POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has confirmed that Mono police station, in Shortlands Islands, Western province, is with a new police officer.
He revealed this yesterday during the weekly media conference.
Varley said the new police officer was sent to Mono on July 26 to replace the former officer.
He said on the same night upon his arrival other police officers including the new police officer were involved in community talks with elders and chiefs to reconcile on some sensitive matters the community is facing through the process of understanding what went wrong in the persons’ situations.
“With that the community relationship between Police and leaders in Mono is strong.
“Hence I want to thank the chiefs and leaders in Mono for patients and understanding whilst we resolve this problem.”
He said the new officer is there and is committed to his new task.
“I asked the community to support him and to work with us as we continue to keep that community safe.”
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) declared that in 2019, Solomon Islands will faces economic decline growth rate of about 1 percent to 1.5 percent.
Ms Alison Stuart, team leader of an IMF delegation which visited Solomon Islands to discuss the 2018 Article IV Consultation, said that in 2017 growth rate was estimated at 3.5 percent and projected to remain at 3.4 percent in 2018 as sustained by sturdy influence of infrastructure spending, fisheries, agriculture, logging and manufacturing.
She added that the 2019 growth rate is predicted to be moderate at 2.9 percent resulted from slowdown of logging. Inflation has picked up fairly to 2.4 percent in mid-2018.
In response to trade, government statistician Mr Douglas Kimi also said that Solomon Islands trade deficit has also skyrocketed this year as well.
Kimi said for this year, the deficit has increased by 544 percent, which is more than six times the US $6.5 million deficit that posted end of 2016.
He added that, Solomon Islands has recorded its highest trade deficit in a decade with a figure to final quarter of 2017 and skyrocketed by 178 percent.
This makes this year’s deficit to be highest since 2010, he said.
The shortfall was driven by drop in cocoa palm oil and other agriculture exports, which rose as much as 143.8 percent.
In the interim, the consumer price index for Honiara fall by 0.9 percent.
This results was influence by cheaper drinks, foods, tobacco and housing products which offset greater transport expenses, said kimi.
Stuart said that Solomon Islands have gain a significant aspect in restoring law and order, re-establishing public institution and improving human development indicators but still confronts large economic and governance challenges.
She added that, other sectors such as logging industries and mining has a weak management stem as well as lack of transparency in the constituency development fund that needs to strengthen public financial management.
Guadalcanal Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Paripao Ward, Hon
Andrew Rayboy
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
Guadalcanal Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Paripao Ward, Hon Andrew Rayboy
PARIPAO Ward at Northeast Guadalcanal celebrated their province’s 34th Second Appointed Day on Thursday.
Paripao’s Ward Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Hon Andrew Rayboy took the opportunity to remind everyone gathering that the celebration was also a time for looking back too in how far they have come in terms of development.
He also shared a piece of their Ward’s leadership history remembering all past MPAs for Paripao Ward being now into his present period of taking up the role.
“We should remember all our MPA’s efforts towards such developments as schools, water supplies and clinic assistances taking place in our Ward.
“This is the eighth Assembly now celebrating the 34th Second Appointed Day of Guadalcanal and I am proud that Paripao has taken top ranking of developments such as on top buildings. This is a reflection of good leadership,” said Hon Rayboy.
Hon Rayboy advises Paripao Ward citizens that in whatever plan they may have, just go for it.
“Development is in our hands,” said Hon Rayboy.
Guadalcanal Province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Mr Don Ricky also explained during the celebration at Paripao that since the establishment of the Guadalcanal Provincial Government (GPG), it has encountered slowly addressing many critical issues that have hindered its socioeconomic growth.
“Some of these issues include the lack of adequate social services delivery in health and education, deteriorating state of our public infrastructure and roads and ailing economy,” said Ricky.
“Because of this, GPG ensure better planning, more rigorous and transparent management of infrastructure development projects, and develop a much firmer and clearer plan for Guadalcanal’s future. This is also by creating a more transparent, accountable and effective implementation of policies and delivery of services which is vital to regaining public trust and confidence.”
Locals of Paripao Ward during the celebration commended their Ward MPA for their gathering in respect to their provincial government.
They also shared their pride and concerns towards developments for their Ward in which despite such, they say they are hoping that developments will continue to roll positively.
THE Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE), yesterday, presented its preliminary results on the evaluation it conducted into Australia’s aid assistance toward efforts to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.
A three-member team from the ODE within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra has been conducting an evaluation in the country over the past weeks.
Based on data collected from Temotu and Malaita provinces and Honiara, ODE preliminary results noted that despite a short timeframe, there has been progress in the area of prevention work, policies, services and awareness and strong government commitment.
Speaking at a session the ODE team holds to present its preliminary findings, Australia’s High Commissioner to the country, Mr Roderick Brazier, said GBV is a serious issue across the globe.
Commissioner Brazier said addressing GBV needs the support of everyone as its impacts are “far beyond the immediate impacts”.
He said this issue has “massive impact on the economy”.
Brazier encourages men to speak out against GBV and to educate their sons about the issue.
He said Australia has been a long supporter of the country’s fight against GBV.
Brazier said Australia will continue to help the country address this issue so that women and girls protected from this problem.
Representatives from government ministries, non-governmental organisations, churches, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force were among those who attended the session.
Their inputs during the session were also included to data the ODE team has already collected.
The final report of the evaluation, which compared progresses made over the past 10 years, will be completed in the coming months.
George Titiulu, Head of Environmental Health Division at the Honiara City Council.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
HONIARA City Council says the 2009 Litter Ordinance not only covers rubbish but also includes fouling in public places such as human waste or spitting betel-nut stain.
On Monday, HCC began its enforcement of the 2009 Litter Ordinance which will be piloted within a boundary from HCC roundabout to Town ground roundabout.
HCC’s Chief Inspector for Environment Health Division Mr George Titiulu said in the enforcement operation period within the boundary, there will be no betel-nut, apple, betel-nut and smoke selling.
He said everything will be over-the-counter which means good and services must be provided in the shops.
Titiulu said the enforcement operation will ensure public buses are carefully monitored to see that there should no one is littering from the bus and even any moving vehicle.
“If bus or moving vehicle caught throwing rubbish from the window, bus drive or truck owner are responsible or liable for arrest or charge,” he adds.
Titiulu explained the Litter Ordinance 2009 also ensures overgrown grass is cut to avoid breeding sites for mosquitos or other deadly pests.
He further explained the litter ordinance also mandates the seven metre by-law, and littering front, side and behind shops is shop owner’s responsibility or whoever occupier or tenant.
Moreover such ordinance also capture rubbish receptacle that every shop owners, offices, houses and businesses should have their own bins—those on the roads are for public usage, he said.
“The message to general public is, failure to comply to the notices, additional consequences will be add on, and this ordinance are very strong,” he said.
To do arresting and monitoring, Titiulu said powers are vested on HCC to implement through law enforcement and authority officers.
He HCC’s officers also has power to prosecute the offences and law enforcement officer can arrest without a warrant.
Any fees paid will goes directly to the Council, Titiulu said.
However, the litter ordinance is divided into two parts—minor and major.
Minor is from a butt of cigarettes and other forms of plastics with fine $1000, and Major is differentiate as rubbish more than a size of drum with fine of $10,000.
Empty tins, cans, plastics lying along main Gizo town.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
GIZO Town is in a mess with its street filled both sides with rubbish unchecked, and for months.
There is reportedly no attempt by Gizo Town Council to remove the rubbish, and members of public are continuing to add more to the piles every day.
A stock pile of rubbish at the main avenue which has caused a lot of wonder by one prominent resident,
A Mr John Tano tells Island Sun that concerned members of public in Gizo are overwhelmed with surprise and distaste over the Gizo council’s negligence of duty by not cleaning up the town.
He said Gizo is a symbol of tourism for Solomon Islands, and to have its authority behave as such is just purely unacceptable.
He said the council should not wait until international cruise visits are announced before waking up to clean up the town.
Tano believes that cleaning up Gizo town must be a daily task, one that is done out of obligation to the township and its people and the province.
“As a tourism destination we must never sit back but change. The face of the town must be clean at all times.
“This mean that waste disposal is carried on daily basis and that those who responsible for keeping Gizo town unclean must now start to change.”
He is calling tourism division, GTC, business houses, private sector, NGOs and public to start to think better and change from older ways rather than we cannot just wait for big events such as a visit of a Cruise Ship before everyone pour onto the main street and clear up the place the Township.
GUADALCANAL Provincial Government (GPG) attempts to reclaim Guadalcanal’s integrity as a leading province and make significant improvements in management and control of public finances.
Guadalcanal Province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Mr Don Ricky during Paripao Ward’s celebration yesterday at Northeast Guadalcanal to mark the province 34th ‘2nd Appointed Day’ said GPG hope’s to enhance social services delivery and public infrastructure while at the same time, create a vibrant economy with sustainable engagement of resources for purposes of building a reputable and resilient livelihood for all Guadalcanal people.
“The GPG model not only deals with development goals but it does instill the sound values or morals of governance in the system of provincial government development and service delivery,” said Ricky.
“Through its PCDF projects, GPG promotes local development, improves the coverage and quality of local infrastructure and services, better managed natural resources and environmental protection, and increases in local economy activity, employment and revenues. The intermediate outcome is improved provincial governance for development.”
Amongst many witnessed, Mr Ricky pointed out to locals that two primary outcomes were in Paripao Ward as an example being the Kolosulu RHC1 project which is at its finishing stage and the Numbu WRC project which is still at domain and will be completed soon.
Group photo of MPs with leaders behind the National Security Strategy.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Group photo of MPs with leaders behind the National Security Strategy.
THE National Security Division of the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services met on Tuesday at Parliament with the parliamentary committee on police and security.
The meeting basically focussed on briefing the parliamentary committee on the progress work in formulating and development the country’s national security strategy.
Attending the meeting on Tuesday, July 31, includes the Chairman of the Committee, Member of Parliament for West Kwaraae, Sam Iduri, MP and Committee members and Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal, Dr Derek Sikua.
The meeting also convened Matthew Wale MP for Aoke & Langalanga and Charles Sigoto MP for Ranoga/Simbo.
Director for National Security Division, Mr David Diosi, said the purpose and objective of the National Security Strategy that Division working on as mandated by Solomon Islands Cabinet, there has been consultations held so far.
He also adds now they are working on developing the National Security Strategy with report that has identified four key pillars underlying their work.
The report includes security protecting sovereignty, peace and people of Solomon Islands people, Diosi said.
Diosi said report also enclosed Government who ensuring the stability of the Government and Political System and Economy safeguarding the Nation’s Economic Prosperity and Resources while Society involves, protecting the National Citizens, communities and Culture.
National Security Director, Mr David Diosi said importance of political support from the Government is to move forward the National Security Strategic Framework.
This also includes the need for closer work cooperation amongst all Law Enforcement Agencies to effectively address security issues of priority concern, he adds.
The Consultant, National Security, Mr Bernard Bata’anisia, informed the house saying the Division held over 30 consultation, visits and meetings with various stakeholders throughout the country over the past year and this year.
He said this is purposely to seek their views and comments on the security challenges facing the country which helped in the development of the strategy.
The Secretary for Border Security and Management in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr John Wasi, also briefed the Committee on the developments at the border and on-going consultations undertaken to addressing the border situation.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Police and Security and his Committee Members were very appreciative with the meeting and the information provided about the National Security Strategy.
Group picture of the Two4One band members in their studio
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Group picture of the Two4One band members in their studio
HISTORY will be made for the country’s music industry as the Big Mountain Reggae group looks to sign a recording deal with the Two4One Band of Solomon Islands.
The Big Mountain reggae vibes from California, USA will be visiting Solomon Islands particularly Honiara for a stage show at the club Heritage Park Hotel on August 25.
The trip will be an opportunity for the Two4One band to do a gig collaboration with Joaquin Quino McWhinney, the lead vocalist of Big Mountain.
They will be recording two composed songs from the Two4One band, and the deal with be signed during Big Mountain’s visit to Honiara on August 25, 2018.
For a renowned reggae group in the world such as Big Mountain to do a recording with the Two4One in a local studio on Solomon soil is a remarkable milestone – history begins for local reggae bands.
Two4One band leader Mr Donald Bato said in an interview that Two4One will be having a recording deal with Joaquin Quino McWhinney of Big Mountain at McWhinney’s request.
He said they have been communicating and exchanging emails to sign the recording during his trip to Honiara this month, during which he will spend seven days.
“We are looking forward to our new recording projects as the Two4One receive request from an international reggae artist, Joaquin Quino McWhinney from Big Mountain,” Bato said.
“He wants to do a collaboration gig with us, and Quino knows and found the Two4One band through the Itunes and you tube, and we are looking forward for that new agreement.”
Bato said to play alongside an international renowned reggae artist is a huge achievement and breakthrough for the band to gain recognition in the global arena of reggae.
He said it is challenging but welcoming news for the band to record a label with Quino from the Big Mountain band.
Bato said is a world reggae popular band known to many Solomon Islanders and it’s an opportunity for us to tug with such a group.
“Recording a gig with Big Mountain will support the status of Two4One to come up as a local band in Solomon Islands and to expose to new level of music,” Bato said.
The club HP will host a stage show of Big Mountain on 25 August 2018 at the HP area.
Local stage band for the event includes, Jaro, Amy, Davu and Sol Jay.
The Big Mountain also visited Honiara in 2016 under HP, and now this was Big Mountain’s second time stage show here.
Guadalcanal Province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator
(PPDC) Mr Don Ricky. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS.
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
Guadalcanal Province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Mr Don Ricky. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS.
GUADALCANAL Province has a good combination of very hardworking leaders in which they have worked their talk said the province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Mr Don Ricky.
He said they have worked their talk in addressing most of the Guadalcanal Province policy objectives to make ends meet for their people.
“Their toil and effort is worth rewarding because it is through their consultation activity and negotiation ability with other stakeholders and the National Government that we experience some development programs in our community,” said Ricky during attending Paripao Ward’s celebration yesterday to mark their province 34th Second Appointed Day.
“To name a few developments, the development of our road infrastructure, the formation of the education ordinance, the first ever women policy that will safe guard the right of women in Guadalcanal and the effectiveness of the GPG leaders summit early this year is amongst many.
“Whilst the provincial government continues to deliver these services within its capacity, we are concise of the rationale and purpose of PGSP which primarily hinges on good governance and accountability.
“The provincial government acknowledges that there are areas of improvement and gaps in this venture and we are doing all we can to improve and go along.”
It is understood that a main celebration for Guadalcanal Province Wards together to mark their 2nd Appointed Day will be today at the National Museum.
