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Bougainville women call for partnership across Pacific nations

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participating Bougainville Women leaders.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

In Bougainville

Participating Bougainville Women leaders.

BOUGAINVILLE women have called for strong and harmonious partnership between women across Pacific nations.

This call was made purposely to create effective partnership between the women and girls of Bougainville and Pacific nations.

Speaking at the young women’s meeting Judith Oliver executive manager of Bougainville Women’s Federation said “I call on all women and girls across the pacific nations for us to continue corporately build the existing partnership that we have in terms of strengthening it.”

Oliver said if this partnership is strengthened among the Pacific nations together all can work hand in hand to combat issues that affecting women and girls as well as giving insights to each other on how to tackle the common issues.

She said with that she is pleased to see participating nations in the forum because it’s a first step towards creating effective partnership across the Pacific nations.

This call was underscored at the weeklong Bougainville young women’s forum which was held in Arawa, Bougainville.

The event was supported and organised by the International Women Development Agency IWDA and the Bougainville Women’s Federation.

Testimonies of SI women inspire Bougainville women in forum

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Some of the young women in Bougainville who participated on the forum.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

In Bougainville

Some of the young women in Bougainville who participated on the forum.

STORIES of the struggles of women in the Solomon Islands have touched participants of a major young women forum underway in Bougainville, motivating many to continue striving to achieve their goals.

The shared stories are based on the works of women empowerment in areas of women leadership in politics and social and economic affairs in Solomon Islands.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Judith Oliver, Bougainville Women’s Federation BWF executive manager, she said it is good to have other young women leaders from Solomon Islands participating in the forum.

Ms Oliver said having Solomon Islands young female leaders participating in the weeklong meeting has positively impacted Bougainville young women through the presentations and experience made with regards to empowering young women to prepare them to lead future generations.

Theck Hakalitz, BWF board member, said the importance of involving young women from other Pacific nations is for all young women advocators across Bougainville to know about how other Pacific nations women organisations operate in achieving their objectives.

Hakalitz said that having heard of the stories from neighbouring nations is part of nurturing young women in Bougainville.

“This is because we want them to expose out and to know about pacific island nations with regards to their women movements,” she said.

Hakalitz adds they expect Pacific nations to share more on common issues affecting women and girls and youths across Bougainville and across the Pacific in any upcoming event for young women.

She said that she hopes this partnership of having other Pacific nations will continue in the future to help each other in combating common women and girls’ concerns together with international partners.

Agriculture, a potential sector for aspiring entrepreneurs

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Permanent Secretary, Min of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Ms. Ethel Francis signing the MOU on behalf of her Ministry at KiraKira on the 23rd of October 2018.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE & PRESLEY SURUMA

Permanent Secretary, Min of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Ms. Ethel Francis signing the MOU on behalf of her Ministry at KiraKira on the 23rd of October 2018.

ENTREPRENEURS of Solomon Islands can hit jackpot in the country’s agriculture sector.

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Permanent Secretary, Ethel Francis brands the agriculture sector a hub of success in the future for young, serious and aspiring entrepreneurs in the country.

She expressed this during a signing and ground-breaking occasion to officially launch the Lavado Cocoa Mill project in Kirakira on October 23.

Francis says the signing which took place between her ministry, Ministry of Commerce Industries and Labour (MCILI), Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC), Ulawa Provincial Government (MUPG), and a private business entity Pinihimae and Associated Groups (PAG) is the start of a new chapter in the context of development not just for Makira-Ulawa province alone but for the country as a whole.

She added that the occasion depicts the result of hard work and dedication between the national government, the MUPG, and a private entity under the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) programme of the government.

Francis also referred to local business, Pinihimae and Associated Groups (PAG) as an example of indigenous and ordinary Solomon Islanders who have toiled to fulfill their vision in making a difference in the agriculture sector, particularly in rural areas.

“This is the ideal example or roadmap in which I am calling on our young people who never had the chance to fulfill their educational aspirations to try and involve in. If rural Makira cocoa farmers such as Pinihimae and Associated Groups (PAG) can achieve such a milestone, there is nothing impossible for other young Solomon Islanders to do the same”, she said.

Francis furthered that her ministry will continue to support and aid the project until it reaches a stage where it is self-sufficient to deliver as expected.

It is understood that when the project is operative, the Lavado cocoa processing centre, a first of its kind in the country will manufacture the needed ingredients to produce by end cocoa products such as chocolates, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and many more.

Country’s first cocoa mill project launched in Makira

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Makira Ulawa Premier, Hon Stanley Siapu and Minister of Commerce, Hon William Bradford Marau

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

COCOA farmers of Makira-Ulawa will now have the opportunity to be part of and benefit from social and economic opportunities of Solomon Islands first cocoa mill project in the province.

On October 23, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Ministry of Commerce Industries and Labor (MCILI), Makira Ulawa Provincial Government (MUPG), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) and private business entity Pinihimae and Associated Groups (PAG) to mark the birth of “Lavado Cocoa Mill” project in Kirakira.

Speaking during the occasion was guest speaker and minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, William Bradford Marau.

He said the project marks a successful partnership between the national and provincial governments and an indigenous private business whom will be involved in making a well downstream processing mill to market unique products of lavado oil, cocoa and roasted beans derived from the natural and organic cocoa resources from cocoa farmers in Makira-Ulawa province.

The Parties to the MOU confirm the ground-breaking ceremony.

“This project will address economic and social investment which is important for the future of Solomon Islands and especially for the cocoa farmers and their families and the good people of Makira-Ulawa province,” said Marau.

He also stated that the project is not a stand-alone project as it complements and links with various key existing plans, reforms and strategies such as the National Development Strategy, the Makira-Ulawa Strategic Policy, Medium Term Development Plan and most of all, the Provincial Government Strengthening Programme.

Marau expressed that the project came about from constructive discussions, consultations and analysis with various stakeholders from 2017 till present.

He described it as one that is focused on driving forward and boosting the economy and social safeguards of the provincial government, private sector and people of Makira.

Marau noted that this investment will encourage partnership between various stakeholders and provide employment opportunities in the medium and long term.

Makira Ulawa Premier, Hon Stanley Siapu and Minister of Commerce, Hon William Bradford Marau

He stressed that while the national government will support the project where it can, to ensure the project continues and provides services to identified stakeholders this will require the management and leadership of managing director of a private indigenous business, Mr Alick Pinihimae in the project as well as support from current and future provincial executives if Makira-Ulawa.

The Member of Parliament for Ulawa-Ugi assured the Premier of Makira provincial government, Stanley Siapu that the national government encourages private sector development and will accommodate good business environment for any local and foreign investor who is willing to do business and provide essential market services to their trading partners in Makira-Ulawa province, in Solomon Islands and abroad.

He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture (MAL) and Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) for their leadership and involvement in the project.

Makira Ulawa Provincial Premier Hon Stanley Siapu signs the MOU on behalf of Makira Ulawa Province as Provincial
Secretary Mr James Taeburi looks on.

SI records highest number of ill fed children in Pacific

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The recent water crisis affecting people living in Gizo town as you can see Children with their buckets collecting water from boreholes few weeks ago.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SOLOMON Islands has recorded the highest number of stunted children in the Pacific, according to report.

The report from UNICEF says 33 out of 100 children in Solomon Islands are stunted. In addition, only 30 out of 100 houses have proper water and toilet facilities.

Lack of sanitation facilities are said to contribute to child stunting. For example, Concern Worldwide says availability of diverse food, the way a child is fed and cared for access to clean drinking water, proper health care and hygiene and sanitation can all affect a child’s development.

This in turn will impact greatly on the opportunities for children to learn and develop and will also slower their growth rate.

Because of such a report, a high-level group consisting of various stakeholders will meet tomorrow (October 26) to discuss obstacles to the development of a child.

The forum will look at ways where stakeholders involved can reach an agreement whereby planning, budgeting and implementation of early childhood development is well coordinated while at the same time, work in coordination with the different sectors in the country.

Also, they will be discussing high-quality, equitable, and inclusive early childhood development in the Solomon Islands.

This in turn aims to increase commitments to invest in the young citizens.

Furthermore, Ministry of Education Human Resources Development (MEHRD) adds, investment in the development of the countries youngest citizens are one of the most cost-effective strategies for a healthier and more productive population.

Moreover, MEHRD says, highlighting studies on child development will yield dividends. This is through a stronger workforce, better health, and lower crime rates.

Stunting is defined as lower than average height for a child’s age which in turn negatively affects a child’s brain function, organ development and immune system. This can limit their future productivity and that of their children.

The Forum on Friday is organised by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), together with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services as well as UNICEF.

According to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development approximately 60 delegates representing key Ministries of SIG, provincial premiers and representatives of the multi- and bilateral organisations in the country, and churches will attend.

The theme for the forum is “Building Human Resource Capital, Redirecting the Next 40 Years”.

The forum will be officially opened by the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Mr Rick Houenipwela.

Police arrest 32-yr man for bashing wife and tying up son

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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POLICE at Tulagi in Central province have arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly assaulting his wife and tying up his 13-year-old elder son at Ha’a village on Big Ngella recently.

The suspect was charged with domestic violence under Section 57 subsection 1 of the new Family Protection Act.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province, Inspector John Sara says, “The incident happened recently and was reported to police only on October 19, 2018.

“Police arrested the suspect on the same date from the care of Crime Prevention Committee Members (CPC) at Ha’a Village.

“It is alleged that the incident happened at the family house when the husband came and get hold of their first born son, tied him up with a rope and slapped him twice on his face.

“Then he turned to his wife and punched her. She became unconscious and fell to the ground.

“The suspect then escaped for fear of retaliation from his wife’s relatives.

“The suspect was arrested with the assistance of CPC members and detained at the Tulagi police custody as investigations continue into the incident.

“This is a very sad incident especially with the father who is supposed to be responsible for his wife and son mistreating them in such a manner. This is not acceptable in any society.

“I would like to remind our chiefs, church leaders, and members of our communities that beating of women and children is a serious offence.

“We cannot tolerate such behaviour. The full force of the law will be enforced.”

PPC Sara also thanked members of the CPC at Ha’a Village for assisting to bring the suspect to the police to be arrested and brought to justice.

–POLICE MEDIA

 

SI could lose millions in tax revenue under PACER-Plus

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Gary Hatigeva

SOLOMON ISLANDS is amongst three Pacific Island nations that are highlighted to be in great risks of losing millions in import tax revenue due to pressure from the PACER-Plus Agreement.

This is according to the full analysis and accompanying briefs of the Pacific Islands Network on Globalisation (PANG), which examines and reveals the impacts of PACER-Plus in relation to the Trade in Goods as well as the Services and Investment components of the agreement.

In a statement, PANG says the analysis also comes as a realisation of the concerns that is said to be held by Pacific communities and some Pacific island governments about the regional free trade agreement under the PACER-Plus, which are well founded according to the new analysis that was released yesterday.

The analysis states that the Trade in Goods chapter requires Pacific Island Countries to make extensive cuts in their import taxes, with Solomon Islands, Samoa, and Vanuatu expected to lose USD$13million, USD$12.5million and USD$7.5million respectively.

Referring to the reports, PANG’s Trade Justice Campaigner Adam Wolfenden, said the PACER-Plus package confirms their fears about PACER-Plus and how it undermines the ability of Pacific Island Countries to determine for themselves what they want development to be and having the tools to make that a reality.

“PACER-Plus does little to help boost the exports of Pacific Island Countries yet it is burdening them with a whole raft of legally binding commitments with meaningless safeguards. This is not development by any definition,” Mr Wolfenden said.

In addition to this the safeguard mechanisms and infant industry, the campaigner stressed that the provisions are too weak to be of any practical use to Pacific Island Countries who need to protect their industries that are being hurt by increased imports under PACER-Plus.

Meanwhile, the PANG official also pointed out that the Trade in Services and Investment chapters represent a serious restriction on the ability of Pacific Island Countries to regulate and ensure that investment that comes in has its benefits maximised.

“Over the years we have seen many experts detail the problematic nature of PACER-Plus and how it was being constructed to Australia and New Zealand’s benefit.

“These warnings, including from an Australian Parliamentary inquiry have been ignored and now we have a binding agreement that won’t address the real economic issues the Pacific Islands have and instead will burden them further with cuts in government revenue and the reduced ability to regulate,” the Organisation’s Trade Justice Campaigner explained.

He further pointed out that under PACER-Plus, Pacific Island governments will have a reduced ability to regulate their service industries and investments, and instead the investors will be given greater rights to challenge any policies or regulations that they may deem to be unfair.

“Pacific Island countries are signing up to a framework that many nations are walking away from in favour of something that better balances the rights of governments and investors,” Mr Wolfenden added.

He said there are very real and serious implications of this agreement that countries need to factor in to their ratification processes.

Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia all have not signed on, and the access to Australia’s recently launched Pacific Labour Scheme is linked to progress on PACER-Plus.

PACER-Plus was signed by Australia, New Zealand, and 9 other Pacific Island Countries in 2017, which included Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Solomon Islands.

Vanuatu signed the Agreement three months later in another summit in Samoa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade is responsible for the facilitation and implementation of the Agreement, together with its relevant stakeholders and ministries here in Solomon Islands.

A detailed respond is expected when responsible officials return to the country on the issues highlighted in PANG’s reports.

But in a brief statement, the Ministry’s Trade Commissioner, Joseph Ma’ahanua explained from Brussels that the ministry will be undertaking its own process of awareness for PACER-Plus for the country, including their stakeholders and the public soon.

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations or PACER-Plus is an umbrella agreement between members of the Pacific Islands Forum, which included the Forum Island Countries plus Australia and New Zealand that seeks to provide a framework for the future development of trade cooperation.

According to its initial establishment plans, the PACER-Plus was created to foster economic growth, investment and employment, at the same time promoting trade and structural reforms in the Pacific Region.

However, the PANG statement disagrees, claiming that PACER-Plus has always been about the interests of Canberra and Wellington, and Australia’s cynical move in connecting the labour scheme to their market access into Pacific economies, is further proof to the matters highlighted.

NCDs remain a threat in Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A female officer within the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) department of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services reiterates that NCDs remain a major threat to health in Solomon Islands.

The officer revealed to this paper yesterday that diabetes, heart attack, stroke and other NCD have been on the rise in this country and continue to be an increasing problem in the society.

“Eating styles of people lead to such disease, in the past you hardly see NCD cases increasing every month but currently if you are going to the National Referral Hospital there are not enough beds to accommodate patients and it is a serious problem,” the officer said.

“People nowadays eat too much than the exercise they do, families or household should eat more during the day and eat less during the evenings.”

The officer said though local foods are hard to get especially people in Honiara try as much to reduce eating rice and oily foods.

She said eating much of local foods and vegetables will avoid being caught up in NCDs and people must be reminded to care about their own health.

Status of citizenship bill questioned ahead of parliament resumption

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Parliament

By Gary Hatigeva

WITH less than two months before the 10th Parliament House is dissolved, Solomon Islands Nationals living abroad are questioning whether the much anticipated ‘Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2017’ will be tabled when parliament resumes.

This comes as a follow up on an assurance the Prime Minister had made during his recent international visits abroad.

In his visits to Solomon Islanders residing outside the country, the Prime Minister shared his government’s keen intention to have the Dual Citizenship Bill become realised before this tenure ends.

In that time, he acknowledged that for years, many Solomon Islanders of mixed ethnicity and those living abroad have been seeking such a law.

If adopted, the legislation looks to enable those that have given up the Solomon Islands passport, to regain their Solomon Islands status.

The proposed law was intended to facilitate the return and reintegration of Solomon Islands citizens by birth or ancestry who lost their citizenship through marriage, forced labour or naturalisation in another country, a policy that is said to be based on an exponentially growing trend in the 21st Century.

It also aims to open up opportunities for the benefit of social, economic, family, employment and study, with ease of movement for those eligible, between country of origin and country of residence.

“That is what many of the communities I have met in Port Moresby, in the United Kingdom, our communities overseas… they have told us they want us to see to this,” the Prime Minister was quoted in an earlier report.

Following its first introduction in Parliament in March this year, the Prime Minister was forced to withdraw the bill withdrew both the ‘Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2017’ and the ‘Citizenship Bill 2017’.

This was to sort out issues raised by the Bills and Legislation Committee, based on its report, which suggested that the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2017 be differed and the Citizenship Bill 2017 be withdrawn.

The Bills Committee made these recommendations so to give Government time to look at the broader policy issues that the committee had raised regarding the Citizenship Bill 2017.

According to the PM, both bills were withdrawn, because the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill is an enabling legislation for the citizenship bill.

There were other matters highlighted as contributing factors to the withdrawal, which included the shortage in numbers, but despite all these challenges, the PM said he is hoping when parliament resumes, they would have the numbers to move the dual citizenship forward.

This means both Bills will have to be reintroduced to Parliament, however, parliament is set to resume on Wednesday next week, and the BLC has also confirmed not receiving the whole package.

A follow up with the Chairman of the BLC and Aoke Langalanga MP Matthew Wale yesterday, revealed that since its withdrawal, the Dual Citizenship bill has never made up agenda of its committee (BLC) enquiries and hearings, but confirmed receiving only one of the two.

“There are 2 bills on this matter. The ‘Constitution amendment bill’ is already resubmitted. We are still waiting for the amended ‘Citizenship Bill’ to be resubmitted,” the BLC Chairman explained.

He said if the second bill is ready the Bills Committee can deal with it, but however pointed out that time is running out.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary officials suggested that the Government might bring it later, as it can still do that, but reiterated the questioned of whether the time at hand is enough, and given parliament is less than two months away from its dissolution.

Parliament is expected to go through the Bills that were covered by the BLC in the first part of the last session, and the government according to insiders, will put more emphasis and priority on getting the 2019 National Budget deliberated on.

Questions were also raised as to whether parliament can still carry on with its businesses (voting on any matter that would affect the constitution), as it is now left with 49 members after the former MP for Temotu Vatud was disqualified by the courts through a successful petition against her.

But Legal people spoken to said it is fine as it is also allowed for under section 68 of the constitution, which does not disqualify parliament to proceed with any of its businesses even in the absence or vacancy of a seat.

They however stressed that to make any changes to any sections of the constitution, the house will need a two-third majority of the total number of members, including those from the other side of the house, but added that with the current situation, parliament can use the two-thirds of a new total of 49 MPs.

However, with one MP short, the government is also one number short to fulfil the two-thirds majority highlighted in the constitution to pass a constitutional amendment, and will therefore rely on numbers from the opposition and independent groups.

“But will we they support it, or will we expect to see a repetition of what had happened to the Constitutional Amendment for the Electoral Act 2018, as a lot of them have raised concerns over the issue of timing?”

Count one against former MP withdrawn

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case against the former MP for Central Makira Constituency has adjourned to October 31 to allow counsels to amend the pre-trial conference documents.

On Wednesday the prosecution withdraw the other count of conversation against the accused Hypolite Taremae under section 190 (ii) b(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Prosecution have withdrawn the other charge as currently there is insufficient evidence to proceed; but once prosecution has enough evidence in the future they can again proceed with the charge.

Therefore after the withdrawal of count-one, counsels have to amend the PTC documents.

This is the case against the former MP who has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and a PTC has been set he was arrested for allegation of misappropriation of fund in 2011 and 2013.

The allegation said Mr Taremae has misappropriated more than $200,000 for reafforestation project for Central Makira Constituency.

He was arrested and charged with conversion late in May this year.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for crown while Anderson Kesaka is representing the accused.

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