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SINU bans selling and chewing of betel-nut on campuses

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SOLOMON Islands National University (SINU) has now banned chewing and selling of betel-nut on campus, according to its senior management committee.

The Senior Management Committee of SINU announces, “University wished to inform students, staffs and public that sale and consumption of betel-nut is banned on SINU campuses with immediate effect.

“Chewing of betel-nut is not permitted in SINU buildings, classrooms, corridors or grounds except in few secluded areas around the campuses.”

Implementation of this will be guided by SINU security officers and any violation may attract stern warning or fine on the spot – fine amount still to be confirmed.

At the moment, notice and awareness have already been conducted in social and print media.

A SINU media statement reiterates that the institution builds its values and principles on excellence and quality to providing excellent and high quality teaching, learning, skills training, and research.

SINU also encourages and promotes creative ideas and solutions to existing and new challenges and committed to providing relevant teaching, learning, skills, training and research that meets diverse community needs at present and in the future.

Furthermore, SINU is inclusive regardless of physical, political, gender, ethnic, religious or other differences, values mutual respect that encourages a sense of community.

Additionally to creates and empowers future leaders and uses resources with respect for the environment and human well-being.

Maelanga hits out at critics over quorum issue

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga.

By Gary Hatigeva

LEADER of the Official Opposition and Member of Parliament for East Malaita, Manasseh Maelanga has hit out at critics and claims over the issue leading to lack of quorums in Parliament that were directed at his group, as the main culprits.

Early this year, parliament experienced shortage in numbers at certain points of meetings, even into deliberations of crucial bills, where they were dragged for weeks, and this included the National Budget.

Some even faced deferral and adjournments, which were said to have affected the projections in the timeframes that have been scheduled for the introduction of bills including their passage.

The situation were said to have worsened in the second set of sittings since it resumed over two weeks ago, and this has got members of the public questioning the integrity of members, whom many thought, are avoiding their major mandatory responsibility, and that is, to attend parliament meetings.

In its resumption for the final segments in all proceedings of the Whistleblowers Protection Bill (Act), Parliament through the Committee of the Whole House, was again forced to delay the start of its afternoon session, which the government feared, could have caused further delays to the line up of their proposed legislations.

The Whistleblowers Protection Act was passed according to anticipation for the house to get over and done with yesterday, and have the Strata Titles Bill laid for its Second Reading, with the start of debates, but could not happen because parliament was adjourned straight after the passing of the Whistleblowers Protection Legislation.

The anticipation was to have the bill go through the Committee Stage today and tomorrow, so it is completed and can be put for its third reading, before Friday.

After a waiting period, Parliament resumed only to receive frustrations of members from the government bench, who blamed the opposition and independent groups for deliberately missing out on sittings.

Speaking out on this, Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal and Minister for Mines and Energy, Bradley Tovosia suggested and claimed that those from the opposing side of the House were have intentionally been sitting outside and notably chose to stall the resumption of parliament meetings.

He questioned whether the issue of quorum is applied to just members from the government side, saying that, it seems according to what’s been revealed that the regulation is targeting those from the government benches.

“The way things are going now is, they are targeting us from this side (government), but this is what’s actually happening. Most of those from the other side of the house are sitting outside, and when you tell them of the issue of quorum, they would say you people are the government,” the government Minister expressed.

He then questioned whether the obligation to be in parliament belongs to the government alone or all 50 members of Parliament.

He however stressed that the onus of making sure parliament is given the will to seat over all agenda laid before it without any interference or issue of having to be deferred or adjourned.

But in his respond to the claims, the Opposition Leader came out furious about the claims saying quorum is a standing order of parliament that is applied to all MPs, and there was no need to point fingers at each other over it.

He said attending parliament supposed to be part of each leader’s commitment and it is an individual choice and should not be blamed on a whole group, as even some of those from the government side are not showing that commitment.

Also sharing similar sentiments, Leader of the Independent Group and MP for Northeast Guadalcanal, Dr Derick Sikua stressed that the question of quorum is usually raised from the opposition and independent side of the house.

He added that the conventional practice is, when parliament deals with government bills, it is the government side that should ensure they maintain their numbers in the chambers.

He further added that all members have the same responsibility but more so, if the government want to pass bills and knowing they have the number, it must make sure it maintains its numbers.

The Independent MP however pointed out that because of the expression showed in the lack of commitments from the government especially its members, which has sadly reflected on their side of the house.

The public has however reminded members that they have no reasons to miss parliament as that is their number one mandate given to them when elected and they should all ensure during sitting schedules, their attendance is paramount.

A lot have added that whatever programmes MPs have, should allow for officials within ministries or constituency offices to take care off so they stay committed and focussed on these important meetings especially, when dealing with proposed or amendments in legislations.

Whistleblowers protection bill passed

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Solomon Islands National Parliament

By Gary Hatigeva

THE much anticipated Whistleblowers Protection Bill 2016 has been passed with so much anticipation for it to support in the implementation of the Anti-Corruption Act that was passed last week, and play a big part in the activities involved to help fight corruption in Solomon Islands.

Like the Anti-Corruption Act, the Whistleblowers Protection Act was thoroughly debated with a number of reservation in the contributions to various clauses, which some members fear have gaps to possibly return, somewhere down the line, to sting.

But the government through the guidance of the Prime Minister and his Deputy, including the Attorney General, have mostly assured both members and the people of this country that the new Act will play out fine, just the way it was designed to.

However, in its proceedings, the Committee of the Whole House received views and opinions that saw important amendments to two clauses of the Bill.

They include clause three and five, with the removal of sentences and words, and the inclusion of new lines, which according to the House, were for the sake of relevancy and suitable to a fast changing society especially, in the Solomon Islands context.

Following the thorough scrutiny, the bill, with only 10 clauses, made it through the committee stage and was later put to its third reading, which was then passed.

The Committee of the Whole House was later dissolved and parliament was resumed where matters of correction on what were regarded as, typo (typing errors), were formally approved for their addition at an appropriate time, but must be done before the Act is brought before the Governor General for his declaration.

Parliament was due to accept the second reading of the Strata Titles Bill 2017 afterwards, but following the thorough deliberations into the now Whistleblowers Act, the house was adjourned to this morning, where the proposed legislation will likely be put up for its second reading with debates to commence.

The Whistleblowers Protection Act is expected to accommodate and fulfil certain aspects of the Anti-Corruption Act, especially in the case of protecting whistleblowers and the process of reporting cases supposedly involve corruption.

It is understandably going to also involve other aspects of the integrity system, which includes the Office of the Ombudsman, the Leadership Code Commission and of course the Anti-Corruption Commission that is now a priority body for the government to establish.

Littering ordinance effective tomorrow

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Drainage at the Kukum market packed with plastic waste and betel-nut husk believed to provide a harmful environment to the surrounding communities.

By Ezekiel Talatau

IT’S come to a point where the responsible authority and the nation need to actively enforce the littering ordinance for the benefits of our people and the future of our country under the theme: “environment cleanliness”.

Chief Health inspector, Mr George Titiulu reported to Island Sun yesterday that the littering ordinance will be enforced tomorrow.

The Honiara City Council (HCC) had collaborated with the Friends Of The City and Youth@work for the last 2 weeks doing awareness about the littering ordinance.

Friends Of The City leader Mr Judah Suimae said they are willing to help in many ways for the country.

He added that they are looking to expand their works to Auki and the Western province if HCC has any funds to support them.

This week is the last week of awareness and as of tomorrow people will have to be wary of this new law.

Titiulu said they will also collaborate with the Chinese association to let them know about the littering ordinance.

He also added that within the seven meter boundaries (minor littering ordinance), each shop should be responsible to look after their premises, if not, the HCC will remove their licence.

HCC will also work together with other water company such as Blue Water, V-Fresh and Yami to address littering of bottles plastics, he added.

Public urged to stop littering in Kukum market area

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Ezekiel Talatau

IT’S been a week since the media publicised the increase of plastic at the Kukum drainage. Yet no action has been done since.

A concerned citizen yesterday uploaded a photo showing plastics increasing at the Kukum sites, and calls on responsible authority to address this issue.

Tutuila last week told Island Sun that HCC had carried out a campaign and attempted several times to clean up the Kukum drainage but have failed.

Meanwhile, members of public through social media suggest that the betel nut markets at Kukum need to be relocated.

Tutiulu said that HCC is working hard to find a suitable place to have the betel nut market relocated to.

He added that Kukum market is a temporary site HCC had allocated for betel nut market.

Dust targets ear, nose and throat – NRH warns

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dr Yi-Chu Lin performed the pure tone audiometry (PTA) and discussed the report in the ENT Nurse in Charge Mrs Mary Loduha

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Dr Yi-Chu Lin performed the pure tone audiometry (PTA) and discussed the report in the ENT Nurse in Charge Mrs Mary Loduha

DUST experienced in Honiara city is reportedly posing a serious threat on an individual’s ears, nose and throat.

The National Referral Hospital through its ENT Department said the dust causes infection to the ear, nose and throat.

The ear, nose and throat (ENT) department say they are currently dealing with a number of cases relating to this.

ENT Nurse in Charge Mrs Mary Loduha said the dust Honiara city is facing contributes to disease affecting the ear, nose and throat – most vulnerable ones are children.

“ENT is the entry of air into the body, and anything that is foreign outside example we live in dusty roads, people breathe them and will experience cough or cough from lung.

“When we cough a lot body respond and produce mucus, and those mucus if it blocked the nose and not blown out properly then it will closed the tube which connect with nose and ear.

“This tube can cause problem if people have congesting nose and coughing, etc.”

She said if this tube is blocked it can cause pressure imbalance and also infection in nose and throat; and if migrate to the tube it can cause swelling and pain which is dangerous.

Loduha advises public to stay from dust, use mask and do not be exposed to dust when traveling on the road.

She also adds the dust is highly risky for babies and young ones as it has been observed that many mothers expose their babies to the dust.

“Use mask or other protective tools to prevent babies from dust,” she said.

Throughout this month, Dr Yi-Chu Lin- Division of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan has supported to operate few patients of ENT.

She provided medical services in ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) clinic of National Referral Hospital twice weekly.

Dr Lin has helped to do several ENT biopsies and minor surgery such as incision and drainage in the ENT clinic.

Besides, she managed some consultations from surgical and paediatric departments for head and neck cancer, thyroid tumour, and congenital disorders.

Lin was dispatched by Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan government and Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, to join the Taiwan Health Centre in Solomon Islands.

She delivered volunteer services in National Referral Hospital from July 1-31.

Taskforce set up against CRB

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
An image recently taken by this paper on a scapanist beetle destroying coconuts in Maoa area in West Kwaio. The villagers misinterpret it to be rhinoceros beetle but later were proved wrong.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

BIOSECURITY division under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has established a taskforce to carry out its management plan to curb the spread of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) to other provinces in the country.

The taskforce is called the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) taskforce which spearheads plans to contain the pest.

Duddley Wate, Coordinator of the CRB taskforce, said managing the spread of the pest is complex and large and involves the integration of pest management techniques such as sanitation, movement, control, identification and establishment of biocontrol agents.

Wate explained that the established plan will be carried out by several organisations including government and private sector.

“This work goes beyond the job description of any existing government post and requires an individual with energy, initiative, drive and organisational leadership qualities, but not necessarily technical pest control expertise.”

Wate said the organisations will have one coordinator each and he/she (coordinator) would drive the recommended activities to ensure if each organisation is fully committed and delivers the required activities

“In particular the coordinator should link up with the private sector to ensure they are as fully involved as they say they want to be. Much of the success of the programme is dependent on removing breeding sites from the plantations.”

School reforestation programme in Malaita province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Malaita Provincial Forestry Office has reported that they will soon roll with the school reforestation programme for secondary schools in the province.

The programme is a continuation from last year and has been in action in the province since its inception in 2016.

In charge officer at the Reforestation unit under Auki Forestry Office, Mr Rony Aiwewe said so far they have visited eight schools and are preparing to visit more schools this year.

He said programme involves awareness on the importance of reforestation to students and planting tree activity.

Aiwewe explained that the idea behind the programme is to teach the young generation on the importance of forests especially its management.

“So we see it essential for younger generation to know the importance of the forest for future use,” Aiwewe said.

He said during the programme they will demonstrate to students how to plant trees – a vital component of reforestation.

Aiwewe said they have introduced three trees species under the programme; teak, mahogany and eucalyptus spp trees, and they help students to do planting around the school boundaries.

He said the eight secondary schools they have so far visited with the programme are within Central and West Kwara’ae.

Solomon Islands electoral commission is ready for the 2019 national general election  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission is ready for the 2019 National General Election – thanks to leading donors like Australia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU).

SIEC Chief Executive Officer, Mose Saitala, acknowledged the joint contributions by the donors whose representatives yesterday attended the launch of a new initiative to increase voter awareness.

The UNDP has entered into an agreement with Solrice to distribute some 110,000 Register-to-Vote leaflets throughout the nation, using SOLRICE commercial networks.

Australia was represented by its High Commissioner, Roderick Brazier at the launch, while the UNDP’s Olga Maria Rabade provided formal welcome and introduction of the project.

EU’s Charge’ d’Affaires, Elena Mendez-Adalid and Naomi who represents People with Disabilities of Solomon Islands, also attended the launch at the SOLRICE head office at Ranadi.

Mr Saitala said told a news conference yesterday the Electoral Commission is grateful for the support, which helped the Commission complete the registration phase in the preparation for next year’s election.

“We have completed the formal training of voter registration managers as of last Friday,” he said.

Mr Saitala said the Electoral Commission has increased the number of teams that would do the voter registration, being rolled out from 20th August.

“We will have 125 teams – an increase of 33 teams from the number we had in 2014 when there were only 92 teams,” Mr Saitala said.

Asked whether the bottom line of the Register to Vote awareness initiative was to increase voter turn-out, Mr Saitala said while the turn-out in 2014 was good, “we certainly would like to better that.”

Eighty-nine percent of registered voters cast their votes in 2014.

Mr Saitala also announced that special booths would be provided in the 2019 election so that people with disabilities would have easy access to cast their votes.

Ms Naomi who represents the Association of People with Disabilities of Solomon Islands told the news conference she’s happy that the Electoral Commission has taken their concern onboard.

“We are happy that we will be participating in the election,” she said.

Australian High Commissioner Roderick Brazier acknowledged that there was “still a long way to go” in terms of preparation for next year’s poll.

He added Australia is pleased to be able to provide the financial support for the initiative.

Australia, he said, would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure a good election outcome for the people of Solomon Islands.

UNDP’s Olga Maria Rabade also acknowledged the support provided by Solrice in allowing leaflets on Register-to-Vote to be distributed throughout Solomon Islands using Solrice’s network.

EU’s Charge’ d’Affaires, Elena Mendez-Adalid said the EU is pleased to be part of an initiative, which “tackles a fundamental issue” in more and more people to being made aware of the need to take part in the election.

A much appreciated response to helping the Solomons Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, following the quick intervention of the Prime Minister on becoming aware of the medical drug shortages affecting the National Referral Hospital and many clinics, the High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand, together with the World Health Organization (WHO) equally speedily provided much needed life savings drugs by air last Saturday.

I express my appreciation to the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and to the WHO for the help rendered to the Solomon Islands.

I believe the same partnership approach is being taken by Australia, New Zealand and the WHO in possibly providing technical expertise to review MHMS stock levels and to advise on drug management systems so the MHMS might avoid drug shortages in the future.

Thanks, too, for this important technical assistance.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

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