WESTERN provincial secretary, Jeffery Wickham, encourages environment bodies and groups in the province to roll out awareness about the province’s planned ban on plastics.
Wickham made this call when speaking at the opening of the second meeting of the Western province network for sustainable environment (WPNFSE) in Gizo yesterday.
WPNFSE, which started in 2016, is a body set up to help coordinate non-government organisations and groups in the province.
It was the World Fish that initiated this idea. To date, the WPNFSE has grown.
It is taking the lead in organising the upcoming World Environment Day, World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Day to be celebrated in Gizo next Wednesday and Thursday.
When giving an update on the province’s plan to ban plastic as of July, Wickham said an ordinance for this ban may not be ready but the executive order is firm for July.
He said while the ban is likely to have an ordinance before next year, groups that are members of the WPNFSE must do awareness.
“Your role is very important. Go out and influence people to change their habit toward plastic use,” Wickham said.
He said getting people to refuse to use plastic will be slow but it is important that the province started pursuing it.
Wickham encourages non-government organisations to roll out awareness in communities and schools, saying this is the key.
He said Commonwealth countries and other nations in the region are imposing bans on plastics and the province is keen to take the lead in this.
“We want to be the first province to ban plastic. If this is successful, other province may follow,” Wickham said.
PM Hou being greeted by Police Commissioner Matthew Varley.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
PM Hou being greeted by Police Commissioner Matthew Varley.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has stressed his disappointment over a solar hybrid power generation project supposedly for Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
PM Hou says Solomon Islands has lost out over the years on hundreds of similar opportunities and offers by many of Solomon Islands’ development partners and friends, only because officials and staff did not take the necessary follow up actions.
Hou made specific reference to a gift by President Tsai Ing-Wen of Taiwan to SINU during her state visit last November.
The gift, valued at USD$1million, is a solar hybrid power generation project that was supposed to assist the local university.
Hou says to date, the ROC embassy in Honiara, has not had any feed-back from neither SINU nor the Ministry responsible on this offer, despite the Embassy continuing requests for information.
“It’s not excusable,” Hou says.
He said he will be making a follow up with Chairman of the SINU Council on this matter.
PM Hou said the President of ROC (Taiwan) is not amused by this conduct so he intends to summon those concerned to explain their side of the story.
Meanwhile in Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen on May 21 said she will continue working with Prime Minister Hou to promote mutually beneficial collaboration and exchanges between Taiwan and Solomon Islands.
During her visit to Solomon Islands in November 2017, President Tsai Ing-Wen had also included SINU into their list of partners for another scholarship program they co-sponsor with the Pacific Islands Forum.
PM Hou says this sort of attitude from senior management of a premier institution such as SINU is pathetic, it’s inexcusable and cannot be tolerated.
THE partnership company, consisting of the Gold Ridge landowners and two merging investors, is moving forward with plans to reopen the former St Barbaras Gold Mining Ltd now Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) which was closed in 2015.
In an official statement on the relocation of people panning in the mine’s pits and operational overall status, Chairman of Wanguo International Mining Group, one of the major partners in the new operation and Chairman-Elect of GRML, Mingqing Gao, said preparations are currently underway and are on track.
“We are on track for trial production at the end of quarter one, the start of quarter two in 2019, but without the movement of people out of the pits as soon as possible we are in danger of this deadline pushing out even further.
“We must all support each other, and this is what Chiefs and landowners are showing today [yesterday], you are showing that landowners in the Solomon Islands and more particularly of Gold Ridge Mine understand what it means to own and operate a mine.
“Landowners know that gold recovery is critical to the improved profitability of the mine. We are working hard in the development of the Feasibility Study to improve gold recovery significantly from what it was in the past.
“No stone is being left unturned. We are investigating new technologies and innovations and re-examining old ways of doing things, and the results are looking very promising,” Mr Gao explained.
He said the company is now looking forward to sharing the results of the Feasibility Study and the projected benefits with landowners of Gold Ridge Mine in the coming months at the technical awareness sessions that will be done with GCIL and across communities.
In addition, Minister for Mines and Energy, Bradley Tovosia MP, in an earlier interview agreed that things are moving forward. “There will be a progression plan,” he said.
Work on Gold Ridge mine well on track.
Tovosia said he has also met with company officials who informed him the hiring process will be gradual, starting off with about 50 employees and then increasing from there.
Based on his conversations with GRML officials, he said it may take almost a year before gold is extracted from the mine.
“It’s not like you just go in and turn on the light switch,” Tovusia stressed.
This was something Benjamin Afuga, one of GCIL directors and a GRML member in the board of directors also agreed to, whom in an earlier interview also explained that having a qualified workforce is one of the key components for all companies.
“The success of any company is driven by the skills and abilities of its workforce,” he said. “They will be looking for a range of skill sets.”
He said the partnership had already included experts in their fields within the operations, but added that with removal of people from the four major pits, and hiring of more personals, work proper will eventuate, which includes the cleaning up of sites, installation of new machineries, and maintenance of existing ones.
Active operations at the mine were shuttered over two years ago after a natural disaster struck the region, which affected the company both in its infrastructures and finance, and has also changed the former company’s business priorities, which saw about 200 people left without jobs.
However, as far as contribution by investors is also concerned, a capital expenditure of up to AUD$90 million is expected by project owners, which according to the company, will depend on the final plan and design of the mine as contained in the Feasibility Study, and an allocation so that the mine can start with a good cash-flow and operating budget.
SICA’s General Secretary Holmes Saeve (left) and United Liberation Movement for
West Papua (ULMWP) Spokesperson, Jacob Rumbiak. Photo supplied
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
SICA’s General Secretary Holmes Saeve (left) and United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Spokesperson, Jacob Rumbiak. Photo supplied
UNITED Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) spokesperson Jacob Rumbiak describes the recent seven-person delegation from Solomon Islands to West Papua as ‘a visitation by robbers’.
The recent delegation visit to West Papua had included the PMO Chief of Staff John Usuramo, Special Envoy to West Papua Rence Sore, Chairman of FSII Wilfred Luiramo, DSE chairman Inia Barry, Lawrence Makili, Gloreta Anderson and Lilly Chekana.
Speaking during his meeting with SICA General Secretary Holmes Saeve yesterday, Rumbiak said a summary of Ms Chekana’s account of their trip given by Holmes highlighting that the West Papuan people are not united is ‘very misleading’.
“I bring voice from inside West Papua as the delegation that recently visited West Papua was like robbers. They came and hid and never met with the people struggling for their right.
“I think they are blind and they do not know what we already have set up.”
He said ULMWP is the answer to their report as they have a Federal Republic of West Papua, a 14 political organisation affiliating with the Federal Republic, six organisations affiliating with West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation, six affiliating with the National Parliament of West Papua being 26 West Papuan organisations already inside.
And the United Liberation Movement for West Papua is a West Papua national political body. Inside ULMWP has a Diplomatic Politic Intelligent Military for element of political.
“When someone says we are not united, that is misleading being an Indonesian language,” said Rumbiak.
“They say how can they meet with West Papua, they do not have a leader, no political body and they do not have any agenda. We have an agenda, we have a political body, we have leadership member, adjective, we have a legislative leader and member, judicial leader and member, we got Bureau Officers working inside and Diplomats outside, and the support from the whole region of West Papua including churches (7 religions). They recommended support.
“The movement of West Papua is based on advice coming from the Melanesian leaders and we did it.”
On meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week, Rumbiak said that the group should have involved Fiji and Papua New Guinea before visiting independently and not being funded by Indonesia. They should have went and stayed on the ground with the people of West Papua.
The ULMWP spokesperson’s recent visit since last week was purposely to meet with the DPM, SICA, meet with the Melanesian Arts Festival organisers for WP indigenous partake in the upcoming Melanesian Arts Festival and also to reiterate that the recent seven-person delegation from Solomon Islands was done with Indonesian Government incentive for its interest.
He gave a detailed description of the group’s visit to WP to the SICA General Secretary, questioning why the group did not visit and call into various civil and interest groups within WP and even bypassing a meet with the generals there.
Rumbiak describes how the protestors went to welcome the Solomon Islands delegates but were instead arrested.
He showed a few videos of the documentaries about the atrocities in WP and a protestor who was arrested during the groups stay there.
Mr Holmes has also reinforced SICA’s prayers and desire for WP.
He stated the support of SICA for the West Papua people and the work to assist but within the confinement of Solomon Islands Government Policy on west Papua.
Rumbiak also gave a summary of the formation of ULMWP and the various bodies it is comprised of.
He leaves the country today and will return soon as the agenda for this year and next year is “Campaign and Lobbying” many supporters to convince the United Nations (UN) on West Papua’s issue.
THE so-called Children’s Park opposite the Police headquarter in Rove west of Honiara seems to be the meeting place for adults and students.
A visit to the park on Monday witnessed that most people using the park are elderly men and even adult students doing unnecessary activities like smoking and chewing betel-nut.
One of the concerned parents who accompanied her child to the park said that adult men and adult students are disturbing children who want to take their time playing and enjoying themselves at the park.
The parent said the men spend their time at the park every day, so as the adult students.
“Don’t know whether those students are attending classes or just wasting their time engaging in unlawful activities at the park,” the parent said.
The parent is calling on responsible authorities to impose regulations to control people using the park.
Though the park does not offer much, people go there with their children to play and swim in the sea under the watchful eyes of their parents and guardians.
One of the cleaners there said the adult students are sometimes very rude towards the cleaners and don’t want to listen when they tell them not to sit on the swings.
The cleaner said sometimes some students spend their time at the park without going to classes, they spend their time at the park from 8am to around noon – till classes lapse.
THE closing submission into the case of a man charged with one count of attempted murder will be made in court.
This is the case against John Kebol who was charged in relation to an incident which occurred in Sukiki village, weather-coast of Guadalcanal.
Prosecution said the accused on June 13, 2015 had an argument with his nephew regarding a bicycle.
Their argument heated up in which the accused intended to stab the victim with a kitchen knife.
The allegation said when the knife missed the victim all others who were present during the argument reacted and stoned the accused in which he fell onto the ground and sustained injuries.
Office of the Director Public Prosecution prosecutes the matter in court while Rodgers Tovosia is representing the accused.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana
Bintan Mining SI Ltd operation on west Rennell gets gov’t approval
BY ALFRED SASAKO
BINTAN Mining (SI) Ltd has received the “thumbs up” for the way it conducts mining operations on West Rennell as well as the on-going community support the company provides to landowners.
The “clean bill of health” given by a team of five senior government ministers as well as senior public servants who toured Bintan Mining (SI) Ltd’s site operations on West Rennell two weeks ago, now isolates the Renbel MP and Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Kaitu’u Agikimua who has publicly opposed mining on Rennell.
Despite his opposition, published documents show Dr Agikimua has co-signed an agreement giving Bintan Mining (SI) Ltd the approval to mine his land.
The one-day tour was led by the Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Hon Bradley Tovosia.
He was accompanied by other ministers including the Minister for Environment and Conservation, Hon Dr Culwick Togamana MP as well as the Director of Environment Joe Horokou.
Known for his strong and strict adherence to internationally accepted standards on environmental matters, Dr Culwick is reportedly “pleased” with what he saw on the ground.
“He thinks that Bintan Mining (SI) Ltd is exemplary in its mining operations in terms of providing the necessary infrastructure to support its operations on West Rennell,” Dr Culwick was reported to have told the management of the company.
The cost of the visit to Rennell two weeks ago was borne by the Solomon Islands Government.
The Government’s position has isolated Dr Agikimua who was accused by his own people of being “two faced” over the mining operations in West Rennell.
Published documents show that Dr Agikimua co-signed an agreement which allows Bintan Mining (SI) Ltd to mine his land despite maintaining his public opposition to mining operations in West Rennell.
Observers said the timing of Dr Agikimua’s position could prove fatal for his re-election efforts in next year’s National General Election.
“The Renbel MP has committed the cardinal sin of miscalculating the potential consequences for his position, which could prove untenable in terms of his re-election.
“How can you go against the very people who are benefitting from the mining operations and expect to win their favours at the poll? Dr Agikimua knows very well that he has mistimed his position,” an observer told Island Sun.
HammerHeads Half back Felix Galo looks to set up the attack from the scrum in the match against TIA Warriors. Photo by Taromane Martin
By Taromane Martin
SEMI-FINALISTS for the 2018 Fletcher Kwaimani Man-Up rugby 15s challenge are confirmed following the final pool matches played over the weekend.
Final pool matches played on Saturday saw competition hosts Henderson HammerHead Sharks defeating TIA Warriors 34-5 while Diesel picked up their first points in the competition with a 19-13 second half comeback win over Islanders.
HammerHeads proved too much for TIA Warriors to establish a comfortable 22-5 at the break.
Competition leading points and try scorer Jeffery Siria was kept quite in the competition with HammerHeads defence keeping a tight knot on him.
Second half substitute Jack Akao added two more tries in the second half for HammerHeads before Philemon Campbell sealed the win with the final try thanks to a brilliant team build up play for the win.
It took patience and determination for Diesel in the final day of the pool games as they came back in the second half to beat a degenerated Islanders side on Saturday.
HammerHeads Half back Felix Galo looks to set up the attack from the scrum in the match against TIA Warriors. Photo by Taromane Martin
Islanders led 6-0 at the break through two Eddie Sanga converted penalties but saw their team spirit crumbling at the break after a disagreement between players and their official during half time.
Diesel clawed their way back to led 7-6 through a converted try. Three minutes later it was 14-6 after another converted try but saw Islanders fighting back with a converted try of their own to trail 14-13.
Islanders was forced to make four substitutions with 10 minutes to play only to see Diesel extending their lead with a late unconverted try for the win.
Following Saturday’s matches, semi-final matches for this weekend sees Henderson HammerHead Sharks taking on TIA Warriors while Diesel is set to meet Islanders in the second semi-final match at the DC Park rugby field.
Prudence Bird has earned double victory in the Fiji tennis open which completed on Sunday in Nadi. Bird won the girls under-16 singles and the doubles.
Bird wins u-16 girls singles and doubles in Fiji Open
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Prudence Bird has earned double victory in the Fiji tennis open which completed on Sunday in Nadi. Bird won the girls under-16 singles and the doubles.
YOUNG female Solomon Islands tennis player Prudence Bird has snatched a double victory at the Fiji Tennis Open.
The 2018 Fiji Open Tennis Championships held at the Denerau Golf and Racquet in Nadi began on Wednesday and ended with the presentations yesterday afternoon.
A total of nine Solomon Islands tennis players took part in the event alongside Ms Bird.
Others are Junior Benjamin, Graham Mani, Selwyn Lam, Doreen Ningalo, Lachlan Guba, Zorika Morgan, Jermain Kari and Popai Leong.
Ms Bird wrapped up her Fiji Open campaign in style and headlined Solomon Islands participation at the event after coming out victorious in the under-16 singles and the doubles competitions.
In the singles, Ms Bird, competing as a fourth seed, defeated number two seed Penina Kamu of Samoa by two straight sets of 6-1, 6-4 in the grand final. In the doubles, she paired up with Cameron Goss of Australia to win first place. The duo defeated Conatsu Kaga (Northern Mariana Islands) and Chelsea McGrath (Australia) winning by 9-4 in a single set.
Apart from Ms Bird’s double achievement, impressive results have also emerged from the other participating Solomon Islanders in the singles.
In the A men’s singles, Mani and Leong finished second and third respectively behind Victor Lopes of Vanuatu, who topped this category.
Lopes defeated Mani by 7-6 (4), 7-5 in a tough grand final encounter.
On the other court, Morgan was a contender in the women’s A division singles but finished third behind Samoan Eleanor Schuster and Florence Wasko of American Samoa, respectively.
In the Under-16 boys singles, Guba wrapped up his singles campaign in the fourth place.
The doubles competition also saw good results from the national representatives.
Junior and Mani paired up together in the open men’s doubles and managed to finish second.
The duo came up against a better Samoan opponent in the form of Matavao Fanguna and Leon Soonalole in the grand final and lost by two straight sets 6-2 and 6-1.
A fair result was achieved by Leong in the A men’s doubles as he partnered with Vitikaras Taufao of Samoa to finish fourth.
Guba and partner Jones George of Federated States of Micronesia finished second in the under-16 boys doubles after losing 6-4, 6-2 to Zachary Sands of Vanuatu and Charles Cornish of Fiji in the grandfinal.
In the final action of the day, Doreen Ningalo teamed up with Sela Corbett of Australia in the open women’s doubles and finished at third place, wrapping off a fair and a satisfactory campaign for Solomon Islanders in the Fiji Open.
Meanwhile, the participation in the Fiji Open was a perfect warm-up ahead of the Oceania Tennis Nations Cup which will get underway this week.
A team of six – three men and three women will represent Solomon Islands in the one-week tournament which will be held at Lautoka starting this Thursday.
Similar faces will represent Solomon Islands and they include Benjamin Joel Junior, Graham Mani, Popai Leong, Doreen Ningalo, Prudence Bird and Zorika Morgan.
A total of 15 Pacific Island countries including Solomon Islands are participating in the Nations Cup.
The others are hosts Fiji, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Norfolk Islands, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
40 rural women leaders from Guadalcanal, Malaita and Western province are expected to participate in a two days peacebuilding program, commencing today. A statement from UN Women says it is their intention to build the skills and confidence of the women leaders to engage in policy discussion with provincial and national authorities.
“We will introduce the women leaders to the “hard” issues that came out of the Provincial and National Dialogue process that culminated in a set of resolutions to be implemented at national and provincial level”, the statement says. The agenda of the workshop includes sessions on inclusive political participation, land issues, decentralization, integrity and reparations.
Concretely, the objectives of the workshop are to empower women leaders to engage in policy discussions with Executives and other government officials, as well as with traditional and religious leaders, discuss five national dialogue themes (participation, land, decentralisation, integrity, reparations) and agree on their specific gender dimensions, identify provincial gender and peacebuilding priorities, considering the National and Provincial Women Policy and 2019 National Elections, explore ways to link and learn with women leaders across provinces and with relevant government entities, women’s groups and other stakeholders at national level and to discuss the purpose and functions of a Provincial Women Caucus to increase women’s political participation in decision-making.
UN Women in partnership with Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) is conducting this dialogue workshop.
