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.
The Makira Ulawa Provincial Premier, Julian Maka’a has said in Kira Kira, the Provincial capital, that advancing technology can mean Solomon Islands will have full access to internet – thus going into digital banking.
He uttered the sentiment while making his closing remarks of two days of consultations on traditional governance run by three officials of the Ministry of Traditional Governance.
Mr Maka’a said when that becomes real, hopefully, next year Solomon Islands would access the internet and would become the first country in the South Pacific to go into digital banking.
He said the Ministry of Traditional Governance can use this technology to promote the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018.
Premier Maka’a feels constant promotion and information sharing will be needed in order to make the new Bill or Law, once passed by Parliament, to be understood and adhered to by ordinary Solomon Islanders.
He also said that donors today stress the importance of including women in the decision making processes, and as it has been highlighted that if the law is silent on women, they may be excluded from the processes although they could be included in sub-committees or committees.
Mr Maka’a said the need for including a curriculum on the set up in the school system must be considered in order to ensure the future generations understand and value it.
In the final analysis, Mr Maka’a said the State-owned radio, the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, the SIBC, can help with the promotion of the new law when implemented.
But he requested the Traditional Governance consultant team to raise “our complaint that SIBC signals are very poor and need to be improved so our link with the national government through the media is re-strengthened and maintained.
“SIBC is a communication medium that can help in the promotion of the new law”.
Commins Ikioa : Capacity Development Adviser of Makira province
THE Chia Tai logging company which has been carrying out logging operations in Arosi 1 of West Makira in Makira Ulawa Province has agreed that it will demolish Aringana Health Clinic at no cost to the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government.
The news was relayed to the Provincial Capacity Development Advisor, Commins Ikioa who has led a three-member training team to carry out training to members of Ward 8 Ward Development Committee in Arosi 1, West Makira.
Mr Ikioa said in Kira Kira, the Makira Ulawa Provincial Capital that he was told the good news at discussions he had with Chia Tai’s Camp Manager and General Manager at Baurosi Camp July 18, 2021.
He said they discussed two issues, the demolition of two buildings at the aging Aringana Health Clinic and the completion of construction work on Asimanioha Health Clinic which has remained uncompleted since 2012.
He said Chia Tai logging company managers told him the company will carry out the demolition work of the two buildings at Aringana Health Clinic at no cost to the Makira Ulawa Provincial Government.
And Mr Ikioa said he raised the uncompleted Asimanioha Health Clinic at the discussions after Asimanioha community leaders raised the issue with him.
He said both Chia Tai Managers had assured him that their logging company will help Asimanioha Community to finish the uncompleted Rural Development Program funded project.
Mr Ikioa who thanked the logging company managers for their offer of free help said that he will inform the Province’s Premier, Julian Maka’a of the logging company’s offer of assistance.
He said the logging company managers will wait to hear from the Provincial Administration before they start to carry out the tasks.
Mr Ikioa told them that he will inform the Provincial Health Director, John Harara about the discussions and for him to liaise with the Aringana Nurse to remove medications, drugs and medicines from the old clinic before demolish work can proceed.
Hauvalisi Kava farmers With GP extension staff at a Kava farm – Tina Delta.
THE Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Guadalcanal Extension office has noted huge involvement of communities in Kava farming in the remote South Guadalcanal in 2021 compared to 2018.
A team from MAL Guadalcanal Province Extension office toured the region from 8th-18th last month (July) on a kava follow-up and processing demonstration mission aligned to South Guadalcanal Kava Intervention and recorded the increase in statistics.
Team leader and Chief Field Officer (CFO) for Guadalcanal Joseph Wotomaru said his team visited 6 wards in the region and compared to data collected in 2018 it shows a huge increase of 52 per cent.
Hauvalisi Kava farmers with Kava demonstrator (Nathaniel Ringo).
“We visited the same 6 wards in 2018 through where we recorded a total of 48,061 kava plants being planted,” Wotomaru said.
“However, from data collected during our recent trip to South Guadalcanal it indicates an increase compared to year 2018 as there are 101,165 kava planted which is approximately 50.6 hectare of kava being planted to date,” he added.
“This depicts an increase in the number of kava plants by 52 per cent from 2018 to 2021.”
He said his team executed two activities during the field trip which include kava field assessment and processing trainings or demonstrations to increase capacity of farmers.
Farmers and GP extension staff showing Kava chips dried on top of an old fibre water tank.
Wotomaru said the demonstration exercises specifically focused on harvesting, washing and cleaning, selection of chips and roots, cutting and chopping of roots and Chips.
“The processing demonstrations conducted are important to increase the capacity of famers on the standard market requirements so that farmers can be able to produce quality and marketable kava products, hence improving income generation and reducing poverty in the rural areas.
“The field assessment and trainings was conducted purposely to assess kava farms and to collect the latest field data.
Lynette Taghoa GP Extension survey and data officer collecting data during the tour.
“This is to measure the impact of the trainings conducted and the planting materials we distributed to the farmers since 2018 – 2020 with the aim of increasing kava production from 1.2 metric ton (MT) in 2018 to 5 MT by the end of 2023 in the region.
“Data collected could also be used for planning purposes as well as for further farmer support to ensure sustainable kava production in South Guadalcanal.”
Moffat Viniago, kava farmer from Hauvalisi and two Guadalcanal Province extension officers.
He said the trip was a success and a crucial one as information or data collected will assist Guadalcanal Province Extension office to verify the status of each kava farm and to project the total area planted in the target areas and possibly plan out the type of support the farmers need.
The team also delivered British High Commission seed and tools support to Avuavu lead farmers associations, Avuavu Secondary School and Laloato Community High School (CHS).
Wotomaru thanked MAL management and Guadalcanal Provincial Government for the support to the trip to ensure the program is implemented to support farmers in the remote South Guadalcanal region.
“Increasing kava production in South Guadalcanal will not only benefit the famers but it will also have a positive impact to the provincial and the nation economy.”
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.
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 Groupwho 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
