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New lab will boost local testing capacity

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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From Left Minister MHMS Dr Culwick Togamana, Contractor from Motawa Enterprises and Minister MFAET Manele scooped the ground to officially mark the ground breaking event of the new office space

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

YESTERDAY saw the long-awaited ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) office space aimed at boosting local testing capacity to international standards.

The ground-breaking ceremony was made possible through the partnership between key government ministries, donor partners and the private sector.

Addressing the occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jeremiah Manele said the new office space is worth SBD$827,068 and will enable NPHL to have its very own office space for the first time.

“This office is fully funded by the Enhanced Integrated Framework EIF ECAT project to enable NPHL in its capacity to carry out proper testing and analysis of the targeted agricultural products under the Enhanced Capacity for Agriculture Trade (ECAT) Project. This is an important requirement to be able to export and ensuring general food safety for domestic consumption.

Local biologist explains to guests how to run tests on foods and drinking water.

“We are aware that the NPHL staff have been using the Lab as an office space for the past couple of years and this has affected the country’s broader objective of ISO certification and accreditation mainly on the micro-biology area.

“In order to achieve ISO certification, one of the requirements is that NPHL staff will need to have their own office space.

“It is from this that the EIF ECAT project as part of its work plans has stepped in to assist the NPHL team.”

Mr Vincent from NPHL explains his work to guests

He thanked the EIF programme and its multilateral donor partners for the financial support through which they are able to systematically prioritise and intervene in selected agriproducts but more importantly looking at the gaps in the value chain of these products.

Minister of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Culwick Togamana said the ceremony marks another milestone of cooperation and working relationship between key Government ministries, donor partners and the private sector.

Minister for MHMS Dr Culwick Togamana Photos BY MAVIS PODOKOLO

“On behalf of the Executive and Staff of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, I wish to extend our deepest appreciation to the Enhance Integrated Framework of the World Trade Organisation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade for funding the Solomon Islands Enhanced Capacity for Agriculture Trade project, which includes the improvement of the Ministry of Health’s NPHL facility and supply of basic laboratory equipment.

Staff from NPHL listening to speeches

“The new office space will enable the NPHL to meet current ISO 17025 accommodation requirements, which will boost local testing capacity to international standards for the export of agricultural commodities such as Cassava and Taro,” Togamana said.

The ground breaking event was held yesterday at the National Public Health Laboratory premises, Solomon Islands National University.

Tools to Renbel kava farmers

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Press Release
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MAL Extension officer in Renbel, Florence Kwai, left, hands over kava project farming tools to the representative of Renkav new kava planting family project.

KAVA project recipients in Renbel Province have expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

This was after MAL, through its Agriculture Extension Division in Renbel, delivered essential farming tools to three farmer groups last month under its Sustainable Economic Growth and Export Strengthening (SEGES) programme.

Recipients of the tools are: GOTO Farmers Association kava expansion project group, FJ kava expansion family project and Renkav kava new planting family project.

Other two recipients that earlier received their projects are BLN Kava expansion family project and Vaikava food bulking family project.

MALA funds five projects for Renbel Province.

In a small but significant ceremony to hand over the tools to the recipient groups at Tigoa station, Premier Willie Tuhagenga on behalf of his executive expressed gratitude to the ministry (MAL) through Renbel Agriculture Division for its continuous commitment and support towards farmers within the province.


Premier Willie Tuha speaking during the brief handing over ceremony.

“On behalf of my executive, we are indeed so excited to witness this handing over of kava project tools to the successful farmers and group,” Tuhagenga said.

“Thank you MAL provincial Agriculture division for the effort spent in supporting our farmers within the province and especially recognizing the farmer’s interest in this undertaking (kava farming),” he added.

Premier Tuhagenga said he looks forward for many more similar agriculture assistances from the ministry through its extension division in the future.

One of the project recipients, Jimmy Festus of Hatagua village, West Rennell also registered his appreciation.

“I am so thankful for MAL and the Renbel agriculture extension division for the assistance by supporting us with these farming needs through our projects.


One of the project recipients, Jimmy Festus of Hatagua village, West Rennell.

“I have been longing for such assistance like this for quite a long time but today it has proven by the responsible ministry for its commitment in supporting agriculture growth and livelihoods which I want to thank MAL for it.

“Now I have the necessary farming tools that will help me and my family improve and expand our current kava farming plot to achieve our aims,” Festus expressed.

Chairperson for GOTO farmers Association group Damien Peseika, also expressed his gratitude on behalf of his group.

“I’ am so thankful for MAL for this great help rendered to our group for supporting us with the farming tools,” Peseika said.

“This is a long-time issue for our group to have our own farming tools and I hope these tools will help in improving the efficacy of our farming task more productively in building our livelihood,” he added.

Meanwhile, MAL Extension Officer in Renbel, Florence Kwai on behalf of MAL acknowledged the sentiments shared and happy to see the assistance brought smiles on the recipients’ faces.

“The ministry recognized your efforts and is pleased to assist,” Kwai said.

“This assistance came as a result of your hard work and having trust in kava farming,” she added.

“I hope these tools will give you the confidence and faith to start and continue expanding and improving your farming tasks.

“Indeed, you are contributing much in the development of kava to increase its production within our province.”

Kwai also urged the farmers to use the tools with care and look after them well and at the same time challenged them to work harder and show to others that they can do it.

“Be the key model kava farmers for Renbel province. Together we can make a change within our rural farming communities for better living.”

She thanked MAL for its continuous assistance towards Renbel agriculture Extension Division.

Tools delivered under the projects included wheel barrows, garden hoe, bush knives, garden forks, axes, square spades, poly bags and shade clothes. – Source: MAL Media

EDITORIAL- Empowering our rural farmers

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Admin
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THERE’S nothing like putting smiles on the face of our villagers with small assistance that would help them move into small income generating projects.

It’s called people empowerment.

You give them the tools that they can use to earn money for themselves than relying on the MPs all the time.

This was exactly what the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had been doing in recent weeks across the country.

In Renbel for example, the ministry last month handed over tools to three farmer groups to help them with their kava projects.

Last week, Agriculture extension officers visited the proposed National Piggery project site on Gizo, Western Province.

This was to assess the site and plan its implementation phase.

This week, the ministry delivered dozens of vegetable seeds and farming tools to the remote islands of Tikopia and Anuta, Temotu Province.

Since last year, the ministry has been assisting villagers across the country with tools and equipment to venture into farming projects.

These are the sort of assistance our people in rural areas need to help them go into small income generating projects.

More often than not, villagers are overlooked when it comes to allocation of agriculture resources.

That’s because Government tends to focus on investing in bigger projects, while ignoring the many village-based farmers across the country.

There is genuine and valid reason why the Government should be heavily investing in our village-based farmers.

It is one way of keeping our people busy in the village, while at the same time giving them the opportunity to earn an income from their land.

The rapid urban migration we’ve seen in recent years should be a serious cause of concern.

People are moving into Honiara and other urban centres because there’s nothing for them in the village.

The so-called Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which is channelled through MPs with the intention of developing the rural, is a big-time wastage of our meagre financial resources.

For the simple reason that CDF has failed to develop our rural areas and empower our people financially.

Yet, the politicians keep increasing the CDF grant almost every year.

That fund should be channelled through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock so that it reaches the rural farmers.

VIEWPOINT- Isabel wants anti-corruption office

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TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) commends the wish of the Premier of Isabel Province Leslie Kikolo to have an anti-corruption office set up in his province once the establishment of SIICAC rolls out to the provincial level.

Here is a Premier that recognizes that the negative impact of corruption on his province is unacceptable and is prepared to do something about it.

The interest echoed by the premier as reported in the Island Sun Newspaper on Tuesday 8th June 2021, shows how concerned he is about corruption and its negative impact on social service delivery and economic growth. 

Isabel Province is the first province to return a clean audit followed by Central Islands province. If the Executive Government shows the same passion as the provincial leaderships this country could give its young generation the opportunities they deserve as citizens of Solomon Islands.

Instead, several of the audited reports of the government ministries conducted by Auditor General’s Office, are filed away. 

The Minister responsible probably is ignorant of his responsibilities and has not made any motion at all for the House [parliament] to debate the findings and doing something about it. 

In the Auditor General’s report, you can find millions of public funds in the hands of some members of parliament, and public officials unaccounted for. 

No one is held to account for it.  In those reports you will find the following: –

  • Widespread or significant non-compliance with Acts, legislations, relevant regulations, and Financial Instructions/ policies
  • Money used for purposes other than those for which it has been provided for.
  • Financial and performance reporting is inadequate.
  • Serious breakdowns in financial management and accountings systems
  • General lack of adequate and proper records maintenance
  • Officials using positions of influence to assist associates to receive benefits.
  • Millions of dollars of revenue lost.
  • Bank reconciliations not performed.
  • Imprest accounts not retired.
  • Control over assets inadequate
  • Procurement procedures not complied with
  • Unauthorised expenditure
  • Inadequate reporting
  • Conflicts of interest not declared.
  • Little action to discipline public officers.
  • Lack of monitoring and oversight by senior management

Now that we have a Finance Minister who has been a Permanent Secretary and is well-versed with these issues, he will commit these audit reports to full parliament debate as was done by our founding fathers and others in the 1990s.

The premier for Isabel Province must be commended for publicly asking for an office of Solomon Islands Independence Commission Against Corruption for his province once it rolls out its program to the provinces. 

The Prime Minister is the right official to raise this to since it is in his portfolio. But the Commissioners have been appointed for over a year now but so far, the people of Solomon Islands have heard very little voice from it and no action. 

Although the Anti-Corruption Act stipulates that the Commission should have its own independent budget from that of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the budget at an examination says otherwise. So, the question is, is it truly independent? 

Maybe it is not and that is why nothing much is happening, including the education, the proactive part of the work of the commission.

The Prime Minister should have a look at what is happening with resourcing and supporting the Commission.

The Premier of Isabel Province in asking for an office of SIICAC to be established in Isabel.

This should send a clear message to unscrupulous investor that the political leadership and administration of Isabel province is not for crooks, thieves and fraudsters.

The revelation by premier Kikolo that over the last five years Isabel Province has maintained its clean audit report, is something the province and the nation as a whole must be proud of.

Provincial government representatives and their leadership are setting a good example something that the national government should pay attention to.

The Solomon Islands National Government have never in its lifetime achieve anything such as clean audit. For the most recent 20 plus years the national government has totally done nothing about the poor financial report on its expenditures.

Every government’s ministry failed to achieve clean audit, including the ministry of finance and treasury, a most confused ministry it would seem.

The ESP still remains a scam and it will remain so in the minds of the majority of Solomon Islanders and residents until an audit has been undertaken to verify and find out if indeed the package stimulated any economic growth at the constituency level and for regulated businesses. 

For now, most see ESP going through members of parliament as another CDF, for MPs to give to their supporters.  

Transparency Solomon Islands commends the transparency and accountability practiced by provincial governments and call on citizens to demand the same of the national government.

Transparency Solomon Islands commends Kikolo for voicing out the need of his province to have an anti-corruption office.

‘WE’RE LEFT OUT’

Written by
Brian Lezutuni
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Landowners spokesperson, Alisae Laore

New patrol boat outpost land owners not happy with Gov’t

BY JARED KOLI

With ground-breaking to be held soon, a customary landowning group of the soon-to-be built patrol boat base at Lofung in Shortland Islands have expressed their disappointment on why they were left out on ongoing consultations and negotiations over the national project.

Spokesperson, Alisae Laore said they were part of the first and second consultations where a resolution was reached September last year, but now the national government only deals with the FAMOA Trust Board (FTB), leaving them out.

Mr Laore said since then, FAMOA has never consulted them on what is going on, and they are totally left out. Laore adds, FAMOA working group and the national government recently signed another resolution this year but they were left out.

“We are not happy with the government because it only deals with FAMOA. FAMOA is just an association, and those trustees are trustees for us, but they have never consulted us on what is going on,” Laore said. 

He said at the start they (landowners) passed three resolutions in Shortland Islands and submitted it to the Cabinet which paved a way for the negotiation of the project to start.   

Laore emphasised that the government must now include them in current negotiations with FAMOA because they are the rightful customary land owners.

“A chief’s decision of Famoa Council of Chiefs was reached in 1988 which decides that we have the ownership right over that land. Although the High Court does not recognise this decision, customarily we still claim ownership right over the land,” said Laore.

He said the Lands and Title Act also states that all customary lands must go back to the original land owners. 

Laore said although FAMOA is a legal entity, why did it include landowners in the selling of World War II relics at Balalae and left them out on this project. 

FAMOA signed with Dominic Bakele as land owner in the case of Balalae where they have sold World War II relics, everything was written in the agreement. 

“Why Famoa and government not do the same to us because they have set a precedence on the case of Balalae. It must also include us on this project,” he reiterated.   

He said FAMOA is trying to take away their land ownership right.

Laore also wants landowners to benefit from spill over effects of the project such as involvement in ground work and construction of the patrol boat outpost.

“Currently, there are people from other provinces that are involve in the current work, and we the land owners feel that we were totally left out,” he said.

In response to this, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police and Correctional Services, Karen Galokale said current subject land is registered under FAMOA as legal Perpetual Estate holder and not a customary land.

“Hence, Government deals with the right title holders, that is, FAMOA Trust Board. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed with FAMOA last year and a provision of the MOU states that any land issues with customary land owners will be dealt directly with FAMOA,” Ms Galokale said.

She said according to FAMOA Constitution, FAMOA represents all the customary landowners through their respective Chiefs hence locals are not left out as claimed and the Government expects FAMOA to deal with the communities directly.

She said work is yet to commence on the ground. Tender and bidding process is yet to be done. 

Queries sent to the FAMOA working group went unanswered before this paper went to print last night. However, Island Sun is seeking comments from FAMOA working group in Honiara.

FAMOA is an acronym for three regions within the Shortland Islands group.

Deo rebuffs visa, tax evasion allegations

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Dr Deo Harorimana

By EDDIE OSIFELO

FOREIGNER Dr Deogratias Harorimana has come out to defend himself on many allegations raised against him – from over-charging local businesses to visa breaches, to tax evasion.

Deo, a Rwandan with Zimbabwe and United Kingdom citizenship, operates a consultancy business under the name AIPF (Solomon Islands) Ltd.

He registered the company on 30th October 2013 after IPacific Frontiers Ltd on 21 August 2012.

However, a Robert Leeson had gone on social media to launch attacks on Deo, while urging responsible authorities to investigate the allegations relating to likely breaches of his visa condition and tax evasion.

Leeson claimed when Deo registered iPacific Frontiers (with subsequent name changes), now known as AIPF (SI) Ltd, the Primary Business Sector stated in official government records was very clear – “Professional & Other Services”. 

The company was originally focused on business management consultancies and leadership trainings.

A second AIPF (SI) registered by Deo’s local business partner/defacto also has “Others” as the primary business sector.

“Now it is public knowledge that AIPF (SI) is engaging in sectors and activities outside of their approved business registration’s primary business sector.

“They are now doing financial brokering, real estate, construction contracts, to name a few.

“These are sectors that under law would require separate companies to be registered on their own; and cannot be covered under the approved primary business sector of ‘Professional & Other Services’, which was what AIPF(SI) is allowed to do,” Leeson claimed.

He said there is likelihood that Deo has breached the condition of his visa by withholding information on the true dealings of his company – AIPF (SI) with the intent to defraud the Solomon Islands Government.

“Deo should be investigated in line with the above issue and Section 21(1)(a) of the Immigration Act.

“With hard evidence from victims that contacted me, it is clear that Deo and his local business partner/defacto’s dealings with indigenous businesses (e.g. SSS Security Company, East Bouro Motel Lengakiki), schools (e.g. Perch) and families (e.g. Naha Heights family, Honiara Refrigeration building family) have created discord within communities in Honiara.

“There are many other victims that are yet to come forward,” he said.

However, Deo responded by saying Robert Leeson is a non-existent person.

He said it was a Facebook account created and is being used by a well-known figure who is known to have been sentenced previously for fraud; conversion and various crimes.

“We know who he is, but it is the Job of the lawyers to attend to him in the right place . 

“He has no current or recent business with AIPF other than he failed to pay his contractors managed by AIPF during the year 2019,” he said.

Deo said now Leeson has teamed up with a client who has lost a High Court Case, for failing to pay his staged payment as per the contract.

He said their strategy is clearly designed to help them avoid paying their dues to AIPF thru libel and character assassination.

Furthermore, Deo said the public should know that AIPF has complied with all the laws of this land and will continue to do so. 

He said AIPF and its expats have no issues with Visa, tax compliance or work permit.

Moreover, Deo said he has served this country in several capacities – both in public and private sector.

“I came from highly respected family of Government Minister, Ambassadors, Director General and myself chaired a number of the National Strategic planning groups,” he said.

Deo said in UK he is an active member of the Community and Board member.

“I lead a number of Charitable activities.

“These people need to understand that you do not have to be in a physical location to be a leader or lead others. Their claims are so narrow and misguided,” he said.

Deo said on the ICT Programmes with schools in Honiara, his company donated computers for free.

“We also trained school teachers how to teach ICTS free of charge, funded by AIPF revenues to help the schools struggling to introduce ICT education.

“Schools we supported are St Nicholas, Honiara High, and Koloale Community School,” he said.

Deo said current ongoing campaign against business houses by people with selfish motives will not benefit the country.

He said the government and Solomon Islands should step up and speak against these kinds of behaviors.

Deo accused of deceiving widow

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Dr Deo Harorimana

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ONE of the owners of Honiara Refrigeration and Air Condition, Kate Cheffers allegedly signed the Contract of Sale for her property at Ranadi without reading the documents.

Her cousin brother, Ruddy Oti, stated this to Island Sun yesterday.

As a result, the purchaser, Dr Deo Harorimana, owner of controversial AIPF SI Limited, used the contract of sale to secure the Fixed Term Estate (FTE) title from Kate.

Kate and her Australian husband, Jimmy Cheffers, have 50 percent shares each in the “struggling” company.

However, Jimmy passed away in June 2013, leaving the business to his wife and children to maintain.

Oti said after the death of Jimmy, his cousin sister approached Deo with the aim to revive the business because it was winding down.

He said their discussion resolved in both of them signing the Contract of Sale.

According to Wikipedia, a contract of sale is a legal contract for the purchase of assets (goods or property) by a buyer (or purchaser) from a seller (or vendor) for an agreed upon value in money (or money equivalent).

Oti said after the signing, Deo used the document to change the company name at Company Haus and secured the FTE from the Commissioner of Land.

However, he said the signing of Contract of Sale was done under a “rush” environment where Deo urged Kate to signed the documents without reading them.

“Deo told Kate that everything was fine and he was rushing to fly to United Kingdom,” Oti said.

He said his cousin sister Kate is not well educated and could be easily deceived in signing the documents.

Oti said Kate and him had already written to the Commissioner of Lands, Commissioner of Police, Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Ministry of Commerce, UK Embassy to alert them on the actions of Deo.

Deo comes from Rwanda, but a citizen of UK and Zimbabwe.

Currently, Kate’s lawyer, Garry Fai’toa has filed a probate case in the court to allow her client to claim ownership of the property after the death of her husband.

This is because the property was registered under company name Honiara Refrigeration and Air Condition.

The case is currently pending before the court.

According to Wikipidia, probate is the judicial process whereby a will is “proved” in a court of law and accepted as a valid public document that is the true last testament of the deceased, or whereby the estate is settled according to the laws of intestacy in the state of residence of the deceased at time of death in the absence of a legal will.

Judgement for SFA ‘lost’ money today

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Judgment into the case of a man accused of stealing more than $370,000 from the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) will be delivered today.

It was listed on Monday this week for judgment but the presiding magistrate moved it for this afternoon.

This is regarding the case of 46-year-old Patrick Soeasi Maelaua who is charged with 13 counts of larceny by servant.

He denied the charges and a trial was conducted on his case where prosecution called witnesses to testify before the court.

The allegation said the accused was the accountant at the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) when the offending happened.

It is also alleged that he also had in his custody the association’s cheque book.

The prosecution alleged that on 13 different occasions between 30 September 2016 and 1 February 2017, he withdrew or cashed 13 cheques totalling up to $375,000 from the SFA funds.

Allan Tinoni of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents Maelaua while Public Prosecutor Steward Tonowane appears for the crown.

PM encourages people of Isabel to take the vaccine

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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PM-Sogavare-along-with-Isabel-Premier-cutting-Isabel-traditional-taro-pudding-to-mark-the-37-Isabel-2nd-appointed-day

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has encouraged people of Isabel to receive the covid-19 vaccine when their turn comes in the future.

Sogavare gave this call in the recent commemoration of the province’s Second Appointed in capital, Buala.

“I encourage people of Isabel to get vaccinated when your turn comes,” he said.

Sogavare said there are the people who are exposed to high risks and this is why the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are vaccinating them first.

“Currently we have two vaccines that being used and that is Astra-Zeneca and Sinopharm. I am pleased to say that so far the vaccination roll-out has been quite successful,” he said.

Sogavare said it is the government’s strategy to keep people safe through vaccination.

“Another strategy to keep or people safe is to vaccinate our people. The government has a vaccination roll-out plan that we have been implementing and we are planning to vaccinate all our people. We have been vaccinating our front-liners, our people in Honiara and those people at the Western Border,” he said.

Sogavare said COVID-19 has managed to breach the country’s borders but it was contained and eliminated it in the quarantine stations.

“So far we have registered 20 cases, however, and all are now negative. There are no new cases of COVID-19 and most importantly there is no community transmission,” he said.

Joint beach clean-up in Munda

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Kiplin Lamupio & Clayton Kera collect rubbish in the waters around Nusa Lata Island, with their participation sponsored by Soltuna

SOLOMON Airlines, Our Telekom, Soltuna and Dive Munda have joined forces to clean up ocean debris in the Western Province on 2021 ‘World Oceans Day’.

The four Solomon Islands companies and local Solomon Islands youths joined the global campaign via a beach and underwater clean up in the ocean around Munda.

 “Our collaboration is a practical demonstration of what we all can do, to help restore and protect the ocean ecosystem,” said Belinda Botha Operations Director at Dive Munda.

Our Telekom, Dive Munda, Solomon Airlines & local youths sponsored by Soltuna conduct World Oceans Day clean up in the waters around Munda on 8 June 2021

“Education and awareness are vital, and as we work together to gather debris and rubbish and remove it from the ocean and shores, we are also helping to raise awareness that people everywhere can take their own action to restore our shared ocean,” she said.

“Around the world and in the Solomon Islands the ocean connects us all and we strongly encourage others to follow our lead.

By being aware and doing what we can, even in our own small areas, together we can make a big difference over time,” she said.

Our Telekom staff join the Dive Munda and Solomon Airlines staff to support World Oceans Day clean up efforts

 Robertson Szetu, Chief Commercial Officer at Our Telekom agreed: “We are proud to join the World Oceans Day initiative, and we would like to see more companies and organisations in the Solomon Islands also doing the same,” he said.

 “This day is celebrated today around the world to create ongoing awareness not only among communities but also within companies like ours, to understand the vital economic and social importance of preserving and protecting our ocean ecosystems,” he said.

 “We must create greater understanding and respect, and learn from lessons from the past and from elsewhere in the world,” he said.

On 8 June, three boats with Our Telekom team members, Solomon Islands youths sponsored by Soltuna, plus staff from Dive Munda and Solomon Airlines, undertook ocean and beach cleanup efforts at popular spots including Nusalavata, Kundukundu Nomana and Hite, ensuring the entire activity was single-use plastic free.

On behalf of Soltuna, Nusa Lata Beach gets a clean makeover thanks to Benji Lamupio & Temora Barikana

 The activity has been launched recently under the 2nd phase of Dive Munda’s continuing Youth Sponsorship Initiative due to commence officially on 1 July 2021.

 As part of the 2nd phase of the initiative 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 across our country including:

• Training a group of 12 local girls certified under phase 1 to launch a Munda plastic recycling project

 • Training a group of 15 local youth certified under Phase 1 to spearhead a coral restoration and rehabilitation program

 • Support monthly beach and underwater clean-up dives

• Sponsor a local youth to do the SSI Advance Adventurer certification course for AUD$250 Under the programme’s initial phase, over 100 Solomon Islands youth (60% female, 40% male) were certified as open water divers last year.

Phase Two launched last month, will continue dive training and furthering education of youth in ocean preservation and conservation.

“Our initial Dive Munda campaign was an overwhelming success, thanks to wonderful sponsor partners, friends, family, guests and ambassadors,” said Belinda Botha.

 “Now we are continuing dive education for the certified youth, keep 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 and to encourage and educate local entrepreneurs in the art of opening a successful dive operation,” she said.

Kenwood Harry, Marketing Manager at Soltuna agreed: “We encourage other sponsors to come onboard to develop Solomon Islands youth and build our local sustainability efforts.

At Soltuna, it isn’t just our corporate obligation, we all care deeply about our environment and are proud to support initiatives like this,” he said.

 To help continue Dive Training and Ocean Preservation education for Solomon Islands Youth, sponsors can donate to the programme through emailing Dive Munda on [email protected] or through an online Click n Donate campaign: https://clickndonate.com/empower-solomon-islands-youth-goal-20-000/ Notes of Interest:

• World Oceans Day was first declared as 8 June, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro at the Global Forum, a parallel event at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)

 • The ocean covers over 70% of the planet.

 • The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, and is home to most of earth’s biodiversity

• It is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world.

• Currently, an estimated 90% of big fish populations are depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed

 • An estimated 40 million people globally will be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030

–SOLAIR PRESS

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