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No gain without pain

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A seasonal worker poses with the vehicle he bought from monies earned in the seasonal workers scheme.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

SOLOMON Islanders continue to benefit from the Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS) in Australia. Since its establishment in 2012, the number of farm workers from Solomon Islands has more than doubled from 42 in 2012 to 87 in 2017.

The most common goal of these workers is to have a house, a decent living and to be able to support their family. From a village close to Tambea, Joseph Cheka is a new dad. He left home in March this year (2018) to work under the SWS in Australia leaving behind his six month old child and new wife.

The daunting future of not having a roof over their head drove Joseph to leave his home to earn money for his family.

“I used to sell copra. I started the foundation of my house through selling copra. At that time, a bag of copra was SBD$4.00 per kilo. You can imagine how much hard work I have to go through in order to save money. I used to earn SBD$400.00 at the most per market”.

Drying coconut to make copra takes time. The method used for most rural Solomon Islanders is drying where the kernel or coconut meat is left in the sun to dry. It can take a week at the most to dry the coconut. Prior to that, they have to collect the coconut fruits, remove the husks and then remove the kernel to be left out to dry.   Depending on the amount of coconut dried, a villager can get SBD$400.00 to SBD$700.00 (AUD$70.00 to AUD$120.00) a fortnight.

Freda Sikwae with two of her four children.

By working in Australia, a villager can earn an estimated AUD$1000 per week (SBD$5650 a week) after deductions.

“So now I am back in the country, I will continue to work on my house. All I want is a permanent house with good sanitation facilities”, Cheka said.

Sharing the same sentiment is mother of four, Freda Sikwae. Her eldest son is already a teenager. Freda grew up at Kakabona and still lives there.

“I used to be a market vender. That’s all I do. But I feel that I have gained nothing out of it since I am only living for today. I want my children to have a future that includes having a good home and house to stay in. That was why I have to leave my children no matter the time frame”.

For Freda this is the first time she has left her family behind for a long time. She said it was hard at first but then she started to settle in and things got better.

Freda worked in Gin Gin a town in Queensland where she was responsible for classifying the fruits according to the different grades. She said her responsibility was enormous because one slight mistake can damage the company’s quality control.   She said she had to learn on the job, a task she found easy to do. She said in between the eight hours work, she also had 30 minutes break in two hour intervals over the day.

For Cheka, his job is picking citrus fruits on a farm in Mildura in Victoria in south-east Australia

“In comparison to copra, this is easy. The weather is conducive since it is way cooler then the stifling heat here in our country. So no matter what, I enjoyed my job and I am thankful for the opportunity”.

For them, communication is not a problem. Freda speaks to her children each day via the Facebook Messenger app and feels close to them despite the distance. She said it brightens her day when she talks to her children and it gives her hope to continue work each day.

Joseph Cheka

For Joseph, he only speaks to his family occasionally. Telecommunications are a problem where they live so he can only speak to his family once they go to the nearest town. Like Freda, his family also communicated with him using Messenger.

“We are lucky in Australia because they provide free Wi-Fi where we were lodged unlike my family, they have to buy data in order for them to talk to me. And this happens only when they come into town”, Cheka said.

Back in Solomon Islands, Cheka is happy just to be with his wife, baby and extended family.

Over the six-month stint, they are working on fulfilling their dream. Cheka said he will continue to build his house, while Freda is working on building another house for her family.

“We have a house already, but I want another one where I can put out for rent since housing is a problem in the country. Once complete, I can then put out for rent and my children’s future is secure”, Freda said.

Though at times they send money back home for urgent needs, there is still enough left that they have saved.

Coming from the same recruiting agency, they both say having the support of fellow peers is important while overseas.

It was their first time overseas and it definitely won’t be the last.

“I am now an expert in maneuvering through the airport and customs. Something which I was quite fearful of when I first stepped on Australian soil”, Cheka said.

For Freda she said she got through each day by being thankful that her children are safe and not being harmed or ill.

“The six months went by very fast when one is being kept busy. We have no time to go out socializing. We get up at 4am for an hour’s drive to our work place. By the time we get home, it will be night and we only want to rest”.

A seasonal worker poses with the vehicle he bought from monies earned in the seasonal workers scheme.

Sexual abuse in the SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR,

Greatly appreciate if you could allow me a space to publish my concern regarding sexual abuse in the Solomon Islands.

The increasing rate of sexual abuse has violated not only the Solomon Islands’ Law but also, the religious and cultural principles in our society

Sexual abuse is defined as, “engaging in sexual contact with a person who is below a specified age or who is incapable of giving consent because of age or mental or physical incapacity” (Fergusson et.al, 1996., p. 1365.)

Sexual violence includes rape that had been reported to be increasing in the country recently.

Rape is described as physically forced or any act of non-consensual sexual penetration against the will of a person. The attempt to do so is known as attempted rape. If rape involves more than one penetrator, then it is called gang rape.

Sexual abuse is a persistent and hidden problem in our society that produces long-term and devastating effects on its victims and their families.

Sexual abuse is against the law and should be reported to law enforcement or to child protection authorities.

Therefore, to end sexual violence, I appeal for a strong commitment and involvement of law enforcement or responsible authorities’, community and parents, along with a coordinated response across a range of social welfare organizations.

Georgina Laefiau

USP-Laucala Campus

Judicial system questioned

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Gary Hatigeva

A senior legal statesman who requested not to be named said the last minute ruling on the Temotu Vatud case is a bad reflection on the judiciary.

He said while it is encouraging to see the legal system still intact, the people of Temotu Vatud have the right to a properly elected representative in parliament. Unfortunately they will be without one until election time.

On Monday, the High Court of Solomon Islands ruled on a petition case against the now ousted Member of Parliament for the Vatud constituency, disqualifying her membership status to represent the Polynesian dominated constituency.

“It is a disgrace, what can you do when we have only two months left before the house is dissolved? And of course, you can’t hold a by-election in such a short time,” he questioned.

He added that in other parts of the world, cases in this nature are given a special court hearing, so that outcomes are known earlier, and if they resulted in MPs being disqualified, at least there would be more than enough time to hold fresh elections, with a legitimate leader elected.

He therefore urged that election petitions be dealt with seriously to avoid people denied years of illegitimate representations.

He further added that if such cases are given the right timeframe to be dealt with, at least whoever that would be elected in a by-election, has more time to deal with the matters and affairs of the affected constituencies.

“We cannot hold people at ransom by denying their right to have a lawfully elected representative in parliament, which it is so in this case for the people of Temotu Vatud constituency,” the legal personal stressed.

He then suggested that an election petition should have a special court to speedily deal with cases in this nature so to allow for necessary processes to take place, and that would include an early by-election if required.

With the election period just around the corner, the people of Temotu Vatud constituency will obviously be without a representative for the next five months, as there is only less than two months left before the current house is dissolved.

Despite all these, there is hope in the new Electoral Act, which according to Electoral Officials, who in an earlier meeting with the local press, revealed that the Electoral Act 2018 now provides for the Court to decide on any election petition within 12 months from the date the petition was filed.

The new act however maintains that a petition case may be filed within 30 days after results of a national election.

Understandably based on Section 74 of the Constitution, the Governor General is expected to set an election date after the December dissolution of the 10th Parliament House.

This would also mean that the Temotu Vatud constituents will likely wait for the national general election period, before they can elect their new parliament representative.

Taiwan marks 107th double tenth National Day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Taipei’s 101 building.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

TODAY October 10 2018, marks 107th Double Tenth National Day of Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan.

The island, home to 23m people is captivating with its bustling modern cities, lively night markets, parks, efficient transport infrastructure and not forgetting its 509m tall bamboo skyscraper, Taipei 101 or in Mandarin, Yi ling yi.

Taiwan is also known for its great food, teas, beaches, hot spring resorts and mountainous terrain.

Among these, the country is undeniably known for its reputation of having the friendliest people and societies one can come across or meet.

To commemorate this special day, in Taiwan an official celebration includes the raising of the Republic of China flag in front of the Presidential Building along with a public singing of the national anthem.

This is followed by celebrations in front of the Presidential Building often comprising of a military parade.

Festive activities also take place depicting Taiwanese culture such as the popular lion dance that is rhythmically showcased in the streets or other areas by dancers dressed in bright coloured customs who sway to the beat of drums.

In Honiara, celebrations to commemorate the event took place last night.

Councilor’s case of false pretense adjourned

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A Councilor is currently being accused of false pretense.

The case of the Councilor was mentioned in Court yesterday with the prosecution saying that Pre-trial Trial Conference (PTC) documents have been prepared and the defence yet to look through the documents.

From yesterday the PTC into the case of John Wale Urifo has been adjourned to October 16.

Police Prosecutor Iete Tebakota told the court that the case is in carriage by one of his colleague prosecutor at the Police Prosecution Service.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea then adjourned the case to next week to allow the defence lawyer look through the documents and ordered that PTC documents be filed on October 15.

Police said the allegation was in relation to an offence of false pretence that occurred in 2016 and 2017.

At that time of the incident Urifo is the Chairman of the Lands Standing Committee of the HCC.

Police said that the alleged incident occurred at the HCC office where the accused obtained money through false pretence. A sum of $89,000 was from the complainant.

Police Prosecution Service is prosecuting the case in court.

Call for WW2 relics to be preserved and not shipped away

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
The plane in the pic was moved from within the island to the cleared spot awaiting shipment. Picture supplied by a member of the Shortlands Forum group.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

PEOPLE of Shortland Islands are once again calling for the preservation and development of heritage and war relic sites on Balalae Island and within Shortland islands in the Western Province.

A concerned Mr Paul from Shortland Islands spoke to Island Sun Gizo yesterday, saying that preservation of relic sites are very important to develop tourism industry in the province.

“This is not first time WW two relics have been destroyed in the Shortland Islands. Personally, I regret it”.

Paul said the Government, landowners and the community should be aware of the value of heritage. Landowners must take responsibility and help people increase their knowledge about heritage value.

“We should have rules to protect our heritage, designed more clearly by the State, for each level, agency and individual in the system engaged in protecting relic sites. In other words, the government and landowners system needs to be more effective”.

The plane in the pic was moved from within the island to the cleared spot awaiting shipment. Picture supplied by a member of the Shortlands Forum group.

He said that people in the Shortland Islands should be ready to co-operate with Ministry of Tourism and Culture to meet their demands in terms of tourism industry.

“Landowners should take more care about protecting and preserving relic sites. Tourism responsible should encourage people to get involved in preservation and development of tourism”.

Meanwhile, a Gizo based Shortland islander have raised concerns over removal of World War two plane wrecks on the island airport of Balalae.

He said this is absurd and land owners have little right to remove such properties owned by the state.

Currently the World War two planes are sitting on the coast of Balalae awaiting shipment.

He added that it is the only tourist attraction for them there thus this action should not be tolerated.

He said the people of Shortland Islands are furious and also demand answers from authorities and people responsible.

Only one supplier raking in share of RCDF

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

WHEN the Government introduced the ‘Preferred Supplier’ policy in 2016, no one ever thought one supplier would be raking in the lion share of the controversial Constituency Development Fund (CDF) grants controlled by Members of Parliament.

A special investigation by Island Sun found that one Chinese company, JQY Enterprises Ltd has picked up handsomely from government funding.

Figures obtained by Island Sun show the company, which sells vehicles, vehicle parts, Lucas mill and other hardware, clocked up more than $233 million between 2012 and September this year.

In 2012 for example, payments to JQY Enterprises Ltd were slightly more than just $1.6 million. The following year, however, payments to the company skyrocketed to more than $10. 4 million.

From then on, the increased payments simply continued skyward. The table below shows what was paid to JQY Enterprises Ltd each year from 2012 to September this year:

It is unclear whether these expenditures were incurred by all Members of Parliament.

JQY told Island Sun yesterday it sells vehicles, vehicle parts, and automobile oil products. A woman spoken to could not say whether Members of Parliament bought vehicles from the company as the boss was away overseas.

Meanwhile it has been revealed that much of the payments to a certain Constituency have gone into a private bank account of a Member of Parliament for the Malaita electorate.

“Only $8.9 million had gone into the Constituency Bank Account between 2012 and 2018,” according to one source.

The source said it could not be explained where the money allocated to the Constituency had gone for each of the seven years.

“There is one probable explanation. Records show payments in the millions had gone into the MP’s private bank account,” the source said.

These payments included about $303, 000 paid by Taiwan through the Office of the Prime Minister only last week.

“This money is intended for the Constituency but it somehow ended up in the MP’s private bank account,” the source said.

Figures released by the social media last week show that in 2012, each Constituency received $5.2 million. The following year CDF grants to each Constituency were $6 million – the same amount allocated in 2014.

In 2015, CDF grants increased to $6.6 million and in the following year, the grants were increased by $400, 000 to $7 million per Constituency, according to the figures published by the social media.

There was a slight decrease of $500, 000 in 2017. This year’s budget showed $350 million were allocated to fund CDF grants in all 50 Constituencies. This means that each Constituency will have received $7 million by the time Parliament winds up on 17th December this year.

PM Hou congratulates Taiwan on 107th National Day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

PRIME Minister Rick Hou has congratulated the Government and people of the Republic of China/Taiwan on the celebrations of their 107th National Day.

In his talk last night, PM Hou says this year also marks the 35th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between ROC/Taiwan and the Solomon Islands, which is a significant milestone that deserves the joint retrospection and celebration.

He said on this occasion, Solomon Islands is a proud partner in ROC/Taiwan’s quest to make more meaningful contributions to the international community.

“We are bound by our shared moral values and commitment to the principles of democracy, human rights, security and freedom. Solomon Islands will continue to advocate and support for ROC/Taiwan to expand its international space and contribute to the world community by speaking out for Taiwan’s interests on the international stage. Over the past years Solomon Islands has continued to support Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations and its affiliated specialized agencies, such as the World Health Organisation, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and International Civil Aviation Organisation”, PM Hou said.

He said he is very optimistic about the positive direction, which Solomon Islands – ROC/Taiwan bilateral relations is heading as this is shown in the increasing number of high–level visits made by government representatives of both the Solomon Islands and ROC/Taiwan in each other’s respective capitals.

“In May of this year I made a state visit to ROC/Taiwan, during which time I had very fruitful and in-depth discussions with my counterpart Madam President Wen on various bilateral engagements. These visits made between both our countries representatives is a reflection of the value placed on our relationship”.

Solomon Islands has had diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) since 1983 and both maintain resident diplomatic missions in their respective capitals.

At the recent UN General Assembly, Hou took the chance to reaffirm Solomon Islands support for Taiwan.

Court grants bail pending investigation in traffic offence

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A woman alleged to breach traffic laws that resulted in the death of a 15 year-old girl had been granted bail with strict conditions.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea granted the bail application made by the defence lawyer George Gray on behalf of the accused yesterday.

The prosecution made no objection to the application but submitted that the accused must be bailed on strict condition.

Magistrate Iomea after hearing the submission made by the prosecution, granted bail for the accused with condition that the accused must pay a cash bail of $3000. Apart from the cash bail she must not to leave Guadalcanal province and must report to Kukum police station every Mondays and Fridays. Court appearances are compulsory and that she must not to interfere with prosecution witnesses indirectly or directly.

Magistrate Iomea further orders that police investigators complete all investigations before the next appearance date.

Her case is then adjourned to October 23 for mention.

Accused faces three charges in traffic offence

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

VESLYN Ririana, the accused in the death of a 15 year old girl in a traffic accident last month is facing three charges in relation to the traffic offence.

The allegation said Ririana on the night of September 15 was driving a motor vehicle along the Mendana Avenue in a westerly direction when the accident occurred.

Police said the motor vehicle was allegedly approaching the HCC roundabout at a high speed when it went off the road and allegedly struck the deceased who was walking in an easterly direction on the road near the Solomon Water office.

Police attended to the fatal accident and assisted the victim to the National Referral Hospital. She was later pronounced dead by medical authorities.

The suspect was transported to the Central Police Station and formally arrested for causing death by reckless and dangerous driving under the Traffic Act.

Ririana also was given a Random Breath Test (RBT) and shows that her alcohol blood reading was 0.184% well above the legal rate of 0.050%.

The accused was also arrested for driving an unlicensed motor vehicle which expired on 30 June 2018 and driving without a driver’s license.

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