Home Blog Page 938

Airline’s $57M credit balance

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0
Solomon Airlines airbus

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Airlines Limited has a credit balance of $57 million with a bigger chunk of it going towards Government departure tax and spare parts for its aircrafts.

Finance Manager, Peter Soqoilo revealed this to the media in a press conference on Tuesday.

Soqoilo said of the $57 million, around $34 million relates to Government use.

“So, the actuals we owed to the Government is around $22 million.

“Of the $22 million, the bigger component is around our leasing,” he said.

Soqoilo said the Airlines currently leased two aircrafts A320 and one of the twin outers.

“The twin outer we actually subleased that to Air Kiribati, but we still owe the less of some big substantial amount from when we are holding it up here from March 2020 to around November.

“The other bigger chunk of the $22 million is owed Pacific Turbine, those are the suppliers of spare parts for the aircraft,” he said.

Soqoilo said basically, those few suppliers accounts for bigger portion of the $22 million.

Furthermore, Soqoilo said the operation costs for the airlines in one year is $280 million to $330 million.

He said last year, airlines had made a loss of around $31 million.

Chairman of SAL, Frank Wickham said they are under discussion with the government in regards to the Economic Stimulus package.

He said this is for government to give them some relief and convert some of the outstanding dues to equity.

“The government indicated that they want to see the loan attended to as it is a concessional loan, they have given us three years grace period, interest free,” he said.

However, he said they are hoping to get more revenue from upcoming charters.

Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Brett Gebers said they are in much better position with outstanding creditors compared to Fiji airwars and Air Nuigini because their scale of their problem is much smaller.

‘Iumi Tugeda’ holiday package gains momentum: says Airline

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
-
0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 79 people have so travelled under the ‘Iumi Tugeda Holidays’ initiative to various tourism destinations around the country.

Solomon Airlines Commercial Manager, Colling Sigamanu told the media in a press conference on Tuesday.

Sigamanu said future bookings are looking good as every weekends people are traveling out on those packages.

He said there are 38 operators around the country who participate in this initiative.

“We would have put in huge discounts to make it attractive.

“And it is targeted at locals as well because of the absence of international tourists coming in, it was also an idea to try and create an avenue to attract local tourists, so they appreciate other parts of the country that our international visitors were so fascinated about,” he said.

Furthermore, he said about 24 passengers have spent 20 nights stay in various destinations in the country.

The Government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is trying to keep the ailing tourism industry in the country afloat following travel restrictions by COVID-19. This has propelled Solomon Airlines, the Public Service Ministry, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism along with other tourism stakeholders who launched what

Victim in rape case shares story in court

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE alleged victim in a rape case has told court that she did not report the matter to anyone because she was ashamed and sad at what her biological father (accused) had done to her.

The incident reportedly occurred in 2016 at a school in Isabel province.

She revealed her story when questioned by prosecution in a trial that is currently ongoing at the High Court before Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer.

This is the case of a man who was accused of raping his daughter in August and September of 2016.

Prosecution said the victim is the daughter of the accused with another woman. The victim, after finding out he was her father, went and resided with him when she was in high school.

The victim said in the first incident; it was during a break period, and she went to her father’s house to have some food, that was when her father asked her to have sex.

“I told him that I don’t want to, but he insisted to have sex with me, and forced me to follow him into his room, and because I was afraid of him, I just follow what he wanted,” the victim said.

The victim said that her father used to assault and talk harshly towards her that is why when he insisted, she followed him.

Prosecution also questioned the victim on whether or not she told anybody about what happened between her and her father; the victim said she did not tell anybody because she was ashamed because if the students in the school heard about such, they will gossip about her.

Regarding the second incident it happened during the night after class-prep, the victim said she came back to the house to eat that is when her father asked her again to have sex.

Meanwhile, defence lawyer Lazarus Waroka questioned the victim; that she did not tell anybody about the incidents happened because she agreed to what her father told her.

But the victim said that she did not tell anybody because she was afraid of her father.

Waroka also told the victim as to why she did not escape or shout for help when her father asked her to have sex, the victim repeated that she was afraid of her father. The trial continues today

Gender hostility remains a setback to Women Economic Empowerment

Written by
Ben Bilua
-
0
Female participants listening to speeches

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE 14th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women highlights that the progress of the Beijing Platform for Action on Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) has been outweighed by political, cultural and administrative challenges.

Some of the issues highlighted by panelists include; missing gaps between education systems and access to employment, lack of policy at both managerial level and political level and bulk of issues pointed back to culture and traditional stereotypes.

Sharing her thoughts on the theme ‘Solutions to end Violence Against Women and Girls Where We Play, Pray and Engage’ during the side event yesterday, Reverend Sereima Lomaloma said there is a need for balance of power within family.

She adds that community values need to speak the same language when it comes to gender issues.

Rev Lomaloma said social and cultural transformation of belief, values and attitude is key to achieve gender equality ambitions and that it is time redirect approaches toward aligning social and cultural norms towards gender issues.

She emphasised that religious organisations must participate in gender equality advocacy and awareness to bring change.

Lomaloma said most people in the Pacific are Christians and as such religious organisations can play a key role in transforming peoples’ attitude.

“All of us have a role to play,” she added.

Sharing his views, Gideon Bare from Papua New Guinea said an effective mechanism that streamline gender advocacy from regional level, national and community level is paramount to effectively implement community-based approaches towards gender issues.

He adds that more men should also join the crusade to eliminate gender issues and at the same time empower women in the pacific.

In her speech during the opening of the conference, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Hon Marise Payne delivers a strong message saying that empowering women is giving women life.

“If we ensure women’s economic security, we ensure their safety that promote their health and wellbeing that not only benefit to women and girls but their entire community,” she said.

Payne said redirecting visions and missions can address the structure and cultural barriers that exclude and discriminate against women.

Guale women farmers hit hard by covid-19

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
-
0
Solomon Islands Women Leaders at the opening of the 14th Triennial confrence

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Guadalcanal women market vendors who are the main producers of Honiara Central Market are no exception when COVID-19 (coronavirus) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation.

According to Alice Hou, president for Guadalcanal Council of Women (GPCW), women market vendors from Guadalcanal were crippled by COVID-19 and they are still in the process of trying to recover from the impact of the virus.

Mrs Hou said this impact has caused fear, low financial earning to support farmers daily needs and livelihood, farmers escaping the virus back to their villages made market suppliers to decrease.

She said with the above impacts GPCW have stepped in with some their programmes to try and support women farmers to continue engage in economic initiative activities to keep the country’s economy afloat during this uncertain time.

Hou said they have also worked closely with constituency offices within Guadalcanal to assist not only women but men and youths in economic activities like copra, cocoa and kava production.

Permanent Secretary for Minister of Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Dr Cendrick Alependava during the 14th Triennial conference for women in Pacific, said in recognition of the amplified economic impact of covid-19 particularly on women, ministry is now revising the National Strategy for the Economic Empowerment of Empowerment and Girls in 2021 which they also looking forward to launching it.

Minister for Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Freda Rotutafi Rangirei at the recent commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2021 said this national strategy key objective of the strategy is to target financial literacy and inclusion measures towards the 85 percent of women engaged in vulnerable work, who are outside of the protections of formal employment.

“While the majority of women in the Solomon Islands are in vulnerable employments, I strongly believe that these are the women that has ensured the survival of families during these hard times. The strength of the women of Solomon Islands must be applauded, recognized and rewarded,” said Rangirei.

Marise Payne, Minister for Australia Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Australia when speaking during the opening of the 14th Triennial conference of Pacific women this week said the past year has been a very difficult one for the region and those challenges affecting women in the region is not diminishing.

“The pandemic forced us to confront key global health threat, boarder closes, economic insecurity and chronic supply chain interruption,” said Payne.

She said every single one has been impacted one way or another by COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Globally. The industries traditionally employing women, retail, tourism industries and informal markets economy declined and that has distressingly coincided with an increasing both women’s unpaid and very disrobing and increasing gender-based violence.

Payne said the pandemic has compromised both the accessibility and the equality of sexual reproductive health services. Even after we tackle the health threat our social and economic challenges would remain.

She emphasised in some ways the pandemic is providing an opportunity to move ahead on a different course.

“As we know even before the pandemic there were already gender equities between women and men so this moment of inflation and reflection gives us an opportunity to ensure the issues affecting women are addressed and that women played a critical role in decision making and would leading our economic recovery events.

“If we ensure women’s economic insecurity, we ensure there is safety, we promote their health and well-being that not only benefit to women and girls but to their entire communities.

“We will be working with pacific partners to strengthen the region’s economic recovery, its health security and its stability, importantly we are also partnership deliver safe and effective vaccines for our neighbors,” said Payne.

WVSI supports youths to give back to community

Written by
Samie Waikori
-
0
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’

Written by
Press Release
-
0

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
-
0

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
-
0
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
-
0
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.  

1...937938939...1,665Page 938 of 1,665