THE gruesome killing over the weekend of a 50 year old man in Tathiboko in North East Guadalcanal is not acceptable and should not be tolerated.
Issues and reports surrounding the incident does not speak well of the society.
Just a week ago, a perception survey report was launched detailing how people in Solomon Islands perceive peacebuilding, reconciliation and stability but to name a few.
The incident that occurred over the weekend is in contrast to the government’s aim to restore peace and stability in our country.
Nor should the government take lightly such incidences, more-so leaders in North East Guadalcanal.
Just over a year ago, calls were made for the leaders in North East Guadalcanal to address lawlessness and senseless killings. This call was made by an academic of the region.
He cited that over the past several years, three incidents involving blood brothers that resulted in deaths took place while killings and injuries caused by people against their own people also took place along the roads.
What has become of our country or our island of Guadalcanal? Will the perception survey report be just another document shelved to collect dust?
For cases of this sort, how will government intervene to halt or minimize such acts? The launching of the perception survey report must be commended but now it is time for action.
How many more incidents of this sort will happen or how many more bloodshed in family squabbles will take place before we act on our plans? While government strategize, families continue to fight, tribes continue to go to court over land ownership, and people continue to fight each other.
What will be the use of such report if not utilized properly to full fill its purpose?
Government, please do not wait too long to formulate critical key policies to address issues of this sort.
Policies alone will not be able to maintain peace.
Let us not sit on these critical issues hindering peacebuilding or rely on policies to keep the peace. Let us be practical and start doing things now.
CIP’s Siota PSS students and Staff carrying out their school fundraising over the weekend at Tulaghi purposely for the Premier School’s rehabilitation on infrastructures. PHOTOS BY MANEBONA BARNABAS
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
IN NGELLA
TULAGHI Township enjoyed the weekend as Siota Provincial Secondary School’s (PSS) students entertained them with fundraising purposely for the Premier School’s rehabilitation on infrastructures.
Leading the students according to their programmes was none other than Siota PSS front man and School Principal Fr Patterson Tako.
Siota’s school fundraising kick starting on Friday night comprised of dancing, requests made over competing with amounts of money and selling barbeque foods.
The School Chaplain for Siota Fr Tony Ubara when speaking to Island Sun said that while waiting for the Education Authority of CIP to help the school’s maintenance and so, they are fitting into their programme’s ways to address their school situation.
CIP’s Siota PSS students and Staff carrying out their school fundraising over the weekend at Tulaghi purposely for the Premier School’s rehabilitation on infrastructures. PHOTOS BY MANEBONA BARNABAS
“This is so that we quickly repair classroom buildings, dormitories, Staff houses and other buildings by repainting them and fixing small repairements needed to be done to help us be in a conducing learning environment. Not only the buildings but focusing on improving other areas as well,” clarified the School Chaplain.
According to the school chaplain, the next place for them to carry out fundraising is at Honiara, but that is planned for later this year.
Siota PSS students and their Staff returned yesterday to CIP’s premier school as it is understood that they raised more than $14,000 during their three times entertainment (Friday night, Saturday mid-day and night again).
The students travelling for the fundraising are said to have been students selected from within all the Forms at Siota (one to six) and that they represent all the provinces of Solomon Islands.
It is proven from observation that after facing a downfall over the past years with school examination results and improper leadership, Siota PSS is slowly recovering and improving again this year under the leadership of Fr Patterson Tako.
Premier of Central Islands Province, Hon Patrick Vasuni.
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
IN NGELLA
Premier of Central Islands Province, Hon Patrick Vasuni.
SOCIAL media’s critical comments about Central province not doing enough to address logging and mining issues of the province is not the case said Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.
On his stand referring to comments by members on Ngella’s famous social media forum (Ngella Forum), the CIP Premier said he can confidently say this.
Speaking to Ngella Forum (NGF) members and supporters handing over a petition to ban logging on Ngella over the weekend at Tulaghi, the Premier clarified that since logging re-entries started about two to three years ago, the province has monitored the documentation, formalities, harvesting and coup plan implementation of the concession areas and actually raised issues with AG Chambers and the Commissioner of Forestry and relevant Permanent Secretaries.
“For your information, right now, the Forestry Commissioner is holding on to three (3) logging applicants for a license seeking consent to fell trees on Small Ngella,” explained the Premier.
“The province however intervened through Section 10 of the Forestry Act in that approvals of Form one (1) cannot be approved outright unless Section 10 is satisfied as a baseline provincial oversight and monitoring mechanism.
“Section 10 requires Central Province to make a State of the Forests Report directly to the Minister of Forestry. This report has not been done in the past and for 2017 is the first one and the Administration is working on it.
“Again as you are well aware of the latest developments, already notice has been issued to the current licenses and contractors under powers of the Commissioner of Forests.
“Those are for alleged breaches of the Forestry Act and Conditions.
“This came about after much pressure and reports conducted by the Forestry Enforcement and Environmental for trees felled and damages to land and trees on the Provincial Registered land at Maleali.
“This opportunity or legal standing by the province advances issues and concerns of other concerned landowners by the province.
“To the landowners and representatives, if there are trees felled outside of the concession area approved by the Timber Right Hearing Process then the felling is unlawful and you can seek remedy for damages or compensation.”
On this note, Vasuni assured that CIP is seeking a logging Moratorium on Ngella Islands as the process is now on the roll.
“CIP will conduct a survey by the Forestry Team in Tulaghi as their data and findings will form part of the Central Province State of the Forests Report 2017,” said Hon Vasuni.
“The report will state and confirm whether there is overharvesting done or is imminent to occur once operations continue.
“If the baseline and data suggests so then the Minister will be compelled to consider and action the Moratorium of 50 years.
“It is a fact that re-entries are done after 15 to 25 years but in Ngella’s case, only after 8 years. This is double jeopardy for the regrowth of forests.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Gabriel Manelusi
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Gabriel Manelusi
THE Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Gabriel Manelusi has revealed that Isabel province is ranked the highest alcohol drinker in Solomon Islands.
He said this is according to the recent data survey carried out in 2018 by the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) which reads 72 percent alcohol and other substance abuse, 50 percent land disputes and 20 percent logging.
“The recent data survey of highest alcohol drinker in Solomon Islands is Isabel province.
“The data shows risk on human resources for Isabel province in terms of economy growth due to the impact of healthy issues in the future.
“It is not too late to ask God forgiveness so that we build Isabel Province in More Collaboration approach,” said Manelusi.
The survey was carried out at eight provinces, Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Makira, Western and Honiara.
Posing for a group photo in front of CIP’s Provincial Government Office, CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni and members of the provincial government with the famous Ngella Forum’s (NGF) Team members and supporters comprising of Ngella
local tourism business people, Siota PSS and McMahon CHS’s teachers and students, plus children, woman and members of relevant authorities and the public taking part in the peaceful march on Saturday to launch the logging petition for
Ngella. PHOTOS BY MANEBONA BARNABAS
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
IN NGELLA
NGELLA’S logging petition to ban the activity was successfully launched over the weekend at Tulaghi received by the premier of Central Islands province (CIP).
Handing over the petition were school students of Siota Provincial Secondary School (PSS) on behalf of local citizens contributing in signing and the famous Ngella Forum (NGF) Team of social media being the back bone initiating the historical move.
The petition presented to the provincial government will be part of CIP’s State of the Forests Report 2017-2018 to the Ministry of Forestry.
Despite NGF’s Team travelling over to Tulaghi was small in members presence, the NGF Administration with the help of children, McMahon Community High School and Siota PSS students and Staffs, authorities Officers and members of the general public marched starting at the provincial headquarter market reaching the front doors of the Provincial Government Office where the Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni was waiting.
NGF’s Team member Mr Kenneth Sagupari before handing over the petition to CIP’s Premier explained that they the people of Ngella are disturbed by the uncontrolled and unsustainable harvesting of the forestry resources (logging) on their islands seeing the destruction of the environment as a result from the activity.
Siota PSS students handing over the logging petition to CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni
“We would like to see that our forests are reserved for our livelihoods and that for our future generations. We would also like to preserve the beauty of our islands and the environment for other sustainable developments such as tourism for the enjoyment of our citizens,” said Sagupari.
“Therefore, we would like to petition our provincial government as the legitimate representative of our people to act on the following demands and wishes of our people: 1, to work with the relevant and responsible authorities to use the existing mechanisms and legislations to put a Moratorium on logging on Ngella.
“The provincial government to update the people through Ngella Forum and other avenues on actions being taken as well as the progress of negotiations, 2, to investigate the legality and legitimacy of the existing logging operations on Ngella.
“Also, to demand the relevant and responsible authorities to penalise the operators if they are found to be illegal and illegitimate, 3, to support the awareness activities by citizens and concerned groups on the effects of logging, 4, to liaise with other stakeholders to push for the review and reform of the Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act with a view to protect the livelihood and interests of our people.”
The famous Ngella Forum Team and supporters of the logging petition marching to the CIP Provincial Government Head Office over the weekend to hand over their petition to CIP’s Premier
In response after welcoming the peaceful march, Hon Patrick Vasuni assured NGF and supporters that CIP is seeking a logging Moratorium on Ngella Islands as the process is on the roll now.
“CIP will conduct a survey by the Forestry Team in Tulaghi as their data and findings will form part of the Central Province State of the Forests Report 2017,” said Hon Vasuni.
“The report will state and confirm whether there is overharvesting done or is imminent to occur once operations continue.
“If the baseline and data suggests so then the Minister will be compelled to consider and action the Moratorium of 50 years. It is a fact that re-entries are done after 15 to 25 years but in Ngella’s case, only after 8 years. This is double jeopardy for the regrowth of forests.
“On the issue of mining starting with prospecting, it is even worse than logging. Mining can be seen as logging first and excavating the soil.
“The province is aware of such negative effects and has objected to the first part at the Mines and Mineral Board level.
“The objection by landowners is the key to total no mining in CIP. Landowners must say no and NGF must see to it done if you are serious enough. Awareness through talking is good but visual banners stating “Mining Free Village” is a good start so to make the presence all the way.
“Do not sign access agreements as you will give away your land by birthright to very destructive developments. Just sign access or partnership agreements with the province for tourism and infrastructure developments as the last say will be the landowners and not the province.
Posing for a group photo in front of CIP’s Provincial Government Office, CIP’s Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni and members of the provincial government with the famous Ngella Forum’s (NGF) Team members and supporters comprising of Ngella local tourism business people, Siota PSS and McMahon CHS’s teachers and students, plus children, woman and members of relevant authorities and the public taking part in the peaceful march on Saturday to launch the logging petition for Ngella. PHOTOS BY MANEBONA BARNABAS
“This is the same with logging as we just facilitate the process and monitor via section 10 of the Forestry Act.
“People own the land especially customary land, and that is why partnership is the way forward. If people can say yes to logging then why not say yes to partnership deals for tourism and infrastructure developments.”
The Premier finally encouraged NGF members to diverge and lead the economic front through private sector growth on Ngella Islands.
“You can make the change as well in parallel with the provincial government programmes. The opportunity is here and now is the time to take control and lead,” Vasuni strongly reminded.
Despite of the petition being signed and handed over, Island Sun understands that NGF will continue to carry out more signing process to increase the number of signings against logging for the provincial government to use as it will form part of the State of the Forest Report 2017 as an annexure to it.
Not logging alone but mining prospect is in the game plan of banning as well.
To ban these activities, the CIP provincial government through the Provincial Secretary (PS), Christian Siale, has assured that there are other positive alternatives such as tourism activities for the province to focus on towards future developments.
PS MWYCFA Dr Cedric Alependava with PS for Ministry of Public Service Mr Nego Sisiolo seen on the background
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
PS MWYCFA Dr Cedric Alependava with PS for Ministry of Public Service Mr Nego Sisiolo seen on the background
PERMANENT Secretary for the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) has urged public servants to uphold public relation as their number one priority.
Dr Cedric Alependava said he does not want to see public servants of the government ministries chewing betel-nut and smoking in offices – which is not professional.
He said smoking and chewing betel-nut is common in offices and has never been addressed.
“I would rather like to see public servant not chewing betel- nut and smoking in office,” he said.
“I’m a dental surgeon and if somebody comes to me I will focus eyes on their teeth and mouth.”
He also adds that dressing code is another area of importance, and that public servants should not wear jeans to work.
Alependava said this is stated in the public service code of conduct.
“I’m saying this because in our building officers are smoking down and upstairs and when you try to walk up you breathe nearly 7 thousand chemicals.
“If you want to be a good public servant up stain from smoking and if wanted to smoke, smoke responsibly.”
Alependava is a former consultant of the tobacco act taskforce.
Solomon Islands have passed a law to ban smoking on public transportation and public places; anyone found will be fined or imprisoned.
“I have experience in talking about smoking issue, and smoking kills six millions of people every year with 600 thousand people died of passive smoking,” he adds.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Mr Nego Sisiolo said Ministry of Public Service expects public servants to abide by public servant code of conduct.
He said this is very important that officers of the government performed professionally with positive behaviour and attitude at workplace at stated in the code of conduct.
Ward 10 outgoing MPA Hon. Jane Tozaka contributing during the final provincial assembly sitting on Thursday last week.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
Ward 10 outgoing MPA Hon. Jane Tozaka contributing during the final provincial assembly sitting on Thursday last week.
NORTH Vella la Vella MPA Jane Tozaka has decided not to contest this year’s provincial election in the Western province.
Mrs Tozaka has been the provincial minister for health & medical services and MPA for ward 10, Iriqila.
Speaking on her shock decision not to recontest, she said, “My people in Ward 10 are not happy because they know that they will miss my never ending support.
“My exit from this highest authority in the provincial government will leave a gap for my people in Ward 10.
“I only hope and pray that my successor will continue fill in that gap as this is a farewell for me as I am not an intending candidate to contest.
Tozaka expected those who are contesting the Ward 10 seat to deliver what the people want.
She also thanked colleague MPAs from the outgoing assembly for their respect and cooperation in the last four years.
She thanks the people of Ward 10 for the trust and belief they have bestowed on her, saying that although she is leaving the political arena, she will still be actively involved in women’s groups and community groups and activities.
She cites planning to spend more time with the women’s group, the Jorio Java Dovele Women Association (JJDWA).
Four intending candidates will contest next week for the Ward 10 seat; Mr Rex Sebela, Mr Lepese Paul, Mrs Loisi Ziru and Mr Alista Porebangara.
Group of men, Danny Kennedy and wife
Kerrie of Dive Gizo help to kill crown of thorns.
By Mike Puia
Gizo
Group of men, Danny Kennedy and wife Kerrie of Dive Gizo help to kill crown of thorns.
THE dangerous starfish, crown of thorns, is posing a serious threat to the Western province’s underwater.
Most people do not realise the seriousness of the problem since they live on the land. Divers and those who are familiar with the invasive sea creature know the problem.
Diving expert in the province, Dive Gizo, is one of those who know the threat posed by crown of thorns.
Dive Gizo owner, Danny Kennedy, described crown of thorns as “a serious threat to the province’s underwater”.
Danny explains, crown of thorns is a killer of corals, and if corals are killed the beauty of the underwater will be gone and fishes and other sea creatures around will move away.
He said it will affect tourism as many tourists that visit the country want to see beautiful corals and Western province offers some of the country’s world class underwater.
Danny, who started Dive Gizo 32 years ago, said the only natural killer of crown of thorns is conch shell (called buki in the Kolombangara dialect) but many people in the province are harvesting the shell for home decoration.
He said oversea countries are aware of how serious the problem is and their governments are putting in lots of money into efforts to fight the starfish.
Danny said recently the Australian government injected $400 million into efforts to eradicate underwater invasive species.
He said this shows the seriousness of the problem and how governments overseas take serious steps to fight invasive sea creatures.
Danny said this is something he wants to see the national and provincial governments taking an interest on.
Dive Gizo has been fighting the starfish since it started operations in the province.
It also pays those who kill and brought the starfish to its office. It pays a starfish for $1.
The starfish is pulled off from a coral and buried inland to avoid it from producing thousands more.
Recently, Dive Gizo handed $10,000 toward a major clean-up that would take place in Gizo next week.
During this clean-up, there will be a clean-up team that would also be cleaning crown of thorns in selected areas around Gizo and picnic islands.
Panel of the radio talkback show yesterday, L-R Chief Conservation Officer Agnetha Vave Karamui, Deputy Director Inshore Mrs Rosalie Masu Director Joe Horokou, Director Edward Honiwala and Country Manager WWF Shannon Seeto
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Panel of the radio talkback show yesterday, L-R Chief Conservation Officer Agnetha Vave Karamui, Deputy Director Inshore Mrs Rosalie Masu Director Joe Horokou, Director Edward Honiwala and Country Manager WWF Shannon Seeto
SOLOMON Islands citizens are concerned with the high rate of plastic pollution which poses negative impacts to the environment.=
In a radio talkback show with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, public responded with the serious idea to ban plastics.
Respond from the public during the talkback at the SIBC yesterday, citizens are concerned that the marine biodiversity and environment are threatened by plastics.
They wanted to know if the government is serious about plastic pollution, asking if there is a policy or law in place to ban plastic usage.
In response, the Director for Environment and Conservation Division, Mr Joe Horokou said Solomon Islands Government is serious about this issue.
He said currently SIG through his Ministry is working on reviewing the Environment Act, and ban of plastic is one of the issues.
He also adds to fully ban use of plastic, there must be an effective law in place as well as alternatives that the country should look at.
At the moment Environment and Conservation Division is distributing drums to communities and carrying out awarenesses in schools as the effort for plastic campaign, he said.
Director for Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mr Edward Honiwala said to beat plastic pollution it requires the participation of everyone.
To residents of Honiara, Honiwala said “Honiara is our city and Solomon Island is our country and everyone has the part to play in beating the plastic pollution which threatens our oceans.”
Public and individuals are also concerned about the issue and show seriousness in creating innovations to battle issues related to the environment.
A good example is the Friends of the City, a local setup voluntarily taking initiatives targeting a healthy and safer city for everyone.
The radio talkback show is organised by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
The talkback show yesterday is a kick-start of the World Environment Day celebration with aim to get feedback from people about this year’s theme: “Beating Plastic Pollution”.
This week, starting tomorrow, leading organisations of the environment will be celebrating the World Environment Day on Tuesday 5, World Oceans Day Friday 5 and Coral Triangle Initiative June 9.
DEAR EDITOR, when speaking at a ceremony in Honiara last week to celebrate World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, Dr. Nemia Bainivalu, the Under-Secretary for Health Improvement under the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) talked of having a new, novel diagnostic tool being finalized which would allow for a rapid diagnosis of TB and drug resistance in a few hours
Dr Bainivalu was speaking of the new tool in the context of the MHMS being mindful for the need for research to determine the optimal operational approaches to new technology, strategies and interventions in a national TB Operational Research Plan.
I was interested to learn that Dr Bainivalu mentioned having additional domestic and donor funding and new partners to address TB through the MHMS National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) and being able to mobilize more community representatives to address TB.
Dr. Bainivalu envisaged that having more funding for the NTP would increase demand for TB services after informing greater numbers of people about the availability of TB services for free over the whole country.
TB is an airborne bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and remains prevalent in the Solomon Islands especially in parts of Malaita Province.
In Malaita the Atoifi Adventist Hospital (AAH has been at the forefront of responding and addressing the TB problem with much support from Australian organizations, including the Australian Respiratory Council.
In the past, the AAH successfully received a grant from the Australian Respiratory Council to develop local TB services.
Early project work, facilitated by the grant, involved traditional oral story telling providing education and communication about TB. With modern technology locally made videos in the local languages and Pijin were developed for community based TB education and used widely.
It is very much hoped that the new diagnostic tool outlined by Dr Bainivalu will further aid the advances already made by local health team workers and village elders and Chiefs to stimulate more discussion, understanding and early active case finding and treatment of TB.
