Group photo of participating women ,men,girls and boys on yesterday’s event.
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
Hon Lanelle Tanangada delivering her remarks
16 Days of Activism is a positive approach of awareness against violence. Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) says violence against women and girls is the root cause for gender inequality.
Mrs. Lanelle Tanangada says hence, the fight to eliminate violence against Women and Girls is a must for Solomon Islands Government, Non-governmental Organizations (NGO), Civil Society Organization (CSO), Faith Based Organization, Communities and individuals.
Tanangada said it is dis-heartening to hear about the increased number of rape cases being reported in media.
However celebrating this event annually by all partners across the nation indicates that perpetrators and rapers across the country have been reported.
She said there is lack of respect for women and children that leads to violence against them, which is a sin, evil and a crime which all of needs to put an end to.
“Let’s be reminded that women are fearfully and wonderfully made, so why are we suffering? Women shouldn’t be suffering Women should be safe. Women should be equal”, Tanangada says.
“And also man needs women and women need man, we cannot live without each other we need each other to complete Gods equation,” said Tanangada.
She said the road ahead is not easy but with collaborative support from all partners, churches, communities’ families and individuals in teaching, this should reminde others and ourselves that violence against women and girls is a crime and unacceptable.
“Also know that women, men, boys and girls are of equal value created in the image of God. We can help to eliminate violence against women and girls”, Tanangada says.
Champion female advocators against Gender Based ViolenceParticipating young people on yesterday’s float parade.Hon Lanelle Tanangada with some of the many young female advocators who stand to eliminate gender based violenceGroup photo of participating women ,men,girls and boys on yesterday’s event.Womens Right Action Movement (WRAM) representativesGroup photo of participating women ,men,girls and boys on yesterday’s event.
COCOA farmers now have access to discounted cocoa tools and UV plastic for solar dryers, thanks to a new agreement between Island Enterprises Ltd and the Australian Government initiative Strongim Bisnis.
Island Enterprises CEO Phil Bradford said, “A whole chain of events would occur if farmers had access to subsidised equipment, including increased production and an improved economy.”
Cocoa farmers have two options to increase their incomes from cocoa sales: increase the quantity of cocoa produced or increase quality and attract higher prices. To benefit from prices as high as $30 per kilogram farmers need to follow good agricultural practices regarding plantation management, fermentation and drying.
Farmers also need to identify buyers who are willing to pay higher prices for ‘boutique’ cocoa. To produce boutique-grade cocoa, farmers need to use the right tools and this includes the use of solar dryers. Those using kukum (wood-fired/hot air) dryers produce cocoa beans with a smoke taint that is considered lower quality in the international market. They can only increase their income by increasing production volumes. The smoke-tainted, bulk-market quality only attains prices of around $10 per kilogram.
Many cocoa plots in Solomon Islands have aging trees with declining yields. According to a 2014 analysis on the cocoa value chain in Solomon Islands, the average cocoa yields are low at 250-340 kilograms per hectare compared with the Melanesian average of 400 kilograms per hectare. Main cocoa producing countries have yields of up to 550 kilograms per hectare.
Through Strongim Bisnis’s agreement with Island Enterprises, farmers throughout the country will have access to cocoa tools at discounted prices to help increase cocoa tree yields. Island Enterprises has begun importing UV plastics for farmers interested in investing in solar drying technology. An introductory discount on selected tools and UV plastics will be available for the next few months.
Australian High Commission’s Andrew Schloeffel said that partnerships with the business community are important to broader economic growth. Strong incentives for farmers, such as affordable tools and equipment, aim to encourage sustainability and enhance the commercial model for the cocoa sector.
Island Enterprises are promoting and selling products at their Honiara location, via provincial agents, and through a traveling roadshow starting in Lata, Temotu province this week and in Auki in early 2019. Tools available include: pruning saws, cocoa harvesting knives, wheel barrows, steel loppers, pressure sprayers, shade clothes and planting bags.
THE RV Northern Endeavour returned to Honiara today, marking the completion of its trip to Auki, Noro and Taro.
The vessel has been in Solomon waters for close to a month, working in collaboration with a team of on shore experts to map the route for the Coral Sea Cable System and the Solomon Islands Domestic Network.
On return to Honiara, The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare, Leader of the Independents, Dr Derek Sikua, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma, and the Governor of the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands, Denton Rarawa together with staff from the Australian High Commission and Solomon Submarine Cable toured the RV Northern Endeavour to learn more about the precise route the undersea cable will take.
Preliminary findings from the survey team indicate that the Coral Sea Cable, linking Sydney to Honiara will be approximately 3,759 kms long.
The Solomon Islands Domestic Network will traverse approximately 722 kms across the Solomon Islands seafloor, facilitating the delivery of high speed, reliable internet to Malaita, Western and Choiseul provinces.
Completion of the marine survey means the project can now move to the next phase. Alcatel Submarine Networks will manufacture the cable in France in accordance with the specifications from the survey.
The Governments of Solomon Islands and Australia are working in partnership to deliver this transformative, nation-building project.
Construction commenced in July 2018 and the cables should be ready for service by the end of 2019. To find out more about the project, please visit www.coralseacablesystem.com.au
(TOP & BELOW) Senior delegation touring the RV Northern Endeavour
Aerial View of the Rehabilitated Suavanao Airfield.
SUAVANAO Airfield in Isabel Province was re-opened last Saturday following the successful rehabilitation of the airport’s deteriorating runway which has forced the Government to close it in September this year.
Representatives of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI) and Solomon Airlines conducted a test flight with a Twin Otter aircraft on 24th November 2018 to ascertain the readiness of the airport to accommodate flights.
While minor tidy-up work was noted, the pavement rehabilitation was a success and the MCA with CAASI endorsement reopened the airport and Solomon Airlines will re-commence commercial services to Suavanao Airport when they are ready.
Most provincial airports in Solomon Islands have not been maintained for more than 20 years and the current MCA management is addressing that by implementing a Provincial Airport Rehabilitation Programme to improve airport runway surfaces.
The action plan will see the improvement to runway surfaces and lengthening selected airports in the country to accommodate DASH8 services. To date, the MCA has rehabilitated runway surfaces to Seghe, Auki, Parasi, and Suavanao and had recently awarded contracts to upgrade Kirakira with Lata and Tingoa airports and others to follow in 2019.
Aerial View of the Rehabilitated Suavanao Airfield.
The MCA and the New Zealand Government are also implementing the Provincial Airport Upgrade Programme and currently completed designs to 4 provincial airports with the possibility of starting with 2 airports in 2019. The scope will involve drainage, pavement improvement and sealing the landing strip.
Due to the very high cost of mobilizing contractors to carry out rehabilitation and limited financial resources available to MCA, the management team explored the option of bringing stakeholders together to share the cost involved.
For Suavanao Airport, a simple Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement was agreed on by the National Government through the MCA, the Isabel Provincial Government, and the Private sector through the Mas Pacific International Ltd and a Tourism operator through the Papatura Island Retreat was successful with the completion of the runway rehabilitation works.
The MCA brought parties together in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to share the costs of rehabilitation and which was crucial because without the stakeholders, MCA will not be able to complete the project on time and affecting the travelling public, tourism and the stakeholders themselves.
Under the PPP arrangement, the National Government through the MCA provided overall supervision works and provided compaction equipment along with an expert operator and casual workers. The Isabel Provincial Government provided gravel for all civil works free of charge. The Mas Pacific International Ltd that operates a logging camp next to the airport provided all the equipment for the civil works plus operators free of charge while the Papatura Island Retreat provided all the logistics, transport and supervision on behalf of MCA on site.
Group photo the inspection team last Saturday at Suavanao Airfield.
Permanent Secretary of the MCA, Mr Moses Virivolomo who also took part in the test flight was happy to see the airport re-opened for the travelling public and overseas visitors to return to Papatura Island Retreat and beyond.
Mr Virivolomo thanked all the parties to the MOA for the partnership and this PPP arrangement will be explored for other airports in line for rehabilitation in the near future.
For the success of the PPP in Suavanao airport, PS Virivolomo thanked his hard working Airport Management team at MCA lead by Chief Operating Officer Mr Sylvester Kenatsi, the Premier of Isabel Province Hon James Habu for assisting the MCA, the Senior Management team for Mas Pacific International Ltd for their great contribution as part of their community service obligations in the province and Papatura Island Retreat owner Mr Peter Blanche for the cooperation in getting the job done on site.
This simple PPP arrangement is first of its kind in the Aviation Sector and MCA believes these simple partnerships should be explored by other sectors as an alternative method to implementing government programs in remote areas of the country where traditional methods of contracting may prove difficult or not cost effective.
WHILE the government is seen proactively facilitating and heading events into the 16 Days Activism Campaign on eradicating violence against women and children in the country, it has been criticised for not showing financial commitments to help this fight.
This criticism came when it was revealed of the Ministry of Women, Youths, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), whose projection for grant allocation to some of the institutes looking after victims of various forms of violence, was heavy slashed.
Appearing last week before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry when questioned on this grant packages, revealed that their original bid was cut, and will now rely again on its donor support and relevant stakeholders to help support these institutes.
PAC was told that the Ministry had submitted a bid of $2million for its 2019 Appropriation Allocation, but was only approved a total of $500,000, which is just a quarter of the initial amount that was asked.
This has got the Chairman of the PAC and MP for East Honiara, Douglas Ete to come out hard at the government, stressing that it is being negligence on issues that have direct impacts on the lives of its people, and not showing realistic means into its said commitments to fight the issue head on.
Ete then stressed that the government needs to put money where its mouth is, having promised so much to help in curbing this violence issue in general.
This is something that it continued to be expressed almost every year when this event or related occasions take place.
General criticisms were also directed at the government for continuously paying little attention to this issue, particularly, the ministry and agencies responsible in terms of financial support.
The government is then urged to relook into its allocation and increase its support for these programs, as they are implementing some of its vital policy intents regarding this issue.
Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete
By Gary Hatigeva
CHAIRMAN of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete has lashed out at government over the cuts in budget allocations to Ministries.
Ete said government made cuts in budget allocations and expect so much on Ministries to deliver.
The PAC Chair raised this in dismay after hearing complaints from a lot of Ministries over the cuts in their budget submissions for the 2019 Appropriation Bill 2018.
The PAC Chair questioned how Ministries will be able to deliver when their submission based on full scale estimates are continuously cut. Some certain programs are losing out completely on allocations.
Ete said he believes this current government has been playing a doubled faced character that is renowned for ‘saying one thing and doing the opposite’.
A lot of Ministry Heads have been questioned at the ‘hearing’ as to why certain aspects of their programs were not complete. Concerns were of weak and slow progression, but most particularly, the vital Ministries, are saying this is a matter of budgetary allocation.
It is also said that a lot of policy platforms and frameworks have been launched, many of which come as a matter of outside interest, yet very little or no allocations are made for their implementations through respective Ministries.
While agreeing to the slash made, he pointed out that not all Ministries should be given such status as some Ministries have very important programs to carry out.
“For the sake of the people, these programs are also part of priority implementing parties to the government’s policy intents”, Ete said.
Group photo of the participants attending the MEHRD Joint Annual Review 2018 held at Mendana
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
THE Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) has met to discuss ways to improve the country’s education at all levels.
The joint review meeting provides an opportunity for MEHRD and key education stakeholders to share and discuss issues, progress and achievements.
Permanent Secretary for MEHRD Dr. Franco Rodie said Education is a matter which Solomon Islands’ aspire to develop.
He said the country’s education system comprises of early childhood, primary, junior and senior secondary and tertiary education.
“To strengthen the country’s educational system, the nation and people responsible need to build their strengths and work collaboratively to rethinking the education direction 2018—2030”, Rodie says.
He said MEHRD recognizes that the primary strength lies in the people working with MEHRD.
“And together we can build our education system and secure the future of our young people,” Rodie said.
Meanwhile MEHRD’s Deputy Secretary Mr James Bosamata said, MEHRD’s a five year strategy starting from 2016—2020 known as NEAP is half way towards completion.
Bosamata said such forum is important to discuss ways for reviewing the NEAP since it is coming to an end.
“Currently, the NEAP needs to be review since it is now halfway and the two days’ workshop will help to develop another five-year strategy,” he said.
The meeting is an annual one for MEHRD.
The two-day seminar includes presenting key findings to all stakeholders on progress and challenges in the implementation of education system and delivery of education services.
The theme for two-day’s meeting is: “Our Quest to Deliver Improve Education Services in Solomon Islands.”
Provincial Member for Nusa Roviana and ward 16, Ramrakha Talasasa
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
MPA for Dunde Nusa Roviana ward 16, Honorable Ramrakha Aquila Junior Talasasa is persuading the Western Provincial government Fisheries division to strengthen its revenue collection in Western Province.
Talasasa said the Fisheries Division, which is supposed to be exhaustive in its operation, has only produced less than 20 per cent of output in the last g month.
He said that given the fact that majority of the peoples lively hood depends on resources from the sea.
“One would expect a more practical commitment in terms of fisheries programs let alone the fact that 56 per cent of the projected revenue has already been collected.”
“But there is still a lot of potential to increase our revenue collection in this division,” he added.
“This are to improve and ensure our services reach the growing rural population,” said Talasasa.
THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) warns the public against the use of dynamites to fish following the arrest and charging of a fisherman in Central Province on 13 November 2018.
On 13 November Police at Tulagi received a report from a member of the Crime Prevention Committee that the suspect male person from Malaita allegedly used dynamite to kill fish at Sole Point near Haleta Village in Big Gela.
“My officers responded to the report and arrested the male suspect at Niu Vunuha Village in Big Gela and charged him with the offence of fishing with a prohibited substance under the Fisheries Management Act. The suspect has been released on bail to reappear in the Tulagi Magistrates Court on 11 February 2019,” says Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Inspector Hugo Maelasi.
Supervising PPC Maelasi adds: “I want like to advice the good people of Central Province or other provinces for that matter to refrain from using dynamites for fishing. Dynamite is a prohibited weapon as it can cause death to anyone. Furthermore catching fish with dynamite is not good for human consumption and anyone found using dynamite will be dealt with according to law.”
“Police in Central Province greatly appreciates the cooperation shown in this particular matter by members of the Crime Prevention Committee in the area of the alleged incident for coming forward with the information which led to the investigation and successful arrest of the suspect. This cooperation is critical as the country goes into the Festive Season,” says Inspector Maelasi.
He explains: “Police cannot be everywhere at all times so it is very important that members of our communities report such matters to your nearest police station. On the part of the police we need to respond as soon as possible as was shown in this matter. It is only through such working together can we ensure safety and security within our communities.”
MP for Small Malaita Hon. Rick Hou is being nominated to run for PM onbehalf of the
DCC Group
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
PRIME Minister Rick Hou says government is taking up this battle to fight Non-Communicable Disease.
He said from statistics gathered, there is an urgent need to address this killer disease.
“We have no option but to address it, if only to keep safe the majority of our population from prematurely being hospitalized or being amputated”, PM Hou said.
Hou said he is pleased that his office is jointly convening the first round table meeting with lead technical ministry and agency, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the World Health Organisation.
He said it will be worth noting that there are many ways to beat NCDs. He said, NCD’s like malaria, needs a whole of government and society to approach this disease.
“We must break down the ‘silos’ that separate us. We must work strategically and collaboratively. We must be informed by evidence and proven mechanisms to implement cooperative initiatives”, PM Hou said.
He said the time to act to prevent the epidemic has long gone. He said the time to act and confront and combat the epidemic starts today.
“Today we commence our journey to halt and reverse the NCD crises that is rampant and responsible for 70 percent of all our deaths in the country, PM Hou said.
