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High praise for Solomon Islands seasonal workers in New Zealand

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, New Zealand fruit growers are full of praise for the seasonal workers from the Solomon Islands as quoted in a news bulletin broadcast by Radio New Zealand today, 7 June 2018.

Quote:

“We couldn’t have done it without you” – New Zealand fruit grower John Van Vliet was full of praise for his Solomon Islands workers at a community gathering held to farewell them at the end of another successful season.

“Mr Van Vliet, known as JR to his workers, grows and exports apples and pears to Europe and Asia from a 135 hectare property near Greytown, an hour north of Wellington.

“He said their contribution in helping fill 14,000 bins and pack 250,000 cartons of apples and pears for export this season was crucial to the success of his business this year.

“John Van Vliet said the industry could no longer survive without the Pacific labourers who are brought in each season under the Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme.

“The workers that come here for that period really want to work and they want to send money home to their family.

“During picking time JR’s Orchards Ltd employs more than 100 seasonal workers and half of them are Solomon Islanders here under the RSE programme.

“Mr Van Vliet said he still makes an effort to try and employ more New Zealanders but there just isn’t enough interest.

“But I firmly believe also that we should also employ New Zealanders as well so I have twenty permanents all year round and that is why I think there is quite a good mix.

“So we are actually giving 20 families in New Zealand a permanent job and then we are giving those families that come from the Solomon Islands money to take home which New Zealanders aren’t picking up,” said Mr Van Vliet.

“After finishing strip-picking the orchards the group from the Solomons was done for the season and getting ready to head back home.

“One of the longest serving RSE workers at JR’s Orchards Tony Analau was among the first lot to come to New Zealand through the scheme in 2008.

“Mr Analau is now the foreman of the Solomon Islands men at the orchard and is on call 24/7 managing them.

“Tony Analau said his earnings over the past 11 seasons had been a real game changer for him and his family.

“There are a lot more men than women in the Solomon Islands group at JR’s Orchard and this reflects the wider seasonal worker landscape in both Australia and New Zealand, with the World Bank recently calling for more opportunities to be made available for Pacific women.

“At JR’s Orchard Pamela Aitorea is just finishing up her first season in the pack house.

“She said she was a little downhearted because she had been looking forward to going home to her two-year-old but had just been told the women would have to stay back a week longer than the men because there were still more than 700 crates of fruit to pack for export.

“Also Pamela Aitorea said seasonal workers did not earn very much in their first year.

“Us first-timers find it a little difficult because of deductions for airfares for both this season and the next. So the pay for first timers is not really big income because there are a lot of deductions,” Pamela Aitorea said.

“If you are on your second or third season I think you should be making good money. Because there are expenses here rent and deductions so sometimes all we are left with is $75 that is for us new ones.”

“But on the bright side Pamela Aitorea said the extra week meant she could earn a little more cash to take home and she was looking forward to returning to work next year because her airfares had already been deducted, and she would be earning a lot more.”

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

Acknowledging past and present volunteers in SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, the Solomon Islands will shortly celebrate its 40th year of independence as a sovereign nation and I reflect on the past twenty one years in particular.

I would like to focus on the help the Solomon Islands has received in those twenty one years from many volunteers that have come from many countries, including in the time I spent in the country, the members of the US Peace Corps and young volunteers from Japan Taiwan and Britain.

In more recent times, the country has seen growing numbers of volunteers come to aid services country wide, including volunteer specialist doctors, nurses, eye specialists, ear specialist, nutritional experts, those with special training and interest in caring for the disabled and those aiding women and girls suffering from domestic violence.

Other volunteers have come as craftsmen, builders, joiners and those skilled in water and sanitation projects.

Often schools have been helped by craftsmen that have built new classrooms or repaired facilities.

In this 40th year of independence let us remember all those volunteers who came and those still serving and give thanks for their selfless, devoted help to the nation.

As I write the NZ volunteer service is to expand its work in the Pacific

Quoting Radio New Zealand, the New Zealand volunteer agency, Volunteer Service Abroad, has said a lift in funding from the New Zealand Government will allow it to expand services around the Pacific region.

The 14 percent increase was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, who said “VSA was an important partner for the government in supporting its regional development aspirations.”

Yours sincerely

 

FRANK SHORT

For the love of God

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

WE share the concern Transparency Solomon Islands continues to advocate, and reiterate the call for responsible authorities to take action on the findings of the Office of the Auditor General 2014-16.

Last week, we published TSI’s column which highlighted unauthorised payments in the Guadalcanal provincial government contained in the OAG 2014-16 Report.

TSI underscores that while last week’s column centred on the dubious financial activities found within the Guadalcanal province, the OAG report covers ‘All ministries, provincial governments and various funding schemes’.

TSI voices that apart from few police investigations, nothing has been done to address the crippling problems exposed by the OAG report.

If there’s a trigger to worry citizens of Solomon Islands about the country’s welfare and leadership, this should be one of them.

Thumbs up to the OAG for executing its mandated task. But, that is unfortunately where jubilations stop.

The next step of enforcing or acting on the revelations in the report is lacking. And, this is what’s most concerning.

Are the authorities deliberately shirking responsibility and turning a blind eye on the Report?

Or are they incapacitated and overwhelmed by all the exposed corruption?

In a previous column, TSI outlines that OAG uncovers corruption in its audits and institutions such as the police, director of public prosecutions (DPP) and the leadership code commission (LCC) take the buck on from there and act on those findings.

This mechanism is in place to ensure corruption in Solomon Islands is kept at the most minimal level possible.

But, when one entity along the chain fails to function the whole system collapses.

Hence we end up seeing OAG reports collecting dust on the shelf, and eventually get lost and forgotten over time. And, in effect, corruption is allowed to flourish unchecked.

Citizens, for the love of God, let us not allow this to happen.

Let us join TSI in the call for responsible authorities to do their job – act on the OAG 2014-16 Report.

PM arrives in Australia for state visit

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
PM Houenipwela in a photo session with members of the South Sea Islanders Community in Bundaberg and other government officials.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has arrived in Australia ahead of his State Visit to the country.

This follows a successful three days of meetings in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Houenipwela and his delegation was met by the Solomon Islands High Commissioner Designate to Australia, His Excellency Collin Beck on their arrival.

The Australia programme begins with Houenipwela attending Sunday service at the South Sea Islanders Church in Bundaberg and followed by a visit to meet with local seasonal workers at the Nutrano Farm Abbotsleigh and a dinner with members of the Solomon Islands Community in Brisbane.

During his visit this week, Houenipwela will meet with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull to discuss issues pertaining to the relationship between the two countries.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by his wife Madame Rachel and other senior government officials.

–OPMC PRESS

PM Houenipwela in a photo session with members of the South Sea Islanders Community in Bundaberg and other
government officials.
PM Houenipwela takes a tour in a Blueberry farm owned by Nutrano
Abbotsleigh.
PM with seasonal workers from Solomon Islands, executive of the Nutrano Farm, and other government officials.

Keeping our region safe is our core responsibility: Sogavare

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

ACTING Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says Pacific island governments and intelligence groups must continue to work with communities and security agencies to build networks and partnerships that will address the threat to our own national security.

He raised this when speaking as a guest speaker at a two-day South Pacific Intelligence Dialogue at the Heritage Park hotel last week.

While voicing the need to strengthen national and regional intelligence networks in the region, Mr Sogavare said that it is an important matter of concern for all Pacific island countries to work together collaboratively.

“The successful implementation of any security decision rests on the value of intelligence received. Like they say, timely and quality intelligence provides better platform for states to make good decisions for the wellbeing of their country,” he said.

Sogavare also said that he is pleased to note that our regional countries have been cooperating well on the matter through the regional framework and bilateral cooperation.

He proceeded to stress that although the diversity of our region doesn’t make the challenge any much easier with the never ending stretches of maritime boundaries and geographical features placing us in a position of being more susceptible to crime syndicates and opportunists, we must be persistent in our obligations.

“Keeping our region safe is our core responsibility and that demands greater cooperation from all of us,” said Sogavare.

He furthered that emphasis on cooperation is an important call thus when it comes to the issue of regional security the message we must take in is that we are not and should not be operating in isolation of each other.

“We literally become our brother’s keeper,” said Sogavare.

New PPC for Choiseul province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO

VINCENT Eria has been appointed the new Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Choiseul province.

He replaces former PPC Mrs Seda Nevol, who is now the operations manager at the Western provincial police headquarter IN Gizo.

Nevol has commended her successor, saying that he is highly capable of leading Choiseul province’s police force.

Eria started his duty on April 27 this year at the Choiseul provincial capital, Taro.

He thanks Police Commissioner Matthew Varley and his executive for the trust and confidence placed on him to lead the force in Choiseul province.

Eria also acknowledges Mrs Nevol, the Choiseul provincial government and outgoing Premier Jackson Kiloe for the trust and confidence they have bestowed on him.

He hopes to work closely with the provincial government, village chiefs, community elders and the people to achieve and provide security in the province.

“I believe that there has been good work done by the outgoing PPC and the great relationship she has with the provincial government and the people of Choiseul province.

“I do hope and trust to continue my work where outgoing PPC Mrs Nevol has left.

“I need community support to understand and work together with police to maintain and carry out crime prevention strategy and community work.”

PPC said some of his priority areas include the border issue and establishing police posts within Choiseul.

He appeals to the people of Choiseul to work closely with police in terms of crime prevention strategies and help the police in the community.

“We need to work together to provide security so that our local business people can enjoy their business and free movement in the province.

Eria is the former acting PPC and looked after Gizo Police station. He was also operations manager.

He is from Wagina and part Western province.

First local book set for launch this Independence

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Loretta Palmer a member from the KG Class of 78.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

 THE first of a local book written, edited and published by Solomon Islanders will soon be launched coinciding with the country’s 40th independence anniversary next month.

Titled, Leadership, Scholarship and Friendship, Our Journey Post-Independence Solomon Islands, this book was written by King George Sixth scholars of 1978 and said to be the first local publication involving only Solomon Islanders from start to finish.

On Saturday a meeting for the final touches of the book was held where some members of the KG Class of 78 shared their jubilation in having reached the final stages of the book.

Messers Sam Alasia and Donald Malasa from the KG Class of 78.

Speaking to Island Sun, spokesperson of the group, Sam Alasia says they were quite pleased that the book’s title also goes in line with the government’s theme for this year’s 40th Independence celebrations, ‘Redirecting our Nation at 40’.

“Our book says Our journey post-independence Solomon Islands and it goes in well with the country’s them of ‘redirecting our nation at 40’.”

Mr Alasia says it hadn’t been an easy task for them since most of the members are not writers.

“From 32 in our class, we managed to get only 13 to write,” he said.

He said he was quite impressed with the stories written by the group of 78.

Loretta Palmer a member from the KG Class of 78.

Also speaking during the meeting, Ruby Titiulu says she hopes the book will enlighten our country’s future generation of the issues they faced growing up with Solomon Islands in the past 40 years.

Titiulu had been at King George the Sixth school from 1972 to 1978 with her ex classmate Loretta Palmer who was also present during the meeting.

“We hope our stories will inspire our children and for them to learn from our experiences,” they say.

The ex KG students that contributed to the book said they were quite mature already in 1978 and had participated in the Independence celebrations as protocol officers.

They say being in form six in 1978 when the country gained independence, they feel it only appropriate that they do something about this important occasion in our country’s history.

“The issues that we talk about in this book are all part of this nation. School, work, legacy including advice is all part of this nation. We went to school when there was no technology. Now with technology, there are still challenges and we hope with our stories we will be able to inspire our younger generation.”

Meanwhile, Elsie Wickham says the stories are personal life stories.

Ruby Titiulu & Elsie Wickham from the KG Class of 78.

“Stories from childhood till we reach form six when our country gained Independence as well as drawing on issues in the country including our personal opinions on issues faced now”, she said.

Writers of the book include names like Dr Kabini Sanga, Donald Malasa, Andrew Kori, Johnson Honimae, Loyley Ngira, Loretta Palmer, Ruby Titiulu, Elsie Wickham, Primo Afeau, Sam Alasia, and Simeon Bouro.

“One of us was halfway through his writing when he died. Dr Michael Anita,” Ms Palmer muses. His story will also be published in our 40 year book of journey, she says.

“It is odd for us to tell our stories, considering our culture that we do not speak about ourselves and our personal lives, but we have chosen to open up because our country is turning 40 years old and for us it had been 40 years when we were at KG and we feel it only appropriate that we also share our personal life’s journey,” Alasia said.

With Dr Sanga and Mr Alasia as Editors, the members are quite pleased that they had been able to complete this project on their own and in time.

They thanked Solomon Islands National University (SINU) for the support especially with the Vice Chancellor being one of them. The KG class of 78 book will be the first publication of SINU.

The book will be launched on July 5, 2018 at the SINU’s Panatina Pavilion.

Sogavare calls for stronger regional intelligence network

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Acting PM and participants of the security dialogue.

ACTING Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called for the need to strengthen national and regional intelligence networks in the region.

Mr Sogavare was the guest speaker at the opening of the two-day South Pacific Intelligence Dialogue held in Honiara recently.

Sogavare said it is an important matter of concern that all Pacific island countries must work collaboratively towards.

“The successful implementation of any security decision rests on the value of intelligence recieved. Like they say, timely and quality intelligence provides better platform for states to make good decisions for the wellbeing of their country,” he said.

Acting PM and participants of the security dialogue.

However, the acting Prime Minister said he is pleased to note that our regional countries have been cooperating well on the matter concerned through the regional framework and bilateral cooperation.

He said Pacific island governments and intelligence groups must continue to work with communities and security agencies to build networks and partnerships that will help address the threat to our own national security.

“Our challenge is not made any easier by the diversity of our region and the never ending stretches of maritime boundaries and geographical features. This diversity makes our region more susceptible to crime syndicates and opportunists who are taking advantage to exploit our existence,” he said.

But Sogavare said ‘our obligations remain the same and that is national security is the plarform upon which our nations are built’.

“Keeping our region safe is our core responsibility and that demands greater cooperation from all of us,” he said.

He added that the emphasis on cooperation is a very important call and that is when it comes to security in the region the message that we must take in is we are not and should not be operating in isolation of each other.

“We literally become our brother’s keeper,” he said.

–OPMC PRESS

School bursar under fire

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SIOTA Provincial Secondary School’s Bursar recently reported being suspended will be replaced but is yet to be directed within the next two or three weeks.

This was confirmed by the school’s Administration yesterday.

It is understood that a new school bursar is already on standby for replacement having been selected from applications submitted of interest for the position, at the right provincial authority.

The school bursar who was accepted this year by the provincial Education Authority (EA) of Central Islands Province (CIP) is being seriously dealt with after being reported in failing to submit receipting of school fees and funds of the school.

According to Siota PSS School Administration speaking to Island Sun, the process is such receipting are to be submitted first to the Deputy Principal before they are forwarded to the School Principal, however, this was not the case resulting in investigation into misappropriation of funds.

“The school’s Bursar is a direct employee of the province as his situation is dealt by the Deputy Provincial Secretary (DPS) and provincial EA,” said School Principal Fr Patterson Tako.

It is understood that the school Bursar had been yet under probation before suspension adding more seriousness in CIP’s EA not tolerating such action, taking tough measure.

As the school’s administration has just been re-resurrected this year under the leadership of the current School Principal after facing a downfall over the past two years in its academic performance as a cause of poor leadership, CIP’s EA, Provincial Government and current Siota Administration do not want the Premier School of the province turning back to such experience.

CIP’s EA during recent query have stressed their disappointment over the issue because they are striving hard on a course, struggling to rebuild the school’s reputation.

Over such, the school is under heavy guidance and watchful eyes belonging to the concerned general public as well.

“He is to be given the finish signal but it will be made known in two to three weeks time,” said the school’s Administration.

Gov’t to develop national security strategy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Acting PM Sogavare addressing the dualogue.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Acting PM Sogavare addressing the dualogue.

THE government is now embarking an active approach to develop the country’s national security strategy.

Acting Prime Minister and deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare made this statement during the recent South Pacific Intelligence Dialogue that was held at the Heritage Park hotel.

He stated that the strategy should define the responsibilities all pacific island countries must take regarding regional security.

“We are also embarking on developing a National Border Strategy for our maritime borders and it should be completed soon,” said Sogavare.

He explained that the strategy will also be mindful of the borders Solomon Islands shares with neighboring pacific island countries.

The Finance Minister stated that a nationwide consultation took place with stakeholders on important matters to ensure that a comprehensive government approach is in place with consideration of the importance of community participation.

“These communities are important stakeholders in our approach and including them in such undertaking will provide more sense of partnership with our agencies, thereby addressing the issue of ownership in the process,” he said.

Sogavare referred to the dialogue as a boost to this concept because it will lead the way in helping to improve the content and focus of the strategy.

Addressing the participants, he told them that regional security rests on how pacific islands define themselves as a nation.

“We have been faced with many challenges but we can overcome them if we work together as partners. So as long as we stay true to these values, I have no doubt the pacific region will truly be a paradise to live in,” said Sogavare.

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