BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE report of a rape case involving a four year old female victim in Gizo on Monday this week has sparked fresh fears and anger among concerned members of public.

They are concerned that rape in all categories is increasing, and it is sad that this trend should include rape involving children victims.

A Mr John Tano from Gizo believes that the recent incident should be a wake-up call for responsible authorities, churches, chiefs, leaders and parents to the need to have the issue of rape discussed openly.

He says this would increase awareness and stem the increasing trend.

“Culturally, rape is a sensitive matter that we must take action against now.

“I would like to call on the responsible authorities to seriously address and punish those who involved in rape activities.

“We are so worried and I would like wish to express my heartfelt sympathy for a 4-year-old girl from Nusabaruku who has been victims of this problem.”

Tano also appeals to members of public to always cooperate with authorities more so police in their investigations and report any information needed.

On Monday this week, an alleged rape case involving a four-year-old female victim and a 15-year-old accused was reported in Nusabaruku, Gizo.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

ROYAL Australian Navy ships HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Toowoomba will be visiting Honiara today until Sunday as their coming will help the country’s police with opportunities for capacity building.

According to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Acting Commissioner Juanita Matanga in their weekly media conference yesterday, key areas they will be focusing on are the involvement in the maritime, PRT and other activities like medical course training, women and leadership workshop.

“I am sure they are also looking at media briefing, engagement of the Police Band with them, sports coaching and other trainings which is an opportunity where RSIPF is looking forward in because it will help them to continue on with their capacity development,” said RSIPF’s Acting Commissioner.

On this note, the RSIPF Acting Commissioner request’s for the residents of Honiara that it will be good for them to continue giving a good name to their visitors coming in particular for this event so that it will also present a good message for citizens.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

DEPUTY Provincial Secretary for the Malaita Provincial Assembly says slow- down on Malaita’s national projects lies on people – the owners.

Malaita’s Honiara residents celebrated their 35th 2nd Appointed Day this week in an open forum, religious and cultural performances which made the day more formal and fun at the same time.

During the formal part of the celebration the Deputy Provincial Secretary for Malaita Provincial Assembly Mr Robert Wales Feratelia address his observation why national projects to Malaita project slow down.

He said according to his observation blame is between people and that should not put on national and provincial government on slowing down national projects.

“We cannot lay the blame on the national government and provincial government for slow down on both national and provincial projects.

“The problem lies between and the element that lies between is the people—the purported owners.

“I see our development priorities must be put right.

“One of the key strategic areas in our quest for development in order to see progress and enhance socio-economic development on Malaita is our road network on Malaita.”

He said connectivity plays crucial role especially to the potential agriculture areas shield and secluded by thick rainforest and terrain into the hinterland of Malaita.

He explained this is a priority issue before Malaita could ever think of progressing with its prolonged national projects.

“Let us start afresh our projects with putting road networking first—the projects and road network should be done simultaneously.”

To make project work well on Malaita province, Feratelia appeals to leaders and people of Malaita to work together for common goals for years to come.

“I appeal to all of us to work together to achieve the most effective and efficient delivery of better services in Malaita in the next decade.

“If not did not place our priorities then we can shout from the distance until the cows come home, and we will never achieve our goals and objectives in the short, medium and long term.”

By Mike Puia

THE Malaita Ma’asina Forum has suggested to the government the need to create a Land Mobilisation Unit under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey (MLHS) to deal with land issues.

Newly-elected president of the Forum, Martin Housanau, made this suggestion during a press conference in Honiara on Wednesday.

Housanau said this Unit is to work with landowners in sites earmarked for development by doing custom recording, land survey and boundary mapping.

He said the normal system of acquiring land takes time but having a Unit to work with landowners in sites that are open for development is the quick approach.

Housanau mentioned the creation of this Unit while making reference to Prime Minister Rick Hou’s speech delivered in Malaita during the province’s second appointed day.

In his speech, Prime Minister Hou called on landowners not to dispute developments that are coming to their land.

He said the government and investors are ready but once there are disputes it will only frighten them off.

Housanau said the statement made by the Prime Minister is sad and unfortunate when it comes from the head of the country and a son of Malaita.

He said there is no land issue in the province except issues with the people as there is lack of people-to-people relationship.

Housanau said there is a need to mend and strengthen people-to-people relations.

He said they see the creation of this unit as a way to help avoid disputes over land.

Housanau said there are lands available in Malaita like Auluta, Waisisi and Liwe land and landowners are ready.

He challenges the government to come out clear as to why these lands have not been developed.

Housanau said the statement by the Prime Minister that land issues stopped development in the province is a slap on the face for Malaita landowners who are still waiting on the government to develop their land.

He said Auluta land for instance has 12,000 hectares waiting to be developed.

He said it appears political interference has prevented developments earmarked for these sites from taking off.

“The government need to work with the people and not to involve politics,” Housanau added.

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) is urging the national government to tax the $20 million terminal grant payout for members of Parliament which they will receive when Parliament dissolves on December 17, 2018.

Ministry of Finance and Treasury has confirmed to the Public Accounts Committee hearing this week that $20million will be put aside for terminal grants of the 50 MPs. Each MP will receive $400,000.

In a media statement, TSI says that it is deeply concerned on such payout because it will forego government’s revenue worth of millions according to PAYE calculation.

TSI says this is not fair whilst Solomon Islanders can hardly cope from pay week to pay week struggling to make ends meet daily of the deductions made to their pay, the biggest is the government tax or PAYE.

“People hope that the government will use the tax payers’ money to improve social services, such as schools, clinics, provide water supply and sanitation, enough medicine and medical supplies in the clinics as well as build economic infrastructures to bring about development in the country.

“While citizens are struggling to put food on the table, Members of Parliament allowances, salary, and entitlement is totally tax-free.

“TSI renews the call for PEC to honour its announcement to the press in 2016. It is time we revisit this issue.”

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the private sector window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) have moved to further boost support for the fishing industry in Solomon Islands with a new US$10 million loan to National Fisheries Developments, Ltd (NFD).

The investment, to enable the purchase of a large tuna fishing vessel, comes months after a similar financing deal for NFD, which supplies tuna to its sister company, SolTuna Limited, the only tuna processing facility in Solomon Islands.

“The loans are enabling us to buy two large fishing vessels, creating more jobs as well as increase our supply of tuna for the cannery, which in turn creates even more jobs in processing” said Frank Wickham, Managing Director of NFD.

“Each vessel will provide at least an additional 7000 tonnes of fish to the fleet’s annual catch.”

Overall the latest deal marks IFC’s third investment to support the tuna industry in Solomon Islands.

In 2013, IFC provided a US$10 million loan to SolTuna, the largest private sector employer in Western Province and one of the largest employers in Solomon Islands overall.

The loans to NFD have resulted in about 150 new jobs at SolTuna and about 50 jobs at NFD.

“We understand that Solomon Islands is heavily reliant on tuna for revenue, food security and exports,” said Nena Stoiljkovic, IFC’s Vice President for Asia and the Pacific.

“The tuna industry is also an important source of jobs, in a country with a high unemployment rate, so it’s vital to keep up support for fisheries to spur economic growth.”

The IFC Vice President for Asia and the Pacific was speaking after a visit today to NFD and its sister company SolTuna in Solomon Islands.

The tuna industry accounts for 18 percent of the country’s GDP.

In recent years, NFD’s tuna catch has accounted for around 25 percent of the commercially caught tuna in Solomon Islands.

Along with the new financing, IFC has also been working with NFD to advise on best practices in environmental and social standards, including improved working conditions.

IFC’s advisory services has also worked with SolTuna’s management on solutions for women, labor and occupational health and safety, helping the company significantly cut costs and reduce absenteeism from about 18 to 12 percent.

IFC’s support for NFD and SolTuna has been complemented by the support of the Australian and New Zealand Governments under the Pacific Partnership.

Australia, New Zealand and IFC are working together through the Partnership to stimulate private sector investment and reduce poverty in the Pacific.

–IFC PRESS