Home Blog Page 1282

Ulawa reminded over reflection of 140th Anniversary of Christianity

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) and the Diocesan Bishop of Hanuato’o, Makira Ulawa Province, the Right Reverend Alfred Karibongi along with senior church members of the island posing in front of Clement Marau and Walter Waaro’s statues with their family generation members.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

ULAWA people were reminded during the 140th Anniversary of Clement Marau that its reflection must help make the past present, alive and meaningful for today.

This is in order to shape the new communities wanted build for Ulawa in the future said the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM), the Right Reverend George Takeli.

ACOM’s Archbishop explained during the opening of last week’s three day celebration remembering Ulawa’s pioneer missionaries (Clement Marau and Walter Waaro) bringing Christianity to their island that the greatest gift Fr Clement Marau brought to Ulawa is the Christian faith that help establish God’s love, unity and peace within their communities.

The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) and the Diocesan Bishop of Hanuato’o, Makira Ulawa
Province, the Right Reverend Alfred Karibongi along with senior church members of the island posing in front of
Clement Marau and Walter Waaro’s statues with their family generation members.

He said through reflection, they must learn from how the early pioneer missionaries made contact and developed the Christian faith and mission work to establish the church to bring love, unity and peace in the island’s villages.

“And learning from their work, we can develop knowledge and insights with which carry out the same work to build the church and the communities of today,” said ACOM’s Archbishop.

Generation family member of Clement Marau and currently the Member of Parliament for Ulawa-Ugi Hon William Marau during the opening also added on the essence behind the very importance as to why they keep celebrating the event.

“It is very important that we need to reflect on our lives and get the message out of how Clement Marau and Walter Waaro’s were. This includes better understanding on what we need to do in our own lives too,” said Hon Marau.

“As we know, what Clement Marau did was not for his own good but for ours. That is a very important message we must always remember.

“This 140th Anniversary is not by only celebrating it every year as an occasion but it is important to get the message out of it too. This is why we have to celebrate it. Remember the fruit that was planted on the island.”

This year Honourable Marau saw the need and importance to put more effort in remembering Clement Marau and Walter Waaro for the blessing they brought on Ulawa Island which is why two statues were set up in their honour at Mwadoa Village.

He said the statues were to remind them of respect and honour.

More efforts included also were improving their remains such as the cross on the seaside stone where they spent for three years after being told by the heathens on Ulawa to not go further ashore from that boundary, including Clement Marau’s stone alter and retirement house as well.

“By maintaining their remains will give the future generations the opportunity to witness them as well,” said Hon Marau.

Being significant in the church history of Ulawa Island, the Chairman of the Organising committee for the 140th Anniversary Mr Duddley Marau expressed his humble gratitude towards everyones presence witnessing the three days program starting on Wednesday and concluding Friday.

Clement Marau was the youngest son of Chief Qoqoe from Merelav Island in the Vanuatu Group. He was at Norfolk Mission School from 1875 being a man of great faith in God, and whose life and work stood out as a leader and father to all Melanesian students at Norfolk.

Walter Waaro met Clement Marau at Norfolk Island School and was so affected by his life, character and leadership that he asked Fr Codrington to have Clement accompany him to do mission work on Ulawa Island in which Fr Codrington agreed.

They made their first visit to Ulawa in 1877 and established the first Christian School running it for three months before returning to Norfolk Island.

Marau returned to Ulawa in 1878 and continued with the Christian work. He faced challenges for three years because of heathen beliefs and customs. He was able to advance the Christian work on Ulawa from 1881, became Priest of Ulawa from 1903, and supervised the building of a chapel which still stands to this day.

Seen in the life of Clement Marau are faith, leadership and work that helped him bring love, joy, unity and peace to establish the church in communities around Ulawa Island.

Young people lose trust and confidence in RSIPF

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Community youth groups under the HCC-YSWD and HYC undergo leadership training supported by the Solomon
Islands Police Support Programme under the Niu Future programme.

YOUNG people within Honiara City have lost trust and confidence on the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force which have inspired the New Zealand government to step in and provide support through the Niu Future programme.

Currently, RSIPF and New Zealand Government through Solomon Islands Police Support Programme have initiated a Niu Future programme and have collaborated with HCC-Youth, Sports and Women Division and Honiara Youth Council.

Their partnership is aimed to bring back trust and confidence of young people in the RSIPF, and to operationalise the Crime Prevention Strategy of which young people is one of the big drivers of demand of the country.

Deputy Team Leader for the Solomon Islands Police Support Programme (SISP) Mr George Fa’alogo said the Niu Future programme was initiated with a focus to prove trust and confidence of young people.

And furthermore to use leadership potential of young people for social and economic development of Solomon Islands, particularly Honiara, he adds.

Fa’alogo said they are engaging with the HCC-YSWD and HYC because they already have more than 2000 registered members with 130 youth groups, and it would easy to regain trust and confidence of young people towards RSIPF.

He said such partnership is a good one because HCC-YSWD and HYC already have networks with the communities within Honiara.

“What we find out in the first workshop are young people having mistrust in the RSIPF, and so in order for us to regain that trust we have to engage with young people— so HCC-YSWD and HYC already have that network,” he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the current status of the Niu Future programme, Fa’alogo said they are now in phase three which is the Youth Leadership Retreat underway at the Ginger Beach and mentoring programme soon as phase-four.

He said outcome of the three phases was very satisfying especially to see young people carryout leadership role and begin to build confidence in the RSIPF.

We have a three phase programme, the first phase in consultation workshop from the 14 March 2018, and from that workshop we have 28 young people.

Fa’alogo said, “Issue came out from that workshop is young people want to achieve aspect around relationship, opportunities pathway either through employment or education and health and wellbeing.”

“The third phase of the programme is youth retreat and we have 17 young people who have been running workshop.

“They are here now as facilitators to help trained another 15 young people—15 are facilitators of last workshop and 15 new participants.

“It is very satisfying on the day-two of the youth leadership retreat to see young people gaining confidence and ability and see the way they mentoring other young people.”

Once the retreat finish, next phase in mentoring programme, he said.

Youths encouraged to be patriotic

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
The RSIPF Deputy Police Commissioner Mr Gabriel Manesuli.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

The RSIPF Deputy Police Commissioner Mr Gabriel Manesuli.

DEPUTY Police Commissioner for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force urges young people to take pride of Solomon Islands and stand tall for nation building for the next generation.

Mr Gabriel Manesuli challenged 30 community youth leaders attending the five-day youth leadership retreat to ‘make the country proud’.

He encouraged young people that they have potential and that they should utilise these potentials to build Solomon Islands.

“No one has more opportunity to shape tomorrow’s Solomon Islands than you.

“Therefore, you are in an advantage to influence the cause of events particularly in promoting peace, progress and prosperity in Solomon Islands.

“The challenge we have around the globe is leadership, and we need a leader who has the courage, character and collaboration.”

This week RSIPF, Solomon Islands Police Support Programme (SIPSP), HCC-Youth Division and Honiara Youth Council conducted leadership training with aim to equip young leaders for new future.

The training is focus on leadership including inspirational speakers telling their achievements and challenges encounter and issues faced in their journey to where they are today.

With the programme outline ahead, Head of Division for HCC’s Youth, Sports and Women Division Mr Roland GK Pauku said the series of session young people will undertake will shape them for future leaders.

He challenges the young people to take active part in the activities and discussion for the benefit of their communities in terms of creating a better and safer country for future generation.

Table discussion about leadership.
Banabus Ali from the Solomon Islands Deaf Association part of the group discussion about leadership.
Young leaders in group discussion.

 

Youth retreat day-2 hits ‘high note’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Young leaders in group discussion.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Young leaders in group discussion.

DAY-TWO of the youth leadership retreat at the Ginger Beach in West Guadalcanal has hit a high note with young people participating actively in sessions about the qualities of leadership.

ON Tuesday, 30 young people took part in group presentations, discussions and activities about leadership.

Feedback from Tuesday’s session is summarised as ‘young people understand and identify with qualities of leadership’.

They also discussed corruption and its impact towards development of the country which at some point lower their pathway to opportunities such as education and employment.

President for Honiara Youth Council Mr Harry James Olikwailafa, who is a facilitator in the second day of the retreat, said from his overall observation he believes the level of young people’s participation really meets the expected outcome for yesterday’s session and agendas.

He said level of young people’s participation have hit a high note because their learning is not from a set of manual or toolkit, rather, it comes out from young people.

He also adds Interaction and engagement are the basis of learning which leads to participation reaches high note resulted in facilitator and young people appreciative of at the end of the day.

Olikwailafa said one outstanding aspect seen from young people participate in the workshop is they have passion to make change.

“The potential seen in these young leaders, it’s about passion to make change, which is the potential I see in these groups of people,” HYC President Mr Olikwailafa said.

Youth Development Officer for Honiara City Council, Mrs Mary Tuhaika said young people have spent whole discussing leadership, and idea is, to inspire and trained them become leaders.

She also adds the whole day was aim at finding leadership potential young people have and find attributes for a true leader.

Feed from young people, Mrs Tuhaika said the exercises and activities young people gone through has given them ways and insights of what it is to be a leader, important aspect of being a leader and important attributes posses to be a leader.

Electorates dismayed over delay and lack of quorum into ACB proceedings

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

By Gary Hatigeva

WITH the passage of the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB) 2018 facing a slow and rough sailing process in Parliament, voters and a good number of anti-corruption advocates from various civil society organizations within the country are worried that it (bill) might get withdrawn again for the second time.

This came up after parliament was forced to adjourn all its sittings, including the scrutiny proceeding of the Bill, due to the lack of quorum due to a low attendance of MPs from both the opposition and government sides of the house.

But an advocator spoken to and wished not to be named said ur people are slowly losing patience and are now putting collective dismay and frustration over the delay of the passage of the ACB by parliament depriving the chance to make genuine service and development work for all of us.

She suggested that this piece of legislation have suffered serious setbacks especially in its crucial stage due to delays, unproductive interpellations, and the lack of quorum for the plenary deliberations to continue and members to perform their mandated duty of enacting the basic law.

“WaKe Up, DO YOUR JOB!”

She then suggested that time is running out for the ACB passage but a number of our honorable lawmakers are still ‘in a state of coma.’

Another advocator who also expressed views on unanimity grounds also stressed that the elected officials should realize that much is at stake in the ACB, “not only the future of the development, but the future of the whole country.

“So, to our to put it plain and clear, please wake up from your slumber, roll up your sleeves and pass the proposed law,” he added.

He then questioned what is there to legislate if the lawmakers don’t attend the committee proceedings and cannot even muster a quorum?

“For months now, empty black comfortable chairs dominate the parliament chamber, which is a sign that lawmakers do not see the urgency of this bill,” he further added.

Transmitted through various institutions and bodies, the original ACB draft in 2016 and 2017, both committees have already conducted separate public hearings into them, and advocators stressed that the government or the country cannot afford to take it back for anymore reviews as initial procedures involved, have already cost the country more than enough.

The group of Advocators however paid tribute to the thorough efforts of some members including some of their party groupings and leaders in trying to shepherd the ACB 2017 into fruition.

Their attempts however have been let down by either the lack of quorum or the political motives of some leaders within the current house.

Concerned advocators and a lot of unofficial but intending candidates have vowed to continuously push parliament to enact what they called a worthwhile and crucial piece of legislation, and asserted that any version of the ACB should be consistent with the spirit of a corrupt free society.

And, with a collaborative approach between the Solomon Islands government, its institutions, officials and the people who they suggested, to have suffered long enough in the face of corruption.

The group however reiterated that while they call for a compliant AC Bill, they also seek the faithfulness of all other stakeholders to put pressure on their respective leaders to ensure it is enacted for the country’s sake.

“We hope to see a passage of the ACB and one that adheres to the principles of the existing understandings and outcry of the people.

Parliament was only able to cover six clauses in yesterday’s sittings, bringing a total of sections covered, to 30 with a total of about 40 to go.

The house resumes today, and everyone is hoping to see that the highly anticipating and much talked about Bill is passed.

“Go-fund-me” Project created by the Mai-Maasina Green Belt Charitable Initiative

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, a project to preserve and protect the remainder of Malaita’s virgin rain forest has been launched in the Solomon Islands via Facebook and donations are being requested.

I quote the details outlying the project published, also, on Linkedin.

“More than 90 percent of Malaita’s virgin rainforests have either been logged or a planned to be. Malaita is an oceanic island of around 4 thousand square kilometres and is the most populated island in the Solomon Islands.

“We have received calls from many communities through-out Malaita who want to protect their natural resources for future generation. We have established the Mai-Maasina Green Belt charitable initiative to create a network of these ‘green’ areas on Malaita, so that tribes through geographically separate can stand together.

“We have around 10 communities ranging from inland mountains through to coastal mangroves who are making this call and we need support to visit these communities and ‘tok stori’.

“Our team of volunteers need logistical support to visit these areas, many isolated, to answer questions, carry out awareness and get them on-board the ‘green belt’.

Time is against us as surging tide of deforestation continues on and we need to reach these communities before the loggers arrive. Any amount you share will go a long way.”

If willing to support this deserving project please refer to Facebook. Source: Linkedin 21 July 2018.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Acting lands commissioner

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, I would like to response towards the statements made by John Lobo in the public media on Saturday, July 15, 2018 about the condemnation of Mr Allen McNeill a foreign Australian citizen for his appointment by the government for the administration post as the acting lands commissioner within the ministry of lands.

What he stated doesn’t hold much weight because he has failed to indicate in detail what huge negative impacts would the nation face on the land issue when the Australian foreign citizen become an acting lands commissioner during the current development of undersea cable funded by the Australian government and the argument that insisted for the local to take up the post of acting lands commissioner.

I think it is too early to make such a comment in public media when we still yet to see the differences and changes in work-outputs between the local and foreigner within the administration post of lands commissioner.

The people of this nation do not care who is holding the post but significantly want to see some positive changes happening within that responsible ministry of lands that address the current systemic corruptions that deprive the rights of local citizens towards urban land ownerships and economical activities happening in our urban towns in Honiara and the provincial centres.

Since the post of the lands commissioner was localised after the nation gained independence 40 years ago corruption emerged at an alarming rate deprive the nation interest on land development without proper establishment of land strategies and policies to address the corrupted issues happening within the ministry of lands.

And so as a consequence of poor management and administration engulf with corruption within the land ministry the 80 to 90 percent of prime land sites in urban Honiara city has been sold and owned by the foreigners under the leadership of the local lands commissioners.

This ill attitude if not careful will soon spread to other provincial urban centres in our country.

It means Solomon islanders will be rated as second grade citizens of this nation because we have no reserve urban lands and for our future educated children to engage in commercial activities.

They have to prepare to meet the huge cost of accommodations that are benefited by the foreigners.

Most of our children will be spectators and slaving to foreigners in business making in our own land.

Who are we going to blame?

The ministry of lands need a lot of improvement in its strategies and policies and if local lands commissioners cannot be competent to do so let’s try foreigners.

What’s wrong?

Jacob Ofasia

Talise market

Passenger fare rockets due to poor road condition in East Malaita

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
The current poor road condition in East Malaita. Photo by Willie Ekotani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PASSENGER fare for East Malaita has doubled due to poor road conditions.

A man from East Malaita, Mr Jerry Simigi said on Tuesday that this new fare-rate just came about couple of weeks ago.

Simigi said before this new fare was introduced, the normal fares were $50 from Auki to areas of Fousasa and Kwai’aba and $100 from Auki to Atori where the East Malaita road ends.

He said that for now fare from Auki to Fousasa and Kwai’aba areas is $150 and $200 for Auki to Atori.

Adding that for truck hiring, previously it was $2,000 from Auki to Atori; now it increased to $4,000 for the same distance.

Simigi said transport owners have defended the fare-hike by blaming the poor road conditions.

Simigi also stresses that the ones who bear the brunt of this are the passengers and travelling public.

“Because most passengers from East Malaita were farmers and they generated very little money upon their markets in Auki.

“So introducing the new fare rate was indeed brought inconvenience to them and on the other hand it also affected the regular passenger route to East Malaita,” Simigi said.

Simigi adds his voice to the growing calls by public in Auki and surrounding communities for the national ministry of infrastructure development to step in and address the poor road conditions.

Meanwhile, Simigi adds that their member of parliament has already sent 10 drums of fuel as a response to the problem, for constituency machines to begin work.

Temotu experiences major changes

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

TEMOTU province’s delivery of various projects through the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) which took off after the inception of the Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) in 2008 has brought the distantly located province an array of changes.

While the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) proceeds in serializing the PCDF projects all nine provinces delivered in 2008, details of Temotu province’s projects have been released.

According to the ministry’s report, projects delivered by the Temotu Provincial Government, come under sectors namely; administration, youth and sports, education, rural and urban transport, local economic development, health, waste management, women development and water supply.

In the administration sector, a total of 11 projects carried out and completed are; 3 Administration Staff Houses, 1 Premier’s Residence Renovation, 1 Provincial Secretary Residence Upgrade, 1 Treasury Office and Warehouse Upgrade, 1 Administration Office Building upgrade, 1 Treasury Office Renovation, 2 Duplex Staff Houses and 1 Treasury Office Fencing.

Additionally, the total cost of these projects in contrast to other sector projects although the most costly at SBD $2,426,789 created the highest number of jobs, having employed a total of 97 people.

Furthermore, besides some of the changes these projects have brought in for the province such as decent office for treasury officers and improved and decent accommodation for staff, it was expressed that the “1 Premier’s Residence Renovation” project is the first time in many years to have been carried out which now since it’s completion provides improved and secure accommodation for the Premier and his family.

Concerns over possible misuse of ID materials

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

By Gary Hatigeva

CLAUSE 26 within the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 that deals with authorised officers of the Anti- Corruption Commission has been put to question, over fears that the period given for relieved officers to return identification materials (cards) belonging to the commission, is too long and has the possibility to be tempered with.

In highlighting, this, members of parliament from both the opposition and independent groups are concerned that with the given timeframe for the return of the id materials, seems long enough for those who are ceased from being authorised officers, to misuse and misguide people with, for their personal benefits.

In questioning this, Leader of the Independent Group and MP for Northeast Guadalcanal, Derek Sikua stressed that the 21 days is too long because that officer can do a lot of damages within that period, “that’s three weeks”.

“I’m question the policy choice of why 21 days, when that officer could have just return it within 5 working days to return?” the Northeast Guadalcanal MP questioned.

Meanwhile, when responding to the issue raised, the Attorney General, James Apaniai explained that the 21 days highlighted is a pretty much the maximum period given under the clause, but pointed out that it does not stop relieved officer from returning the material the next day or within two or five days.

The Attorney General however warned that if those responsible do not return the identification materials as required by the clause within 21 days, then the matter with the person being subject, will become a criminal offense.

Also commenting on the matter, Member of Parliament for East Honiara, Douglas Ete in a follow up statement, posed questions and made connotations on the term ‘returned’ used in the clause.

The East Honiara MP said while he is happy with the 21-day period given as it is reasonable time by common law, the term ‘returning’ as far as timeframe is concerned especially, when certain officers are stationed in the provinces also needs clear explanations to.

The Attorney General further explained that what the East Honiara MP highlighted will involve the issues in the areas of law and that comes down to how it will be interpret, this is regarding the term returning of the card especially, in the case of someone who is in the provinces.

“If officers are within the reach of the Commission office, the card can be returned at any earlier period, which should then satisfy the requirement.

“But in the case of where an officer is in the province and it is a bit difficult to make it back into the Headquarter to hand over the ID personally, then in my view they can post it, which according to the rules of interpretation on how long this letter is deemed to have been received.

“And according to the rules, there will be indications of the recipient of the letter by the commission in the normal cause of post.

“In the normal cause of post is basically referring to next day, so if you are to be in the provinces and in regards of the normal cause of cost, just work out how long it would take?

“Maybe one or two weeks, and I believe that is one of the fact as to why there is the given 21 days.”

He added that with planes making regular routes to the provinces, the normal cause of post would obviously be reduced to almost a day or two.

He further added that in relation to posting of items back to the commission through mailing would also depend very much on the effectiveness of various postal outlets outside of the capital.

The clause has directed for the authorised officers to be issued with identification cards and also given powers including functions specified in the AC Bill (Act) and any other Acts to investigate, which puts perspective into why the concerns are being raised.

With the crucial function and powers placed on the authorised officers according to points raised, could become what has regularly been practiced by certain individuals, who could have been former officers within various institutes and agencies that go around using genuine or legal identification materials to lure favours, which includes financial but personal benefits.

As required under the clause, the termination of an authorised officer automatically requires for unauthorised officers to return ID materials that give usually give them the powers pointed out, within 21 days after the cessation.

1...1,2811,2821,283...1,675Page 1,282 of 1,675