on July 23, 2021. It was also reported that the petition was not properly signed.
“Because of this we are working on it to have our group leaders to sign it, and we will resubmit it to the Prime Minister tomorrow [Tuesday this week],” said Mr Atu.
The initial petition was reportedly submitted to the Prime Minister two weeks ago, July 23 and copied to the Opposition leader, Police Commissioner and the Honiara City Mayor.
Only Opposition Leader Matthew Wale and the Honiara City Mayor had acknowledged receiving their copies of the petition.
On Sunday a crowd of Honiara-Malaitans met with senior officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the new Kukum market where they dialogued following the petition.
Police told the crowd and leaders of the Honiara-based Malaitan group to allow time to sort things out.
On Monday, a rowdy crowd gathered again at the Kukum market area with plans to stage a protest march to the Office of the Prime Minister.
A heavy police presence was at the scene and officers managed to calm the crowd and disperse them with help of the group leaders.
Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau in a media statement that day strongly asked those who intended to join the protest to refrain.
“The planned protest was illegal under the Procession Act and the current State of Public Emergency Regulation. RSIPF will not tolerate such illegal activities that threatens Public Safety and National Security. The Police is on top of the situation and have advice the organisers not to progress with any protest whatsoever.”
Run down materials inside the failed mini-hospital. Photo by JARED KOLI
BY JARED KOLI
A REVISED plan is being devised for the failed Marau mini hospital project.
The current plan is to rectify the defects which resulted in a demolition order carried out by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID) in 2019.
This is according to Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG) Minister of Finance, Treasury and Administration and Provincial Member for Birao ward in Marau, Andrew Tahisihaka.
Tahisihaka said assessments were made and recommendations were made with a number of reviews on the revised building plan.
“Due to the covid-19 progress has been very slow despite the efforts made. Once plan is complete, it will be resubmitted to GPG Planing and Development Board for approval,” he said.
Tahisihaka said funding remained secure and current design needs to align with the available funding of SBD$10 million dollars.
“More work needs to be done and get the revised plan approved. Land issues at hospital site at Manikalaku have been sorted out by GP Executive,” he adds.
GPG Director of Health Dr Joel Denty said the mini hospital is a community initiative which started back in 2007 with construction began in 2010.
The mini-hospital was funded through a welfare trust fund on Health made available after the Bank of Hawai’I, which holds majority share in the then National Bank of Solomon Islands (NBSI), left the country.
John Sullivan QC of Sol-Law was a trustee to the Trust Fund.
Island Sun was informed that the Marau Community approached John Sullivan as he is also a shareholder of the Tavanipupu Private Island Resort in Marau Sound, east Guadalcanal.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare briefed by Nurse In-charge inside the failed Marau mini-hospital. Photo by JARED KOLI
The Marau Community dialogued with John Sullivan and saw the need because the Marau clinic was destroyed after the ethnic crisis in year 2000.
A Marau Mini-Hospital Trust Board was then formed and work commenced thereafter.
However, according to Dr Denty who had involved in the project since 2011, a year after it began construction, the building has issues along the way.
One is, the structure and its plans never passed through Provincial Planning and Development Board.
The construction that began in 2010 was issued a stop notice in 2015 when the project was expected to have been completed its first phase.
Works Division went over to Marau in 2015, inspect the building and put the stop notice.
It was after concerns that the corridor was narrow and could not accommodate hospital beds to make a turn in and between the corridors.
Works Division began to raise issues in regard to quality of material, design of building and building permit.
“The question is why did Works Division let the construction to continue while it is still not passed by the Provincial Planning and Development Board,” questioned Dr Joel in an interview with Island Sun.
Island Sun witnessed during a recent trip to Marau that quality of materials within the building have run down. The flooring is made from ply woods.
The building was deemed failed in 2019, after a team from MID went over and issued a demolition notice, according to Dr Denty.
It was claimed that John Sullivan has spent $6 million on the project and was not happy with its turn out.
“The Marau mini hospital is a sad story. To hold people in ransom without quality health service for 10 years is unacceptable,” said the GP health director.
Island Sun witnessed that there were some sick patients that were admitted in the mini-hospital during a recent visit inside the building.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare also paid a visit inside the failed hospital during the time and witnessed the state of the hospital and challenges faced.
Dr Denty said these patients are only allowed to use the three wards within the hospital. However, the hospital is supposed to have a dental clinic, a theatre and an x-ray department. But all these were not there.
He said the Member of Parliament for east Guadalcanal has recently assisted on facelifting the old clinic by building an outpatient, admission block, and also repainted it, which is also now serving the people in Marau and nearby communities.
The GP health director adds: “Marau already has the post for dentist and doctors, this is not an easy thing to create, in terms of human resources.”
“But when things happen this way, we also have risks of losing those posts. A doctor for Marau has returned to Honiara as well as the dentist,” he stated.
Dr Denty said his patience is now running out and wants the national government or any other funding agencies to step in and help address the issue faced with the mini-hospital.
He said the Aola and Avuavu mini hospitals have been built to standard and have completed successfully although they were built years after the Marau mini-hospital begin construction.
Island Sun could not get comments from John Sullivan as he was overseas.
His law firm, Sol-Law refused to give us his email address, but instructed us to email them the questions.
COURT has imposed a three-year sentence on a man guilty for demanding money by false pretence.
Sam Ngedea pleaded guilty to 25 counts of False Pretence Contrary to section 308(a) of the Penal Code [Cap 26].
Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison in passing sentence said the defendant impersonated himself as the husband and later as the son of the same woman who visited the complainant’s bedroom once.
Hollison said reading through the facts provided before the court and considering submissions from the prosecution and defence lawyers, a custodial sentence is appropriate for the case.
He imposed a four-year sentence however due to delay incurred he deducted 12 months leaving three years for the accused to serve in jail.
“Thus, I now sentence him to three years (36 months) imprisonment. The pre-sentence-custody period, if any, must be duly deducted as well,” Hollison said.
Hollison said in his sentence that the defendant clearly planned the offending and used the name of custom and infidelity to demand money from the aged victim. The aged victim agreed to pay the compensation to the defendant on installment basis because he was threatened and he also believed that the representation made was true.
The offence of false pretence was repeated for 25 consecutive times that culminated in the total loss of approximately $25,800.
“The repetition is an aggravation and I am obliged to impart a strong deterrent message by imposing the appropriate sentence.
“In this present case, the lack of restitution on the part of the defendant is an aggravation which means that the complainant suffered unwarranted and unnecessary monetary losses that may never be recovered.
“I understand that I can also invoke section 27 of the Penal Code [Cap 26] to order the defendant to reimburse the money taken by way of compensation, however, I refuse to do so because I opined that the defendant will be punished appropriately by the custodial sentence that he will serve in this case. There is nothing that stops the defendant to consider reimbursing the complainant’s money later upon his release.”
He highlighted that the current case is a classic example of someone who falsely impersonated another person or other persons and exerted threats on the victim under the name of culture or custom to extort money from a vulnerable and aged member of the community unlawfully and unfairly for his own benefit. The most appropriate sentence is none other but a custodial sentence to teach the defendant a lesson. The combined aggregate sentence in this case serves as a warning to the members of the public not to involve in such deceitful and unlawful activities to gain money.
Steward Tonowane of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Lazarus Waroka of the Public Solicitor’s office represents the accused.
THE case of Martin Nehemiah Pola will appear in court for mention today before Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea.
Nehemiah is currently facing three counts of obtaining credit by false pretence from Smart Technology shop at Chinatown in 2019.
Prosecution alleged that on February 5, 2019 the accused met with the owner of the shop and introduced himself as the president of the so-called Accelerate Christian Education Schools of Solomon Islands.
Upon their discussion the shop owner was convinced and agreed for the accused to collect the items discussed, to be re-paid when the school grants were ready.
Later on February 28, 2019 around 10am the accused came and collected one mobile phone at the cost of $2,250 as according to the agreement and walked out with a proforma invoice.
Again on March 15, 2019 he collected one notebook laptop 14 inches and 1X 8c Honour brand mobile.
Later on March 28, 2019, he again went to the shop and collected two Redmi mobile handsets.
The total cost of items collected is $12,150.
A couple of months later the shop owner made several attempts to call the accused to settle his credits but was unsuccessful.
The shop owner gave him enough time, till March this year, but Nehemiah never turned up to settle his credits and the matter was reported to the police in which Nehemiah was arrested and charged.
THE people of Malango Ward, Central Guadalcanal, reaffirm and reiterate previous declarations and statements that the land from Lunnga (Betikaman River) in the west to Bokonavua (near Foxwood) in the east customarily and traditionally belong to them.
“We are the rightful traditional and customary owners of the area, the land commonly referred to as Levers Land,” said Vice Chairman of Malango House of Chiefs, Paramount Chief Justus Denni.
“This land is our traditional hunting, fishing and gardening area,” he added.
“Malango people are the traditional owners and custodians of the land since time immemorial.”
Because of our traditional ownership, Denni said Malango people strongly call on the Government to return the land to them as traditional owners.
“If the ruling Democratic Coalition for Change Government can return alienated lands on Makira Ulawa Province and other provinces to traditional landowners, what is so hard about doing the same to Lungga- Tenaru Land?
“Why is the Solomon Islands Government ignoring and neglecting our call for return of our land.
“We call on the Government to do the right thing and return our land to us.”
Furthermore, Denni said the people of Malango strongly call on people from other areas on Guadalcanal and other provinces to respect their traditional customary ownership and stop illegal entry or intrusion into their customary land.
“People should respect our rights and do not come and settle illegally.
“We further call on people settling illegally to refrain from constructing permanent residences or setting up business operations because we are going to get our land back.
“People living illegally within Lungga -Tenaru land should start moving out instead of building.
“We are determined in our resolve to get our land back as our land is our resource, our security and our future,” Denni said.
