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Rural NW Guale women caught in logging concession conflict

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The new market area being built by MP Dettke for North-West Guadalacanal women to do their marketing, which Honiara City Council wants removed. Photo by Alfred Sasako

By Alfred Sasako

A conflict over logging concession in North West Guadalcanal has spilled over affecting hundreds of rural women who were looking forward to using a new market being built for them by their Member of Parliament, Bodo Dettke.

The battle is between MP Dettke and the Honiara City Council Mayor, Andrew Mua.

Mr Dettke last night vowed to fight to the end in protecting the interests of the innocent women from his Constituency, estimated to be around 800.

The former Government Minister did not rule out the matter heading to the courtroom this week.

The City Council gave Dettke 24 hours as of yesterday to remove a fence, which his firm, Success Company, had built along part of the western banks of the Mataniko River.

Success Company is developing a temporary market for the North-West Guadalcanal Constituency women to use, pending consideration of a new location.

“These are innocent women. They have the right to have a place where they could use to sell their market produce. The Lord Mayor must be suffering memory lapses in that recently the City Council closed down the White River Market, which the rural women from Guadalcanal were using.

“Rural women from Guadalcanal actually forced the market to reopen the next day,” Dettke told Island Sun.

“The City Council should have realised that I have merely provided a location in my private property for the rural women in my Constituency to use until such time a new location is found. Not only have I provided a place, I have actually developed the area at my own cost.

“To shut down the market as the Council has ordered is injustice to all the women in North-West Guadalcanal.

“Why target me when you don’t have to look far to see illegal construction along the river banks? Some of the buildings you could see from here had 10 metres of concrete protruding into river. That is something that the Honiara City Council needs to look into instead of victimising rural women who are innocent,” the angry MP said.

Dettke said if the City Council were to enforce building regulations, half the buildings in Honiara would end up being demolished.

“I know of buildings and structures that did not comply with the building regulations, but were nevertheless allowed because the City Council decided to look the other way,” Dettke said.

“The market we are building does not block the traffic in either direction of the new Mataniko Bridge.

“I can only conclude that the City Council is having a go at me for two reasons. The first thing is a conflict over logging concession in North-West Guadalcanal and the second is that I did not support his candidacy for the post of Governor General when the incumbent’s term was renewed.”

Lord Major Mua could not be reached for comment last night.

Solomon Islands can ease Canada’s demand for labour: Dwivedi  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islanders that have arrived under CITREC partnership to strengthen Canada’s labour mobility.

CANADIAN International Training and Education Corp Chairman Ashwant Dwivedi says that Solomon Islanders can help ease Canada’s demand for workers as Canada’s businesses are struggling to find workers to fill jobs in the Hospitality & Tourism sectors.

“We can further expand our opportunity into other skilled trades which would include but is not limited to plumbers, joiners, carpenters and others who can contribute and help ease the pain of labour shortages in Canada,” Dwivedi announced.

Dwivedi said that discussion is already taking place between Canadian regulatory authorities to come up with a right tool to access skill trades youths in the Solomon Islands and bring those trade holders to Canadian equivalency.

“There is also active ongoing discussion on the establishment of a Regional Centre in the Solomon Islands which can be a one stop shop for both the Canadian employer and Solomon Islands workers which can connect both. This is an arrangement we look forward to concluding very soon,” Dwivedi said.

Solomon Islanders that have arrived under CITREC partnership to strengthen Canada’s labour mobility.

Dwivedi said that with Western Canada attracting one of the largest Liquefied Natural Gas [LNG] projects, Solomon Islanders who have proven experience as welders and others can be considered for the opportunity.

Speaking during a conference in Canada, Dwivedi also said that by hiring a “Solomon Islander” Canadian businesses are directly helping build a community, a village and a town and nation that is a direct victim of climate change with a high rate of unemployment among its youth.

“The money that Solomon Islands workers earn when remitted back to the Solomon Islands is put towards family and community development. I am told this morning that a dairy farm worker out of Chilliwack has sent SBD$18,000 to his mother, one of the many contributions he has made since coming into Canada,” Dwivedi said.

“A daughter of Solomon Islanders out of Saskatchewan has been sending thousands of dollars each month to support her family in Guadalcanal. She has been able to support her family’s dreams come true with the money she is remitting. There cannot be any better moment that seeing smile and joy on faces of people of the Solomon Islands and together as Canadians we can slowly but surely bring this joy across Solomon Islands,” Dwivedi said.

“When I met the father of this worker, he said to me that amount of money his daughter has sent to him in the past two months is what he earns in a year through local salary. He told me that it is not just money that brings joy to the family, but it is the fact that his daughter has a job. A permanent job and a bright future. For a father there is nothing more that can bring joy,” Dwivedi said.

Dwivedi said that Canadian businesses are playing a leading role in Solomon Islands labour mobility sector an achievement he is proud to talk about and boast about.

Ofati Leve presenting a gift to Chairman of Citrec Canada Corp, Ashwant Dwivedi.

“Canada’s hunger for more labour can be easily met by Solomon Islands youths who once trained can be job ready for the Canadian market. I urge all of your businesses to consider hiring Solomon Islands. We are just a phone call away and our people in Solomon Islands are job ready,” Dwivedi said.

“One of the biggest challenges that is faced by Solomon Islands is the highest number of unemployed youths that the economy has to deal with on a daily basis. There is no doubt that we in Canada have a booming economy and that in our tourism and hospitality sector we face a growing shortage of workers. Let us all look at Solomon Islands for our labour needs,” Dwivedi said.

Dwivedi also talked about the recent single largest achievement of bringing nine people from Solomon Islands into Canada under various immigration programs which includes 4 people who entered Canada under the Permanent Resident programme.

Of the nine people travelling four were travelling to Canada under the Permanent Residence stream whilst five were admitted into Canada as Temporary Foreign Workers under Canada’s Agriculture Management arrangement where they were issued with 24-month work permits. The new arrival of nine people from Solomon Islands provinces has set a new record in Canada’s Labour Mobility partnership with the Solomon Islands.

Dwivedi announced that the nine people who travelled were the largest number that were processed for Canadian visa in one day.

“We had four people travelling under Permanent Residence Stream through provincial nomination, Permanent Residence Stream, while five others from province of Makira-Ulawa, Guadalcanal combined will be entering Canada as seasonal workers. We are all excited about this opportunity and the benefit it will have on the persons, their families and Solomon Islands,” Dwivedi said.

“It was the first ever opportunity when Makira-Ulawa province had sent three workers to support Canada’s labour needs under the labour mobility arrangement with CITREC. We look forward to more opportunities in the coming weeks of recruitment,” Dwivedi said.

Canada’s Permanent Residence Stream has recently become an attractive feature to Solomon Islanders the first to be made available to Solomon Islands under the Labour mobility arrangement.

–CITREC PRESS

‘Why the delay?’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prepared facility: Basketball court ready

Renbel province questions Gov’t and Home Affairs over continued delays in funding for Solomon Games

 

THE Premier of Rennell and Bellona province is questioning the national government and its Ministry of Home Affairs why funds to complete preparations for the Solomon Games continues to be stalled.

In a media statement, Premier Collin Singamoana reminds the national government, “The Renbel Solomon Games Task Force and LOC had done all that was required by NOCSI and the national government amidst time constraints and many challenges to qualify Renbel Province to be allowed to host this year’s Solomon Games.”

However, after the final assessment of sports venues and facilities and the supporting components of the Solomon Games that includes transportation, accommodation, catering, protocols, medical, media, security, ceremonies, entertainment and community participation, that was jointly carried out by the NOCSI, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Solomon Games LOC on October 15 and 16, who confirmed in their report that Renbel Province is ready to host this year’s Solomon Games, the chairman of the Renbel Taskforce, Premier Singamoana, questions why the Ministry of Home Affairs is delaying the release of the final tranche of funding that would have enabled the Renbel Organising Committee to host this year’s Solomon Games this month.

Prepared facility: Basketball court ready

Singamoana further explained that this year’s Solomon Games was scheduled to take place from November 26 to December 7, 2018. However, the ongoing delays of funding by the national government through Ministry of Home Affairs has put the games hosting dates in jeopardy once more.

It is understood that the joint report by the assessment team that includes representatives from NOCSI, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Renbel LOC along with the submission by the Renbel Solomon Games Taskforce and Organising Committee was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs in late October to be forwarded to the national government cabinet for deliberation and funding two weeks ago, but from information received this report and submission is yet to arrive at the cabinet, which thereby resulted in the further delay of funding to secure support services, equipment and goods that will enable the Solomon Games to go ahead as planned.

“So while the Renbel Solomon Games Task Force and Organising Committee are grateful to the Prime Minister and his Deputy, Cabinet ministers, members of the government caucus and government officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs for their continued support for Renbel province to host the much anticipated national sporting event, it questions why the government keeps on delaying financial assistance towards the hosting of this event.”

The delay has forced the LOC to quickly convene an urgent meeting last week to look at alternative dates when the Solomon Games can be hosted in anticipation of any further delay in the release of funding.

Rugby field ready

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Renbel Solomon Games Task Force thanks the provinces Choiseul, Isabel, Makira, Renbel and Honiara that had maintained their support and intention to participate in this year’s Solomon Games, and further thanks Western province and Guadalcanal province for reconfirming their participation late last week and on Tuesday this week in the upcoming Solomon Games in Renbel.

He assured athletes from the provinces and Honiara, officials and technical officials from the national federations, guests that will be attending the games and the general public that Renbel province is ready to host and that his people are ready to receive everyone that will be involved come the actual games; how soon is reliant on the possible release of funding by the national government.

Premier Singamoana is calling on the Ministry of Home Affairs that represents the national government to empathise with the hard work and efforts that his Taskforce and the Renbel province as a whole have invested in preparatory work that had enabled the completion of necessary facilities and supporting components for this year’s Solomon Games, and help push for funding to be made available as soon as possible so that the games can go ahead.

The sports that had been confirmed for this year’s Solomon Games include athletics (track and field), basketball (5v5) and (3v3), boxing, futsal, lawn tennis, netball, rugby 7s, rugby league 9, soccer (men), swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, and touch rugby, volleyball (indoor and beach). Exhibition sports includes triathlon and weight lifting. Para sports includes athletics field events and table tennis.

–RENBEL PROVINCE PRESS

PWDSI calls for support from Taiwan

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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People with disability performing before the main stage show of Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

PEOPLE with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI) are calling for support from the Taiwan Government to recognise disabled people in Solomon Islands.

PWDSI understands that Solomon Islands has a longstanding diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and lots of resulting development have been seen in the country.

Throughout the years of friendship, people with special needs realised not every opportunity is accessible for people with disabilities in Solomon Islands.

PWDSI vice chair Casper Fa’asala pictured with the members of Disability organization during the acrobatic show at National Auditorium on Monday.

Seeing this gap, the PWDSI vice chair Mr Casper Fa’asala is calling for support from the Taiwan Government to create sister relationship of people-to-people diplomacy.

He made the call during the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe performance yesterday.

Fa’asala said now Taiwan and Solomon Islands have been good friends for more than 30 years, it is time that both countries look at initiating inclusive development facilities which specifically for people with special needs.

He said Taiwan government should also look at opening scholarship opportunities for people with special needs to learn creative art and performances.

Especially at the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts, he adds.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands did not rectify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) yet which means rights of the people with disability still not recognized, he said.

People with disability performing before the main stage show of Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe.

Fa’asala said in the Article 30 of the CRPD it stated the participation of people with special needs in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sports.

From the article, Fa’asala said they are expecting the country to establish facilities for disable people access to creative arts such as performances or services like theater.

Yesterday, Taiwan Embassy Solomon Islands has organized a charity performance by the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe for people with special needs.

They have enjoyed the performances and also took part in the show.

Climate adaptation in the water sector in SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ELLISON VAHI

THE impacts of Climate Change are often felt first through water.

According to the SIWSAP reports through the social media has expected that by 2050, globally, it is projected that at least one in four people will be affected by frequent water shortages. For the Solomon Islands, this is already a reality for much of the population.

Although by no means water scarce or even water stressed as a country, Solomon Islands has a very difficult time when it comes to its citizens having year round access to sufficient safe water resources, with water shortages common under normal climate changeability and set to increase with through the impacts of Climate Change.

Population at national level accessing a basic water service lapsed between 2000 and 2015 and alarmingly, Solomon Islands had the largest worsening globally for that period, averaging more than a 1 percent decline per year.

In 2015, only 35 percent of the population were using an improved water supply which was available when needed, a decrease from 44 percent in 2000 .When considering rural populations, the decline has been worse, declining 19 percent from 68 percent to 49 percent.

These statistics also highlight that there has been a shifting over-reliance on rainwater and that the rainwater resource is more frequently unavailable when needed, which has clear linkages to the impacts of Climate Change.

In addition, Water shortages are a particular challenge in some coastal communities on main islands and surrounding low-lying islands and atolls.

Often in these places there is a heavy over reliance on rainwater as the sole source of drinking water as there are few as well no surface or spring water sources. Shallow freshwater lenses are often salty and adjustable in volume and salinity due to rainfall and tidal variations respectively.

These conditions make the people highly vulnerable to any changes to seasonal climatic variations and medium and longer term Climate Changes. This vulnerability is compounded by the challenge presented with providing cost effective support systems to townships and communities that are very remote.

Moreover, Climate Change projections for Solomon Islands are uncertain, however based on the Current and future climate of Solomon Islands report (PACCSAP, 2011) stated that, there are a few predictions that have been made with high or very high confidence such as; an increase in days with extremely high temperatures, an increase in extreme rainfall events that may cause flooding and Sea Level Rise occur in the range of 45cm to 75cm by the year 2100.

These predictions are bad news for vulnerable coastal regions, low-lying islands and atolls over dependent on rainwater, as it is likely there will be longer and more frequent gaps between rainfall events as well, Freshwater lens will be further affected by lower recharge due to increased extreme heat and salty interruption.

In relation, there is a very real risk that if the Solomon Islands does not urgently find ways to adapt to Climate Change and its impacts on water resources, that the people living in low lying coastal areas and atolls may become Climate Change Internally Displaced People due to declining freshwater.

The likely resulting relocation of these people will put an increased strain on water resources and land, which at worst could encourage conflict between different groups of people.

PWDSI enjoys performances from visiting Taiwan acrobats

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe with the crowd at National Museum’s auditorium.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

THE People with Disabilities Solomon Islands (PWDSI) organization were treated to an array of performances by visiting members of the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe from National Taiwan College of Performing Arts at the National Museum’s auditorium yesterday.

In his remarks, Second Secretary to the Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands, David Chia-wi Li said the performers are here to show a number of tricks that they have practised and mastered for many years.

He told them that if they have same attitude, same will power and same physical strength that the acrobatic team possess they can achieve their goals.

Li added that after watching the performances they hope they will be inspired to work hard and achieve their aspirations.

“We hope that this will not just be a performance to enjoy but a lesson to learn from,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wang, Hsueh-Yen, team leader and Director Secretary of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts says there are very happy to come to the Solomon Islands.

He also stated that it is very beautiful here especially the site of the dark blue complexed ocean they enjoyed seeing.

On top of that, Hsueh-Yen says Solomon Islands is a country with diverse cultures that is evident and still preserved.

He mentioned that they hope to return to the country for another visit in the future.

Another performance by two members of the acrobatic troupe.
A feet juggling performance by Chang Chih Jou.
Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe with the crowd at National Museum’s auditorium.

Opening of craft market centre a milestone: Ma’ahanua

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Trade Commissioner for the Foreign Affairs and External Trade ministry, Joseph Ma’ahanua

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Trade Commissioner for the Foreign Affairs and External Trade ministry, Joseph Ma’ahanua

THE country’s new craft market centre would not be a reality if not for the collaboration and partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Taiwan and development partners.

Trade Commissioner for the Foreign Affairs and External Trade ministry, Joseph Ma’ahanua highlighted this whilst giving his remarks at the opening ceremony of the craft market centre on November 2 at the Art Gallery.

He congratulated all government officials and the private sector for working tirelessly to accomplish what he terms a “milestone achievement”.

Ma’ahanua said the occasion marks the result of collaboration and partnership between ministries, Taiwan, development partners through the Enhance Integrated Framework program and private sector.

He also commended Enhanced Integrated Framework program of the World Trade Organisation for their support through the Solomon Islands Tourism for Inclusive Development project (SI-TIDE) which was the first pilot project for Solomon Islands under the EIF project in Solomon Islands.

Ma’ahanua explained that as WTO member and an LDC, Solomon Islands benefited from the Enhanced Integrated Framework program, an Aid for Trade initiative of the World Trade Organisation.

He said in 2012 and 2013, his ministry was the implementing agency of the EIF project in Solomon Islands and worked with the Ministry of Tourism to develop a project proposal.

Ma’ahanua added that the proposal was approved towards the end of 2013 and rolled out of financial and technical support in 2014.

“The proposal supported various activities of the Ministry of culture and Tourism, SIVB and few local eco-tourism operators including the development of this handy craft centre,” he said.

On another note, Ma’ahanua said the handy craft centre will be a permanent home for carvers, weavers, painters and artists in general.

He emphasized that for too long our women have displayed their products under the rain and heat hence the new market centre is fitting to relieve them of the sun’s soaring heat and the cold that ascends with the rain.

Ma’ahanua calls on them to make good and full use of the new building complex and take ownership and responsibility to keep it clean and tidy.

He furthered expressed his gratitude towards the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture and Tourism for being effective partners in this venture.

Ma’ahanua extended his appreciation to the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan for their support.

“I wish to sincerely thank ROC (Republic of China) Taiwan, for stepping in to support us financially in the completion of this project,” he said.

Local bee farmers train on bee keeping

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Demo on how to feed the bees.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Demo on how to feed the bees.

LOCAL bee keepers in Dala of Malaita province have learnt new skills after a field demonstration on bee keeping facilitated by the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM).

During the field demo, TTM’s honey bee specialist Mr Pak Chiu taught local bee keepers how to use small wooden blocks between the wooden bee hive cover and the bee hive body.

Educating bee keepers in the particular area, Mr Chiu said it is very helpful for bee keepers to avoid crushing the bees when closing bee hives.

Following that Mr Chiu also introduced some new feeding techniques which are an application of pumpkin syrup that can be a replacement of pollen.

Not only that but also he taught them the ratio to make the pumpkin syrup.

“This type of feeding can help bees survive under bad conditions of weather,” he said.

“This can also helpful where there is not enough honey plants, and also the reason of having change weather pattern we must know how to feed the bees.”

Chiu also presented some of the recommendations from professor Yue-Wen Chen from Ilan University.

Professor Yue-Wen Chen from Ilan University in Taiwan urged bee keepers in Malaita province to work hard in their bee keeping project.

He also said in Solomon Islands the major problem faced is not much about the competition of bee foods, or lack of materials but it is about a lack of knowledge in terms of management.

With the challenges bee keepers facing, TTM has been working cooperatively with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to help local bee keepers address the problems.

With these skills and techniques that are being taught the TTM hope to see more changes and improvements in term of bee keeping in Solomon Islands.

The field demo was facilitated by the honey specialist Mr Pak Chiu from the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Solomon Islands, and with Officer Rex Ramoiau from Auki extension.

The field demo was conducted on 24th October 2018.

Visitors saddened by spoiled tourism & leisure sites

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Director Secretary of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts Wang Hsueh Yen enjoying seashore of the Bonege beach.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

LOG ponds along the coast of Guadalcanal are a threat to the coastline and marine life. They also portray a negative image for tourism in the country.

An example of such negative development is the log ponds in West Guadalcanal.

Over the weekend, the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe visited Boneghe beach and other iconic sites and they were amazed that Solomon Islands has a rich history and an amazing environment.

Though they enjoyed the tour, they felt sad for the beautiful beaches around West Guadalcanal.

Logging activities are threating marine lives and are contaminating and polluting the seas and the rivers.

Group photo of the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe during their trip to the Honiara Central Market.

Eden Bay in West Honiara that used to be a leisure beach has been replaced with a log pond. Further up to Poha river is another log pond.

Upstream of Poha, one can vividly see the logging roads along the mountains as well as see the seashores and beaches that are contaminated from the impact of logging.

If the activities continue, Solomon Islands will lose its resources from both land and sea.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe enjoyed the environment setting of Honiara especially Boneghe beach and the history of the American memorial at the Skyline.

On their way to Boneghe beach, the Director Secretary of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts Mr Wang Hsueh Yen said they were impressed by business development around country’s coastline.

He said Solomon Islands needs to protect its environment because the coastline, marine lives, rivers and mountains are magnificent attraction for tourists.

“Regarding your natural environment I encourage people to have awareness to protect your beautiful seashore and marine lives and that’s your treasure for development,” he said.

The Director Secretary of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts Wang Hsueh Yen enjoying seashore of the Bonege beach.

Mr Yen said their visit to the American memorial they learn Solomon Islands have rich history and that’s what made Solomon Islands such a special place in the world.

Other than natural environment, Mr Yen said they want how people connect with the environment and the way they interact during a visit to the central market over the weekend.

Mr Yen said they were impressed on how local people trading with local farmers and local handicraft.

“Particularly, way that people feel very free and at ease at the market during trading are friendly with each other which make us feels very friendly and easy,” he said.

With the friendship Taiwan create with Solomon Islands; Mr YEN said they really cherished the friendly and welcoming environment showed during its city tour at the Honiara Central Market.

“Through interaction, language and communication I truly found out the locals are very friendly with the Taiwanese. And my team felt this connection with the locals and this connection is real,” he said.

Concerning the logging activities in Solomon Islands, a report shows that Solomon Islands Government (SIG) has followed a logging-based development strategy for the past three decades.

Despite widespread acknowledgment of the unsustainable nature of logging throughout the country and increasing awareness of its social impacts, national log export volumes have steadily increased over the past 10 years.

As a result it was reported that logging negatively affects food security through the environmental damage it causes to mangroves, reefs, gardens, forests, marine and its ecosystem.

West’s Tourism & Culture division to publish Newsletter this month

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

GIZO Tourism and the province’s Culture division will publish their quarterly Newsletter on Tourism at Gizo and other parts of the province this month.

This was confirmed by the Western Provincial Chief of Tourism office Jefferson Patovaki during an interview with Island Sun in Gizo yesterday.

Mr Patovaki said the aim of the Newsletter is to give information to the public concerning tourism issues in Western province.

He said the name of the Newsletter is ‘Tourism Bazubazu’ and that the current provincial executive and members of the Provincial government have already approved.

Patovaki said the title, taken from the original native language from Vella La Vella Island; means ‘transform and tell information’.

He said the Newsletter will be distributed around Solomon Islands’ hotels, rest houses, resorts, schools, communities and other places to pass the information concerning Tourism and Culture.

Western province has different islands altogether with different cultures and traditions but the Division has chosen the one language originated from the Western Province.

Meanwhile, Patovaki said the division is currently working with the first issue that will be based mainly on tourism in the Western province and that the paper is now in the pipeline.

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