ACTING Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was chief guest of honour during the occasion marking the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the University of the South Pacific in Honiara yesterday afternoon.
An alumni of the university himself, Sogavare addressed a crowd of academics, alumni, scholars and members of the general public.
“The 50th anniversary day celebrates our past, who we were, what we have become or who we are and where we are going. It is a time to reflect on the achievements our University has made in the past 50 years,” he said.
“I am sure you are proud just like I am to have been given the scholarship and opportunity to study and learn at the USP. I am also proud of our past and present students, alumni, staff and our community which is spread over 12 countries and there is scope for other neighbouring countries to join the USP family.”
The acting Prime Minister reiterated that as former USP students, the knowledge and skills gained have enabled for the improvement of lives and to become “the persons that we dreamed of becoming when we were young”.
Sogavare further acknowledged the contribution made to the country by USP graduates through the application of their skills and stated that they have exhibited their commitment to the good of the people and country.
Acknowledging that whilst education does no stop after graduating from an institution the acting Prime Minister Sogavare further reiterated.
“Rather you should continue to learn whenever you can in order to add to the vast knowledge you have already possessed.”
Acting PM Sogavare with staff of USP
He further added that if learning stops, progress in the work places become stagnant and uninteresting and there would be feeling of anxiety of all sorts and burn-out as well.
Sogavare further acknowledges the theme and stated, “This is a moment for all of us to shine and make a difference in our country; a very appropriate time to talk about this responsibility as the country is moving towards another general elections and we cannot afford to maintain the status quo.”
The acting Prime Minister also made a call to the members of the USP alumni to rise above the challenges to make Solomon Islands a country that is worthy of its calling and to be a significant player in the regional effort to continue to make the Pacific Islands a peaceful corner of the world.
“Our future generations need a Pacific Islands that they can enjoy peace, progress and prosperity, that men should brothers be, make nation see, as our national anthem prayerfully reminds us,” he stated.
“That is a Pacific that is worthy of celebrating. That kind of environment does not fall from the sky; rather it is created by people like you and me who are privileged to be educated. That is where USP plays a strategic role.
“So, arise and shine.” He ended.
The acting Prime Minister was also accompanied by officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Medical specialists and clinicians at the training.
BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
Medical specialists and clinicians at the training.
A recent collaboration between Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) has resulted in the country and region’s first intensive training on Clinical Management of Rape.
According to UNPFA, the training conducted by Dr Carina Hickling was provided for medical specialists, clinicians and midwives.
The training was held for a cadre of trainers to support the facilitation of training across the country.
UNPFA expressed that Dr Hickling is confident that the specialists will support the health ministry sustain a critical specialist area of response for survivors of gender based violence, most specifically on clinical management of rape for women, girls and children in the country.
MHMS Coordinator for National GBV (Gender Based Violence), Mr Nashley Vozoto referred to the training as the first of its kind in the country and region, representing significant progress in building the health sector’s capacity to support and end violence against women.
National Referral Hospital’s Head of Accidents and Emergency Department, Dr Trina Sale said the training has clarified what they mean by clinical management of rape, emphasized importance of safety, confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and has set out strategies for the provision of quality care.
“The training has demystified what we mean by clinical management of rape, highlighted the importance of ensuring safety, confidentiality, respect and non-discrimination and given us strategies for providing quality care within our setting”, she said.
Meanwhile, a Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for Clinical Management of Rape in Solomon Islands is underway, being drafted by the CMR with technical guidance and assistance from Dr Hickling.
UNFPA stressed that MHMS recognizes the crucial role it has in preventing and responding to violence.
“Never before, has it been more important that health workers in all cadres have the knowledge, confidence and competence to respond to women, girls and children affected by violence”
“The Family Protection Act 2014 quite clearly mandates health workers to carry out specific tasks to enhance the health and safety of women, girls and children, and for the first time ever, the National Health Strategic Plan (2016-2020) identifies violence against women, girls and children as a health issue and has called for improving service responsiveness and quality of health services available to women, girls and children affected by violence”, said UNPFA.
UNFPA voices that in order for the health work force, especially doctors and nurses to have the capacity, competence and confidence to deliver high quality standard of care and treatment, specifically in the clinical management of rape amongst women, girls and children, investment in the health sector is required.
One report titled “Domestic Violence in Solomon Islands”, says Solomon Islands has one of the highest rates of family and sexual violence (FSV) in the world where 64 percentage of women between ages, 15 to 49 have reported physical or sexual abuse or both by a partner.
Youth Development Officer for Malaita and Isabel Mr Methodius Iapara.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Youth Development Officer for Malaita and Isabel Mr Methodius Iapara.
THE consideration of young people in the Traditional Governance and Custom Facilitation Bill 2018 is a must, according to Youth Development Officer for Malaita and Isabel Mr Methodius Iapara.
Iapara appeared before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) recently when the parliament special select committee met stakeholders regarding the said Bill.
Chaired by Matthew Wale (MP), the hearing also sought inputs from young Solomon Islanders.
Wale said, “The bill deals with chiefs, setting up structure for chiefs, but youths are an important sector in our society and it is crucial that any proposed law must also cater for the interests of young people.”
Agreeing to the statement, Iapara says young people should be included in the Bill because young people can also be traditional leaders and chiefs.
He said there are also some sectors where traditional leaders can be women or young girls as well.
He said the Bill is general, and not specific to young people.
“I see as for first comer, it is alright but if we need to work on, we must consider few specific areas inside like how sections inside the bill will cater for participation of young people in leadership,” Iapora said in response to Wale’s question on role of youths in tribal traditional governance.
“For example if traditional chief is there, how will his son will considered as next chief when there is absence of trainings and teachings.”
Also during the hearing, Wale asked if the custom way of doing things to deal with leaders and leadership succession is enough to which Iapora said it is enough.
“We already factored in the new National Youth Policy which is on objective six.
“It stated that we will work alignment with the implementation of mechanisms in place along with the provincial ordinance is there.
“But given the chance to speak, I want to say something that maybe will give more something clear that young people are not excluded as young men and women are gender sustainability of Solomon Islands,” Iapora said.
A National Youth Policy 2017 – 2030 was launched in Honiara August this year (2018).
Prime Minister Hou met briefly with Gary Allen president to United Nations Christian Mission.
Prime Minister Hou met briefly with Gary Allen president to United Nations Christian Mission.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has been applauded for championing the fight against Malaria in the Pacific region.
Foreign leaders and donor partners have particularly commended the Prime Minister for initiating the signing of the Asia Pacific Leaders’ Malaria Alliance (APLMA’s) 2030 goal to eliminate malaria from the Asia-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Houenipwela, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neil and Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai signed the APLMA in London at the margins of CHOGM early this year.
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and PNG account for 92 percent of all cases in the Western Pacific Region.
Consequently, Asia Pacific’s ability to achieve elimination will hinge on Melanesia.
Speaking during the Malaria Summit, Houenipwela said the support of development partners and health organisations are crucial to allow pacific countries to innovate and modernise their systems.
“In the Solomon Islands, the Global Fund is piloting a Cash-on-Delivery model that allows us to fully integrate elimination of malaria as an integral part of our health system.
“This approach to financing is changing the way we deliver health services. Innovative funding approaches must be part of the solution to eliminate malaria,” he told the summit.
The Prime Minister said he is also encouraged by the new partnership between the Global Fund and the Asian Development Bank.
This partnership will offer the region new ways of reaching the SDGs, by investing directly in results.
“There is much to do. But, with all our collective support, I have no doubt we will eliminate malaria from Solomon Islands, from Melanesia, from the Asia-Pacific region and ultimately from the whole world. I am convinced we will be the generation that eradicated malaria,” he said.
A trough of low pressure is expected to continue throughout the country in the coming days.
Solomon Islands has been experiencing rainfalls due to a low pressure over the country.
At 9am yesterday, the National Weather Forecasting Centre in Honiara announced that the trough is expected to affect the whole of Solomon Islands until this weekend.
The country’s Met Service said strong wind warning is enforced for Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Makira, Western and waters south of Guadalcanal and Russell islands.
Variable winds of 15 to 25 knots are expected to increase to 30 knots with rough seas and moderate swells (2.5-3 meters) expected throughout the country.
The forecast says there will be heavy rain in showers and thunderstorms in parts of the country.
A strong warning has been issued for Sea travelers and the Met service has advised everyone to be careful as these strong winds have the potential to produce waves that are dangerous and hazardous to small boats.
Met’s Acting Chief Forecaster, Mr Manoah Teta said public should put off any social activities they have and stay indoors since the low pressure will affect the whole of Solomon Islands.
“Nation is expecting cloudy periods with heavy showers over Solomon Islands and interior of the larger islands.”
With that, he encourages people to be on alert until Met call off the warning.
“But we expecting fine weather on Sunday or Monday,” he said.
Teta assures the country there is no cyclone warning and people are advised to be on the lookout for any information provided by Met Services.
PREMIER of Malaita Province, Peter Ramohia is optimistic that having a law such as the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation is the way forward to help the country deal with issues related to customary matters that are deemed a part of the stumbling blocks to development progress of national projects.
Speaking on behalf of the Malaita Provincial Executive, Premier Ramohia noted the Bill should be an added bonus or mechanism for the country, particularly the province to deal with what he termed as, the ever pressing issue that continued to hold back developments and major projects, most of which are to do with customary lands and people.
The Traditional Governance Bill is not a new concept to the Province as it has already been widely captured in a model they have created for the province that looks to address the issues of customary lands, being one of their key fundamentals to pave the way for development forward.
In an interview yesterday, Ramohia outlined that since taking office in 2015, his government came up with three key fundamental areas that they insisted to be the way forward, especially in the area of traditional and customary matters, and they are ‘People, Security and Sustainability’.
He explained that in the area of Sustainability, it is where the Good Governance Bill is captured, and Security is where the Land Reform Bill plays a vital aspect, where as in the fundamental of People is where the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill is highlighted.
He said with the proper alignment of these pillars, the country can experience the strongest traditional and customary structural system in the region that should see the realisation of developments in a society that over 80 percent of its lands is customary.
“We see this Bill as a solution approach,” Premier Ramohia shared.
The Malaita Provincial delegate also shared that the bill gives hope for the formalisation of people’s traditional and customary identities, and not become foreigners in their own lands.
The Premier, who appeared along with Sir Nathanial Waena before the Bills and Legislations Committee yesterday, when questioned on the view of withdrawal that was highlighted, stressed it is a matter that depends on the pending consultations and the Members of Parliament.
However, like a few other recommendations that were made on the bill, the Malaita Premier had also suggested for a change in the name of the National Council of Chiefs, to the Solomon Islands Affairs Board, and calls for an inclusion of a Strategic Fundamental Committee.
This committee according to the Premier and his team will play the in-depth scoping of consultation and take care of the issues people have been talking about in relation to the Bill.
With strong emphasis and intentions to develop and set a benchmark to deal with the issue surrounding the Traditional and Customary Structure having been connected with successful developments, the Provincial Executive through its responsible personals and members, held a visit to Fiji early this year for a learning exchange tour.
This according to the Premier was for the team of experts and provincial representatives, to learn from how they are able to make their Traditional and Custom systems work and how their they are able to deal with matters related to their fundamental principles and policies.
National Under 18 futsal squad and Team coach Stanley Puirana
BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE national under-18 futsal side’s departure for the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina initially planned for this Friday has been deferred for next week.
The new travelling date set for next week is yet to be confirmed.
Futsal is one of the few sporting codes picked to represent Solomon Islands in the third edition of the event that will run from October 6 to 18 in Buenos Aires.
The youngsters’ participation also marks the first time for a team sport to represent Solomon Islands in the youth olympic games.
National Under 18 futsal squad and Team coach Stanley Puirana
Led by top goal poacher Raphael Le’ai, the young Kurukurus as they were known, qualified to participate in the youth Olympics after winning last year’s youth futsal championship in New Zealand.
The futsal competition will begin on October 7 and the under-18 side had been drawn in Pool B of the men’s competition going up against world heavyweights Brazil, Russia, Iran and Costa Rica. Head coach Stanley Puairana had named his final travelling squad of 10 players on Sunday.
Meanwhile, upon arrival in Argentina next week, the team is expected to play Pool A contestant Slovakia in a friendly encounter before heading into their first Pool B match of the tournament against Iran on October 8 commencing at 10am (Solomon Islands Time).
Football actions return to Lawson Tama this Saturday and Sunday with four matches
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Henderson Eels defender Bonnie Pride tries to go past an FC Guadalcanal player during an earlier fixture of the 2018 Telekom S-League season. . PHOTO: ROMULUS HUTA
THE Telekom S-League will resume this weekend after a month break.
Solomon Islands Football Federation Competition Manager Gabriel Riotarau confirmed yesterday that four matches will be played this Saturday and Sunday.
“Just to remind all TSL club managers and coaches that according to the Turf Manager, Rubén Oimae, after assessment on Lawson Tama ground after the OFC U16 Championship, the ground is now ready for TSL matches to resume this Saturday 29th September 2018.
“Therefore, I strongly call on all TSL clubs to be ready for this weekend,” Riotarau said.
The league went on a break after entering into its fourth weekend on Sunday 26th August.
The break was to allow the national governing football body to carry out some refurbishment work on Lawson Tama stadium’s turf and changing rooms as part of their preparation to host the recent Oceania Under-16 Championship in Honiara which finally concludes last weekend.
With four weeks gone since the start of the 2018/19 season of the TSL till the break on August 26, Henderson Eels are leading the points table after three matches.
Eels gained the advantage to go to the top of the table due to their goal difference of 9+ despite equal on seven points with Western United (+7), Solomon Warriors (+4), KOSSA (-1) and Real Kakamora (-2), respectively.
Four interesting encounters are set down for this weekend.
At 2pm this Saturday will be Solomon Warriors taking on Real Kakamora and to be followed by Marist going against KOSSA at 4pm.
Western United and FC Guadalcanal will kick off Sunday’s round of matches at 2pm while at 4pm will be Malaita Kings and Henderson Eels.
See points table below:
TSL updated table tally below as at Sunday August 26, 2018
St Lucia’s Foreign Minister shakes hands with Minister Tozaka after the signing. Photo from PMO
SOLOMON Islands and Saint Lucia have formally established diplomatic relations yesterday.
The signing of the Joint Communiqué to formalise the ties was done by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of St Lucia, Allen Chastanet and the Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Milner Tozaka, at the Permanent Mission/Embassy of Saint Lucia to the United Nations, in New York.
The establishment of diplomatic relations is part of SIDCCG’s Foreign Policy in expanding Solomon Island’s reach to the Caribbean and American region.
Minister Tozaka said both countries are already engaged actively through the United Nations, Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), Africa Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the Commonwealth.
However, this recent signing is expected to formalise diplomatic relationships between both countries.
Solomon Islands and St Lucia share common issues and challenges, as Small Islands developing states.
This was something both leaders have expressed and agree to assist and learn from each other.
“We share an interest in developing economies that are resilient with stand economic and environmental pressures. Therefore, formalizing of diplomatic relations also means, both countries can enhance collective effort in addressing Climate Change issues,” he said.
Both foreign ministers have also agreed to pursue opportunities particularly in the areas of tourism, transfer of knowledge, trade and culture and exchange.
Foreign Minister Tozaka signing the formal bilateral with St Lucia Foreign Minister.
FORMER Governor General and Former Member of Parliament for Ulawa/Ugi, Sir Nathanial Waena, has suggested for the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018 to be taken back to the people for proper discussions.
Sir Nathanial made this statement when giving his views on the bill that is currently before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) for scrutiny.
The Chairman of the Eminent Persons Advisory Committee thought that the legislation is being rushed into reaching this level of the process, but missed a lot of fundamentals that make up the governance aspect of the diverse cultures and customs of all the people of Solomon Islands.
“We are talking about the fundamentality of the existence of our people throughout this nation from Tikopia to Shortlands, from Rennell and Bellona to Sikiana in Lord Howe, and the main islands within the chain,” Sir Nathanial said.
He pointed out that laws are hanging under the constitution and therefore they must be seen to be operative and hold relevance and meaning in the spirit of the constitution.
“We are building a nation of diversity, which is a blessing because it makes Solomon Islands rich in that school,” the former GG stressed.
He added that Solomon Islanders are a people that came out from time immemorial that have their roots deeply tied to their past, “and governance”, speaking as a person from Ulawa, a small island within this nation, “cherishes the past, is enriched by the blessings of today, and holds hope for a future that is being designed constitutionally and legally”.
The statesman further stressed that as someone from a small island community, he outlined that their traditional system can be threatened by virtue of unsound laws, but can be enriched by the blessings of sound legislations.
“Our past is an inheritance of ancestral sacredness rooted in the spirit of our ancestors. We are talking about the blessings left behind by them to be enjoyed by generations both in the past, at present and into the future.
“So that this legislation in draft, must be looked at from the point of view of, does it hold the past, does it endure the present and does it points to a future of hope for prosperity and cohesive coexistence?
“Those are from my humble point of view, the fundamentals in the concepts of governance and customary land.
“Today our people enjoy the freedom of movement of existence on customary land, the rules of governance by our traditional chiefs since time immemorial, I entrench and therefore individuals that are affected by those rules, continue to enjoy harmonious coexistence.
“There is no room for inferior and superior considerations, but there is room certainly for coexistence. Do we throw it out the window or do we hold respect for it?”
Waena further added that Solomon Islands is going through very interesting time of change and the government has paid dearly for the sustenance of the work of a constitutionally review exercise.
He said Solomon Islands is a nation that has come through a volatile period of history, the ethnic tension.
“We have just come out of it, and we are focussing our minds and attention to a future of hope, how do we build that future of hope?”
He highlighted that those are some of the issues that the government needs to look at before moving the initiatives forward and questioned what the kind of Solomon Islander are being talked about.
“I noted from the media that captured a national judge and a respectable female magistrate have highlighted huge matters of concerns regarding the bill, and if these learned minds are saying something questionable and concerning in these laws, something is not right here,” he said.
He reiterated his suggestions, thinking that the government is rushing this bill, “but the question is, rushed to be taken where?”
“We are building a nation and this bill is seemingly being rushed in a time when the country is heading into a major political event.
He further highlighted that the government or the new house, should first look at sorting out matters that deal directly with the resources of the people of this country through relevant laws.
He also reiterated that this bill needs to be taken back to the people for proper discussions, and be taken to the provincial governments to look into, as elected governments of the people in the provincial level.
“I wish to say that this Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation bill 2018 may well be a rush into a future, and therefore those of you in parliament, particularly as current custodians of the constitution, have a duty and an obligation to the people of this country, and those who have decided to become naturalised citizens of this country and those to be in the future,” he added.
This sentiment also comes as no surprise to the office of the Prime Minister, whom insiders said is fully aware of the matters connected to the Bill, but have allowed for the process to continue and looks to withdraw it on the floor of Parliament, based on the calls and recommendations, when it is brought back for deliberations.
“Because of political reasons, it had to be allowed to make the list of bills for the house, with anticipation for those on the Opposition and Independent group to call for its withdrawal, where it should then be moved to be withdrawn,” our insider explained.
There have also been great concerns surrounding the nature of its consultation phase, which many thought was not being done properly with depths, giving coverable reasons for it to be withdrawn.
Insiders agreed that the this piece of legislation is very vital for the country as a mechanism to deal with the ever pressing issue of developing customary lands, but argued that the political point scoring motives behind it has also tainted its genuine intentions, as far as the political circle is concerned.
“If it is to be put in, at least it is a fully cooked bill with the backing of the whole political circle and the people through Civil Society Organisations and other government stakeholders,” insiders added.
