BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

MAJORITY of suggestions on Ngella’s famous Forum (NGF) have suggested for a proper review for proposals on the landscaping of the seafront at Tulaghi. And, that is rather than only for protection but also for leisure and tourism.

Central Islands Province (CIP) Provincial Government has opened up discussions on NGF for the next stage plan over the land fill shoreline protection wall that will be from Tulaghi’s Market culvert (Eastern end) to the Rest House culvert (Western End) purposely to add valuable thoughts over its next stage.

“What should be on the 5 meter landfill going out seaward? Central Province Tender Board processes have been completed and a Contractor has been identified for the Project, your thoughts,” questioned CIP’s Provincial Government.

According to NGF members, the project cannot just fill the site.

“Fill up the area for both protection and leisure that attracts visitation and tourism pulling factors. If that site is properly protected and scaped, it will uplift the province in attracting new innovative ideas to our local people,” raised suggestions.

Another suggestion raised by one of the senior members of NGF being considered is to see some sections of the beach preserved and extended outwards.

“I am sure it can be protected by the seawall on both sides but canoe owners and children have been using the beach and there must be some access so instead of the seawall covering the whole length of the beach, some sections must be allowed to stay as it is and extended outwards by 5 metres as well.”

Within discussions, a point also raised on NGF is stating that what supposed to be filled in the shoreline should be recommended by any EIA report.

“Wonder if any EIA has been carried out? Looking at the structural design itself, impact on further erosion will occur on the eastern end towards the market area.”

In response, Central Islands Province (CIP) Provincial Government has thanked everyone raising their points and options explaining that it is the Ministry of Environment that is looking after the project.

“All EIA and added value options will be considered on the next stage, it will be a 3 phase project so your landscaping and artificial sand beaches will be considered for the next phases. Thank you very much for your contributions and ideas being well appreciated,” responded CIP’s Provincial Government.

NGF members on the other hand have appreciated and welcomed the provincial government’s response and openness in working together with locals.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

CHIEFS of Malaita Outer Islands have strongly continued to upholds and enforce laws for islanders to comply with.

This is because the atoll does not have any police post or an officer.

Island Sun last has made a visit to MOI and was caught up with Chief Trevis Kilatu of Lord Howe in which he revealed that the atoll does not have any police post with an officer to carry out community policing hence the two house of chiefs form Pelau and Luangiua has took up the responsibility.

Chief Kilatu said because of this reason chiefs of MOI have stepped in to continue enforcing laws for Islanders to comply with.

Kalatu said if islanders found breaching these laws the House of chiefs from the two main islands Pelau and Luangiua will step in to address the matter.

“When law and order is breached the house of chiefs from both islands will intervene to deal with the matter and settle it,” he said.

Kilatu uttered that anyone who is found guilty of breaching these in placed community by-laws must do community work.

“His or her punishment is to clean the community road or clean any property owned by the community,” he said.

Meanwhile the practice of maintaining laws and orders in the communities by the house of chiefs in MOI has positively impacted in terms of having and living in a peaceful communities free from negative activities.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NGELLA’S famous Forum (NGF) remind its Constituents to be mindful of the fact that despite registering in a Constituency they are not qualified to register in, the objection period is yet coming up.

It has been reported by observations that Ngella Constituents are leaving their Constituency because of many reasons. One particular main highlighted reason is that the people are fed up of the types of leadership over the past years in their Constituency.

However according to NGF, they urge Ngella Constituents to remember that under the law, anyone can object to their registration for the Electoral Commission and if proved right, they will be disqualified to vote in the National General Election (NGE), 2019.

“Please members make our people to be aware of this rule,” urge NGF.

The Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal Hon Dr. Derek Sikua over reports of the cross border registration for voting currently occurring explained in an interview from his believe that it is a direct result of the amendment recently passed having broadening the definition of ‘ordinary residence’.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A strengthened and diversified agriculture sector is the best defence against impacts of climate change.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Augustine Maue Auga made the statement during the recent launch of Adaliua Integrated Pig and Agriculture Training Centre in Malaita.

He said the resilience of rural people to mitigate occurrences of external shocks such as climate chance extremes need to be supported.

“Our people have been growing crops and raised livestock for ages, based on traditional knowledge and the will to help each other are still alive in our communities and village.”

However, he said with changes in population demand and other issues such as need for access to arable land, transport difficulties, difficulties in access to both domestic and export markets, rural farmers are face with a more difficult situation than before.

Auga said with that a renew interest macros all sectors to re-invigorate agriculture for all the right reasons.

Importantly for its critical role in achieving sustained growth, trade development and poverty alleviation, he said.

The minister said in that it will continue to meet national food security needs and to help contribute to boosting the country’s GDP.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SALTWATER crocodile across the Pacific region is facing challenges with reproduction due hotter temperatures as a result of climate change.

IUCN Crocodile specialist from Australia Dr Matthew Brien, who was here for a workshop on crocodile management project last week, said climate change can have a huge impact on a lot of animals, species or ecological system.

He said risk is very sensitive with the temperature changes, and when it comes to crocodiles, it can have an effect on its nesting.

Brien said in Australia as a result of climate change now saltwater crocodiles can only be found in southern parts where it is cooler.

He said they may start to move down into further southern Australia if the temperature is high to several degrees Celsius; the nest temperature determines the sex babies—32 degree Celsius we get male.

He adds, in hotter temperatures two things will happen in determining the sex of the offspring ‘but there will be higher mortality of crocs because it’s too hot’.

“So effective climate change would affect the range of temperature and in the hotter areas it may cause more mortality on nests,” he said.

According to Solomon Islands’ Government priority, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology is working on a corporate plan 2018—2020.

The plan has setup priority areas that focus on biodiversity research and non-detrimental findings for species conservation and management including crocodiles.

In terms of climate change, SIG in the 49th annual meeting of Pacific Island Forum Leaders hosted by Nauru, SIG signed the Boe Declaration, reaffirming country’s commitment towards climate change.

SIG has reiterate that climate change remains single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and wellbeing of the pacific people which including Solomon Islands.

BY ELLISON VAHI

THE Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CAN DO) is focusing on implementing activities in addressing the humanitarian sector towards any future Natural Disaster occurrences.

This was confirmed during a workshop at the SSEC conference room, when the Natural Disaster management officials made available the workshop for all the church reps last week.

CAN DO is focussing on implementing the activities that fall within the four objectives: to Improved Church coordination in disaster response, Develop a Pacific theology of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) – this will be developed as a regional activity and the resources will be used by Churches throughout the Pacific, Train and mobilise Church volunteers in disaster risk management activities as well Building a Strategic Asset Management system for Church facilities for DRM.

CAN DO consortium was formed in 2016 in the interests of collaboration and coordination in the humanitarian sector and is in a focus to enhance community resilience to disaster and conflict.

The consortium consists of the following members: Act for Peace; The Adventist Development and Relief Agency Australia (ADRA); The Anglican Board of Mission (ABM); Anglican Overseas Aid (AOA); Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS); Transform Aid International (TAI); Uniting World (UW) and Caritas Australia (CA).

In addition to building emergency response capacity, the consortium also seeks to work with Partners to increase capacity in disaster risk reduction and management with countries in the Pacific such as PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.

Over the next four and half years CAN DO with churches in the Solomon Islands including the Roman Catholic/CARITAS, Anglican Church of Melanesia ( ACoM ), SDA/ ADRA, United Church of Solomon Islands(USI), South Sea Evangelism Church(SSEC) and Solomon Islands Christian Association(SICA) as the churches governing body in the country.