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Market vendor associations reps attend inaugural forum

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MORE than 40 market vendor representatives from Auki, Gizo and Honiara central market vendors associations have gathered in Honiara for the three-day inaugural Solomon Islands Market Vendors’ Association (MVA) forum which begins today.

Since the establishment of these MVAs through UN Women Markets for Change (M4C) Project, this will be first time that Market Vendor representatives from the different provinces will gather to network and empower each other through sharing and learning.

The forum, also organised by UN Women Markets for Change (M4C) Project will focused on the theme ‘Let’s Talk Markets for Change: Empowering through learning, sharing and teambuilding’ with the aim to strengthen existing MVAs by providing a platform for open discussion and learning. It also aims to create an opportunity to reflect and express challenges faced by and successes of the MVAs.

“We see that the Associations are really unique, each with their own strengths. Through the Forum, MVA executive members will learn from their counter-parts in other provinces as well as receive technical and strategic support from M4C staff,” said Markets for Change Program Manager – Solomon Islands, Ms Kristy Nowland.

Nowland further commented that “They will reflect on the status of their respective MVAs and identify areas for improvement”.

Issues that market vendors will discuss includes MVA updates, achievements and challenges. They will also have the opportunity to listen to presentations and discussions from other NGOs and government partners.

“I’m looking to meet and learn from other market vendor leaders from Auki and Honiara Central Market Vendors Associations. For me personally, because we (Gizo Market Vendors Association) are very new, I look forward to learning from HCMVA and AMVA sharing so that we can strengthen our work with GMVA and our members,” Gizo Market Vendors Association President, Ms Lauretta Nasala.

UN Women’s M4C project is a multi-country initiative that aims to ensure marketplaces in rural and urban areas of Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are safe, inclusive and non-discriminatory, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

A UN Women project, M4C is principally funded by the Australian Government, and since 2018 the project partnership has expanded to include funding support from the Government of Canada. UNDP is a project partner.

–M4C PRESS

Parliamentary health committee reaches out to Western province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Health Committee inside Helena Goldie outpatient
Health Committee inside Helena Goldie outpatient

A recent historical and successful visit by the Parliamentary Health and Medical Services Committee to the Western province uncovered the seriousness of poor health services in the province’s hospitals, clinics and area health centres.

This was after its recent inquiries with the health practitioners and officials of Seghe mini-hospital, Noro clinic, Helena Goldie hospital and Gizo hospital from September 6-15, 2018.

The Committee’s gathering of information through the hearings and open forums for public was focused mainly on their terms of reference and that is to inquire into the status and the quality of medical services provided in hospitals and mini-hospitals in the Country.

Seghe, Munda and Gizo hearing was also in its third phase as far as the Committee is concern. This was after its first round of inquiry in 2016 where it gathered evidences from the general public and health officials from Kilu’ufi and Malu’u hospitals in Malaita Province and Lata hospital and Manuopo area health center in Temotu Province in 2017.

Chair of the Committee Charles Sighoto, clarified to the witnesses in the view of the recommendations of the special committee report into the status of NRH of 2009, his Committee found that provincial hospitals need to be better equipped and capacitated in order to lessen the cost and burden of treating patients and performing surgical procedures at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara.

“So my Committee is here to gather collective information from you and to hear your stories on the status and quality of medical services provided in this part of the country,” he told the medical practitioners.

It is common to hear from the witnesses during each hearing and open forum that the challenges most encountered is lack of healthcare facilities, equipment/apparatus, infrastructure and manpower among other issues.

Western Province has two hospitals, one in Gizo and the church run Helena Goldie Hospital in Munda. Likewise, Seghe area health centre is also categorized as a mini hospital. There are also few rural health clinics and nurse aid posts that provided health services in and around the province.

Furthermore, most nurses that served in Western Province like in Temotu are secondary health care nurses. This showed that there is a dire need to strengthen primary health care services of prevention.

It was obvious during the Committee’s site visits to Maravari Navere aid post and Leona rural health clinic in both South and North Vela that clinic facilities are run down and unfit to use. A site visit to Koriovuku Clinic and Penuna Clinic in Ranongga were pretty much the same.

The Health Committee also organized two public forum for the Munda and Gizo general public purposely for those who did not have the chance to share their thoughts and experiences regarding their accessibility to the basic health services provided in the province.

Chairman Sigoto assured the general public and health officials during the inquiry that his Committee has taken onboard their concerns and will be compiled in the committee report to be presented to Parliament.

Details of the committee’s inquiry will not be pre-emptied or will not be disclosed for now, however, the details will be made known to the public after the Committee’s report has been compiled and tabled in parliament.

The Health and Medical Services Committee, like any other Parliamentary Standing Select Committees are mandated by Parliament to perform oversight over the executive government’s decisions and actions specifically into the status and quality of medical services provided in the hospitals and mini-hospitals, area health centers, clinics and first aid posts in the Country.

This is to ensure that the government’s health service delivery and sustainable development programs are maximized and prioritized to improve the health-economic status and well-being of its people and the country as a whole.

The Western Provincial executive and the rural people of western province have therefore expressed their gratitude and commended the Parliamentary Health and Medical Services Committee as this was the first time in their history to receive six Members of Parliament on their shores at one time.

Likewise, the Committee would also like to thank the Provincial executive, Police Officers, Medical Officers, and Chiefs, Church leaders, the skippers and the rural people of Western Province for the warm hospitality accorded to them.

Members of Parliament who are in the Health Committee to the Western inquiry are: Hon Charles Sigoto (Chairman), Hon Matthew Wale, Hon. Alfred Ghiro, Hon Dickson Mua, Hon Lionel Alex and Hon Lanelle Tanangada.

–PARLIAMENT MEDIA

Minister visits PCDF projects in Western province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Construction of the new Lengana classroom project underway
Construction of the new Lengana classroom project underway

THE Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), Nestor Ghiro has visited some infrastructure projects funded by the Provincial Capacity development Fund (PCDF) in parts of Western province last week.

Mr Ghiro and his Permanent Secretary, Stanley Pirione and other Officials were in Gizo last week for an induction programme for members of the new Western Provincial Executive and the Provincial Assembly.

Ghiro traveled to Simbo Island on Thursday last week to see first-hand a newly constructed classroom building at Lengana Community High School and also met with members of the school board and teaching staff.

“I am very pleased to visit your school and I would like to assure you that the national government through the PCDF scheme will ensure a successful completion of this project as soon as possible,” the Minister said.

Final materials for the Lengana school project are now stocked-up in Gizo awaiting transportation to Simbo for the completion of the building.

Ghiro also traveled to Kukundu Adventist School on Kolombangara Island on Friday to see first-hand the progress of a dormitory funded by the PCDF scheme.

Permanent Secretary, Stanley Pirione said the Minister was impressed with the progress of the projects he has visited so far.

The scheme is a component of the Provincial Governance strengthening Programme (PGSP) which is administered by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS).

Minister Ghiro and Officials at Lengana School on Simbo Island

The PGSP was initiated by the Solomon Island Government with the support of donors including the UNDP, UCDF, the EU and RAMSI) in July 2008 to strengthen the capacities of the nine provincial governments in Solomon Islands.

Its focus was initially on public expenditure management systems that would enable provinces to plan, procure and implement small scale infrastructure projects in needed areas.

Initially, from 2008 to 2011, the scheme has been allocated a total funding of SBD10.8m per annum.

The national Government up-scaled the fund from 2012 onwards resulting in the Government now funding 100 percent of the scheme after gaining confidence in the performance-based grant and the accountability conditions of the fund.

Since its inception, the programme has implemented more than 1,000 solid infrastructure projects and created more than 5,000 jobs nationwide.

–GCU

More PCDF fund assured by Minister

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister for Fisheries, Hon Nestor Ghiro

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

Minister for MPGIS, Hon Nestor Ghiro

The Government could increase its development assistance in rural villages under its Provincial Capacity Development allocation (PCDF) pending a new proposal requesting for additional funds allocation.

The Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Nestor Ghiro revealed this during his recent trip to Lengana village in Simbo Island last Friday.

The Minister was optimistic PCDF still is a very vital development aide and forward looking strategy in the rural village where the commitment by provinces was basically to delivery and where still as lot can be achieved using PCDF.

Ghiro made a two-day visit to the Western province coinciding in the final phase of a fortnight long and intensive induction and orientation exercise organised by the main ministerial staff. The two week long workshops were organised specifically meant for all twenty-six MPA who were voted into the Assembly a month early.

The seminars, discussions and debated looked into the Financial Instruction, the Finance and Management Ordinance and the governing amended legislation, of 1997- Provincial Government Act.

Mr Ghiro made a trip to westward which got him and a small delegation to Simbo Island, where he was host to the local building- Committee taking charge by what would most likely be a successful 12 unit classroom structure under one roof which once completed is a new primary school building.

The new classroom project is regarded a pilot project in the Western Province where PCDF funded health and clinic projects as well as school building have more often ended up doomed therefore failed. In the western province there are more failed project than successful ones.

In his brief remarks near the project site, Mr Ghiro told members of the Local Building Committee of Government plans for an increase of funds to be allocated under PCDF to cater for continued programs.

He said his Ministry is working on that proposal and Mr Ghiro promised them he will push it through Cabinet, seeing that PCDF is alive and well in the rural village like in Lengana of the classroom block drawing community support right from its start.

It was a maiden trip Mr Ghiro described as his first to the Western Province.

He urged people in the western Province to work and support each other.

Mr Ghiro was impressed of the classroom project in Simbo Island most especially the manner it has been properly managed reaching almost half way before completed. The Lengana project can be an example of a project though far removed in terms of geography people stood up many challenges like collection of everything before the actual construction began was done outside of the project site as Simbo islands. Almost volcanic forest and vegetation with little or nothing else in terms of materials Simbo Island is almost a neglected part of the Western Province in terms of direct Government assistant.

He praised the Simbo people for showing good examples to the rest of the country in the successful use of limited funds such as for the classroom structure at Legana. He said he has seen many failed Government funded project in recent times.

Mr Ghiro said that he was impressed the project will be completed but the same time urged them to support one another.

RSIPF open its doors to the public in two-day Open Day programme

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

IN a fulfilment of being “Polis Blo Iu” or “Your Police”, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is opening its doors at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara and throughout the provinces to the public in a two-day Open Day programme from September 27-28, 2018.

“We want to fulfil our commitment to be transparent and as a police force that belongs to our people by showcasing what our various departments and units do every day to ensure the lives of our citizens are safe guarded from crime and that we all live in a secure environment,” says Assistant Commissioner of Police, National Capital and Crime Prevention and Chairman of the Open Day Organising Committee, Superintendent Solomon Sisimia.

ACP Sisimia explains: “We believe that for the people to have confidence in the RSIPF, they must understand fully and are informed about what the various departments and units within the Force do every day.”

“At the same time the RSIPF would also like to get the public to understand that policing can only be successful if members of communities are willing to assist police officers in the prevention of crime,” Superintendent Sisimia adds.

He says, “My committee has finalised an exciting programme for the two days starting this Thursday morning (September 27, 2018) at the Rove Police Sport Grounds in West Honiara with the official opening at 8.30am when the Minister of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. Moses Garu is expected to officially open the program and then the show will begin.”

“There will be about 20 different stalls showcasing work of the various departments and units within the RSIPF as well as some of its stakeholders including members of SAFENET, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, the Leadership Code Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Correctional Services of Solomon Islands,”

ACP Sisimia adds: “In the provinces, the provincial police commanders are organizing their own programmes and my committee has been informed that this will include visits to the police stations as well as sports activities.”

“We would therefore like to invite members of the public and schools both in and around Honiara as well as the provincial capitals to make use of this opportunity to learn more about the work of Polis blo iu (Your Police) and to take the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have had all this time about the work of RSIPF and its stakeholders.”

“This is the first time that the RSIPF has been able to organize such an Open Day program since the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) left in June last year. We hope to make this an annual event,” says ACP Sisimia.

–POLICE MEDIA

CSSI holds major conference

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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CSSI holds major conference

THE Correctional Services of Solomon Islands (CSSI) has organised a high level meeting for its top officials this week in Honiara.

The meeting that draws in all CSSI’s Provincial Centre Commandants and Directors of all functional Units was officially opened yesterday by the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNS & CS) Mr Bernard Telei.

This is the 12th Senior Managers Conference and the theme for this year’s conference is “Transform and Implementing Plans into Actions in CSSI”.

CSSI Commissioner Mr Francis Haisoma in his opening remarks said, “The theme of this conference speaks well for itself, it’s not only transforming or reforming but transform in various aspects in our personal lives because it is important.

“If you are not transform in your personal life, you cannot transform the organisation.

“This is a challenge and call to be united and a time we provide our reform and transform our plans and implementation.”

Haisoma reiterated that the Senior Managers Conference is the highest forum in CSSI; and that it is during such meetings that leaders make reflections and think about issues, review them, set new goals, make plans, measure achievements in contrast to challenges that are being encountered in order to guide CSSI into achieving organisation goals that are aligned to the National Government’s Plans.

“So I appeal to all of us to fully participate in this conference, so that at the end of the week we will be able to achieve, what the intentions are.”

In his keynote address, Telei said, “the theme of this conference are relevant and important, not only a theme that you will focus on this week but one that you have to think about in your daily work as Senior Managers in the Correctional Service.

“This provides the platform for you to continue to review and advance with implementing plans that will transform CSSI as an organisation.

“CSSI has been transitioned from a Prison Service to a Correction Service and I commend you Commissioner and Senior Managers for undertaking this transitional change and for accepting the work challenges to implement the transition.

“It is now time to make changes to CSSI by transformation. The responsibility to transform the institution falls entirely on you Senior Managers who are here today.

“The Government through the Ministry will always stand to support CSSI in any plans for developing the institution. It is within the policy of the current Government to strengthen and support the operational functions of CSSI to ensure effective and efficient provision of Correctional Services.”

The conference will cover, the Commissioner report, Review of CSSI Acts & Regulation, CSSI Scheme of Service, Human Resource Establishment, Departmental Updates of Annual Work Plans, Gender Focus and Staff Association.

The Senior Managers Conference will be officially closed this Friday.

–CSSI PRESS

Marine and coastal – attractive environment for investment

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

MARINE and coastal areas are known as one of the attractive environmental zones which foreign aid and research invested in that benefit Solomon Islands.

The National Marine Ecosystem Service Valuation report of Solomon Islands highlighted that marine and coastal area have play crucial role in attracting international aid and researchers.

In return, according to the report compiled by Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management in the Pacific Countries (MACBIO), stated such funding avails potentials benefits to Solomon Islands.

It said investment in marine and coastal biodiversity includes many projects run through the fisheries and environment departments.

Data were not available to estimate the total economic value for Solomon Islands, however, in 2013, donor supported fisheries project alone totaled to SBD$1.3 million, report shows.

It also highlights such figure is a minimum estimate of the value of marine research and management in the Solomon Islands including minimum estimate of the value of marine research and management.

These funds benefit government mostly, although aid expenditure indirectly benefits local institutions, local communities and private sectors, it said.

Moreover, Marine research and protection projects also bring technical assistance and capacity development, and potentially increase value of ecosystem services through improved resource management and sustainability.

Other marine and coastal ecosystem services include cultural identity, handicrafts, bioremediation and aesthetic beauty.

These services have not been quantified by this study because of a lack of data and human and financial resources, but marine and coastal indeed provide benefits to Solomon Islands and rest of the world.

Meanwhile, organization behind the report’s compilation includes, Solomon Islands Government, MACBIO, SPREP, IUCN and GIZ.

Outdoor defecation can lead to infection for other people says Parasitology professor

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A professor from Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital’s (KMUH) Department of Parasitology says outdoor defecation and the use of it as fertilizer in agriculture must not be practised as it can become the source of parasitic infection for other people.

Professor Jiun-Jye Wang stressed this to the paper in a recent interview.

He expressed that there are a number of “don’ts” in other words, prevention measures to take when it comes to practicing good personal hygiene while at the same avoiding parasitic infections.

Wang to avoid catching infections, you must avoid the consumption of raw or undercooked food, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry hands properly before and after meal as well as after using the toilet, have on footwear when walking on soil or ground and do not defecate outdoors or use defecation for fertilizers in agriculture.

He emphasized that outdoor defecation is not a good practice or the use of it as fertilizer given its high probability of becoming the source of infection for other people.

Wang furthered that these measures are most important for children.

“If children establish the habit of good personal hygiene they will bear the concept as they grow older while at the same time help reduce the rate of infections”, he said.

Women and children more prone to effects of water supply and sanitation insufficiency in NE Guale

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

ONE way women from communities in Northeast Guadalcanal’s Tasimboko area can address the dire need of sufficient water supply and proper sanitation is by seeking assistance from the national government through our Member of Parliament.

This was voiced by Legalau village elder, Luke Pegoa Ngelea who says their community and surrounding communities under St Paul’s Pro Cathedral of Tasimboko are all facing the impact of these issues.

He said one way he thinks is possible to address these difficulties is to call for assistance from the government through their MP.

Additionally, Ngelea said that women in Tasimboko who are members of a number of savings clubs, as part of a recognized group should also seek help from aid donors.

He mentioned that women and children are the most affected in the communities in terms of not having sufficient safe clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities.

On the contrary, Ngelea expressed that men in Tasimboko are proud husbands and very supportive when it comes to assisting their wives and are happy to support them.

He explained that they help the women from toiling the soil to planting crops, carrying the produce along long distances to lending a hand when it comes to preparing stalls to set up their goods at the market to sell.

“Even the young children help their mothers prepare their produce for sale at the market”, he said.

40 years on and still in the wild

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Ontong Java island of Luaniua from above. Photo: Beni Knight.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Ontong Java island of Luaniua from above. Photo: Beni Knight.

LOW lying atolls like Ontong Java are faced with a grim future because of the impacts of climate change. Despite asking for help and assistance, the people there are still left to fend for themselves.

In 2011 a report titled ‘Vulnerability and assessment report for low lying atolls – Ontong Java’ was released with key findings and recommendations a key area for government and stakeholders to consider.

Seven years on, the people from Ontong Java are singing the same song, and still asking government for assistance in their everyday living to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The report pointed out that the impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture, Food Security, Land Degradation, Forestry, and Biodiversity are far ranging.

The impacts includes salt water intrusion in the garden land coupled with coastal inundation and erosion has highlighted big concerns for the people’s livelihood particularly on the food security and fuel wood.

Land degradation needs to be corrected while food security improvement depends very much on how agriculture, land degradation, forestry and biodiversity are improved.

“New sustainable and permanent farming systems need to be designed and developed to enhance the production of food and other livelihood needs in order to meet the demands of food security” the report stated.

The report stated that human Settlements will be affected by impacts of climate change especially due to sea level rise and coastal erosion. Pelau community for almost a decade has already moved further inland because of king tides and storm surges.

“A temporary village on an island was almost eroded away. The people had expressed concern and in the household survey 100percent of the respondents showed that they favour relocation if the Government offered alternative sites for people to move to.

“They have also expressed that all options for relocation, including external marriage with people on bigger islands, offering employment and study opportunities to encourage the young generation of islanders should be considered as self-attained adaptation options by the people themselves.”

The survey also gathered that the people from the low lying atolls, more so Ontong Java, wants the present or future governments, Non-government Organisations and all other stakeholders to demonstrate their concern about the climate change phenomenon and its possible impacts on man and the ecosystem by taking affirmative action to address it.

“Alternatives should be created which would serve as adaptation strategies for the citizens of Ontong Java and all others that are immediately affected by the impacts of climate change.

“It is imperative that the government institutes policies that will address all aspects of climate change, and effectively plan for and understand the short, medium and long-term response measures required to address all aspects cited in this report.

“What is urgently needed at present is the will to pursue a proactive approach to climate change and its impact on Ontong Java or those who are vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” the report stated.

It was found that some priority needs that has to be addressed include financial literacy programmes, climate awareness, education and training, capacity building for agriculture, sustainable environmental stewardship, resource management training and planning, and a phased out implementation of relocation options, plans and strategies.

Recently Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media had been to Ontong Java and revealed that the people there are still living on their own without much assistance from the government or stakeholders. Nor had the priority needs stated in the report had been addressed.

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