BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SOLOMON Islands is significantly off track in the race to address Goal-Six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a report shows.

United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Country Manager Ms Azusa Kubota said Solomon Islands is running behind the SGD Goal six.

Recently, the National Water and Climate Change forum highlighted that communities and urban dwellers still lack insufficient access to safe water resources and sanitation.

Under Goal Six, target one and two, country joined global community to campaign for clean water, hygiene and proper sanitation by 2030.

Solomon Islands Government as part of global community had established a National Development Strategy 2016—2035.

It has been three years since the world committed itself to achieving the SDGs, with 12 years to live up to these commitments.

However, following the progress of the commitments, UNDP Country Manager, Solomon Islands Ms Asuza Kubota said here in Solomon Islands, they see that both SDG 6 targets one and two are significantly off track.

“This means that, at the current rate of progress, they will not be achieved by 2030. Climate change further threatens to undermine progress.

“Sadly, the world is not on track to achieve the global SDG 6 targets by 2030 at the current rate of progress. The time to act on SDG 6 is now.”

With water scarcity in the country Ms Kubota said Country’s NDS identifies water and sanitation as a top priority for Solomon Islands to ensure nation access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.

On global scale, Kubota said 844 million people around the world still lack basic water service.

She adds, speaking of inequality, only 62 per cent of people in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have access to a basic drinking water service, while the global average is 89 percent.

Only 27 per cent of the population in LDCs has a basic hand washing facility at home, Ms Kubota said.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Dr Melchior Mataki said Country’s NDS 2016-2030 prioritise four key areas such as water and sanitation and improving livelihoods of Solomon Islands’ people.

The National Water Resources and Sanitation policy build on that aim, Mataki said.

Meanwhile, a report stated population at national level accessing a basic water service goes back between 2000 and 2015.

Alarmingly, Solomon Islands had the largest regression globally for that period, averaging more than one percent decline per year (JMP, 2017).

In 2015, only 35 percent of country’s population were using an improved water supply which was “available when needed”, a decrease from 44 percent in 2000 (JMP 2017).

When considering rural populations, the decline has been worse, declining 19 percent from 68 percent to 49 percent, it said.

United Nation report shows, currently more than 2 billion people are living with the risk of reduced access to freshwater resources.

By 2050, it is estimated at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water.

Drought in specific afflicts some of the world’s poorest countries, worsening hunger and malnutrition.

Fortunately, there has been great progress made in the past decade regarding drinking sources and sanitation, whereby over 90 percent of the world’s population now has access to improved sources of drinking water.

To improve sanitation and access to drinking water, there needs to be increased investment in management of freshwater ecosystems and sanitation facilities on a local level.

It is to basically setting lens to several developing countries such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Southern Asia, Eastern Asia and South-Eastern Asia.

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in the Western province has called for calm during celebrations to mark the 35th anniversary of the province’s 2nd Appointed Day which will be held on December 7, 2018 at Noro, in the Western province.

It is anticipated that important guests representing the national and provincial governments will attend the celebrations.

Police will mount a parade and the RSIPF Brass Band will be performing during the celebrations.

“Police will provide high visibility presence during the celebrations at Noro and Munda Township to ensure peace and freedom is maintained. I call on the public at Noro and surrounding communities to remain calm and celebrate the event in a peaceful manner as school children, elderly people and important guests will be attending the celebration,” says Provincial Police Commander, Western Province, Mathias Lenialu.

“Police will employ zero tolerance should any one break the law. But we will work together with the organising committee and the community to ensure guests and the local people will enjoy the 2nd Appointed Day anniversary celebrations.”

–POLICE MEDIA

COMMUNITIES in Honiara are in for some roadshow entertainment with Oxfam’s Side By Side campaign that is scheduled to hit three locations around the capital.

The Side By Side roadshow 2018 is held in celebration of the 16 Days of Activism and is set to be staged at; White River today, at Kukum Field on Thursday December 6 and at the Honiara City Council compound on Sunday, December 9.

From live band performances to theatre acts and hip-hop dance crew action, the roadshow is driven by inspiring young agents under Oxfam’s Gender Justice Programme with an aim to rally young people to spread the key messages of equality, respect and non-violence between men and women.

Oxfam Side By Side Campaign Coordinator, Emmanuel Oti says this year’s roadshow is organised similar to last year’s event with the campaign reaching directly to communities, but with a more creative campaign message delivery.

“Sixty-four percent of women in Solomon Islands suffer from gender-based violence and this does not reflect our moral and christen values. This is an issue we can no longer ignore as lives have been lost to it and childhoods being destroyed.

“Side By Side strives to address this grave social injustice by providing this platform and rally young people to speak out against gender-based violence through art, music, theatre, freestyle dance and awareness raising.

“Youth Agents for Change, who happens to be key influencers in youth sub-cultures, were recruited this year and underwent series of workshops and training to deliver effective social norms campaigning.”

Emmanuel urges the public to come out and support the campaign as we say enough to family violence and help create social change through activism and changing hearts and minds.

The events are ‘pop-up’ youth concerts featuring some of Solomon Islands upcoming musicians and performers including Lipi, Bibao, Headrush, Pita and some guest artists. The roadshow will also feature theatre group Gee Vee Cast and local hip-hop dance crew Hazard Dance Crew.

The campaign uses social media, print, radio, as well as creative and engaging live events to mobilise youth to support equality between men and women and take a stand against violence against women and girls in the home.

The Side by Side Campaign is initiated by Oxfam and implemented with the support of a number of partners; Ministry of Women, Youth, Children & Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Youth@Work, Seif Ples, Family Support Centre, Empower Pacific and People with Disabilities Solomon Islands.

–OXFAM SI PRESS

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

FOUR low lying islands in Solomon Islands have achieved universal access to climate resilient and basic drinking water services, according to UNDP Solomon Islands.

A project under United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) known as Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP) has supported five provinces in terms of water and sanitation and climate change.

As a result, UNDP Country Manager Ms Asuza Kubota said four low lying islands such as Taro, Tuwo, Santa Catalina and Tigoa Township have now achieved universal access to climate resilient and basic drinking water services.

She said to date SIWSAP has supported five provinces with over one million additional litres of rainwater storage, four desalination water treatment and one ultrafiltration water treatment plant.

Furthermore, SIWSAP has helped with five automatic hydrometric stations linked to satellites, over 50 new improved wells and three piped water schemes, she adds.

Kubota said a total of about 583 households have been made water secure through these efforts.

However, Kubota said as an ambitious project, the implementation of SIWSAP has also been faced with challenges and valuable lessons to be learnt from.

She said, one lesson is the importance of working closely with provincial and community actors to ensure sustainability and ownership.

“For example, provincial officers have been trained to operate desalination filtration plants to ensure maintenance and effective functioning.”

Community leaders have been engaged at every stage of planning and management of projects, from the participatory vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning phase, to the implementation and operation and management of infrastructure, she adds.

Another lesson is the importance of recognising the interdependency of the Sustainable Development Goals, and SIWSAP has mobilised a wide range of stakeholders and benefited from their expertise, commitment and courage.

“Sustainable management of water and sanitation underpins wider efforts to end poverty, advance sustainable development and sustain peace and stability,” Kubota said.

She calls regardless of sectors one works for, all need to come together and work towards the SDGs.

Meanwhile, the SIWSAP project is due to end mid-next year.

Kubota said SIWSAP has achieved a lot, but a lot more needs to be done, and at a much faster pace, if we are to achieve SDG 6.

She said UNDP are hopeful partners will continue to disseminate lessons learnt from the SIWSAP experience and invest in models that are innovative, sustainable and climate proof.

SIWSAP is an innovative initiative mainstreamed climate risks and impacts into all aspects of water planning and management and has an important part to play in sharing knowledge.

The project has fostered an inter-sectoral approach, working through partnerships between ministries, primarily MMERRE, MECDM and MHMS.

They also work closely with provincial governments, civil society organisations and the private sector partners.

POLICE at Taro in the Choiseul province have arrested and charged four Bougainvilleans and a Solomon Islands national with alleged armed robbery in connection with an incident at Supizae Island near Taro Station, Choiseul Province on November 28, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “The incident was reported to police by members of the community and my officers attended and made the arrests on the same day.

“A shop keeper and his in law were inside a bottle shop counting the day’s takings when it is alleged that two Bougainvilleans entered the shop whilst the others including the Solomon Islander remained in their boat.

“It is alleged that the two Bougainvilleans gained entry into the bottle shop by hitting the locked door.”

“It is further alleged that one of the two Bougainvilleans held a long screw driver in his hand while he threatened, intimidated and demanded the shop keeper to give them beer and cigarettes.

“The shopkeeper and his in-law feared for their lives so told the Bougainvilleans to help themselves.

“It is alleged the two Bougainvilleans took off with cartons of alcohol and cigarettes.

“The four Bougainvilleans are expected to be deported back to their country under the Solomon Islands Immigration Act if they are found guilty after their Court appearance on December 13, 2018.

“I would like to thank my officers for the good work done as well as members of the community for supporting police with information.”

The four Bougainvilleans and the Solomon Islander are now remanded in custody and will appear in the Gizo Magistrates Court on December 13, 2018 for their trial.

–POLICE MEDIA

THE Central Bank of the Solomon Islands (CBSI) has warned public that individuals or groups involved in deliberately damaging the nation’s currency banknotes and coins, can be penalised.

“Destroying or defacing Solomon Islands currency banknotes and coins amount to vandalism of public property and does have legal repercussions.

“Actions such as knowingly tearing, cutting, burning or squeezing banknotes in public or private areas is strictly prohibited by CBSI.

“Common acts from the public such as writing on the front and/or backside of the different banknote denomination is also illegal,” a press statement said.

This call comes after a recent incident in Honiara where a $2 dollar coin reshaped and re-designed into an ornament piece (finger ring) was obtained.

The ring was confiscated by CBSI after an individual handed it over to the Bank recently.

Under the CBSI Act 2012, “any persons who willfully alters the external appearance of notes and coins…shall be guilty of an offence” (Section 21 [5]). The public therefore must take this reminder seriously and treat all banknotes and coins with respect and care.

CBSI is reiterating its call on the public to view the country’s currency banknotes and coins as a national icon and an important medium of exchange or tool, circulating and exchanging hands in order to facilitate trading within the economy.

Banknotes and coins are also regarded as the ‘Silent Ambassadors’ of any country as they represent the nation through its different designs, artwork and colour themes.

CBSI says rather than fraudulently altering the external appearance of notes and coins, people should ensure their notes and coins are good quality notes and coins.

One way in helping to maintain good quality notes and coins and thereby improving the life span of these banknotes and coins in circulation, is to use wallets, purses or moneybags to store money.

–CBSI PRESS

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE man alleged to have taken people’s money to travel to Australia for seasonal worker will appear again in court today.

The accused Robert Ngengele from Isabel province is facing one count of obtaining money from people by false pretence will be in court today for prosecution to consider the reconciliation made between the defendant and the victim to this case.

Police alleged that on July 20, 2018 the complainant and his wife went up to the accused’s home at Lengakiki to enquire about the seasonal worker’s program.

Police alleged that the defendant was known as one of the recruiting agents in Australia.

Upon their arrival at the accused’s home, they spoke with the accused which he agreed to assist them, but on conditions that they have to fulfil.

Police said that the couple was told that they have to pay the company’s registration fee of SBD$3,000, the passport at the cost of $SBD1,000, Australian Visa at SBD$1085 and airfare of SBD$3,000 in which a total of $SBD8085 for all the documents.

The victim then trusted and believed the accused and so the victim promised to assist his wife in paying her fare and other travel documents, after their discussion the accused agreed and thus the victim gave him $4085 as payment of the requirements needed.

Upon handing the money, the accused assured the victim that his wife’s flight for Australia was confirmed at the end of July 2018. Again the victim believed the defendant so they waited for travel date as promised.

At the end of July, there was no travel arrangement made for the victim’s wife, so he went to see the defendant, to explain why his wife didn’t travel on the date as promised, the accused then told him that the arrangements for the travel was postponed for the second week of August 2018.

But after all those times the accused gave lame excuses to the couple whenever they asked for about the travel dates and due to those excuses made the couple asked for refund to their money.

The defendant then gave SBD$1085 and then promised to give the remaining SBD$3,000 later. However the refund was not forthcoming and the couple reported the matter to the police.

The accused was arrested and during interview with police he made admissions of committing the offence.

He then was bailed to appear before the court.

The police prosecution service prosecutes the case in court.