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3 RSIPF Forensics officers to APEC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has revealed yesterday that Royal Solomon Islands Police Force will deploy three officers to Papua New Guinea for the APEC Leaders’ summit.

Mr Varley said the RSIPF will be deploying a team of three specialised Forensic Police officers to APEC next week from November 5 to November 20, 2018 to cover the crucial period of the leaders’ summit.

He said the RSIPF Forensic team is widely recognized around the region and in the pacific in the areas of specialized Forensics disciplines particularly in areas such as crime scene investigation, chemical finger print development and also Disaster Victim Identification.

“We are sending three officers based on discussion with the Police Commissioner of PNG Royal Constabulary Gari Baki invitation and our officers will be there to support and work alongside our colleague and counterparts from PNG,” Varley said.

Varley also said RSIPF is ready to support friends and partners from PNG should anything gone wrong RSIPF are able to provide the RSIPF Forensics laboratory on standby in Honiara if there was any requirement from PNG to send any exhibits or material for any advanced work and examination.

He confirmed that one female is among the teams that will be going to PNG for the APEC.

The three team officers will be heading off early next week and wish them all the best success in representing Solomon Islands and the RSIPF at the world stage, Varley added.

Taiwan’s acrobatic troupe lands in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

TAIWAN’S Acrobatic Troupe have arrived yesterday for their performance in the country this week and next week.

They were welcomed by officials from the Taiwan Embassy in Solomon Islands with a welcoming cultural performance by a panpipe group from Are’are.

The group consists of three females and four males with their team leader, the Director Secretary of National Taiwan College of Performing Arts Mr Wang Hsueh-Yen.

According to Taiwan’s Embassy, the Acrobatic Troupe has been performing extensively around Taiwan and its offshore islands.

They have also been frequently invited by government to perform abroad in many countries, the Embassy said.

“Since then their performances have earned excellent reviews worldwide and have effectively promoted folk arts and cultural exchanges around the globe.”

The Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe of the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts was founded in 1990.

Currently, they are the only official acrobatic arts and stunts performing group in Taiwan.

The troupe consists of a number of young artists who have received stringent training for more than eight years.

Since its inception, members have dedicated themselves to perfection and promotion of both traditional and ethic culture and grassroots arts’ aesthetic values.

Their main stage will be this Sunday November 4 at the Maranatha Hall, 2pm – and it’s free

During the show, there will be different types of performances known as Massive Transformation, Martial Arts Rings, Revolving Craftsmanship, Acrobatic Skills, Climbing ladders, Great harvest and Fanny bowls.

Makira Premier urges SIG to increase ECE budget allocation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Makira Premier Stanley Siapu

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Makira Premier Stanley Siapu

PREMIER for Makira province is urging the Solomon Islands Government to increase its budget allocation for Early Childhood Development and Primary Health Care in Solomon Islands.

Premier Stanley Siapu made the call to SIG during the National Early Childhood Development forum held in Honiara recently.

He said SIG should increase its budget allocation for Early Childhood Development and primary health care should be higher than for tertiary level.

Mr Siapu said the government’s current budget for ECE is not enough to sustain children’s learning capacity due to poor classrooms, not enough teachers and other relevant resources.

He said investing in the sector will help prepare children at an early stage for their social and intellectual development.

“I think I would rather see that from now on budget for early childhood development should be bigger than other areas and more investment should on early childhood trend rather than we spent more on Tertiary education.

“The highest budget of Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development should go towards its early childhood programme then followed by primary, secondary and tertiary, and that should also apply to primary health care.

“I believe that investment in areas of early childhood will lays the foundation for later education in life to prepare children for employment or to run a business as they move on.”

Undersecretary for Ministry of Finance and Treasury Mr Norman Hiropuhi said SIG’s biggest budget allocation now is on the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.

However, there is no impact seen in rural communities across the country, he adds.

He said if the government through such forum might understand better ways of investing in children to come up with policies to put resources or coordinate resources might address the trend.

At the same time increase share of budgets towards early childhood education in relation to other things like tertiary education, he said.

Mr Hiropuhi said currently MEHRD is a sector who has biggest budget allocation which has way well more than other Ministries but most go towards tertiary sector.

But it will be government’s decision whether they want to change the policy, he adds.

“Through this kind of forum and awareness, I believe there will be eventually some change in policy with regards to allocations towards early childhood development.”

According to MEHRD’s report 2017, there is an imbalance in expenditure between education sectors.

Expenditure for tertiary sector is $425 million for 2,756 students while ECE + Primary + Secondary $ 224 million budgeted for 216,137 students.

For ECE alone, the budget allocation is $ 1,955,050, Primary $52,831,680 and Secondary $71,716,376.

Australia assists Alota’a primary school

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Roderick Brazier.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Roderick Brazier.

ON Tuesday this week the Australian government handed over two classroom buildings, one ablution block and four (4) rotamould water tanks to Alota’a primary school in a short handing over ceremony in Auki.

The building including the water tanks are funded by the Australian government through RAMSI and was facilitated by the Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga Mathew Wale.

In a statement during the official handover programme Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Mr Roderick Brazier said this is the first time for a local Member of Parliament to work closely with the Australian government for such initiative regarding projects for schools.

“I thank Hon Mathew Wale for a job well done with the Australian government through negotiation towards the implementation of this infrastructure project.

“The Australian government is looking forward to assist in some more areas concerning the development of this school in the near future.”

Brazier urges the students of Alota’a to feel responsible and to take ownership of the facilities as their gift from the government of Australia.

During the official handover, MP Wale thanked the Australian government for their support towards Alota’a primary school.

Wale added that a new science laboratory will be also funded next year which he says will be ‘one of the most outstanding laboratories in any school within the country’.

“We want to produce best science students and even scientist out from this school.

“Teachers, students and the parents of this school (Alota’a) to work together and look after this school well especially our new funded facilities donated to us by our friends from Australia.

“The betterment of this school depends on our commitments, dedication, corporation and our responsibility by looking after these buildings.”

Alota’a school salutes Australian government

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Another building which contains four (4) classrooms.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

Head Teacher of Alota’a primary school Michael Maelanga.

ALOTA’A school are full of gratitude with the Australian government for their newly received school buildings.

Teachers, students and parents of Alota’a school witnessed the official handing over of the three new buildings for Alota’a primary school earlier this week in Auki.

Speaking during the official handover programme Head Teacher of Alota’a primary school Michael Maelanga salutes the Australian government for a wonderful gift – donating and funding three buildings for the school.

Mr Maelanga said the three buildings include two classroom buildings, one ablution block and four (4) rotamould water tanks.

He said both buildings contain 12 rooms which will accommodate three quarter of the students from all grades in the primary sector.

“Alota’a is the only primary school so far that benefited from this project under the Australian government through Australian federal police and through the MP for Aoke Langalanga, Mathew Wale.

“On behalf of the school board, teachers, students and parents of Alota’a primary school we are proud to receive this gifts freely from our donor partner the Australian government.

“Our responsibility is to look after this precious gift where I believe it will last this school for more generations to come.

“Students should make use of these buildings in a better environment for our children in these newly funded buildings.

“We acknowledge the Australian government, Australian federal police and MP for Aoke Langalanga for making this project possible.”

Another building which contains four (4) classrooms.

‘SIMSA did not disapprove Vaka Motor’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands Maritime safety Administration (SIMSA) clarifies that they have not specifically disqualified Ngella’s vessel through its Act or Regulations.

In fact, they are still waiting for the famous ‘Vaka Motor’ shipowner to go forward and have the vessel registered with the Authority.

SIMSA’s clarification comes as a response to a statement from a heavy debate currently on Ngella’s famous social media forum ‘The Ngella Forum’ (NGF) over the purchased ship for Ngella Constituency stating that the reason as to why the vessel is not servicing the province is because the marine disapproved of it to operate as a cargo or passenger vessel.

According to SIMSA, waiting for the shipowner to go forward and have the vessel registered with the Authority is so that they can permit its operation whether as a cargo or cargo/passenger vessel.

“Those representing shipowner approaching this office soon after launching CIP’s vessel have been clearly guided on the process and requirement of registration however to date, the vessel remains to be placed on the Ship Register meaning not yet being registered,” said SIMSA.

To watch out for, SIMSA gives the warning that if the ‘Vaka Motor’ is seen operating, then its operation is illegal.

From inside sources of Ngella Constituency’s Office, response revealed that Ngella’s Constitution Office is aware of the Marine laws and such and since having problems with its test runs and not yet fully facilitated with marine requirements is why the ‘Vaka Motor’ is not yet registered.

Another Parliament term heading to conclusion and Ngella’s famous accused ‘Vaka Motor’ is pointed to have never served its Constituency at all.

This time striking debate over the ‘Vaka Motor’ again after two years since its existence, it is demanded for the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngella Constituency Hon Bartholomew Parapolo to tell the truth once and for all over the exact amount of the little double engine landing craft speedboat.

With response over this demand, sources within Ngella’s Constitution Office replied standing ground that “Ngella Constituency bought the ‘Vaka Motor’ for $4.5 Million from Oceanic Marine.

“It is not like the Constituency Office went and bought it with hard cash, what Ngella Constituency’s Office only did was to go and collect the ‘Vaka Motor’ after all arrangements were done through the government,” said Ngella’s Constituency’s Office.

Attempts to contact the Director of the Central Project Implementation Unit (CPIU) Division under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) was not possible yesterday to further query on the actual amount of the ‘Vaka Motor’.

However, SIMSA’s opinion going in line with many Ngella Constituents has it too that the $4.5 Million amount purchased on Ngella’s vessel can easily be determined whether or not justifiable worth the vessel and its equipment.

Mainstreaming gender in water, sanitation and hygiene

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants of the Gender and WASH workshop

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Participants of the Gender and WASH workshop

ABOUT 35 participants from organisations working in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector in Solomon Islands came together for a three-day Gender and WASH workshop that started in Honiara on October 30.

This workshop is jointly organised by UNICEF, RWASH and CARE. The workshop emerges from the recommendations made from a study of the gender and WASH issues in Solomon Islands.

The study was conducted by UNCIEF with the help of CARE International and involved a review of present WASH policy environment, programme implementation and practices on the ground.

This gender assessment of the rural WASH sector was done, with the intention of understanding, and improving, gender and social inclusion in rural WASH programming in the country.

The study was designed to identify and understand WASH-related gender disparities in WASH.

The Under Secretary of Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr Nemia Bainivalu opened the workshop for the participants.

Speaking at the occasion, he said that Gender is imperative to achieving WASH results, and there is a need to continually modify and improve policies and practices around involving women.

“This training is important to build our collective understanding on ‘how’ we engage women ‘what’ needs to be done to get women into WASH decision making.”

Ms Mamita Bora Thakkar, WASH Specialist, UNICEF emphasised that ‘Gender’ is not an option or not a choice any more.

“We need to ensure that women become a part of all decision making around WASH, especially in communities, to achieve sustainable WASH outcomes.

“However, the capacity to do so is limited, because of poor understanding of women’s needs and perspectives,” she mentioned.

This workshop is focussed on building WASH sector capacity to address gendered barriers to achieving equal outcomes for women, men, boys’, and girls’ in WASH programmes.

Protection committee launched to build women and girls capacity in disaster response

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Protection Committee Co-chair and Oxfam Country Director Solomon Islands, Dolores Devesi.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

A National Protection Committee was launched last night in Honiara. Established under arrangements from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the National Protection Committee is to localize disaster response and coordination.

Implemented by the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), this new project aims to strengthen women and girls capacity through protection and gender in humanitarian response.

Speaking last night during the launch, Permanent Secretary of the MWYCFA, Dr Cedric Alependava says his Ministry has obligations to support the committee.

“Unfortunately, the Ministry does not have sufficient budget to cover for the committee’s operations. Instead we depend on our members and NDMO for operational assistance and in some cases building the capacity of our committee members,” Alependava said.

He says because of this, he is grateful.

Protection Committee Co-chair and Oxfam Country Director Solomon Islands, Dolores Devesi.

At the same time, UN Women says they are excited to support MWYCFA. Given the high levels of exposure to hazards that Solomon Islands face, a representative of UN Women has said that these efforts will play a critical role in disaster risk reduction efforts.

Also in a press statement, head of Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) Ghita El Khyari says WPHF is thrilled to see this project putting women and girls of Solomon Islands at the heart of localization strategies for disaster response.

“Globally humanitarian action has had limited input from experience of these marginalised groups,” Khyari said.

Protection Committee Co-chair and Oxfam Country Director Solomon Islands, Dolores Devesi.

Also speaking at the launch last night, Protection Committee Co-chair, Dolores Devesi says NDMO and MWYCFA must be commended for this initiative.

She says as members of the SI Protection Committee, Oxfam remain committed to this work project.

“As a group of lead humanitarian agencies, gender and protection remain a core commitment to our preparedness, response and recovery efforts. We are confident of the Ministry’s leadership and project delivery capabilities and will continue to support this project,” Devesi said.

The project launch last night also have planned activities that includes the establishment of two provincial committees in Solomon Islands, namely Makira and Isabel.

The project activities began in September this year (2018) and is expected to end in September 2020. It is funded by WPHF.

Stakeholders within the National Protection Committee.
UN Women Director for Programmes, Ms Maria-Noel
Vaeza.

Woodford International School supports communities to flourish through art

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ELLISON VAHI

THE Woodford International School is helping communities flourish through art.

In a social media statement, WIS said the Dreamcast Theatre and Woodford International School entered into a lease agreement for the use of HAMs Theatre building for future theatre shows, trainings and entrepreneurial endeavours.

The collaboration shares on social media that through their shows they have seen many ordinary people doing extraordinary things to overcome the struggles before them, most through laughter, some through tears, and through music.

“We show love and make truth simple through powerful imagination,” they said.

“The celebration is not only of being a growing theatre company since 2005, but to pay respect to the perseverance of everyone responsible for helping to keep Dreamcast going for those 13 years and helping us to secure a future for young artists in our beloved country.

“We are very touched and exceedingly grateful for the school’s generous support towards Dreamcast Theatre. HAMS Theatre is a great help and first step to all we seek to do to reach other young people in the country through the art we love.”

Dreamcast Theatre and Woodford International School said their priority from now until January 2019 will be to put on a new-look and feel to the space thus getting sponsors for their planned renovation/improvement work.

Dreamcast Theatre and Woodford International School said they will soon announce their first show and launching to officially open their year-long programme.

Pacific and Bougainville young women told to persist to become great leaders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Naomi Woyengu Executive Director for Young Women Christians Association in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG)

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Naomi Woyengu Executive Director for Young Women Christians Association in Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea (PNG)

YOUNG women leaders from Pacific nations and across Bougainville who have attended the recent Bougainville Young women leaders meeting have been encouraged to ‘persist in doing good deeds to become great leaders’.

Executive Director for Young Women Christians Association in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) Naomi Woyengu addressing the closing event encouraged the female participants that being a leader is not easy because growth comes with challenges in life.

“As young as you are being the kind of young women that you are bold step out and speak up be the kind of young person that you want to take risk and challenge yourself.

“Great people they are mean to stand out you are not mean to be in a crowd but to be great it’s not easy; if greatness was an easy thing we will see a lot of young people here.

“But the greatness of you being great is persistence if you want to become leader or become somebody you must not give up, you must push for it, fight for it.

“If you want your voice to be heard you must continue the discussion of what you have learned from the meeting to become an extraordinary young female leader,” said Woyengu.

She uttered persistence is what separates great people from ordinary people so if a person wants to be great he/she has to persist.

Jean Jano, from Eastern Highlands Family Voice, an observer of the forum stated, “I was really impressed at the leadership skills the young women portrayed, there were certainly challenges, however the young women were very confident and know that they need to speak their mind.”

The Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF) through its Young Women’s Leadership Project hosted its forum with the theme BREAK THE SILENCE! Hear Our Voice! Held from October 23-25, 2018 at Marimari House, Arawa, Central Bougainville.

Over 150 people attended the forum, including young women from North, Central and South Bougainville, young male advocates, mentors, and guests from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji.

This year also saw guests from Fiji, Solomon Islands, Voice for Change (Jiwaka), Wide Bay Conservation Association (East Pomio, ENB), YWCA (Port Moresby), Eastern Highlands Family Voice and International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

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