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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
