Home Blog Page 1322

Solomon Islands seasonal workers to NZ praised

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islanders under the Recognised Seasonal Employers programme to New Zealand have been praised by a NZ grower Mr Van Vleit for their hard work.

Radio New Zealand reports that New Zealand fruit grower, John Van Vleit was full of praise for his Solomon Islands workers for the hard work made.

The statement said the workers filled 14,000 bins and pack 250,000 cartons of apples and pears for export this season with regards to their hard work which was crucial to the success of the growers business.

“This shows that the industry could no longer survive without the Pacific labourers who are brought in each season to NZ under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme,” the RNZI said.

Vleit adds there is no day off for Solomons which means they worked every day whereas the New Zealanders they have got about three or four a day at time they turn up whenever they feel like.

He said he will soon increase his RSE workforce from 55 to 65 and every single who have finishing this season and ready to come over for holiday with their families are welcomed to go back.

Tony Analau who is the longest serving RSE worker at the JR’s Orchard and the foreman of the Solomon Islands men at the orchard said “When I go home, I work on building my house with the thinking that eventually I will be able to rent it out. So am still building. I have finished building one house but I want to build another one.

Hundred (100) seasonal workers had been employed during picking time and half of them are Solomon Islanders.

The statement adds there are a lot more men than women in the Solomon Islands working at the JR’s Orchard.

Mr Van Vleit is known as JR to his workers,he grows and exports apples and pears to Europe and Asia from a 135 hectare property near Greytown in North Wellington.

Pilot village to start at as model standard eye opener

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A pilot village is to be decided in starting at as an eye-opener to improve healthy standard model villages in Ngella, Central Islands Province (CIP), going in line with tourism activities there.

This is according to CIP’s Provincial Government that is planning to set up public rest houses amongst communities in the province.

CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni reminded that this is no easy task as they want landowners to partner with the province because unless partnering with them before they will be able to help landowners to develop their land being the current procedure.

“It is a huge task as we will start with a pilot village approach in which we are yet to agree on which village to start with to be the model one for rest of villages to see and follow,” said the Premier.

Hon Vasuni assured that the Provincial Government is ready for the development.

CIP’s Provincial Secretary (PS), Christian Siale, also contributing to the premier explained broadly that the initiative is a woman driven program being yet to be implemented in the province.

He said they are working on this now to help women through the framework of the National Council of Woman (NCW) and the Provincial Council of Woman (PCW) recently being established.

PS Siale said the province finds that without the NCW and PCW framework, the program will not roll out.

“So the province has established this as funding will come through that framework from the main line ministries and NGO’s,” said the PS.

He said each village must have a public guest house, amenities and proper sanitised rubbish areas which are the bottom line where community tourism goes in being its parts and puzzles, as well as a healthy part of living for Central Islanders.”

It is understood that this initiative is a frontal approach capturing woman, youth and children.

Malaita youth concern for national general election

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

YOUTHS in Malaita province have raised their concerns towards the upcoming national general election which they say is a crucial one for the nation.

According to Rex Wane, a concerned youth representative, the upcoming national general election is crucial and is very important for this nation and the future of the people.

“There will be lots of people competing in the national general election but we need quality leaders and educated people that have the concern for its people within our constituencies.

“We need qualified people to represent us in the national parliament to address our issues and making proper policies and Laws for the whole our nation Solomon Islands.

“Currently we the young people and the future leaders of this nation we are experiencing hazards and difficulties with unemployment which causes lots of unlawful activities happened in our societies today.

“Our call and our heartfelt need for the upcoming national general election is all intend candidates must provide their curriculum vitae (CV) and qualifications.

“Even though our country is a democratic country where everybody have their own rights we heartedly focuses on our future.

“Our concern is that when someone is representing us in the parliament he will bring our ideas and concerns in the parliament not for his or her interest.

“We call on all youths in malaita province or other malaitan youths living in some other provinces in the country to have the same concern that we have for the upcoming national general election.

“This election is your future and our future, our country is heading towards a disaster future where it will affect us your brothers and sisters if we cast our votes imprecisely.”

Consideration to growing vegetables hydroponically

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Growing-vegetables

DEAR EDITOR, some months ago I wrote to your newspaper that the residents at Langa Langa Lagoon, given the difficulty they faced in growing and cultivating food crops in the absence of soil on their artificial islands of stone and coral, might consider growing vegetables hydroponically.

I don’t know if my suggestion was ever taken up and it would be interesting to know whether hydroponics is practiced at Langa Langa or anywhere in the Solomons.

I wrote in my piece at the time that I had seen the wide scale practice of vegetable and fruit production being successfully grown hydroponically on the volcanic island of Ascension in the midst of the South Atlantic.

I also mentioned at least one Honiara resident having demonstrated to me how he had grown some very tasty tomatoes in a bag of sawdust and with limited amounts of a rich nutrient solution mixed with water.

Kiribati is a close neighbour suffering the drastic encroachment of sea water induced by climate change and the loss of land to grow food crops.

To overcome this problem, according to Radio New Zealand, a Kiribati man has come up with an ambitious target to get every family in Kiribati growing plants and vegetables hydroponically.

Eritai Kateibwi launched his business with 500 hydroponic units using a UN start-up grant he won last year.

He said in just one month, he has installed 20 units for more than 10 families and has helped train them up.

“That’s our vision, we want to install at least two units per family and it will go really fast if we get the word out there right now.”

Eritai Kateibwi said he first learned about hydroponics when studying in the United States.

Hydroponic units are readily made at home from simple materials such as wooden boxes, plastic trays, pipes and even sacks are used. Units can be constructed in racks and take up very little space.

I would like to suggest that the idea of getting a UN grant to set up a commercial hydroponic farm be considered by an individual or community group in the Solomon Islands, especially in areas of the country where it has become difficult to grow vegetables normally due to the onset of climate changes and sea water intrusion.

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

Allegations of abuse in Kiluufi mental unit

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

DEAR EDITOR, the concern psychiatric male staff at the national psychiatric unit has dismiss the false allegations levelled against them.

The allegations levelled against National Psychiatric male staff in the Island sun paper is false and not true.

We have heard that there has been many recent false allegations reported by a Senior female midwife Nurse manager from Kiluufi hospital that her falsity of her foregoing statement’s is confirmed by many of her work mates at Kiluufi hospital wards before demanding NPU management to investigate the matter allowing 2 weeks but while the matter is in process for investigation she decided to go over to Honiara and made different approach outside the correct boundary’s and proper line of communication which she shouldn’t posted any statements while investigation still in process instead it end up in the social Media.

Her posted statement’s about Psychiatric MALE staff in the island sun paper via Malaita Provincial Premiere are false and defamatory, and have caused significant harm to us and more specifically damages the National psychiatric Unit’s profession status.

If the allegations are relatively simple that the patient made an inappropriate approach and comments likely do not need an external investigation, often the hospital management can conduct whatever limited inquiry’s maybe needed and the allegations can be resolved through the Admin managements normal disciplinary channels.

Her bad administration and unproven investigation done by her without providing actual source from management shows what a unprofessional administrator she is but who only depend on second hand information provided by mental ill patient to base her conclusion prior to spreading news and rumours of such unproven statement in the Media.

The right way is for her to come to the NPU management team to interview and properly investigate the matter first to prove that with NPU management team before she may seek further expatriate investigation if she did not satisfy with the feedback provided by the management.

The false allegations levelled against us and our beloved National Psychiatric unit could result in legal suite against her and those associate for damages and defamatory of characters of concern male staff nurses and the National Psychiatric Units Nursing profession.

She should understand that dealing with social media, situation can be confusing and emotional for the public.

Feelings of anger or fear can provoke hasty decisions that harm ultimate objectives. In fact kneejerk reactions to a social media crisis can make problems much worse and create new problems that didn’t exist before.

We have repeatedly reading the statement posted in Island sun paper clearly indicate someone who posted the statement like to cover up with no name to see against the allegation and why not she complete the assignment to prove it.

On 16/06/2018 chiefs were call by 2 party’s to see the statement levelled against us in the media at Police station. Hence, we contacted her about the issue statement in island sun paper but she denied those content statements that she was not aware of the false and misleading information and are not applicable to anyone, this is what she mentioned. She pronounce to us she collected lots of other information from the same mental ill patient but denied who should blame for those allegations.

The spreading and leakage of information are confirmed by her type of social network and those of relevant third parties to yield further information that corroborate the timeline of information she burst out to Kiluufi staff and the public.

For her statement of rape/ physical abusive to any of psychiatric sick female patients by male staff as stated by island sun paper is not only false but factually impossible.

Therefore we would like to state that we are not that kind of person as levelled in the island sun paper.

 

George Aopuru,

National Psychiatric unit

Kiluufi hospital

After ban on national security grounds, Huawei blames Australia

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

CHINESE telecom Huawei has hit back at assertion by the Australian government that the company poses a national security risk, labelling it as “ill-informed” after being superseded by Australia in an infrastructure project in the Solomon Islands.

The letter written by three Huawei Australia board members, described comments surrounding the potential security risks of employing the company in infrastructure projects as “ill-informed and not based on facts”.

The letter comes after the Australian government undercut Huawei’s bid to build the Solomon Island’s underwater internet infrastructure, citing national security concerns.

Last week, Australia won the contract build the Solomon Island’s 4,000 km underwater internet network, underbid Huawei’s winning bid by 50 percent.

Huawei was awarded the contract last year, but security concerns from both Australia and the Solomon Islands led the island nation to renege on the deal.

The letter is also likely to precede a bid by Huawei to be part of the roll-out of the 5G mobile network in Australia, reported AFR.

Huawei has been marred in security concerns for years.

In March 2018, Taiwan banned the use of Huawei, as well as all Chinese phones throughout their entire military.

In February 2018, the heads of the FBI, CIA and NSA said that U.S. citizens should not use products made by Huawei, citing cyber-security risks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

In March 2012, Huawei was banned from bidding to build Australia’s new internet network on the basis of national security concerns.

–TAIWAN NEWS

PM Hou only interested in effective telecommunication

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
MP for Small Malaita Hon. Rick Hou is being nominated to run for PM onbehalf of the DCC Group

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

MOVE by Australia to build an undersea high-speed internet cable to Solomon Islands threatening to officially shut out China’s Huawei Technologies Co does not concern Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela.

PM Hou said he only wants good quality, efficient and effective telecommunication for Solomon Islands

Concerns are growing on Beijing’s influence in the Pacific.

During his press conference on Monday, when asked of what are some of the security issues Australia has discussed with Solomon Islands over their switch off to China from the undersea cable during the PM’s recent visit to Australia and New Zealand to reaffirm the countries longstanding relationships and discuss areas of interest, PM Hou said he actually did not ask that question, as he did not know whether it was necessary for him to ask so he did not ask on what their concerns were.

“But as far as I am concerned, what I only want is good quality, efficient and effective telecommunication for Solomon Islands.

“Over this proposal, most of you would know that we’ve had not only this Huawei deal but another one before that.”

The PM said with those two projects, Solomon Islands was going to pay everything meaning every single penny for it which is more than 200 Million dollars.

“These dealings involved to loan in which the country would be paying for the next hundred years,” said the PM.

He explained that the beauty of the undersea cable deal now is Australia will pay 2/3, while Solomon Islands is 1/3.

“Unlike first proposal that it would only be for international, this includes domestic as well and it is an international tender work requiring highly technical works,” said the PM.

“There are many areas of benefit as well such as through education, medical, finance and banking and less travel costs.”

“The opportunities and advantages the project will bring far outweigh the cost. In terms of the cost by looking at it, it is much more cost effective in us paying less in the project compared to the first deals in which we would have paid more.”

“When asked on what Solomon Islands will gain from this undersea cable? Well of course to those who are already familiar with telecommunications, its efficiency and the long term costs and so coming down. Telecommunication is a very big item on the balance of our companies and other household levels.”

It was sighted on social media that Australian officials pressured Solomon Islands to drop the Chinese Company from the project as Western countries have become increasingly worried that its technology could be used by the Chinese government.

“A Huawei spokesman declined to comment but the company has long said it operates independently of Beijing.

“The announcement came after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met South Pacific leaders in London, including the prime minister of Solomon Islands,” posted on Fighting against China’s Creeping Authoritarianism.

PM Hou elaborated that they were able to visit the site at Sydney where the cable will be plugged in from in which while being there, they witnessed the signing of the Landing Party Agreement being signed by the Chairman of the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company along with the Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands on behalf of DFAT.

“The signing will now enable the cable to land in Sydney at the point site visited,” said the PM.

He said the next stage hopefully early next month is the signing of the Tripartite Agreement between Australia, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“As you know, the cable will be starting from Sydney, running through to the Coral Sea before being divided to the other two countries.

“If everything goes as planned, the undersea cable should be witnessed complete as of the end of 2019,” said Hon Hou.

It is said that various discussions are underway as well with Australia over technical assistance in terms of managing the income, repairs and costs and other areas concerning the undersea cable as Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company is involved in technical discussions.

Malaita women and MPs dialogue

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

TWENTY women from Malaita province will have a one-day dialogue with 14 members of Parliament based on women and gender concerns and Interest

It will be held on Wednesday 20th June at the Paul Tovua Complex in Honiara

The purpose of the dialogue is to highlight issues facing Malaita women with regards to women’s empowerment and development policy and to provide recommendation on key provincial women’s priorities that affect their development and peace.

Women in Malaita have become great leaders in seeking support to address problems in community development – they have played an essential role in transforming their communities.

Moderators of the dialogue will be Dr Cendrick Alependava, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) and Allan Daonga Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD).

And it will be facilitated by the United Nations Women in collaboration with the MWYCFA and the MRD through the UN peace building Fund (UNPBF) project.

Practice parliament boosts women’s confidence as general election nears

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

FIFTY enthusiastic women across the eight provinces mostly met as strangers but now leave the capital more enthused and empowered to participate as candidates in any general election following the fourth Practice Parliament for Women.

The exercise was primarily targeted at women who were considering standing for the national elections or local elections, women community leaders who wished to develop their leadership, advocacy and policy skills as well as women who have committed to supporting gender equality.

“My participation this week has been quite significant and a lifetime achievement,” said Leader of the Independent MPs for the 2018 Practice Parliament for Women, Senoveva Mauli.

“The discussions during the training, and the level of substance brought out during the Parliamentary debate has been enriching. I am now seriously considering standing for the 2019 national elections after my experience this week.”

The Head of Vois Blo Mere Solomon, Josephine Teakeni, a partner for the Practice Parliament this week was impressed with the calibre of the participants.

“The 50 women participants were so committed throughout the week, and I am just overwhelmed with their preparation and performance at the Practice Parliament session today. I feel that women with the calibre showcased at the Practice Parliament today can and will get voted into Parliament,” said Teakeni.

The five-day event was carried out in two phases with the training and awareness raising carried out in the first four days, and the final day where participants use their newly acquired skills as they play the role of national members of their Parliament.

The Speaker of the National Parliament of the Solomon Islands, Mr Ajilon Nasiu, acknowledged the enthusiasm of the participants and highlighted the importance of gender equality.

“Your participation further cements the commitment of the current government ensuring both Parliament and oversight institutions of this country recognize the importance of gender equality in all sectors of the country,” said Nasiu.

“I want to specifically thank the Solomon Islands Government for support towards this workshop. The current SIDCCG Government is a staunch supporter of gender to address problems & challenges relating to gender & human rights in this country and the pacific region.”

Adding her sentiments, the UNDP Solomon Islands Country Manager, Azusa Kubota, echoed the need for more women to participate in the democratic process and highlighted the innate ability of women to think more about the collective as a mark of quality leadership.

“In 15 of the Pacific countries where the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works, there are only 42 women MPs out of 559 MPs altogether. This represents 7.5 percent representation. When women represent 50% of the society, this does not sound right.

“Women are often care takers in the family and communities. Women always put others interests before theirs. Women always think about collective good rather than individual gain.

“Women therefore naturally have the quality to serve the people and represent the people in the Parliament.”

In selecting the participants, special efforts were made to target women leaders from outside of Honiara municipality/province, as well as targeting special groups.

The Practice Parliament for Women in the Solomon Islands was made possible through the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji funding through two Pacific regional projects under the Effective Governance programme, namely the Strengthening Legislatures in the Pacific Island Countries Project (SLIP) Project funded by the Government of Japan, and the Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative (PPEI), funded by the Government of New Zealand.

National partners for the event were the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs, the National Council of Women, Vois Blo Mere, Women’s Rights Action Movement, UNWomen and the Young Women’s Parliamentary Group.

The Practice Parliament for Women was held from June 11 – 15.

–UNDP PRESS

MPA Ulemiki congratulates his people

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NEWLY elected Member of Provincial Government (MPA) for Ward 12 at Varisi Lavata Northwest Choiseul Nerio Ulemiki thanks his people for their trust in him.

He explains knowing the road ahead is not easy and the tasks ahead are not simple but it depends entirely on them working together to accomplish their development goals.

“As a newly elected MPA of Varisi Lavata, Ward 12, I wish to thank my good people especially my supporters for their trust and confidence in me to put me back to power as their political leader after four years of rest from politics,” said Ulemiki.

The MPA for Ward 12 wishes to convey his words of thanks to his only rival candidate the former and outgoing MPA for Ward 12 Mr Gideon Panisaga, for his rule to their people during the last four years.

“I look forward to working together positively with him in this coming term,” said Ulemiki.

It is understood that there are already discussions over the forming of the new provincial government for Choiseul province.

Amongst the newly elected MPAs for the province is also former premier, Clement P Kengava.

Nerio Ulemiki formerly was the Media Coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru, Northwest Choiseul, contributing in highlighting a lot of programmes and issues of the province.

He used to hold the seat he has returned to.

1...1,3211,3221,323...1,665Page 1,322 of 1,665