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134 workers under RSE Scheme ready to leave for New Zealand  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

134 workers bound for New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme are currently undergoing a two-day Pre departure briefing.

The Pre-departure briefing which started yesterday, ending today, is an essential activity that always takes place, prior to a group of Seasonal workers departing for New Zealand or Australia work under the labour schemes.

The briefing is delivered by officials from the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) at the Department of External Trade of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET).

The LMU oversees both the New Zealand RSE Scheme and the Australia Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP).

The 134 workers are recruited by five different employers and they will work on various farms around New Zealand.

In her opening remarks the Deputy Director for the Department of External Trade, Ms Jenny Barile, informed the workers that they must ensure that they work hard, to enable high productivity output as this will lead to them earning sufficient income to save and at the same time sustain themselves while working in the orchards in New Zealand.

“You are amongst the fortunate ones who are selected from hundreds of other applicants who have applied to be part of this programme, and as such I ask you to take advantage of this opportunity.

“All of you will be working in New Zealand under our Country’s name and I urge you to be good ambassadors representing our country when in New Zealand.

“Many other workers who have returned from working on other farms under this programme, have greatly benefited from their hard work and tangible results can be seen,” Barile said.

Barile also reminded the workers that they must not lose sight of the purpose of travelling to New Zealand, which is to work hard to earn money to help improve their own livelihoods as well as of their families.

Also delivering remarks at the opening, was the New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Mr Tim Breese who reminded the workers that they must work hard in order to earn good money from the Scheme.

“RSE is a win-win situation for all those involved under the scheme as such I ask you to make use of this opportunity,” the Deputy High Commissioner said.

The briefing covers various relevant topics including, living in New Zealand, the type of work that is expected to be undertaken, going through worker contracts, finance, how to save money and so forth.

RSE season usually starts around October of each year and goes on until around May of the following year.

The first batch of this 134 workers will leave tomorrow and are expected to be in New Zealand for six months.

More workers are expected to leave in the coming months

Solomon Islands usually sends more than 650 workers in one season.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Take My Hands a finalist in Network Awards

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, New Zealand Charity Trust, ‘Take My Hands’ has been announced a finalist in the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards 2018

I feel sure readers of this story in the Solomon Islands will be pleased to know that my partner charity in New Zealand, ‘Take My Hands,’ has for the second year in a row been announced a finalist in the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards 2018 under the partnering for good category.

It is certainly true that TMH has been a partner for good in helping the medical services in the Solomon Islands for the past several years with the supply of medical equipment and medical supplies, but also clothing items for the Hearts of Hope Charity, mobility aids for the disabled and furniture for the SIDT.

The donated medical equipment and the other supplies have exceeded NZ$351,000 not including the 100 hospital beds and wheel chairs that are already in shipment to Honiara, or are still waiting to be loaded in Auckland.

Given the value of those donated supplies, based on their extended life, more than 100,000 people in the Solomon Islands have benefitted so far.

Behind the story of TMH’s support and success in aiding the Solomon Islands, lies the fact that so many organizations, institutions, companies and individuals in New Zealand have all contributed so generously in donating the things the Solomon Islands has received and I take the opportunity of expressing my personal thanks to all concerned, including Swire Shipping and Lions Clubs.

The NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards winners will be announced this November and TMH is wished success in being declared a winner.

 

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

RSIPF welcomes back second deployment to UN Mission in Darfur

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Commissioner Varley with members of the RSIPF Executive welcome back the four officers on arrival in Honiara

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) yesterday proudly welcomed back four of its officers who were deployed as the second group to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur, Sudan last October 2017.

The RSIPF Officers on the second UN deployment includes:

Senior Sergeant Tex Tafoa

Sergeant Nelson Kalea

Police Constable Gregory Kisina; and

Police Constable Joseph Poleita

“We are very pleased to welcome back our officers, after another successful deployment in Darfur during the past 12 months.

“RSIPF and I believe the rest of Solomon Islands are very proud of the officers’ achievements. These officers, like those in the first group, showed professionalism at all times during the deployment,” says RSIPF Commissioner, Matthew Varley.

“The deployment on the UN Peacekeeping Mission marks a great achievement for Solomon Islands and in particular the RSIPF for being able to participate in such an international deployment.

“To the returned officers, thank you for rendering your services to the UN Mission on behalf of the RSIPF and the people of Solomon Islands.”

The first deployment of five RSIPF officers to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur returned in September last year.

Three other RSIPF officers, including two female officers, are currently serving the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur.

The four officers, members of their families and the RSIPF Executive.
Commissioner Varley welcomes back PC Joseph Poleita on arrival at the Henderson International Airport.
Commissioner Varley with members of the RSIPF Executive welcome back the four officers on arrival in Honiara

–POLICE MEDIA

52-yr man arrested over alleged rape of 15-yr girl in Choiseul

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

POLICE at Taro in Choiseul province have arrested a 52-year-old man for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl at different times in June and September 2018 in the Sube Sube area close to Poroporo Village on the Choiseul main land opposite Taro Island.

The alleged incident was only reported to Police at Taro on October 22, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “This is another sad incident involving a very young girl. It is even worse as the suspect is the girl’s own grandfather.

“It is alleged that the 52-year-old man committed the offence inside their dwelling house at night whilst everyone in the house were asleep.

“It is unfortunate the case was only reported to police here at Taro yesterday (October 22).

“On receiving the report my officers moved quickly and arrested the suspect on the same day.

“An application is now being made to remand the suspect while investigations continue.

“I appeal to other family members of the victim and suspect to refrain from taking the law in to their own hands while police investigate the matter and prosecute.

“I call on our men folk to respect our women and young girls as this kind of incident such as rape will affect them for the rest of their lives.

“Police will not tolerate such behaviour and attitude in our communities but will prosecute such incidents,” says Eria.

–POLICE MEDIA

DPM lauds ADB’s support to SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
DPM Sogavare and the ADB high level delegation at Mendana on Monday night..

DEPUTY Prime Minister & Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare has acknowledged the valuable contributions by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Solomon Islands.

Speaking during a welcome gathering at the Mendana Hotel on Monday night, Mr Sogavare said Solomon Islands has come a long way and has endured hurdles, but slowly and surely making headways.

Sogavare said Solomon Islands has 45 years of sustained partnerships and appreciate ADB’s financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and willingness to respond to the country’s needs.

He said the establishment of the ADB in-country office and many infrastructure developments are a clear and tangible demonstration of this relationship.

DPM Sogavare and the ADB high level delegation at Mendana on Monday
night..

“Some benefits that SI has received from the ADB include the transport infrastructure development projects in the areas of roads , bridges and wharves as well as subsidised shipping routes to catalyse socio-economic activities to some of the most remote and uneconomical routes resulting in differences in the many rural people’s lives,” he said.

The deputy Prime Minister said the scaling up in financing is welcomed.

However, he said given the country’s huge development needs, the financing gap remain large.

“We welcome the bank’s continued efforts to increase financing,” he said.

DPM Sogavare presenting a gift to one of the visiting ADB team members.

He said concessional financing is also very important for Solomon Islands.

“Given the fragility and vulnerability, increasing debt burden will expose the country to higher economic and financial risks. Yet, given the lack of basic infrastructure and services for the majority of the people, Solomon Islands need invest and grow in infrastructure, services, social spending, and disaster risk management. All these require large amount of concessional financing,” he said.

The Finance Minister also ADB’s support to reforms undertaken by the Government.

He said ADB’s support has enabled Solomon Islands to implement continuous reforms to provide an enabling environment to the private sector and improve public financial management.

The deputy Prime Minister has also acknowledged the technical and capacity support rendered by ADB especially on preparatory work for the National Referral Hospital relocation project.

–OPMC PRESS

52-yr man arrested over alleged rape of 15-yr girl in Choiseul

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

POLICE at Taro in Choiseul province have arrested a 52-year-old man for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl at different times in June and September 2018 in the Sube Sube area close to Poroporo Village on the Choiseul main land opposite Taro Island.

The alleged incident was only reported to Police at Taro on October 22, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria says, “This is another sad incident involving a very young girl. It is even worse as the suspect is the girl’s own grandfather.

“It is alleged that the 52-year-old man committed the offence inside their dwelling house at night whilst everyone in the house were asleep.

“It is unfortunate the case was only reported to police here at Taro yesterday (October 22).

“On receiving the report my officers moved quickly and arrested the suspect on the same day.

“An application is now being made to remand the suspect while investigations continue.

“I appeal to other family members of the victim and suspect to refrain from taking the law in to their own hands while police investigate the matter and prosecute.

“I call on our men folk to respect our women and young girls as this kind of incident such as rape will affect them for the rest of their lives.

“Police will not tolerate such behaviour and attitude in our communities but will prosecute such incidents,” says Eria.

–POLICE MEDIA

Man facing attempted murder charge released on bail

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

COURT has granted bail on the accused facing an attempted murder charge yesterday after prosecution made no objection on the bail application submitted by defence.

This is the case of an accused Maraki Teururu.

Yesterday defence made an application to allow his client to be released on bail while his case is still progressing in the court.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea released the accused with strict bail conditions imposed one of the condition he must comply with before releasing from custody is for the accused to pay a cash bail of $1000 and also the accused suety to sign a principal bail of $1000 as well.

Other bail conditions also imposed by the court and the accused must abide to all the conditions.

Magistrate Iomea also made the ruling on the preliminary inquiry that was conducted and he committed the matter to the High Court to stand trial as the case has sufficient evidence to proceed to the High Court for trial.

Teururu was charged for an attempted murder charge and on the previous occasion the defence lawyer is making a proposal to the prosecution for re-consideration of the current charge.

This is in relation to the case occurred at White-river where police arrested a man for the charged of attempted murder.

The allegation said to have occurred on the night of April 8, 2018 at the 01 bus stop market area at White River.

Prosecution alleged the accused and the alleged victim were involved in an altercation at the bus stop area and as a result the accused used an axe to strike the victim’s head

Public Prosecutor John Zoze prosecutes the case in court.

Government will address SINU debt crisis: PM Hou

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

 

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has assured the management of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) that he will take up the University’s growing debt problem with Caucus, it was revealed this week.

Members of Parliament owe the University $14 million in Constituency Scholarship Fund, according to SINU.

The money was paid to Members of Parliament, who in turn, assured the University that they would meet the tuition fees of students from their constituencies.

But since the Prime Minister had given the assurance a week ago, SINU’s financial woes appears to have hit the lower end of crisis management, forcing management to consider carrying its October 31 deadline.

As the situation worsens, insiders told Island Sun in some school lecturers stayed away from work yesterday.

“We waited all day but no lecturer turned up,” one student spoken to said.

But the acting Vice Chancellor, Professor (Dr) Prem Rai told Island Sun: “As far as I know lectures have been held as normal at both campuses. Your information on lecturers not turning up for classes is incorrect.

Staff salaries have been paid on time as scheduled and this has no connection with any other issues, Prof Rai said.

He said that in their meeting, the Prime Minister had been sympathetic with SINU’s predicament and promised to take it up with Caucus.

Prof Rai said since the meeting, some small payment had come through.

But insiders said the situation has hardly improved.

Now SINU faces the grim prospect of carrying out its threat to take further action come 31st October, just a little over a week from now.

In a statement issued on October 14, SINU said it faced “severe cash flow problems for the months of October to December” due to non-payment of fees.

It said the consequence of this is that SINU is not in a position to meet its commitment to Students Course Materials, cost of students’ meals, utilities, staff leave passage, repairs and maintenance and so on.

“To date the following corporate sponsors are yet to settle the school fees for (the) First Semester and Second Semester 2018.

  • Constituency Scholarship Fund through Members of Parliament – $14 million
  • Guadalcanal Province Education Authority – $8 million
  • Private and Self-Sponsored Students    – $6 million

Total = $28 million,” the statement said.

“In addition several government ministries are yet to settle the school fees totalling $12.8million for Second Semester 2018. In general, the total outstanding fees are $40.8 million, the statement said.

SINU has set October 31 as the deadline for settling the outstanding debts.

“Failure to act may lead the University to take hard and unpleasant decisions,” the October-14 statement said.

It is understood SINU is expected to issue a statement later this week on its proposed course of action.

Wrong route lands Asian fishing vessel on Ngella reef

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
The long-liner fishing vessel wrecking on top of the coral reef outside Haghalu Village at Central Big Ngella on Monday. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

The long-liner fishing vessel wrecking on top of the coral reef outside Haghalu Village at Central Big Ngella on Monday. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

A long-liner fishing vessel with Asian crews on board had wrecked on top of a reef in front of Haghalu Village at Central Big Ngella after taking a wrong course.

Being understood to be travelling for Avi Avi Station, instead of following the normal ship route, the purpose of it travelling in between Gavutu also famously known as the ‘Dolphin Island’ and the mainland of Big Ngella is not made clear.

The fishing vessel however is now at Avi Avi after being pulled out of the reef by a tug boat later Monday evening but the damage it had caused on part of the reef is what the local community of Haghalu is still seeking compensation for.

“We daily depend on this long stretched-out reef too for our livelihoods so this fishing vessel should think seriously of compensating us. Though plan is still under process now to ask compensation but we are not sure of what the outcome will be seeing that the fishing vessel and its crew had been ignoring us when the vessel was still wrecked and seeing them going away without addressing our concern is like a slap on our faces viewing them as criminals running away,” said concerned members of Haghalu Community.

Island Sun had queried to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) through their Media Unit over this issue in which they responded that the RSIPF was only responsible for the fishing vessel’s security purposes having directed the matter to Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA).

After failed phone call attempts through SIMSA’s Office, the Solfish Company Limited Office was then contacted if they knew of the ship over which they clarified that such long-liner fishing vessels only do unloading at them.

With queries yet ongoing to who really owns this fishing vessel, Island Sun is striving to get to the bottom of this issue.

Man facing attempted murder charge released on bail

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

COURT has granted bail on the accused facing an attempted murder charge yesterday after prosecution made no objection on the bail application submitted by defence.

This is the case of an accused Maraki Teururu.

Yesterday defence made an application to allow his client to be released on bail while his case is still progressing in the court.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea released the accused with strict bail conditions imposed one of the condition he must comply with before releasing from custody is for the accused to pay a cash bail of $1000 and also the accused suety to sign a principal bail of $1000 as well.

Other bail conditions also imposed by the court and the accused must abide to all the conditions.

Magistrate Iomea also made the ruling on the preliminary inquiry that was conducted and he committed the matter to the High Court to stand trial as the case has sufficient evidence to proceed to the High Court for trial.

Teururu was charged for an attempted murder charge and on the previous occasion the defence lawyer is making a proposal to the prosecution for re-consideration of the current charge.

This is in relation to the case occurred at White-river where police arrested a man for the charged of attempted murder.

The allegation said to have occurred on the night of April 8, 2018 at the 01 bus stop market area at White River.

Prosecution alleged the accused and the alleged victim were involved in an altercation at the bus stop area and as a result the accused used an axe to strike the victim’s head

Public Prosecutor John Zoze prosecutes the case in court.

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