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WVSI supports youths to give back to community

Written by
Samie Waikori
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WVSI National Director, Mr Jimmy Nadapdap and his staff from WVSI Auki office lead the comunity of Uatae as they walk on the newly built Jacob's Ladder in Uatae village of East Malaita.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

WORLD Vision Solomon Islands witnessed the handover of a Jacob’s ladder by youths from Uatae to their community in East Malaita on Tuesday this week.

The project is a Community Service Learning Project (CSLP) adopted with the IMPACT + Club approach under WVSI to support youths to give back to their communities.

Project Manager Youths Social Entrepreneurship Project (YSEP) in WVSI Auki office, Mr Robert Firidede said the purpose of the project is to strengthen youths to realise their leadership potential in community service.

He explained that the project began with a community consultation with youths as opportunity was given to them to select the minor project of their choice for their community.

Firidede said after the project was identified, WVSI guided the youths on planning and implementing the project. The project was a shared-cost between WVSI and Uatae community and was voluntary.

The delegation and members of Uatae community posing for a photo with the newly constructed Jacob’s Ladder project handed to them on Tuesday this week

“So after all, the project is not belongs to WVSI, but youths of Uatae community as they selected and executed it.

“WVSI’s role in the project was to guide and facilitate the project to successfully complete and enjoy by the community,” he said.

WVSI National Director, Mr Jimmy Nadapdap thanked the community of Uatae for the great work done despite challenges encountered during implementing the project.

He said under the project, WVSI came to unleash the potential available in this community and see people “pick on from there and go. And importantly, the transfer of knowledge of experience on this project to younger generations”.

Members of Uatae community enjoy the newly built Jacob’s Ladder after it WAS handed over to them this week.

Nadapdap said WVSI will not always here, so the sustainability of the project is important to ensure the project continues to benefit the community.

He said success of the project is not major during the closing of the project, but it major after its closing. That is why the sustainability of the project is important.

Meanwhile, representing New Zealand MFAT to the ceremony, Ms Josie Anne Ashley thanked Uatae community for the partnership built with WVSI and New Zealand on the project.

She said New Zealand government recognized the important role youth’s contribute towards the development of their family, community, province and country.

Rep from New Zealand MFAT, Ms Josie Anne Ashley is garlanded upon arrival for the handing over program at Uatae village this week.

Saying with that New Zealand government has invested funds through various organizations under their programs aimed at building young people in the country.

Ashley said New Zealand government is happy to fund the project through WVSI by supporting Uatae youths to contribute back to their community.

Gov’t: we’ll build an ‘inclusive economy’

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Press Release
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THE Government says it is committed to building a more equitable and inclusive economy by improving the social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders.

In a statement released yesterday, government insists that it is guided by the National Development Strategy, 2016-2020 and the DCGA government policy.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare highlighted during his speech at the launching of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 3 recently.

The Prime Minister said in the past years, the Solomon Islands Government has made significant reforms to construct an inclusive economy whereby all citizens can fully participate and benefit from economic opportunities.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the DCGA Government remains focused in providing sufficient economic opportunities for all Solomon Islanders and enabling them to participate meaningfully in the mainstream economy.

Prime Minister Sogavare said it is imperative that as the country pursue its development aspirations, it must continue to be motivated.

Prime Minister Sogavare said there are diverse economic prospects for the country to increase economic activities; however, constraints have limited it from fully maximizing these economic prospects.

“Our economic growth rate has averaged 3.7% for the last 10 years and 2.4% in the recent five years, owing mainly to growth in Agriculture, manufacturing, forestry, wholesale and retail, and public administration sectors,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said this indicated that growth of economic activities has increased over the years but at a slow pace.

He said despite this, most citizens, in particular, people from the informal sector are still left out of mainstream economic activities.

“Which means that economic progress does not always translate to adequate opportunities for the low-income household and those in the rural and remote Solomon Islands and this is what the Government is committed to address,” he said.

—OPMC

COVID-19 free again

Written by
Press Release
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SOLOMON Islands has reclaimed its COVID-19 free status.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare stated this in his nationwide address on Monday this week that the 20th case has now tested negative and will be released after three consecutive negative tests.

The Prime Minister said the official number of COVID-19 cases remained at 20.

“I am happy to announce we have again become COVID-free,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also said 16 of the 20 former positive cases had completed their follow-up and have been permanently released from further follow-up by the National Health Emergency Operation Centre.

He said the remaining four, including those still in isolation will continue with their follow-up within the 90 days after their first release into the community.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sogavare also gave an update on the crew member diagnosed with COVID-19 onboard cargo vessel MV Chefoo.

He said the person is being isolated in the vessel.

“He is not ill. This positive case is not recorded against Solomon Islands. It is recorded under the vessel where the crew works,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also said the test results of all the other crew have returned negative.

Prime Minister Sogavare said the vessel had been given inward clearance to discharge cargo under strict supervision.

He said the vessel will be allowed to leave after it offloads all its Honiara bound cargo.

“The infected crew member will be re-swabbed prior to departure so that we can inform the next port of call the result before the vessel gets there,” he said.

Prime Minister Sogavare said all the containers that are off-loaded from the vessel will be decontaminated so they will not be released immediately.

He said the health team will advise when the containers are ready to be released.

—OPMC

Australia steps up towards Pacific Women empowerment programme

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Australia'a Minister of Women Marise Payne delivering her speech during the opening of the 14 Triennial Conference.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

AUSTRALIAN Government has committed AUD170 million towards women empowerment programme in the Pacific.

Speaking during the opening of the 14th Triennial Conference on Tuesday, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Honourable Marise Payne said the new programme called Pacific Women Lead Australia will roll out in the next five years.

She said the new gender programme had gone through consultations with over 200 stakeholders from the government, civil society organisation and private sectors.

“We have co-designed among Pacific women a new approach to our regional gender program and Pacific women have shaped these programs,” Payne said.

She said the program adds to the work Australia have been doing with bilateral partners on gender and development.

Payne said Australia will work in partnership with regional pacific organisations and Pacific women’s funds and women organisations.

“It’s a flexible program designed to respond directly to partner’s needs.

“We want to build on our successes and learn from our experience for example Pacific Community’s (SPC) very good work on gender in fisheries that looked at women and men roles in the whole supply chain and really elevated our understanding on the critical role of women in fisheries and aquaculture.

“Will also focus on women’s rights on safety, on economic empowerment, on women’s health including sexual and reproductive health.

“The title of the Program ‘Pacific Women Lead’ reflects the importance of strengthening women’s leadership,” she said.

Payne said global challenges such as the COVID-19 and climate change requires Australia and Pacific Island States to use available resources and potentials to create a sustainable future.

She said Australia looks forward to play an active role to deepening its ongoing partnership in the region to accelerate progress on gender equality for women and girl.

“Will continue to support programs such as empower women, providing training and enabling women leaders of all pacific islands to represent and advocate for example climate policies.

“I hope the discussion during the triennial can deliver practical suggestions on these issues. We are ambitious over the next three days,” Payne said.

Mamara City takes shape

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Work on the Mamara City project last year.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

CONSTRUCTION work on the Mamara Tasivarongo project is underway ahead of a planned ground breaking ceremony tomorrow.

MTMD General Manager William Ling took the media on a visit to the project site on Tuesday.

He said the Mamara Spring Villas project will cover an approximate land area of 100 hectares and will comprise 1,184 units of residential houses, shops, 41 units of logistic warehouse, schools, utilities facilities and tourism facilities.

“Our construction is well underway and we are in the first phase of construction, we will continue to build houses.

“We are not only concentrating on housing, but on the commercial and tourism aspect and this city can accommodate sports facilities,” Ling said.

  He said there are three different designs of residential buildings planed and 368 units of type A, each unit covers an approximate land area of 255 square meter.”

An exhibition of the Type B housing at the Mamara housing project
The Type C housing on display.

“310 units of type B, each unit covers an approximate land area of 202.5 square meter and 506 units of type C, each unit covers an approximate land area of 150 square meter.

Mr Ling said the first phase of the Mamara New City now provide jobs for locals who are now engaged and starting to gain knowledge and experience from their specialized overseas supervisors.

He said there are 180 expatriates and 800 locals now on the ground.

MTMD General Manager William Ting speaking to the media.

 Mr Ling said that there are 10 major areas within the development plans that they will work on, which are the Administration Centre District, Business, Education, Sport Centre, Health, International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Government residential Houses, Other residential houses, High-End residential and Duty Free/ Export Processing Industrial Zone.

It is understood that a ground-breaking ceremony for the Mamara City project is set for tomorrow.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will be the guest of honor at the ceremony.

A statement from the government said, “his presence demonstrates the government’s commitment to the project to achieve its intended purpose.

The government and the developer of the new city aim to construct more than 1,000 houses before 2023.

Meanwhile, a Council under the act that looks after the Mamara- Tasivarongo- Mavo land development has already met to deliberate on the development.

The Council approved the construction of one of the first hotels at the beachfront of Mamara to be named Mamara Spring Hotel.

It also agreed that the government will only deal with the Tandai House of Chief for any issue(s) pertaining to the development.

The new city was developed by the Metropolis Mamara Development Ltd.

It was developed under the Mamara – Tasivarongo – Mavo Development Agreement Act 1995,  covering a total area of more than 1166 hectares.

The land was leased to the developer for 75 years as of 1995. The developer’s report said Twenty-two years have gone but they are confident that there’s still enough time for them to develop the site in the remaining 53 years.

A development agreement was signed by the Solomon Government and the Department of lands (Minister of land and resources) and Mamara Metropolis Pacific Limited (MPPL) on November 20, 1995.  

CSSI officers undergo training

Written by
Press Release
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CSSI Female officers who attended IPAM training pose a photo shot with Commissioner, Director IPAM and Executive staff.

THIRTY officers from the Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) Centre and CSSI are attending a weeklong intensive training on ‘Knowing your public service and Code of Conduct’ with the Ministry of Public Service and the staff of the Institution of Public Administration and Management (IPAM).

Correctional Service Commissioner, Gabriel Manelusi told officers that this course helps them to see and understand the service they deliver to the people of Solomon Islands and adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct, which are set of standards pertaining to morals and the effective discharge of duties.

He said the main aim of this course is to improve them on their understanding on the roles and responsibilities and to administer justice with integrity, and within the bounds of the law.

He said the code serves as the basis of policies and directives, rules and regulations, protocols and procedures, all of which are observed and undertaken in relation to facility management and operations of the Public service under SIG.

“It embodies such core values as discipline, judiciousness, truthfulness, vigilance, respect for human rights, and sense of responsibility.

IPAM Training Manager Bartholomew said their mission is to contribute to the creation of a skilled, professional and ethical public service, empowered to providing public value and service delivery to the community through its learning and development programmes.

He said IPAM is the training arm of the Government of Solomon Islands, mandated to train the workforce of the Government in the Public Administration, Supervision, Leadership and Management, Information, Communication and Technology skills, Financial Management and the Public Service Induction and to familiarize public officers with the Public Service culture.

Manelusi thanked IPAM and the Ministry of Public Service for the opportunity to invest in CSSI’s human resource capacity development.

CSSI Press  

SI prepares discuss to key issues on 14th Triennial meeting

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Islands Women Leaders at the opening of the 14th Triennial confrence

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands Government through Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) will be discussing two key issues on 14th Triennial conference for Pacific Women which commenced on Tuesday 27th April, 2021.

 Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Cendrick Alependava said the two issues are economic empowerment of women and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“These are issues which we try to focus on and try to mitigate and also empower women in various entrepreneurship and business they encounter so we can help building women’s capacity and give them space so that women can raise.

 “These two issues are very important in Solomon Islands because we have recorded high incident of Gender Based violence in the country and we need to really control or reduce this particular issue.

“Economic empowerment if we reduce gender-based violence and able to give space to the woman to be able to involve in economic empowerment then definitely they will contribute more to generate more income and there could be a booster to our economic of this country brining development as well,” Alependava said.

The meeting commenced yesterday with a theme that reads ‘Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future-empowering all women in the Blue Pacific Continent.’

SI attends Triennial to sustain momentum towards gender equality

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Islands women attending the online 14th Triennial conference.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands including Pacific Islands countries are currently attending the 14th Triennial Conference for Pacific Women conducted virtually aimed at sustaining the momentum towards gender equality in the Pacific.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Women, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Cendrick Alependava says the 14th Triennial is vital because it provides a space for women and girls in Solomon Islands Pacific Island Countries for them to be able to voice issues affecting them, they can be able to meet, congregate and simultaneously to share experiences, skills and learning specially to identify measures to advance women and girls.

Alependava said it also provides an opportunity to improve women’s participation in economic development.

 “At the moment this momentum is for women’s empowerment and gender equality.”

 “Basically, to raise issues pertaining to women as we faced in Solomon Islands and these issues will then have recommendation made forward by members attending the conference,” he said.

 Alependava further stressed according to past triennial meetings and meetings in Beijing they have noted some critical areas to focus on to be able to help women.

He said particularly on 13 areas some health, education and training, economic empowerment, agriculture and fishing, legal and human rights, shared decision making, environment, culture and family, mechanism to promote the advancement of women, peace and justice, gender-based violence, poverty reduction women to name a few.

Alependava said these are important areas on this 14th Triennial conference which we will be also trying to address.

 On the same event Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Honourable Marisa Payne said Australia will to support programs such as empower women which is training and enabling women leaders across Pacific Islands who represent and advocate for justice climate polices.

 “I hope the discussions during the triennial can deliver practical suggestions on these issues, it is what women and girls in the Pacific expect and frankly deserved.”

 “Australia will continue to play an active role to deepening our ongoing partnership across the regions to accelerate progress of gender equality for women and girls,” Payne said.

 Fiji’s Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Honourable Mereseini Vuniwaqa during the opening of the Triennial yesterday said this is a critically important meeting.

“A year since the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic, life as we knew has been on pause, changed and transformed while the inequalities we lived with before the pandemic have carried over to the new normal, left unchecked and sadly increased.

“In short, COVID-19 revealed and intensified the precarious situation of women and girls across the globe and in the Pacific, especially in terms of their economic security, physical safety, health and access to decision-making spaces.

 This is the backdrop against which we are combating and trying to recover from,” Hon. Vuniwaqa said.

Women movements rally for Triennial Pacific meeting

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA

 WOMEN movements in the region have spent the whole of last week brainstorming issues surrounding the theme for 14th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women and 7th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women conference.

“Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future – Empowering All Women in the Blue Pacific Continent” is the theme of the conference which begins next week.

 Experts from various organisations will present their views on Women Economic Empowerment (WEE), Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Gender Responsive Climate Justice (CJ) while moderators took stock of key points that would later be compiled into a discussion paper to be presented before the leaders.

Impacts of the Covid-19 on all national and regional commitments surrounding gender equality in general is also a key challenge for the participants going into next week’s 14th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women.

Journalists from the Pacific region are also following the discussions after undergoing a brief workshop on how to report effectively and write impactful news during the conference.

Speaking to journalists during the workshop one of the trainers and Solomon Islands senior journalist Priestley Habru said these meetings provide a forum for meetings and consultations that aim to sustain momentum towards gender equality in the Pacific.

 He told journalist that the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the challenges that women and girls face and that re-affirmation of gender equality as inextricably linked to achieving sustainable development for all is paramount.

 Habru emphasized that journalist must approach the conference with knowledge of women’s economic empowerment, deliver audience focused story telling on women as development leaders and overall provide a wide rage coverage of the progress made by Pacific governments in realizing gender equality and the commitments made by Ministers to Pacific women at the 2021 ministerial meeting.

 Habru is supported by Australian-based trainer and ABC journalist Prianka Srinivasan with 18 journalists trained to cover the Triennial meeting.

PARTNER TO STAY AFLOAT

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Solomon Airlines airbus

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Airlines is working with other airline companies in the region to stay afloat during this covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking through zoom from Australia, Chief Executive Officer, Brett Gebers told media yesterday that he took over as Chairman of the South Pacific Airlines a couple of years ago.

“At that time, I said to all of my colleagues in the South Pacific that are actually small airlines.

“Being small airlines, we have a lot of inefficiencies and if we actually start working together, we can eliminate some of these inefficiencies,” he said.

Gebers said Nauru, Air Kiribati, Air Niugini, Air Vanuatu and Solomon Airlines are all searching on how to work together that will serve them money.

“For example, do we have to have airport officers at each airport that we fly to.

“Then we discovered, we don’t have to, we can share some of the airports,” he said.

Gebers said at the moment he is working with Air Kiribati particularly to see how to actually help them.

“One thing we did for them is we sub lease a twin outer that we don’t need and they desperately need it.

“We have been doing some flights for Air Kiribati. They do have their own aircraft which currently they are not able to use for the purpose, that may change,” he said.

However, Gebers said he had worked with former CEO of Air Vanuatu, but is yet to discuss a proposal with new CEO of Air Vanuatu.

Newly appointed Chairman of Solomon Airlines, Frank Wickham said the current COVID issue has posed some national airlines to look at potential partnerships to try and realise some more economic of scale and it may work out that working together would be better for all of us

Furthermore, Wickham said he looks forward to further constructive interaction with the media and stakeholders and welcome constructive ideas.

“This is our Airline and would like to make it work and I am sure the CEO and management team would like to see that we have good and strong involvement by our shareholders and the people of this country to make our Airlines continue to fly through these difficult times and soar high when the skies are clearer,” he added.

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