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‘New rules needed on harmful subsidies’

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jerry Manele

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele is urging World Trade Organisation (WTO) members to establish new rules on harmful subsidies.

Speaking during the WTO fisheries negotiations last week, Manele stressed that the proposed set of rules would support global effort to eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing activities (IUU), and reduce overcapacity and overfishing as well as other exploitive and destructive fishing practices.

Manele adds that the prohibition of fisheries subsidies would in turn ensure the health and resilience of oceans and the sustainability of global fish stocks.

He said African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) members key interest in any fishing agreement is to promote national economic development aspirations.

“It is in our interest to push for the exemption of access fees, the exclusion of small-scale and artisanal fisheries, and for the removal of the unduly onerous and unfair reporting obligations on developing States, among others,” Manele said.

Manele was the lead spokesperson of Pacific Ministers during the meeting.

He presented the Pacific statement and outlined their interests in the negotiations many of which are shared with the ACP group. 

These include the preservation of small-scale artisanal fishing, meaningful special and differential treatment that provides policy space to develop their fishing capacity, the importance of access fees and the exclusion of differential licensing fees.  

Minister of Trade of Fiji Faiyaz Koya, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Papua New Guinea Soroi Eoe and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Samoa Peseta Simi delivered national statements in support of the Pacific interests.

WTO fisheries negotiations is part of series of meetings leading up to the two important regional meetings this week.

The two meetings are in preparation for the WTO Ministerial Meeting that will be held on 15 July 2021 which will assess the state of play of the negotiations of the fisheries subsidies agreement and try to narrow the existing differences amongst the WTO members. 

The fisheries subsidies agreement is expected to be adopted at the WTO Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) that will be held from 30 November to 3 December 2021.

Taro commissioned to start service

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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RSIPV 06 Taro as she ready to berth at the SI Ports wharf for her Commissioning

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE country’s second Guardian Class Patrol Boat was commissioned in Honiara yesterday.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare officiated in the commissioning of Australian Government-donated Patrol Boat Taro at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) international port.

“I wish to take this opportunity to warmly welcome our new Guardian Class Patrol Boat the RSIPV Taro 06 and our hardworking RSIPF Maritime Officers who had sailed the boat through the high seas from Australia to our shores here,” Sogavare said.

“I know that you had undergone intensive technical trainings in Perth for over three months and I must take this time to sincerely congratulate you all for your fine achievements in completing your trainings,” he added.

“Our country looks forward to your commitment and dedication to serve our country in the new RSIPV Patrol Boat Taro.

“The event today, creates a significant milestone achievement for us.

“It marks the beginning of a new chapter in our maritime security capability and capacity that is bigger and classic for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Maritime than before.

“We are therefore happy to be here today to celebrate the commissioning and naming of the RSIPV Taro.

“It marks another significant milestone in our deep and enduring partnership – founded on our shared values – and commitment to a sovereign – safe – and prosperous Pacific.”

Sogavare thanked the Australian Government for its support to RSIPF Maritime Division through the Defence Cooperation Program.

“Indeed, Australia recognized our maritime security needs and the importance of enhancing our maritime capabilities, for which we are,” Sogavare said.

Commanding Officer for RSIPV 06 Taro Timothy Doidoke also thanked Australia for its support during their six weeks of training in Perth.

“Despite having two of our crews down due to illness, we still managed to maintain and complete our training,” Doidoke said.

Makira readers miss the two newspapers

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Newspaper readers from Makira say they are missing the papers, Solomon Star and Island Sun because their papers are no longer sold in Kira Kira.

Many readers have told our Kira Kira Correspondent that they miss the papers because they have depended on them to know what have been going on in the Makira Ulawa Province, Solomon Islands, and in the World.

They claim they cannot totally depend on the State-Owned-Broadcaster, the SIBC to hear the news because its reception is poor in many parts of the Province, even in Kira Kira, the Provincial Capital.

Readers spoken to say they appreciate that since our Correspondent started filling up the media with news from the Province nearly two years ago, they know what is going on, the good and the bad actions of the National Government and their Provincial Government, adding they now realize the media can stimulate their thinking.

By George Atkin

 Kira Kira

Empowering youth to promote peace

Written by
Press Release
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Youth community project leaders in White River (left) with Cedric Alependava, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Berdi Berdiyev, UNDP Solomon Islands Country manager, Vardon Hoca, UNDP Project Manager and Jennifer Wate, General Secretary, Development Services Exchange. Photo credit: Anastasiia Tiurmenko/UNDP

 

THE United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) and International Labor Organization (ILO), in partnership with the national government, are empowering youth and promoting their role as agents of peace and resilience through community-based projects within the Empowering Youth as Agents for Peace and Social Cohesion in the Solomon Islands Project’s framework.

From brickmaking and piggery to vegetable garden and landscaping, UNDP supported five Honiara-based initiatives, which are part of 26 social entrepreneurship / community projects facilitated by the local partner Development Service Exchange (DSE), implemented by young leaders in three provinces.

These projects aimed to support building social cohesion and sustaining peace in the targeted communities.

The overarching impact goes beyond transforming the individual participants – it contributes to the community’s social and economic development.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Cedric Alependava, the Permanent Secretary, took note of the support provided by UNDP through the Youth Empowerment Project.

“I welcome today’s handover of these youth-led community projects, which has affirmed itself as one of the great achievements of the partnership between the Government and UNDP,” Alependava said.

“While supporting youth initiatives like this drives growth and change in Solomon Islands’ communities, it also contributes to conflict reduction and promoting peaceful co-existence,” he added.

Alependava further encouraged partners to ensure strong and continuous support for youth-led peacebuilding efforts as “young people are a powerful force for change”.

“Investing in today’s youth means investing in our future. They are the future leaders of their communities,” Berdi Berdiyev, UNDP Country Manager in Solomon Islands, pointed out.

 “In close partnership with the Government, we are bridging gaps between communities and laying strong foundations for harmonious and peaceful relations and social cohesion,” he added.

With the 2030 Agenda as a guiding thread, UNDP works to advance young people’s civic and political life, economic empowerment, and role as peace- and resilience-builders.

Empowering youth through community-based initiatives is part of the Empowering Youth as Agents for Peace and Social Cohesion in the Solomon Islands Project which is being implemented by UNDP Solomon Islands and International Labor Organization with the financial support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, it helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

CSSI officer ordained priest

Written by
Press Release
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CSSI Deputy Commissioner Michael Nagu and Staff pose for a group photo with newly ordained Priest and Bishop after the service

THE Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) has further strengthened its link with the church through the ordination of one of its officers Sergeant Steven Rukale as Priesthood in the Church of Melanesia in North Guadalcanal on 24 June 2021.

The ordination service coincided with Saint John the Baptist Day at Koli Village in Ghaobata Parish.

Diocesan Bishop of Guadalcanal Rev.Benedict Loe, Bishop’s Chaplain Dr Atkin Zaku and clergies of the parish officiated in the ordination service.

Zaku in his sermon reminds ordained priest Sgt Rukale and congregations that “a priest must be without fault, a priest must be a serious believer, a priest must not be a drunker, a priest not be an arrogant and quick temper and a priest should not be greedy when it comes to money.

Instead, he said a priest should be hospitable, loving, holy and self-control to uphold the truth about the gospel

“The sermon speaks well for today’s celebrations of St John the Baptist and the ordination of Priest Sergeant Steven Rukale,” Zaku said.

Newly ordained priest, Sergeant Steven Rukale says he was humbled and gave thanks and praise to the Almighty God for the gift of faith and for the gift of ordination.

“The gift I received this morning is not for myself, but for serving the people of God and beloved Solomon Islands to help spread the message of peace in the church of God,” Rukale said.

“The church is the people that officers of the CSSI serve,” he added.

“Being a priesthood and correctional officer make no difference as both the church and Corrections work for peace.

“Yet my ordination as a priest will further strengthen the bonds between the Anglican Church of Melanesia and the CSSI.

“It will certainly broaden my interaction with the church congregation to be law abiding citizens when they serve God.”

Sergeant Rukale holds a graduate Diploma in Theology and Sociology from the Bishop Patteson Theological College (BPTC) Extension.

He joined the CSSI in 2014 and promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2019 and currently posted at Tetere Correctional Centre as Coordinator for Commercial Enterprise.

Meanwhile, CSSI Deputy Commissioner Michael Nagu thanked Bishop Loe, clergies, traditional leaders, elders, women and youth of Ghaobata Parish for their support to Sergeant Rukale. – CSSI Press

NSO conducts training for CPI staff

Written by
Press Release
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The CPI officers. From left back to front; Esther Paraerae, Hilda Angota, Velma Rosa, Janina Pitaka, Joseph Jio, Hicks Maára, John Tuke, Fisher Makasi and Marvin Hokotatu.

THE Consumer Price Index Unit within the National Statistics Office, Ministry of Finance and Treasury has held a five day workshop for its staff last week.

Facilitated by Senior Statistician Anna Luvu, the training involved core elements of maintenance and quality Adjustments to respond to missing prices and related challenges, especially during the current new normal, and post Covid-19 era.

Senior Statistician, Anna Luvu

The training is expected to improve staff technical capability in producing and maintaining the leading inflation measure for the Solomon Islands, and ensuring it is fit for purpose, representative and is an accurate statistic and continues to support evidence based policy and planning purposes.

It is also expected to improve CPI field operations and regional compilation. 

This will lead to increased capability development in analytical skills, outlier identification, best practice data collection techniques and quality adjustments techniques.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed their appreciation.

Velma Rosa said the training was timely as it helps them to identify problems in how they conduct their responsibilities.

“Now that we have identified those problems we can carry out our duties more effectively. We can improve on our data collection in the future.”

George Tuke pointed out that other stakeholders in the country also use the data they collect.

“What we collect is not only for our work and the Statistics Office but for other stakeholders too. They make decisions based on our data, so it’s important that we do it right.

“There have also been changes made as to how we should carry out the work.

“Overall the training was good.”  

NSO’s CPI officers from Honiara, Noro and Gizo in the Western Province, Taro in Choiseul Province and Auki Malaita Province attended the program.

—NSO

Pacific leaders to review fishing agreement

Written by
Ben Bilua
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0

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Pacific ministers will be looking at the return of fisheries resources during the Forum Economic Ministers’ Meeting next week.

Leaders will review a document which was compiled over the last six to 12 months on the independent returns of fisheries resources in the Pacific region.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday this week, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary, Director of Programmes and Initiatives, Zarak Khan said the piece of work was mandated by Pacific leaders back in 2015-2016 as part of the framework for Pacific regionalism to look at fisheries resource economic returns.

“So this is one of the five initial priorities that was articulated and agreed to values, and then asked that after a five year timeframe review be done.

“And the results of that review be conveyed to them with recommendations on how certain specific issues can be addressed, and in a better look through by the regional agencies, but also by the member states themselves.

“So the study has been completed, it’s been presented to the Forum Fisheries Committee Ministers, the fisheries ministers of the region, who have the mandate on fisheries issues and it will also be discussed at the regional fisheries ministers meeting,” he said.

Khan said the economic issues are very much entangled and tied together with fisheries and that the process is part of series of interventions to address the issue.

He explained that the involvement of economic minister in the process is because the of the recommendation highlighted on the reviewed document which required economic ministers so as fisheries ministers to work closely in the future.

Khan said the reviewed document so as the involvement of economic ministers and fisheries ministers in the process is paramount as close to 50 to 60 percent of pacific islands national budgets are financed through fisheries sector (tuna industry).

MALA CLAWS LAWS

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Guests cut the ribbon to officially launch the Ambu community bylaw on Friday.

Revolution as communities strengthen themselves

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Malaita is witnessing a revolution as communities across the province establish bylaws to strengthen and empower themselves.

More than 30 communities have passed their laws; about the same number are having theirs at the draft-stage, and many more are trailing this same path.

Ambu community, near Malaita capital, Auki, is the latest to enter the fold of law-empowered societies with the launch of their community bylaw held Friday last week.

Both the national government DCGA and the provincial government of Malaita put aside their political differences to witness this historic step in Ambu.

Guest speaker during the launching ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the national ministry of provincial governance (MPGIS), Mr Stanley Dick Pirione thanked Ambu community and its bylaw committee and all stakeholders for inputs and contributions answered in the launching of the bylaw.

He said Ambu like other communities has been governed by certain rules, norms and regulations that existed since the establishment of the community.

“These rules are based on teachings of biblical-Christian principles and also on custom practices based on our traditional beliefs and livelihoods.

“By enforcing these set of regulations and common beliefs, we may have a sense of authority and control in the manner we govern our affairs. That is what bylaw is all about.

“It is about rules, control and management of the community and even church affairs so that we can live and participate in socio-economic development in a manner that is peaceful and more beneficial to us the community,” Pirione said.

He explained that ‘bylaw’ has significant contributions or benefits to the communities which include; maintaining consistency in the management of community affairs and helping church and community leaders manage affairs of the community.

“Communicate purposes and resolving of internal disputes, discipline community members and facilitate development of young people, assist in community governance, enforcement and avoids potential conflicts.

“Restore peace, harmony, friendship and improve livelihood of people within community, paves way for development and delivery of government services and confidence for nation building,” Pirione said.

He called on Ambu community to encompass commitment and enforce regulations within the bylaw document “though it could be challenge”.

“Teach our kids and ensure they know the consequences that may come about when breaking our community rules.

“The launching of the bylaw elevates the significant of the bylaw framework for us community to improve on our laws and enforcement management capabilities as we venture into the future,” Pirione said.

The establishment of community bylaws in Malaita is the fruit of the Community Governance and Grievance Management Project (CGGMP) of the MPGIS.

CGGMP is being run in other provinces, but none as vibrantly as what is being seen in Malaita.

Accomplishment for the project in the province and credit must be given back to the CGGMP office in Auki through MPGIS, all contributing stakeholders and World Bank for the achievement.

So far, community bylaws that were launched and enforced are: a “ward bylaw” governing

Ambu joins 34 other communities in Malaita that are with bylaws: 27 communities in ward five, three in ward 28, two in ward 29 and one each for ward 10 and nine in the province. More community bylaws are on draft stage.

Two doses before entering Solomon Islands: Gov’t

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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1

BY JARED KOLI

People from high-risk countries will have to take two doses of covid-19 vaccine before they can travel to Solomon Islands.

This is according to senior advisor to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Dr Yogesh Choudhri when answering a question during a talkback show yesterday.

Mr Choudhri said once they complete the two doses then they can travel to Solomon Islands, but after one month.

“We have divided the countries into different groups, that is, countries with no case, low risk countries, moderate risk countries, high risk countries and extremely high-risk countries.

“The requirements for entry into the country are two or three tests negative before you can board a flight to Solomon Islands.

“For extremely high-risk countries – we are encouraged that they should be vaccinated before they come to Solomon Islands and have 21 days of quarantine upon arrival in Solomon Islands.

“Two doses of vaccine will be required of them before they can come to Solomon Islands,” Choudhri said.

He said the entry is guarded, and will only be for the citizens who are in those countries and people who are considered important to SIG projects.

“Otherwise we are not allowing anyone to come from an extremely high risk country into the Solomon Islands right now,” he said.

Choudhri said MHMS is watching the situation globally as new covid-19 strains emerge.

“We want to prevent those strains from entering the Solomon Islands,” he said.

National Health Emergency Operation Centre (NHEOC) Incident Controller Dr Nemia Bainivalu said the government also issues travel advisories for travellers who wish to travel to Solomon Islands.

“We also categorised nationals and non-nationals. One of the standard requirements is the number of tests you have to take, and we based on our analysis of the different categories of the countries that you are in,” he said.

Mr Bainivalu said MHMS wants Solomon Islands citizens to vaccinate before they travel back home.

“We issue travel advisories through the Solomon Airlines, High Commission offices in the countries through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Education also issue travel advisories to students studying abroad such as in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

“We also issue a code of conduct form which specifies the protocols, rules and procedures one has to follow when entering the country,” Bainivalu said.

Remaining provinces to start vaccination in July

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Recent vaccination roll-out in the Western Province

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

REMAINING provinces in the country are scheduled to start vaccination roll out between the second and third weeks of July.

This was confirmed by Dr Yogesh Choudhri yesterday during the radio talkback show for covid-19 vaccine update on Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC).

“Most of the provinces start to roll out vaccination between second and third week of July,” Choudhri said.

He said they have met with the provincial health directors and have finalised the roll-out plans of the vaccine to the remaining provinces.

“And also health ministry have done training of trainers for provincial health officers were done last week.”

Choudhri said these equipped people will be going out to the provinces and start training the provincial health teams to prepare for the vaccination roll-out.

“Roll out for continuing provinces we will first start with front liners and essential workers and within a week or so if we get more vaccinations we will be vaccinating  all 18 years and above. Please listen out for provincial announcement,” he said.

Dr Nemia Bainivalu, interim chair for Vaccine Technical working group and Incident Controller National Health Emergency Operator, said two meetings have been held in preparation towards vaccination rollout for outstanding provinces.

Bainivalu said one of the two meetings is the training of provincial health staff to equip them to shoulder the vaccination roll-out.

“We have also met with provincial health directors and director of nursing in provinces to emphasise the importance of why we have to roll out the covid-19 vaccine.”

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