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Private company constructs undersea cable from Vanuatu to SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister for Aviation and Communications Peter Shanel visiting the Darwin site.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

WORK on the construction of a submarine cable from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands is currently underway. Interchange Limited, a private company based in Vanuatu is funding the ICN2 cable to connect Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Interchange Limited also owns and operates the ICN1 cable between Vanuatu and Fiji.

In a statement to Island Sun, Simon Fletcher, CEO of Interchange Limited says construction phase of their project has commenced and this cable should be brought into service by the end of 2019.

Mr Fletcher says the total project costs USD30million but there are plenty of good reasons why ICN2 is important for the region.

“Vanuatu is currently served by a single cable ‘ICN1’ and should ICN1 fail for any reason, then ICN2 shall provide backup solution for consumers in Vanuatu.

“ICN2 shall also act as a backup solution for the Australia to Solomons and PNG cable.”

ICN2 Overview_ 1,632km in length

Fletcher says it was only a few months ago that all internet traffic in and out of Sydney via the Southern Cross cable to USA suffered a major service outage for more than 12 hours due to a cable breakage in Sydney.

“In the future once ICN2 and the Coral Sea Cable are both completed, this traffic can be rerouted via Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.”

Meanwhile the Australian Government is aware of the announcement of the ICN2 undersea telecommunications cable, linking Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

A spokesperson from the Australian High Commission says development -friendly IT infrastructure in the region improves interconnectedness and the potential for economic growth.

“The new proposed cable would complement the undersea telecommunications cable linking Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Australia which is due for completion by end of 2019,” the spokesperson said.

At the same time Fletcher of Interchange Limited says ICN2 will also offer an alternate route path for Australian users connecting the USA.

Australia earlier has qualms on the undersea cable construction from Australia to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and to Solomon Islands but this time round accept Interchange Limited’s construction of undersea cable from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands.

Minister for Aviation and Communications Peter Shanel visiting the Darwin site.

Interchange Limited though based in Vanuatu, currently has a valid licence to operate in Solomon Islands.

“They’ve submitted their application for a licence to the Telecommunications Commission in Honiara in 2013 and since approved have kept and renewed their licence,” a spokesperson from Telecommunications Commission SI (TCSI) confirmed.

“This project is long overdue and ever since their application, they’ve continuously renewed their licence every year,” the spokesperson said.

When making formal announcement of this contract, Simon Fletcher says Interchange is committed to improved ICT infrastructure to communities they serve throughout the Melanesia region.

“The ICN2 cable truly supports our mission and is the first submarine cable to the Solomon Islands. With the planned future systems in the region, we feel confident they will be complementary and serve to build a redundant and reliable network. This should provide some confidence to regional investors and datacenter partners,” Fletcher said.

Island Sun understands that the relevant Government ministry overseeing ICT in Solomon Islands is still to be formally briefed on this new development.

Interchange Limited’s project on the undersea cable from Vanuatu to Solomon Islands is privately funded and different to the Australian government funded cable.

Both are anticipating completion by the end of 2019.

Young Isabelians urged to set goals

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy police commissioner Mr. Gabriel Manelusi gives his opening address

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Deputy police commissioner Mr. Gabriel Manelusi gives his opening address

THE Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Gabriel Manelusi has urged all young Isabellians to set goals for their career, family life and education.

He made this called due to the recent data survey of the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MYWCFA) that spelt out the highest alcohol drinkers in Solomon Islands is Isabel province.

“I hereby calling on young Isabellians and each of you to set your own goals for your career part, family, education and to do everything you can to meet them.

“Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, commitment to do your work, paying attention in education, or spending time each day reading a book or Gods word.

“Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for young generations who are being harassed or intimidated because of who they are, how they look.

“Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to grow and learn to be a good men and women.

“These people succeeded because they understand that you can’t let your failures define you-you have to let them teach or listen to them.

“You have to let them show you what to do differently next time,” said Manelusi.

Students acknowledge parliament for information sharing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Burns Creek Adventist School students visit to the National Parliament.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

FORM three Social Studies students of Burns Creek Adventist School now have a fairer of the national government, rules, laws and courts after their recent visit to the Solomon Islands National Parliament.

A hundred and twenty-six form three students and their teachers visited the parliament house on May 31 and June 1.

The school stressed that the visit is held yearly and their students have benefited a lot from it thus the recent tour was very effective and reliable for students’ learning progress because they not only get to see the physical make up of our national parliament but can directly seek answers from parliament officers.

One of the teachers, Ms Noelyn Max said that the visit will boost the students’ preparation for their upcoming national exams later this year and will also prepare students to become politicians one day.

She mentioned that visit was a first time experience for some students who finally had the opportunity to speak with people there about parliament.

The students and staff of Burns Creek School wish to thank the National Parliament’s parliament staff for making the visits possible.

Burns Creek Adventist School students visit to the National Parliament.

SI Red Cross reviews constitution

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SOLOMON Islands Red Cross Society completed preliminary discussion on the review of its constitution on Wednesday, May 30.

According to their press release statement, the three day workshop facilitated by Sue Chamberlain from the New Zealand Red Cross and Divine Waiti of the Marshall Islands Red Cross Governing Board was attended by members of the governing board, senior management team, staff and volunteers from its provincial branches.

The facilitators are both members of the Red Cross Crescent Pacific Network Constitutional Advisory Committee.

As stated by the report, Secretary General of the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Mr Thomas Bebeu whilst delivering his opening address highlighted that the workshop marks the history of the national society in setting forth a direction that is visual for them to be more effective and relevant.

“Today marks a landmark in the history of the National Society in the review of our national constitution in order to comply with contemporary movement rules and procedures to make us an effective auxiliary to the public authorities in the humanitarian field,” said Mr Bebeu.

He expressed that amongst the growing number of institutions that have entered the humanitarian sector, working to reduce various vulnerabilities the society wants to remain as an active and leading actor.

Bebeu said that this is in the context of being prepared to assist the national government address humanitarian issues and fulfill its auxiliary role.

“That is, in rendering assistance in supporting the national government to meet the demands of local people and communities in both disaster and peace times,” he said.

Solomon Islands Red Cross society expressed that under it’s strategic mission, it continues to strive to be a leading humanitarian actor in the country.

The press statement mentioned that the society currently has four provincial branches Malaita, Western, Temotu and Rennell and Bellona provinces.

“The Solomon Islands Red Cross Society was a branch of the British Red Cross Society but subsequently recognised as National Red Cross Society through an Act of National Parliament of the Solomon Islands in 1983 and was officially admitted to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in 1991,” said the press statement.

St Francis becomes Parish Church

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Fr Steven being inducted as St Francis Parish new rector by Archbishop George Takeli. Photos by Daniel Kakadi.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

 

Fr Steven being inducted as St Francis Parish new rector by Archbishop George Takeli. Photos by Daniel Kakadi.

WHITE River’s St Francis church finally became a parish church after Anglican Church of Melanesia’s (ACOM) Rt Revd. Archbishop George Takeli conducted their inauguration ceremony yesterday.

The occasion also catered to the inauguration of St Francis parish Rector, Father Stephen Sage.

Moreover, speaking to the congregation towards the end of the church service, Archbishop Takeli shared the message that Anglicans must rise up and take on leadership.

He stated that although Anglican Church of Melanesia is the biggest church in the country, many Anglicans are followers.

Archbishop Takeli voiced that the time has now come for them to be leaders, leaders in their families and missions.

He called on the church to rise up and take up the challenge of leadership.

The church service concluded with feasting and entertainment from different parish groups and dioceses.

Western fishers told to control fishing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Mike Puia

Gizo

FISHERS in the Western province have been urged to control how they fish as the province continues to experience over-fishing.

The issue of over-fishing was also highlighted when the Gizo Raru Local Fishers Association for Sustainable Fisheries (GRLFASF) launched its constitution in Gizo last Friday.

Among other things GRLFASF vows to help tackle, the new body representing the voices of fishers has promised to help control over-fishing.

GRLFASF’s chairman, Amon Tauman, said over-fishing is obvious in their province and they are concerned about this.

Tauman said in the past their fishers fish nearby as fish was in abundance.

He said over-fishing has been responsible for the drop in fish stock in the province, with fishers having to travel by powered boat canoe far before they successfully fish.

Tauman said the issue of over-fishing is putting additional pressure on their islands that are already suffering from the impacts of climate change.

He said the spread of crown of thorns, a dangerous starfish that kills corals, is another problem threatening corals which in turn affected fish stock and fishers.

Another speaker who talked about the issue of over-fishing during the launch was Alpha Ghelly. Chelly, from Saeragi village on West Gizo, also involved in conservation activities.

He said over-fishing is a problem and fishers contribute to this problem when they continue to harvest small sized fishes and harvesting fish on sponging sites.

Chelly said sponging sites are important for fish and once harvested, fish would not be able to reproduce.

“Sponging sites is where fish reproduce. If harvested, it’s like destroying the labour ward in the hospital,” Chelly said.

Gizo market sea wall demolished

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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GRP local constructors demolished the existing sea wall and now salvaging rock for use in construction of the new gabion sea wall

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO

GIZO-based GRP Company Limited have demolished the Gizo sea wall.

This is in preparation for the re-development of Gizo market house construction projects.

Construction team leader said construction of the sea wall commenced this week.

“We have completed the excavation last week.

“We discourage general public to use the walk way close to the temporally fencing where the construction is,” said the construction team leader.

He said Gabion baskets and sea wall materials left Honiara on a barge to Gizo and they are expected to arrive this week at the provincial capital town.

Design for the Gizo market have been approved for construction the new market is designed in a way to be able to withstand a category 5 cyclone.

RSIPF Maritime supports women advancement 

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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L-R Constable Fatima Aoraunisaka of RSIPF , Rachel Bare-Anita & Cathy Talua of SIWIMA
L-R Constable Fatima Aoraunisaka of RSIPF , Rachel Bare-Anita & Cathy Talua of SIWIMA

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime supports the advancement of women in the maritime industry of Solomon Islands.

Director of RSIPF Maritime Division, Chief Superintendent Charles Fox Sau says, “My Division recognises the Solomon Islands Women in Maritime Association (SIWIMA) as the Association to promote the increase and involvement of Solomon Islands women in the maritime sector.”

“The RSIPF strive to promote gender equality; education advancement training and career opportunities for women; recognise the social responsibilities relating to women; and promote cooperation, friendship and understanding through the exchange of knowledge and the dissemination of information with other agencies like the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA), Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), shipping companies and non-Government organisations (NGOs),” says Director Sau.

He says, “I am proud that one of my staff Female Constable Fatima Aoraunisaka has been awarded with a Class 6 Master/Engineer Certificate of Competency (COC).

“She is the first female police officer to obtain such a qualification; a perfect example of promoting women in education advancement and career opportunities.”

A representative from SIWIMA, Rachel Bare-Anita says, “The vision of SIWIMA is to be the leading network aimed at empowering and advancing women in the Solomon Islands maritime sector and advocating for laws and policies that advance gender equality.”

She says, “Our objectives are to promote sea safety, conducting swimming lessons for children and encouraging females to work in the maritime industry.”

She adds: “We are the 6th such association in the Pacific region with Tonga, Vanuatu, PNG, Cook Islands and Fiji also having established similar associations. Collectively we are all part of the Pacific Women in Maritime Association (PacWIMA) with international links to other Womens Maritime sector groups in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.”

She adds: “With regards to membership, it is open to all women working in the maritime sector, both on and offshore, including the maritime administration, ports, police maritime, shipping companies, fishing industry, ship repair yards and other maritime related sectors. Membership is not restricted to women; SIWIMA encourages men in the maritime industry to join as well and supporting the SIWIMA’s aims and objectives.”

“We also call on women in the Solomon Islands who have had some experience and education in teaching safe swimming and are interested to advocate for safe swimming for our children to come along and join the group,” says Bare-Anita.

For further enquiries, you are welcome to contact phone 21535 / email: [email protected] or you can visit our face book page Solomon Islands Women in Maritime Association.

To join the RSIPF Maritime you are required to be a RSIPF member; which means for non RSIPF members you required to apply through any RSIPF advertisement new recruitment.

–POLICE MEDIA

Paid advertisement- Follow The Law

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, I thank you for the paid advertisement in the Island Sun Paper from the Spokesperson from the Samlinsam Logging Company dated May 24, 2018.

I have documentary evidences that prove the Samlinsam logging company, the Licensees, the Commissioner of Forestry, and the Director of Environment are wrong.

The strategy the Samlinsam logging company is operating in the country has victimised the government officers into erroneous errors.

I remain in maintaining my stand that the Samlinsam logging company since operating in the company has acted criminally and pretending as he is an ingenious person of Solomon Islands.

The boss of the Samlinsam was once placed in the prison custody for an allege crime.

He is smart to get out from being charge for the offence of inciting.

If I were an investigator, it is quite clear that there is a likely crime committing and I can easily unveil the offence.

It is a crime to enter a land without consent which is criminal trespass.

I have my lands being entered into by the Samlinsam through cone people who are not in possession of legal documents of ownership.

However the attitude of the Samlinsam logging company is to use pressure and extract logs with an understanding that paying of a fine in court is just a penny of a dollar but to secure 7 to 8 million dollars per shipment is paramount.

Samlinsam logging company does not follow the law and have fake documents which Island Sun paper cannot properly detect its authenticity.

I have the same papers of the origin and I am afraid, the paper might mislead the people of this nation.

William Gua

Security operation set for Choiseul province election

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO

TARO police officers will be mounting a massive operation for the provincial election in Choiseul next week.

Choiseul province will go to the polls to elect their MPAs on June 13, 2018.

Choiseul provincial police commander Vincent Eria told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that almost 90 percent of his officers will be involved in the security operation for the provincial election and counting day.

Eria said Taro police are prepared and have developed an extensive security plan to carry out within North and South Choiseul during the poll day.

“Our operation will involve officers from Taro to monitoring each polling station in Choiseul province.

“We will mount a full security services from the force, thus I would like to encourage voters, supporters, campaign managers and the general public to behave and respect the work and support of police.

“It’s important for the public around Choiseul province to be aware that the operation will involve a large number of Taro Police Officers and the team from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force from Honiara.”

He said that police will not tolerate any unwanted behaviour, and has warned Taro residents and communities within Wagina, outh and North Choiseul to behave.

He encourages the general public to remain calm and wishes the province a successful and enjoyable election campaigns and polling day.

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