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‘Food security is easy to say than done’

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Kastom Garden supervisor and trainer Esther Lodu (right) demonstrating how to cut the top of a yam for planting to guests during the launching of the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) and Kastom Garden Association partnership that aims to enhance food production and improve nutrition availability in the country. Photo by Charles Kadamana.

BY BEN BILUA

THE Minister of Agriculture for Guadalcanal Province, Daniel Besa’o says food security is an ongoing issue and efforts to address the issue has been lagging behind time.

He made the statement during the launching of partnership to improve food production and nutrition between Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA) Plus and Kastom Garden Association (KGA) on Wednesday.

Hon Besa’o said food security has been one of the top agenda in national and provincial discussions but little has been done to address the issue.

“We can come in with a lot of money and ask people to do it or ask donor to do it but the issue keep popping up is lack of consistency.

“It’s easy to map out plans but getting to ground and do work is another story,” he said.

Hon Besa’o said the geographical setting of the country presents a huge challenge in the implementation of food security programs and that proper planning must be made taking into account the logistics to move around the provinces with needed activities.

He acknowledges KGA for its ongoing effort on seed saving and distributions to farmers as part of improving food security in the country.

Hon Besa’o said Seed Saving is the way forward to safe guide crops and vegetables from invasive pest and diseases so as help farmers to access better seedlings for better production.

“Having seed gene banks established in the provinces will boost food productions and also kept domestic crops and vegetables in a safer place during droughts or other disasters,” he said.

Hon Besa’o told those present that Guadalcanal provincial government is looking forward to work with KGA and PHAMA Plus to roll out the project.

Police’s burden

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1000-plus cases, RSIPF find difficulty in disposing high profile cases

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE two investigation departments with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) are finding it difficult to dispose high profile cases quickly.

This is because there are more than 1,000 cases before the National Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and 300-plus at the National Professional Standard Unit.

Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau said to investigate even one case is not easy because the officers have to get evidence to support the allegations.

Mangau said some of the evidences are also in the provinces so officers need to go out and collect them.

“For example, one officer has to deal with 64 cases,” Mangau told reporters yesterday.

“When the officer completes half of the cases, some more adds up on the pile of cases,” he added.

Further to that, Mangau said in terms of logging cases, police focus mainly on the criminal part of it.

He said there are other relevant laws that deal with logging like Forestry law and others.

“When we receive logging complaints, we need to analyse before getting approval from Director of Prosecution to proceed with the case,” he added.

Orion Limited General Manager, Chan Chee Min said he had submitted complaints against Solomon Forest Association (SFA) President Jonny Sy for a number of allegations in the logging industry to police last year, but still no outcome from their investigation.

Chan Chee Min accused the police of acting very slow in dealing with “big fish” like SFA leaders.

However, Mangau said police are very concerned about public confidence and trust in police when dealing with officers who break the law.

He said police have 1,500 officers and majority have done a good job to maintain the ethics of the force while only few have spoilt the reputation of the organisation.

Mid-week batter

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Kossa FC player Dunstan Quanafia receives the ball and Malaita Kingz defender Joel Fakaia eying for the ball. PHOTO. CHARLES KADAMANA

KOSSA moves in 8th

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

KOSSA FC earned valuable points in a commanding fashion to hand Malaita Kings FC yet another nightmare in a 7-1 thrashing yesterday in the TSL mid-week fixture at Lawson Tama.

Both sides kicked off their campaign in the league for the first time this year – a test back competing after a long break.

With high pressing play at both ends from kickoff, it was KOSSA that capitalized on their opening chances with two early goals in the first 10’ minutes of play.

KOSSA’s speedster Harrison Mala scored a hat-trick before Robin Baewane pulling a goal back for Kings heading for the breather, 4-1 margin.

“It’s a good start for the year, the team is yet to back in full fitness but somehow managed to win,” says KOSSA FC head coach Fred Osifelo

“Today’s (yesterday) game is more like a training game because past weeks we did not have our regular training.

However, Osifelo banked on the experience of his attacking front which was obvious. Himson Teleda got on the score sheet before Dunstan Quanafia got his brace and a goal from left-back Alfie Chacha to step over Real Kakamora onto the 8th spot.

For Kings Head Coach Rence Talo there’s a lot to blame since his side had yet to register a point in the premier league since the start of the season.

“Our preparation for this game the bad weather is the main factor especially on our training venue and lack of attendance from the players throughout the past weeks,” Tala admitted.

Talo also blamed the inexperience of his players.

KOSSA FC this weekend takes on Real Kakamora to avoid the bottom standings, while Malaita Kings will have a week to settle before coming back against Kakamora on match week 19.

YWCA Girls Rise Up! changes Clera’s life

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    Clera Tegu is now a confident young girl after joining the Girls Rise Up! program.

    CLERA Tegu is a 17 year-old girl from Makira Ulawa Province who says the Girls Rise Up! project “has changed my life.”

    Clera is one of over 200 young girls involved in the Girls Rise Up! project.

    Girls Rise Up! is led by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in partnership with CARE International and supported by Australia through the Pacific Girl program, managed by Pacific Women Shaping Pacific Development (Pacific Women).

    It aims to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge of at-risk girls while helping them establish supportive peer networks and the opportunity to safely advocate for issues that affect them.

    Clera, who lives with her elder brother in Honiara, is a person who is deaf and now has a voice through sign language to advocate for other girls with disabilities, as a result of Girls Rise Up!.

    Her focus is on her abilities, especially since she attended a workshop for people with disabilities in 2018 where she met Stella Wai’oha,

    Girls Rise Up! mentor and Project Officer for People With Disabilities Solomon Islands (PWDSI). PWDSI is a Girls Rise Up! Partnership Stakeholder. 

    “There are many programs with Girls Rise Up! but I chose life skills. I attended Girls Rise Up! program in 2019 to 2020,” said Clera, relaying her story through an interpreter on how she was introduced to the program that has made such a significant and positive impact on her life.

    “I heard [about] the program from my mentor, Stella. Stella asked me to join Girls Rise Up! training and life skills workshops.”

    Clera was also supported by Diana Ma’ahoro, her training interpreter, who is a Project Assistant Officer with YWCA.

    She learned a lot through the life skills program such as how to make paper beads, dye lavalava plus make jewellery including the earrings, necklace and bangles she wears each day.

    “Marketing my products, I earned money that helped me to buy food, church offering and clothes,” Clera said.

    In sign language, Clera said she is very patient and humble. “My family communicates with me using verbal and I can read their lips,” she said through her interpreter.

    “I don’t learn any skills until I joined the Girls Rise Up! program and, as a deaf person, life skills has helped me. Attending trainings, I know that my actions speak louder.”

    “I know that standing here as a deaf person to show you that having many skills has changed my life and I can contribute to my family’s income.

    “My deaf motto: my hands are my mouth, my eyes are my ears.”

    Clera has been empowered with self-confidence and life skills by attending Girls Rise Up! and has also been recommended by her mentors to attend the Red Cross Special Disability Center in Honiara.

    Renbel premier ready for motion

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    Premier of Rennell and Bellona Willie Tuhagenga

    BY BEN BILUA

    THE Premier of Rennell and Bellona province has welcomed the motion of no confident filed against him.

    “Bring it on,” Willie Tuhagenga said in an interview with Island Sun yesterday ahead of the motion, which will be tabled during their Assembly meeting today.

    “I have the number and I’m confident to get over this motion,” he said.

    Premier Tuhagenga said six members are currently in his camp and that demonstrates the strength he has ahead of the motion.

    He said the Speaker of the province has been consulted and formalities for the Assembly meeting have been approved.

    Premier Tuhagenga said the Assembly will be held here in Honiara – a decision made based on convenience and financial reasons.

    He explained that the decision to hold the meeting in Honiara is because all the non-executive reside here.

    “It’s cheaper to hold an Assembly meeting in Honiara as most provincial members are currently here in town arranging their kids back to school,” Premier Tuhagenga said.

    He stressed that there has been a motion but it was delayed due to lack of funds.

    “There has been a lot of talking in the media, now we are ready to table the motion and I kindly call on MPAs to attend the meeting,” Premier Tuhagenga said.

    He said the province’s revised budget will also be tabled after the motion.

    Premier Tuhagenga said he is optimistic that the motion will be over so that his government can focus on the affairs of the province.

    He said there are programs and activities pending so as funding from the government are on halt due to the motion.

    “We should roll out our programs and development plans last year but this motion continues to be a barrier to our development aspirations,” Premier Tuhagenga said.

    When ask what will happen after the motion, he said both sides of the house need to work together to develop the province through sharing ideas and possible development plans that would help the people.

    “We have been stagnant for the past years due to lack of cooperation within the parties,” Premier Tuhagenga said.

    Speaker Lester H Sa’omasi received the notice of the motion from the mover MPA for Ward 10, on Tuesday 1st December 2020.

    In the letter, the non-executive members raised a few points against Premier Willie Tuhagenga.

    This includes lack of political leadership and transparency over the provincial executive and over the development of direction for Rennell Bellona province, lack of control over the duties and performance of the provincial administration.

    “All these issues raised will be discussed during the motion,” Premier Tuhagenga said.

    Citizens overseas urged to vaccinate before return

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    Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

    BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

    SOLOMON Islands nationals in the United Kingdom, USA and Canada are being encouraged to be vaccinated before their repatriation home.

    Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his recent address said the government is aware that there are some Solomon Islands citizens waiting to be repatriated from the UK, USA, and Canada.

    “We encourage these citizens to be vaccinated before their repatriation home.

    “In this regard the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be coordinating with our High Commissions, Embassies, and representatives in these countries to ensure our citizens can access vaccinations before their return home,” said Sogavare.

    He said the government is meanwhile planning a ‘final’ repatriation flight to bring home about 40 remaining students in Manila.

    Sogavare adds, in terms of vaccine for Solomon Islands, approval for AstraZeneca vaccine had been given despite missing out on the Pfizer vaccines for 0.25 percent of the country’s population.

    Mayor resists call for him to resign

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    Alfred Pagepitu
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    Elections would be held to replace the Lord Mayor of Honiara City Council Wilson Mamae.

    BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

    HONIARA city mayor Wilson Mamae has labelled calls for him and City Clerk Rence Sore to resign as “nothing more than political stunt orchestrated by those who oppose his good works”.  

    Mamae was responding to Honiara resident Stephen Maki.

    He claimed this is not a new call, but one that has been repeated in the media to advance their political agendas and interest to rubbish the good works of the Council under his leadership.

    Mamae described Maki’s call as misleading and tarnishing his reputation with ‘unfounded allegations’ against the HCC administration and the City Clerk.

    He said Maki needs to provide legal documents to prove the allegations among other reports stated in his article.

    “What Maki continues to do here is mislead the public with the same old story.”

    Mamae also lashed out at comments calling for the Clerk and him to resign for the sake of their integrity.

    “I understand that the City Mayor can only be ousted by a Motion of No Confidence.

    “City Clerk can only be removed by the Full Council.

    “Maki has not fully understood the whole concept and functions of the HCC administration, and he is trying to bark in the media without a proper legal document to prove all his accusations against us.

    “I know ‘Maki’, a pen name has been spreading misleading information about what my Administration is doing right now.

    “I ask him to approach my office and let’s talk and do the right thing to discuss his problem rather than quickly going over to the media. 

    “I can confirm to you that their idea is to tarnish HCC and its officials, to distract us from what we are mandated to do.”

    Mamae said he has explained his response to the HCC saga in the media already and looks forward to working with all councillors to move the executive’s plans for the city.

    The Mayor however, was tight-lipped over the issues raised against the council yesterday.

    These include the controversial fire extinguisher deal, the illegal $1.8 million borrowings, and other issues raised against his leadership.

    Meanwhile, the Mayor has insisted that those who politicise the HCC saga and the desperate Stephen Maki to go to the Leadership Codes Commissioner with all their allegations.

    He insisted that they have nothing to do with the issues raised.

    TSI: Sack Fika!

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    Gov’t urged to terminate minister for lying in public

    GOVERNMENT has been urged to sack Environment minister Titus Fika for lying in public.

    Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) made the call yesterday after the Island Sun exposed Fika’s dishonest in a front-page article yesterday.

    “TSI s appalled to see one of the ministers of the crown telling lies in the media by denying his decision to give Sunrise Investment Ltd the right to sell logs, which the company illegally harvest,” the watchdog organization said in a statement.

    Fika came out public in the Island Sun on Tuesday to say it is a false news that he gave directives for the Malaysian company to pursue selling the tubi logs.

    But according to documents the Island Sun obtained, Fika wrote a letter to the Comptroller of Customs informing them that a permit was issued by director of environment to allow Sunrise Investment Ltd to sell the tubi logs.

    The letter was copied to the Attorney General as well.

    The letter was signed by Fika with his name on it and not the former minister (Dickson Mua).

    “TSI may have no issue with the ongoing conflict over those tubi logs but the fact that the Minister of Environment is telling lies to the public is not only demeaning to him but a big corruption-risk to this country to put such people in power.

    “Fika and his likes must be condemned for being dishonest and removed from their position as minister the sooner the better.

    “This does not reflect well of someone who serve his first term in parliament.

    “The minister claimed he is fighting corruption but he is doing a different thing.

    “His denial of the black and white letter he signed and copied to various government ministries only shows the type of leader he is.

    “TSI called on the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) to remove Fika as the minister for environment.

    “Citizens no longer have trust in such leaders who speak one thing but did the opposite.

    “When a leader elected by the people come out public to tell lies to the people is an indication that such person will continue to tell lies to the people even to the extent that he became a public ridicule.

    “TSI strongly condemned elected leaders who tell lies and in this case the Minister of Environment must go or else he remains and do more damage to this nation.

    “The minister is caught red handed and he should not make any more attempt to cover up his lies that will only makes him a public mockery.

    “TSI also wants to cautioned other MPs to be careful of what they speak in the media or they will be held responsible for the false information coming out of their mouth.”

    Transparency Solomon Islands said it is concerned that the seized tubi logs was not put on tender or let the resource owners to sell but instead given to the same convicted company found guilty by the court and paid the find of $50,000.

    “The decision by the minister is an evidence that corruption is alive in his ministry and the logging industry.

    “The company was found guilty and ordered by court to pay a fine of $50,000 is now being rewarded with the tubi logs it illegally harvest to sell on behalf of the government.

    “This is not right and goes to show how those in powers and their likes in public offices are denying this country, resource owners and the government the maximum benefits deserved from the tubi logs.

    “At whose interest the Minister made the decision?

    “The decision to give back the tubi logs to Sunrise Investment Ltd raise more questions on the integrity of the minister and the executive government.

    “The decision is a clear self-serving act by someone in power to serve his personal interest and that of his cronies.

    “Government must recognize the landowners and put their interest first than that of foreign logging companies and their cronies.

    “The tubi trees belongs to the landowners and were harvested on their land without their consent, so those logs should be a matter for the government and landowners to negotiate with any buyer.

    “But not the convicted Malaysian company to sell the logs.  

    “According to information revealed it shows that Sunrise Investment Ltd will take 60% of the tubi logs if they proceed with the selling while landowners 15% and government 25%.

    “Thus, it means the company that was convicted and pay the fine of $50,000 will get more than what they have penalized for by reaping more benefits in the selling of the tubi logs.

    “Transparency Solomon Islands see all this mess on the illegal harvest of tubi and re-awarding of the logs to the offender as a serious case of corruption that involves the minister of environment, public servant (director of environment) and a logging company.

    “TSI reiterated that the minister must be removed and director of environment who gave the permit to the company be suspended and investigated.”

    Black and white

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    Eddie Osifelo
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    Minister of Environment, Titus Fika.

    Environment minister Fika denies issuing directive, documents show otherwise

    By EDDIE OSIFELO

    ENVIRONMENT minister Titus Fika has denied giving Sunrise Investment Ltd the right to sell tubi trees the Malaysian logger illegally harvested on San Jorge, Isabel.

    He has also denied issuing any directives to Customs and other state authorities to facilitate and assist Sunrise export the logs.

    Fika dismissed our front page report on the tubi issue on Monday this week, describing the news article as “untrue”.

    Well we have news for the minister.

    Published here is copy of the letter Fika signed and delivered to Customs on December 21, 2020.

    That was after Sunrise owner Richard Ngea pleaded guilty to the illegal harvesting of tubi and fined $50,000 in the Magistrates Court.

    The letter was copied to various government ministries and departments, including the Attorney General’s Chamber.

    Fika stated in the letter that he had used his power under the Wild Life Protection and Management Act to seize the logs.

    Therefore, he said, the tubi logs, are now Solomon Islands Government properties.

    Furthermore, he said the Director of Environment had issued a permit to allow Sunrise to sell the logs on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government.

    Fika’s decision came despite advanced efforts landowners on San Jorge have taken to sell the logs, which are rightfully theirs.

    Landowner spokesman Wilson Tohidi said the minister should work with and assists landowners than serving the interest of a foreign logger.

    “Whose interest is the minister and this Government serving?” Tohidi asked.

    “Here is a foreign logger that comes in and illegally cut down our trees.

    “The company owner himself admitted guilt.

    “The minister did the right thing by seizing the logs from the company.

    “But why is the minister giving back those logs to the very logging company that tries to steal them at the first place?

    “Where is justice and common sense in this?

    “Something is not right Mr Minister.

    “We wish to let you know that we the landowners have the financial capacity to sell the logs.

    “In fact we have already secured a buyer.

    “Just give us back our logs and we will sell them for the benefit of the resource owners and the country as a whole,” Tohidi appeals.

    He added landowners would benefit more from their logs if they were given the rights to sell.

    According to Government calculations Island Sun has cited, if Sunrise sells the logs, they will receive 60 percent of proceeds of sale.

    A $500,000 goodwill will be paid to the Government to support enforcement of the Wildlife Protection and Management Act.

    25 percent of the proceeds will be paid to the Government.

    15 percent will be paid to landowners.

    On track

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    One of the design concepts of a major PG2023 facility project.

    PM Sogavare on PG2023 progress

    BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

    PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nationwide reiterates his government’s assurance that preparations for the hosting of the Pacific Games 2023 are progressing well ahead.

    Sogavare made an update saying that country is on target to complete all the facilities and preparations to successfully host the major regional sporting event.

     “Fellow Solomon Islanders, before I close, allow me to also give you an update on the progress of the Pacific Games 2023.

    “My good people, we are on target to complete all the facilities and all our preparations to successfully host the 2023 Pacific Games,” the PM addressed.

     He also made a highlight on the launching of the Government Services Integration Committee last week.

    “Last Friday my government achieved another milestone – the launching of a ‘Whole of Government Services Integration Committee’ that will unite the resources of all 24 government ministries to assist the National Hosting Authority to successfully deliver Pacific Games 2023.

     “The ‘whole of Government Services Integration Committee’ is the largest of the 12 committees under the ‘Games Organising Committee’ which is the primary committee responsible for the actual delivery of the games.

     There are four committees under the Games Organising Committee (GOC) headed by Government and 8 headed by the Pacific Games Association [PGA] also known as National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands [NOCSI].

     The other three Committees headed by the government are (i) Health and Social Services Committee, (ii) Security Committee and (iii) Host City Committee. These 3 committees are also part of the ‘whole of Government Services Integration Committee’.

     He further stressed the importance of collaborative efforts towards the successful delivery of the games.

    “The ‘whole of Government Services Integration Committee’ reflects governments ‘many partners, one team, spirit’ which is essential for the successful delivery of the games. It also embodies the theme for the 2023 Pacific Games of – Challenge, Unite and Celebrate.

     “I call on all public servants assigned to this committee to fully commit to this transformational development.

    He concludes by saying that hosting of the games will be the most transformational project because it is not only about sports.

    “It is about putting in place a new platform for our nation’s development agenda that will leave a legacy that unites our country and our region long into the future. We can do it and we can achieve it if we all work together,” PM Sogavare concludes.

    Meanwhile, Sol2023 National Hosting Authority Chairman Dr Jimmie Rodgers made the announcement last week that the Solomon Island National Sport Institution (SINIS) will be the first facility to complete and open in April this year.

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