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Gov’t role in addressing LMOs issue a challenge

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Director Joe Horokou addressing participants of the workshop.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Mr Saminela Fonua (far left), Mr Joe Horokou (fourth from right) and stakeholders at the BCH workshop.

THE issue of addressing living modified organisms (LMOs) is a challenge for Pacific Island countries especially when many people don’t know what LMO is and consume food or products that contain it.

The above statement was expressed by Mr Samiuela Fonua, the Pacific region’s only expert on Biosafety working with UN Environment on the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) project funded by Global Environment Facility.

He voiced that the LMOs issue is a challenge for Pacific Island states given the simple reason that it isn’t something that people tend to worry much about.

However, he said that it lies within us to find solution to how we can better address the issue of LMOs in the country and referred to the workshop as a platform the government can embark on to further deal with LMOs.

Mr Fonua stressed that through this workshop, the Solomon Islands national government can through responsible stakeholders accommodate programs such as trainings, education and public awareness which are all part of the country’s obligation under the Cartagena Protocol.

Director Joe Horokou addressing participants of the workshop.

He said that once these initiatives roll out, people will be more informed about LMOs and be able to make choices and decisions.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure parties involve exercise safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs).

Solomon Islands ratified and signed the agreement in July 2004.

The workshop facilitated by Mr Fonua included presentations, questionnaire and an activity where participants were quizzed on aspects of BCH in respect to the Cartagena Protocol.

The two day workshop will conclude today (31st Thursday).

Tribute to late Mr Collin Kokwasi  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, “Taken so soon and unexpected, but we believe that Collin is with the Lord in His kingdom.”

Born in June 1974 and called to rest of May 27, 2018.

The Holy Cross Cathedral was packed on May 28, 2018 by so many people who came to pay their tribute to Mr Collin.

The funeral Mass was officiated by Fr Peter Houhou, Administrator of the Holy Cross Cathedral.

The comforted words during the homily by Fr Peter befitting the life of this servant. Concelebrated were the priests from Friars of Preacher OP, Marist (SM) and Salesian (SDB).

The school body was well presented as the students with their school colors, orange and blue, flooded the Cathedral AT Holy Cross.

It was a very solemn celebration as everyone was in communion with the immediate family, relatives and his tribe.

The Mass celebration was MC by Mr Aloysius.

Some members of the government Honorable Mr John Maneniaru and wife and other dignitaries, representative of GP, Catholic Education schools and RTCs, colleagues of Mrs Helen Kokwasu, members of the Marist Past Pupils -MOSA, former students of Mr Collin and especially those of the educative community of St Joseph Catholic Secondary School.

The liturgy was animated with love and reverence by the students and staff of St. Joseph.

The laying of wreaths was so moved as his wife Helen and the children pay their respect to their beloved dad, people were flooded in to pay their last respect to late Mr Collin.

The voice of lamentation was heard as the heart feels the pain of death.

Loss of the loved one and the friendship has been suddenly cut short was felt in the whole church.

The eulogy was presented by the representative of the family, Secretary of the Catholic Education Authority, Fr Stephen from the Marist and School Principal.

There were not enough words to express how late Mr Collin inspired and touched the lives of so many people and he was well known as Mr Kool.

The students made a guard of honor while his casket arrived and left the Cathedral for his journey home in his beloved parish at Dala. Prayers were promised to continually support late Mr Collin’s family.

May you rest in peace.

Sr Sesilia Sala FMA

CATHOLIC MEDIA

Is Tina river hydro development real?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, as a Tribal Chief, Member of a Tribe, Community member whom living along the Tina river since birth fall short to believe that the so-called Tina River Hydro development project is a real project.

It seems to most of us who still have “Land Outstanding Issues’’ whether pending in high court or chief hearing that government is using our resource for fundraising.

This short piece of script is meant to be given for purpose of the KK water, World Bank, Asian Development Bank or any Aid donors who committed their money for this project, please just don’t take the risk, our silence does not mean we fully support the undertaking, it simply means we are tired of being ignored, and tired of all the liars made by the Tina River Hydro Development project office and the Government of Solomon Islands our own Sovereign government.

Finally, stop any Tina River Hydro Development Related Activities.

 

Chief Peter Kolo

Tina, Bahomea, Malango Ward

Dive Gizo injects $10K for major clean-up

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dive Gizo owners, Danny and Kerrie Kennedy.

By Mike Puia

Gizo

Dive Gizo owners, Danny and Kerrie Kennedy.

DIVING expert in the Western province, Dive Gizo, has injected $10,000 toward a major clean-up planned in Gizo and nearby islands next week.

Western Province Network for Sustainable Environment (WPNFSE), a body coordinating non-government organisations and groups in the province, is organising this clean-up.

According to David Boseto, of the WPNFSE, the clean-up is part of activities they planned to hold to coincide with this year’s World Environment Day, World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Day which will be commemorated in Gizo next Wednesday and Thursday.

Boseto thanked Gizo Dive for the support and for its support toward prizes for the king and queen show that will also be held during the event.

The winning contender is expected to show innovation and great talent displaying concern for the environment. The prize is a diving package worth about $4,000.

Dive Gizo owner, Danny Kennedy, told Island Sun Gizo that he and his wife, Kerrie, have been rendering support towards clean-up and conservation efforts since they started Dive Gizo about 32 years ago.

Danny said the money they provided toward the clean-up comes from a donation made by Mr Jon and wife Mrs Tea Pollack.

He said the couple gave them the money and asked them to use it toward conservation and marine preservation.

Danny said it is fitting that they use this money to support the upcoming clean-up.

The clean-up is mainly to collect plastics underwater and to weed-out crown of thorns, a dangerous star fish that is posing a threat to the reefs.

20k per MPA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MPA for Ward 18 South Rendova Hon. George Solingi Lilo

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO

MPA for Ward 18 South Rendova Hon. George Solingi Lilo

MPA for Western province’s Ward 18 South Rendova George Solingi Lilo has proposed that MPAs, ward and electorate allowances be paid from the provincial fund.

Lilo spoke during the province’s Sine Die on Wednesday that an outdated motion under Standing Order 239 resolved that the Western Provincial Assembly allocates in its Annual Budget Estimates the provisions for MPAs Ward/Electorate allowances of $20,000 per ward to be paid from the provincial fund.

He said that as per section 34 of the PGA 1997 the amount may vary annually subject to a review report by the assembly office.

Lilo, who is a former premier, said, “This would allow our elected members to access equipment and accessories, together with related stationeries’ to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.

“This would be complimented by a policy guideline to ensure the facility is managed properly.

“This motion is forwarded looking and it is not only intended for those of us present here, today, but for those who are yet to come.”

Lilo explained that it is for the government and people of Western province now and the years to come.

He said that this should improve elected members’ competence to be able to respond to the growing demands of electorates’ aspirations and thereby promote good governance and accountability.

Lilo believes only those who know they would not retain their seat would object and oppose this motion.

A good number of MPAs have contributed at the Sine Die, and the motion of adjournment will continue today.

The current Assembly is being held at the Women Resource Centre and is expected to conclude the final sitting under Premier Wayne Maepioh’s capacity.

Church pays tribute to late founding father

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Mike Puia

Gizo

THE Wesleyan Methodist Church in Gizo, Western province, pays tribute to one of its founding fathers, the late Lawry Wickham who passed away last week.

The Church’s National Secretary, Pr Joshua Loko, said the passing of late Lawry Wickham shocked the whole community of the church.

Loko said late Lawry Wickham was one of the founders of the re-birth of their church in 1996.

He said the late Wickham has lefty behind a legacy as a man of principle who believed and stood by his words.

Loko said late Wickham treated different people alike and their church members greatly missed him.

He said late Wickham’s passing is “a great loss for the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the Solomon Islands”.

Loko said late Wickham’s final contribution to the church was his successful moving of a motion during the National Conference in Noro in January to extend the term of their National Board for four years.

The funeral service of the late Wickham was conducted by the National Superintendent of the church, Rev George Vilopide, and the principal of their Noro Bible Training centre, Rev David Collins at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Gizo before the casket was transported to Rendova for his burial.

Loko said their church is proposing to conduct a memorial service to honour the late Wickham.

Late Wickham was a former Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara and a respected businessman in Gizo. He owned the popular PT 109 restaurant in Gizo.

Officers undergo data handling training

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Officers listen attentively as former Government Statistician and facilitator Joseph Naesol go through the specific topics covered in a power point presentation.
Officers listen attentively as former Government Statistician and facilitator Joseph Naesol go through the specific topics covered in a power point presentation.

STAFF of the National Statistics Office (NSO) within the Ministry of Finance & Treasury (MoFT) have concluded an intensive two weeks of training in data processing last week.

Held at the NSO conference room in Honiara, the training run from May 7-22.

Trained officers will be responsible for the data entry and processing of the National Village Resource Survey 2017-2018 (VRS) that is now nearing completion.

Facilitator and former Government Statistician Joseph Naesol said the training is necessary to equip officers with the essential skills and knowledge on how to use the data processing software and well-versed with the operation system.

“The trained staff now well armed with skills and capability in using CSPro, the software used for data entry and validation-which they trained to enter data collected from the filed using questionnaire and data has to be entered and validated in the computer.

“The questionnaire is around 44 pages, and the validation process is quite strenuous,” Mr Naesol said.

CSPro is an acronym for Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro), developed by the US Census Bureau, ICF International, and Serpro SA. The version used is 7.0.0 released on May 8, 2017.

Specific topics covered throughout the training include: CSPro structure and Meta data; Computer procedure in data entry using CSPro; Form editing guidelines; Non-sampling errors and how to control NSE; Manageable units in storing data in the computer; Going through the 2007-8 VRS, and the lessons learned to improve current VRS; House-keeping matters; Final comments on the VRS 2017-18 questionnaire.

The training was in two parts. The theoretical aspects of processing a survey, and the software CSPro in how it deals with survey data and the hands-on practical aspect in which data operators actually punch in data from completed forms into the computer using CSPro software.

“The training fully equipped the officers to have confidence in entering the VRS questionnaire, which has 14 sections, and 10 of the sections having 24 sub-tables. The VRS 2017-18 hopes to cover around 7,000 villages’ throughout the country, and processing period is envisioned to take seven months using at least 6 data operators,” Naesol said.

–SINSO PRESS

Road construction in Lau Mbaelelea progressing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Lau Mbaelelea constituency road construction is reportedly progressing well.

A Mr Eddie Kaia recently told this paper that construction of roads in the constituency is advancing as they are looking towards tangible road construction in the constituency.

He acknowledged their MP for the initiative, saying Augustine Auga is addressing one of their major problems head on.

Kaia also accredited MP Auga for the proposal in place to connect roads to every place having difficulty with road access in the constituency.

He said the only means of transportation in the constituency is through road.

Kaia said it has been quite a while since late Mariano Kelesi, who was their MP in the 1970s, pursued road in their constituency.

He appealed to everyone to put aside any political differences they might have and team-up in their work with this project for their betterment.

Meanwhile, Kaia believes that the benefits to having roads in the northern region of the island will only be realised once the other MPs in the region follow Auga’s path and build roads in their constituencies.

This paper understands that Hon Manasseh Maelanga was also doing the same in his constituency of East Malaita where roads are currently under construction.

CIP citizens thank NGF for carrying out logging and mining awareness

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
From L to R, Toga community leader, Michael Kukule, and NGF’s travelling team member Mr Kenneth Sagupari during the awareness and signing of petition against logging and mining in Ngella. PHOTO SUPPLIED

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CENTRAL Islands Province (CIP) citizens thank Social Media’s famous Ngella Forum (NGF) Team for their efforts of carrying out awareness over the weekend on the effects of logging and mining.

The team that travelled went to Toga Village at Sandfly Passage carrying out also the signing of petition against anymore logging and mining prospect to take place in Ngella as negative impacts have been occurring from logging alone that has been operating at Ngella for some time now.

From L to R, Toga community leader, Michael Kukule, and NGF’s travelling team member Mr Kenneth Sagupari during the awareness and signing of petition against logging and mining in Ngella. PHOTO SUPPLIED

From report reaching Island Sun, hundreds of people including community leaders, women and students of young age as far as 8 years old had signed the petition giving their support to stop anymore logging or mining in their islands.

It is said that the mining and logging petition will cover the whole of Ngella and will be launched hopefully this coming weekend at Tulaghi Provincial Head Quarter.

All petition forms should be collected and compiled in the team meeting expected today, at the Coconut Cafe ready for the launching.

Ngella Forum’s Constitution will be launched by July this year as NGF encourages young educated graduates and secondary students from Ngella and everyone as a whole to join the Forum in order to give ideas contributing to issues that affect Ngella and its livelihood.

“We must stop logging and mining because they do not go together. This is our chance to protect our land and future,” said NGF.

Community leaders on behalf of their communities, as well as members of NGF have acknowledged the NGF Team for their stand to fight for the people of Ngella through such matters.

On behalf of the team travelling to Toga village last weekend, NGF also thanks Ngella Forum members and locals for their assistance in one way or the other towards the recent trip.

With no time to lose, it is understood that NGF is now walking the talk.

Final plenary on draft federal constitution underway

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Group photo of the members of the Constitutional Congress and the Eminent Persons Advisory Council.

THE final plenary on the Solomon Islands Draft Federal Constitution is underway in Honiara after its opening this week on Monday, May 28.

This is the last joint meeting of the Constitutional Congress (CC) and the Eminent Persons Advisory Council (EPAC) who were mandated to promulgate a proposed Federal Constitution for Solomon Islands.

The meeting’s main focus is to endorse and bless the 2017 Final Draft Federal Constitution after it was refined by the Professional Legal Draftsman, Dr Philip Knight from Canada.

Director of the Constitutional Reform Unit (CRU) of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) Philip Houlia said members will go through the entire document page by page before endorsing it as true and exact records of their work for the last 10 years.

Mr Houlia said the endorsed document will be handed over to the Prime Minister who is also the Minister for Constitutional Affairs at the conclusion of the current meeting.

The meeting concludes on June 22.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS UNIT

Group photo of the members of the Constitutional Congress and the Eminent Persons Advisory Council.

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