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Red cross supports authorities COVID-19 fight

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Solomon Islands Red Cross continues to support authorities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic says Dr Paul Bosawai Popora.

Popora echoed this at the commemoration of World Red Cross Day in Honiara.

He said at this unprecedented moment in history, especially with COVID-19, the Solomon Islands Red Cross continues to ensure people receive the humanitarian assistance they need.

“COVID-19 is an unprecedented crisis. But global solidarity and global kindness will help the world to survive this pandemic and help it to thrive again after wards,” Popora said. 

General Secretary of Solomon Islands Redcross Clement Manuri said in Solomon Islands the National Society continue to work to support the government in the humanitarian field. The national Society volunteers continue to extend the work of the Red Cross movement into their own communities.

“The act of kindness is shown even during this pandemic. Our volunteers continue to be active in being part of the national efforts directed at fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” Manuri said.

He said as evident in the current global economic environment under the pressure of the COVIVD-19 pandemic, the private sector has been greatly hit.

“Truly, the pandemic has caused immense difficulties even for the private sector. It is on this regard that the National society applauds your generosity in continuing to provide support to our work. Your involvement during this hard time speaks volume of your heart, passion and commitment assist the vulnerable in our society and make our communities a little safer,” Manuri said.

SI Red Cross celebrates World Red Cross Day

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Islands Red Cross Board members

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands Red Cross yesterday celebrated the World Red Cross day aimed at highlighting the work of the movement right across the World in doing humanitarian service to people.

The theme for this year’s celebration reads “Together we are unstoppable.” The event falls 8th May every year and is celebrated Worldwide.

Dr Paul Bosawai Popora speaking at the event said the theme highlights the work the National Society continues to do at this time.

“The core of the celebration, however, is focused on highlighting the work of the Red Cross Movement right across the world,” Popora said.

Dr Paul Bosawai Popora

He said Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are supporting this process in more than 192 countries, from the largest cities to the most remote and hard to reach communities and reminding people that the power of humanity is unstoppable.

“Today, is an important occasion of this global humanitarian society, especially we are gathered to mark the founding of the Red Cross Movement and also gathered to celebrate the life of the founding father of Red Cross -Henry Dunant

“Today across the globe, friends supporters of red cross gathered to mark what the society did and aims to do to save and protect lives. It is the tradition of Red Cross to celebrate under a theme and this year our theme is “Together we are Unstoppable,” Popora said.

Solomon Islands Red Cross students presenting their item to guests

He said at this unprecedented moment in history, especially with COVID-19, the Solomon Islands Red Cross continue to ensure people receive the humanitarian assistance they need.

General Secretary of Solomon Islands Red cross Clement Manuri said as a highlight in the World Red Cross Day event theme, Together, we are Unstoppable,” the National Society and its hardworking staff, volunteers and members will remain committed in their work serving humanity in the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Red Cross Sign Language Interpreter with two oh her studnets

Manuri said the National Society will continue to ensure its collaboration with the government and partners is maintained into the future, an important aspect in its work of serving humanity.

“May I take this moment to thank all our hardworking staff, volunteers ad members throughout the country who continue to be at the forefront of every activity the Red Cross does in the country.

Indeed, many of our volunteers have put their lives on the line for the course of serving humanity during this pandemic, Something the National Society highly regards and is so thankful for,” he said.

The event was celebrated at SMI, Town ground in Honiara yesterday.

BIG FISH CATCH HERE

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

ABOUT 142 tonnes of fish stocks worth around $2.4 billion (USD$306 million) were caught in Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

This was based on the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) member states comparative development indicators from 2016-2018.

The country’s own fleet caught about 54 tonnes worth about $843.6 million (USD$106 million).

From the fish stock caught, 21,250 tonnes were processed onshore.

According to the report, about 3,009 people were employed in the tuna industry in the Solomon Islands.

Furthermore, the country exports tuna products worth $533.2 million (US$67 million).

Solomon Islands has received $334.2 million (US$42 million) from access and licence fees.

The report states that the Government received 10 percent as revenue from the fees.

Moreover, the annual catch if albacore, bigeye, skip jack and yellow fin from the national waters of FFA members averaged around 1.5 million metric tonnes over 2016-2018.

This was five percent lover than that averaged between 2013 and 2015.

This accounted for 57 percent of the Western and Central Pacific region (WCPO) tuna catch and 31 percent of the global tuna catch in 2018.

The average value of the annual catch in FFA waters between 2016 and 2018 was US$2.9 billion, 51 percent of the average value of WCPO annual catch of $5.7 billion.

The purse seine fishery contributed on average (2016-2018) just above 80 percent (US$2.4 billion) of the total average (2016-2018) catch value in the FFA EEZ.

The average (2016-2018) value of the skip jack catch was 60 percent of the total value of the harvest; yellowfin, bigeye and albacore contributed 29 percent, 8 percent and 4 percent respectively.

In the meantime, Solomon Islands joined the other 14 countries who are members of FFA to celebrate the World Tuna Day yesterday.

The Day is normally celebrated on 2nd May every year.

According Radio New Zealand, it was officially established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting resolution 71/124, in December 2016.

It aims to draw attention to the importance of conservation management and sustainable fishing.

Tuna offers hope during covid-19

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

TUNA as a national asset for Solomon Islands offers more hope for the country in the current covid-19 pandemic.

Minister for Ministry f Fisheries and Marine Resources Frederick Kologeto echoed this yesterday.

“Today in the current COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing, this national asset offers more hope in this time of uncertainty. It serves as our everyday food and it serves as a revenue earner for our economy and this is why tuna is a true national asset for our country and people.

“And today (yesterday) I am proud as the Minister responsible for Fisheries to say the theme again “Tuna-our proceed national asset” an enduring asset for both good and bad times,” said Kologeto.

He lauded all who participated on yesterday’s event despite the challenges faced due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Allan Rahari Director Fisheries Operations, Forum Fisheries Agency says tuna supports regional food security, employment and economic development and promoted national GDP indeed economic resilience the Pacific Tuna fisheries in particular is important during the challenges during this uncertain time.

Marijuana receiver arrested with bag

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 36-YEAR-OLD man from Kirakira was arrested on April 24, 2021 for receiving a packed farmer bag of marijuana drug inside LC Lokoiola.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said Kirakira police upon receiving a tip off that a farmer bag of Marijuana was sent onboard LC Lokoiola on its April-23trip, monitored who would be receiver of the farmer bag.

Mangau said when the LC Lokoiola berthed at Kirakira they monitored who the receiver would be and as a result, they halted the 36-year-old man and confiscated the farmer bag inside the ship.

The suspect was arrested and released pending proper charges to be laid on him.

Mangau said that bag was sent by someone in Honiara and police are calling on the communities or individual who might aware or knew of that person who sent that bag.

He said police investigation is continuing and in relation to the charge police will be waiting on the Director of Public Prosecution on what charges are to be laid as according to dangerous drugs Act, police only lay charge on suspects of drug related upon receiving authorization from the office of the DPP.

Mangau also warn young people as well the adults to refrain from engaging in drugs, as there are have been issues and problems happening inside the communities are caused by marijuana.

Therefore, communities must work together in addressing such issues and support police in their investigating such issues involving marijuana.

Meanwhile Provincial Police Commander PC Peter Sitai also said that Marijuana become an issue to many youths in Makira-Ulawa Province and therefore, everyone needs to work together in order to put such issue under control.

“You might not know your son or your daughter involved in such practices and as we can see many lives have already been affected from marijuana. Communities must step up to assist police to put a stop to this issue to protect our children,” PPC Sitai emphasizes.

Handover of patrol boat today

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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RSIPF Patrol boat Gizo. Photo by Austal.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands High Commissioner in Canberra, Australia, Robert Sisilo will witness the handover ceremony of the second Guardian-class Patrol boat in Perth today.

In 2019, the country has received her first Guardian class patrol boat called Gizo.

The second one will be called Taro.

Both have replaced Patrol boat Lata and Gizo, which have served the country for many years.

The Pacific Patrol boat replacement project is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program that aims to enhance practical maritime security cooperation across the South Pacific.

The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project broadens and further strengthens the region’s capability to responds to issues such as fisheries protection, trans-national crime, and search and rescue through the provision of patrol boats to Pacific Island nations.

The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement program comprises 21 vessels for delivery to 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste from late 2018 to 2023.

His Deputy High Commissioner Trevor Ramoni has accompanied him on the trip to Western Australia yesterday.

They were invited by the Australia Defence to officiate in the ceremony.

According to the Defence, the COVID-Safe ceremony is scheduled for Friday 7 May 2021 at Austal Shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia.

“Although we are unable to facilitate international attendance at the ceremony at this time, we are still very keen for the handover ceremony to be a celebration of the Australia-Solomon Islands relationship and would greatly appreciate the High Commissioner’s and your attendance,” Defence said.

Sisilo is expected to give a short five-minute speech, sign the formal certificates, christen the ship with champagne and take a tour of the new vessel.

Rear Admiral Katherine Richards, Head Navy Engineering, and Mat Kimberley, Assistant Secretary DFAT as our other key Australian representatives were also invited to attend the ceremony.

They are expected back in Canberra tomorrow.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime will utilise our new patrol boat for:

  1. Maritime surveillance and Law enforcement
  2. The protection of Natural resources and Surveillance of the Solomon Islands/Papua New Guineas common border
  3. Response to National Disasters and Humanitarian Response
  4. Maritime Search and Rescue
  5. Support to General Policing / Crime Response and Regional Maritime security e.g., maritime operations coordinated by FFA for regional Island nations.

2 logging firms ordered to stop work

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

TWO logging companies have been issued stop-work orders by the Central Islands Provincial government for non-payment of previous business licences and a current ones, as well as non-settlement of trespass claims by the Central Province into the Maleali Registered Land.

A statement from the Provincial Premier Stanley Manetiva yesterday said Tropical Resources Company Limited (TRDCL) applied for a milling license to conduct milling operations on Bolilau Customary land in breach of provincial business license ordinance 2020 as gazetted.

Manetiva said TRDCL was presented with documents purporting George Maru as owner of TRDCL as applicant.

He said the TRDCL purportedly contracted Trijam as operator and TRDCL and Trijam are under John Parsad as same owners ( and not George Maru).

He said that the TRDCL has owed the Central Province outstanding Business License for logging operations with Sunhill Sun as sub-contractor previously.

Manetiva said they are yet to settle trespass claims, illegal felling of logs and Environmental Damages claim on Maleali Government Registered Land.

“Regarding the Provincial Milling of Timber Application Form- the Provincial Premier and Executive declined the milling of timber license application form on the following grounds.

  1. Documents submitted were not true on the directorship of TRDCL
  2. 4000m3 per month is above the milling quota stated in the Forestry Act of Solomon Islands s.34 (1)(c)
  3. There is no agreement by the clans on blocks of land within Bolilau Customary land Submitted as required by form
  4. There is no beneficiary agreement signed by the 1000 people
  5. TRDCI, TRIJAM and Sun owed Provincial outstanding business license fees in the past.

Therefore, Manetiva said the current landing and operation of machines at Supare Landing Area does not have the Provincial approval for timber milling and felling of trees (round logs) and the operation is without a valid provincial business license.

“As such the provincial executive has blacklisted TRDCL, TRIJAM and SUNHILL SUN for future operation in Central province.

He said the Provincial Police Commander and ranks are asked to enforce the breach of the Provincial Business license provisions in that the province decline to grant the timber milling license to the applicant TRDCL and therefore TRIJAM is an unlawful contractor on the Provincial Jurisdiction.

Manetiva said the letter have been issued to the two companies to immediately stop operations and vacate the Central province jurisdiction with immediate effect.

Six arrested for alleged rape of student, 13

Written by
Press Release
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TARO Police have arrested six suspects for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old female student at Pangoe Village, Choiseul Province.

The incident took place Thursday last week.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria said five suspects are in their 20s, and a further suspect a 16-year-old boy.

Commander Eria said they received the report, attended to and arrested the suspects.

The victim in this case was a grade five student at the Pangoe Primary School in north east Choiseul.

He said the Incident occurred on the evening of 29April 2021 at around 9pm at the beach area in Pangoe Village.

Superintendent Eria said the suspects have been arrested and charged for the offense of rape contrary to section 136 of the penal code.

“I would like to remind our good people in Choiseul Province that we must look after our women and young girls from such incidents.

“Good parents please make sure you know where about your children. Assign trusted people in the family to accompany them where they want to go to avoid such incident in our communities,” PPC Eria said.

He thanked those who helped in the investigation and like to thank the police officers involved and their response to the report.

–POLICE MEDIA

Tuna needs to be sustainably managed due to high demand

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Soltuna cannery at Noro in Western province. Photo courtesy: Tri Marine

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WITH the high demand for tuna globally, the resource need sto be sustainably managed, says Supervising Minister to Fisheries and Marine Resources, Frederick Kologeto.

“Today, with the high demand for tuna globally, the resources need to be sustainably managed. This is important as our country makes a lot of revenue front his resources and because of this resource, many of our people can be employed and this is evident to the fishing and processing sector.

“Many of our people can be fed and many of our people can earn a living. Tuna indeed is a source of food and livelihood to our many coastal communities,” Kologeto said.

He said the responsibility to manage this resource in a sustainable manner is entirely on everybody.

“We are all in this together. As stakeholders to this important resource, let us align our commitments towards ensuring sustainability of our tuna stocks. Let us all work together to achieve this.

“As the Minister responsible for fisheries, I am delighted to see the current development and sustainability management of our tuna resources. My ministry is always working in collaboration with our other stakeholders to ensure all Solomon Islanders receives maximum economic and social benefits from our tuna resources. This is through a cordial partnership with Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries.”

The above statement was echoed yesterday at the World Tuna Day celebration in Honiara.

MFMR ensures SI benefits from tuna

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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0

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Fisheries and Marine Resources is working closely with its stakeholders to ensure all Solomon Islanders receives economic and social benefits from tuna resources.

According to Minister for responsible for MFMR Frederick Kologeto said this will work out through a cordial partnership with Forum Fisheries Agency and Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) countries to enable the county to achieve the following.

“Creation of job opportunities for our people. In this regard, we will continue to progress the development of Bina Harbour Onshore Processing project, support infrastructure developments-through new investments for onshore facilities. Again, Bina project is the one we are pursuing,” Kologeto said.

He said also to support the PNA Vessel Day scheme for both Purse seine and longline fisheries.

“To review of our legislations and legal framework to accommodate the recent changes within the tuna fisheries are promoted towards Sustainable Tuna Fisheries and promote Tuna as our proceed national Asset and this is where we want to drive our Tuna in the future.”

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