MALAITA provincial government, despite being a male dominated chamber, is supporting the push for women agenda in the province.
Malaita has one female provincial member, who is the provincial minister for women, Rose Liata. She is fighting for women’s rights.
Liata said at first it was challenging to be among a male dominated executive which sometimes she found it difficult to drive women agenda. But she says her colleague MPAs are supportive.
Liata said Malaita provincial government is now supportive of women’s issues and ensure activities are implemented according to Malaita provincial government policy and women’s policy.
“With the issues of women, if I bring to the executive level, they respected me and even supportive behind me as well and I see they are really supportive behind women to push for women agendas,” she said.
She said the Malaita executive has been behind her to bring up its women’s policy which resulted in the endorsement of Malaita Women’s Policy, launched early this year.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, UNDP and UN Women formed a women’s caucus network.
The network consists of women representatives from Malaita, Guadalcanal and Western provinces and is with the aim to share women’s common issues and discuss priority areas.
National Programme Coordinator, UN Women Audrey Manu said the women caucus network will help women in the three targeted provinces to connected and share common issues.
She adds such network is set up for women to share common issues and priorities for Malaita province, GP and Western province.
THE Western Provincial government is planning to improve on land issues in the province, says acting premier Maloney Lopoto.
Lopoto in his opening address at the provincial assembly yesterday said land is a sensitive issue and government is undertaking a very comprehensive and easy approach cautious land reform programme as part of its drive to prepare the province for new investment opportunities and partnership ideas with people, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, mining and other sectoral development.
“We have three people owning land in this province, the Commissioner of Lands, the Premier and the Tribe/clans include customary.
“We need to liase and work closely with them in terms of land issues.”
Lopoto stressed that the government through the lands ministry have done so many things with land matters and achieved some progress.
PRINCIPAL Magistrate Leonard Chite has adjourned the case against an accused Luke Kemakeha to June 5 allowing both prosecution and the defence lawyer to sort out outstanding issues on the case.
Appeared in court for the Office of the Director Public Prosecution Dalcy Belapitu said all other disclosures in relation to the charges against the accused has been provided to the defence except for the medical report in relation to the 2010 incident.
The court was told that the prosecution already consulted the Tulagi police in relation to the medical report and they are saying that they will check with Dende clinic in Central Island Province.
Probably the medical report will be provided this week, the prosecution said yesterday.
Meanwhile defence lawyer confirmed receiving the disclosures and said that if the medical report is difficult to obtain then the defence is intending to make negotiation in relation to the charge of 2010 incident.
The defence also said in relation to the charges occurred in 2018 all disclosures were already provided and the accused is prepared to take his plea.
But the presiding Magistrate said both counsels have to sort the outstanding issues before dealing with the case as all facts will be considered on the case.
The accused Kemakeha is charged with one count of unlawfully attempt to strike with knife, one count of causing grievous harm and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
This is in relation to incidents occurred in Ngella Central Island Province.
SICCI Chair, Jay Bartlett delivering his official remarks at the signing ceremony.
Police Commissioner Matthew Varley delivering his official remarks.
THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have signed a partnership agreement aimed at strengthening mutual relationship to work together.
The signing ceremony held at the Rove Police Headquarter was attended by the members of the business community, SICCI Board, Senior Executives of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and members of the diplomatic corp.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is aimed at strengthening the relationship between SICCI and RSIPF to collaborate. Both parties recognized that there is a strong link between the rule of law, growth and investment which underpins private sector development and job creation.
The agreement will provide a conduit through the set-up of an Executive Group comprising of both parties to explore, discuss and resolve areas of common interest. In brief the MOU will allow both parties to share and exchange information, explore and promote crime prevention initiatives, including recognizing the commercial perspective of businesses in the Solomon Islands. Both parties also recognize and share a social conscience for community wellbeing.
SICCI Chair, Jay Bartlett in his official remarks acknowledged the role of RSIPF in recognizing the need to collaborate through the signing of the MOU.
SICCI Chair, Jay Bartlett delivering his official remarks at the signing ceremony.
“Today our two institutions will mark a historical milestone in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and the significance is in the acknowledgement. It is an acknowledgement that we need each other” said Mr Bartlett.
“The relationship between the public and private sector is one that we believe needs to be continually strengthened in order to adequately face the challenges ahead of us”
The Chair further highlighted that it is time to do things differently, to collaborate, to co-ordinate and to better communicate. “This platform will provide an opportunity for the private sector to take a more pro-active role in supporting our Police Force and vice versa” said Mr Bartlett.
RSIPF Commissioner Matthew Varley also acknowledged the commitment and leadership from the private sector in agreeing to collaborate and reinforcing the need to work together.
“This new partnership that we are cementing together between RSIPF and SICCI recognizes the strength of working together. We can combine the resources and ingenuity of the police and business communities across Solomon Islands to solve problems and improve communities”
“Strong partnership gives strengths to communities and therefore communities can grow and prosper,” said Mr Varley.
The signing ceremony follows 11 months of work behind the scene to finalize the agreement.
SIWIBA’s first market for 2018 took place at the Girls Guide headquarters yesterday.
Speaking at the program, Australian High Commission’s programme manager working with SIWIBA, Mrs Vanessa Teutao congratulated the association and its members for their work and making the event happen.
She also commended the Secretariat and Board for coming together and ensuring there is strong leadership as the search for a new CEO continues.
Mrs Teutao stated that while Australia supports initiatives like the SIWIBA market, formerly known as “Mere’s market”, they are also working together to ensure that there are plans in place to keep providing the technical support necessary for the organisation’s continuance.
She stressed that one of their development programmes involving SIWIBA is in the area of women’s economic empowerment.
“When women are able to actively participate economically like they are doing here today, everyone benefits. Men, women, boys and girls,” said Mrs Teutao.
She furthered that there are reasons why economic empowerment of women in Solomon Islands is critical to development in the country thus they are proud to be supporting this through the work SIWIBA is doing.
LANDOWNING tribes and communities within the Gold Ridge catchment area have been urged to respect the revived Gold Ridge Mining operation.
This, the Chairman of the Gold Ridge Council of Chiefs, Dick Douglas emphasised during a chupu ceremony over the weekend, which seek the cultural consent of those residing within four of the pits that are part of the mining lease for the Gold Ridge Land, to move out.
The ceremony saw a total of 25 chupus being presented to members of the 16 tribes that own the Gold Ridge land, including tribesmen and women of nearby regions within Guadalcanal.
Douglas, who was instrumental in the consultation process, which seeks to involve a peaceful means of getting his people out of the mining pits, called on his people that have resettled in the mine sites to respect the company and the process that will be conducted for their removal.
“Respect is an important thing in our culture where we will show to all parties involved that we agree upon and we would also want the process to go smoothly so we can achieve what we anticipate as the good part in the operation of the mining company on our land.
“And you all should be proud of the fact that we as landowners for the first time, own a company that will give benefits back to our people.”
He then appealed to his people through representations of the chiefs of Gold Ridge from the 16 tribes that are living within the pits, “to respect and honour the agreements that will see our moving out from these pits”.
Meanwhile, Douglas acknowledged the Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL) Management team and the chairman, for what he termed as a vision, on the work done and recognising the importance of ensuring a smooth and effective way to deal with our people and other friends in these pits.
He said this vision should be given thorough acknowledgement because it will give the people of Gold Ridge a pure opportunity, to hold hands with not only fellow landowners for a common good, but so as for the benefit of both the company and the landowners.
“On that note, I therefore urge the management to look at our people and listen to their concerns, bringing them (issues) on the table for discussions to ensure they are met in ways possible, so we can support each other in this important development.”
He however asked that the Solomon Islands government also look into the outstanding issues of his people known to have been pending, “and it is very important that they are given due diligent and considerations so we can iron them out for the benefit of all involved in this important project”.
“I would also want to reiterate that the support of our people on the local company the GCIL is paramount and for that I want to salute the people from the 16 tribes that own gold ridge for your continued support in the processes that we have been through up till now.
“I would also want to thank the work of the Council of Chiefs and the team that you have put in place, with the emphasis in what we now see as another important part in the process, and that is for our people’s removal from the pits
“We don’t want anything to disturb the operations, don’t we?” the Chairman for the Gold Ridge Council of Chiefs asked the gathered Gold Ridge Chiefs, elders and community members present at the occasion.
Also speaking during the ceremony, mines minister and Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal, Bradley Tovosia, in his response, assured those residing in the pits that the government will see whatever issues they are facing as far as relocation is concerned.
He said the government will look at where necessary to ensure that whatever issues or claims pit settlers have against the company including certain claims, are thoroughly looked into.
He also called on the company to also join hands with the government in the assurance to also ensure that whatever grudges or issues raised against them (company and government) are sorted out and dealt with, but reminded pit settlers that they have got to move out.
“Our acceptance of these chupus, is a cultural significance that we also accepted the call and facilitation to move out.
“And the company has the legal right to run all its activities within these pits and as a government, we also respects the lease given to this new GRML set up, and remember also, that since the government’s approval to renew the mining lease over the gold ridge land, you no longer have the legal rights to do anymore activities including further panning for gold,” Mr Tovosia added.
In acceptance of the calls for government’s consideration into people’s issues, the Minister also called on landowners and fellow tribesmen of the 16 landowning tribes to bring their concerns to the government.
“As long as I’m still Minister until my term lapses on the 7th of December, I will see that all your concerns and issues are looked into by the government and see where possible within our capacity, we will deal with them.
The ministry is there for the people, it belongs to the people of Solomon Islands, and issues of relevancy to our ministry should be dealt with at all legal and proper costs,” the mines minister explained.
Ministers shown sporting facilities built for the landowners (LOs)
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
WORDS of thanks comes from the communities at Rennell as a result of the recent visit to Rennell Island by government ministers, led by the Minister for Mines & Energy Bradley Tovosia,
Community landowners and school teachers welcome the visit by the ministers and government officials as ‘timely, being very necessary and encouraging’.
Although the visit was very short, the objective of their visit has been met, which is to see and witness firsthand information on the mining operations on the ground and its effect on the environment and the people.
Much has been said on social media and print papers on mining but unless one pays a visit and set foot on the ground before they could understand the real impact and situation on the ground.
The visit also coincided with book donations to Tupuaki Primary School and New Place Secondary school.
The visit also gives an opportunity for the ministers to have a glimpse of the provincial headquarters which has run down tremendously.
Ministers and officials have also visited the company’s nursery programme which is aimed at reforestation of valuable and marketable tree species to sustain community financial capacity in the future.
This is a very important company policy initiative to assist communities assist themselves.
During their visit to the mine sites, the ministers were shown the Electronic Digital weighing scale which is used to weigh all soils which contain Bauxite.
Ministers shown sporting facilities built for the landowners (LOs)
The minister were told that all vehicles carrying or transporting these elements must go through the electronic digital weighing scale before transported to the ports for loading into shipping lines to be exported.
“This is necessary to give confidence to the landowners,” they were told.
The ministers were also shown the sports infrastructure and facilities the company has built and is continuing to build for the communities significantly the young sport enthusiast of Renbel Province.
“We are working in partnership with the landowners and communities to effect these initiatives, says the spokesperson of Bintan Mining SI Limited who had also accompanied the delegation during the visit,” the spokesperson for the company explained.
The company had also donated educational school books to the Tupuaki Primary School and to the New Place Secondary school in Rennell during the visit.
Both school head teachers of the schools have thanked Bintan Mining for their donations of these very important school materials.
Electronic scale showed to the visiting delegation. Photos suppliedCompany’s nursery site the delegates were taken to.
DEAR EDITOR, SINU Management wishes to provide the following information on the progress made so far in the implementation of Solar Hybrid Power Generation Project.
This is to make clarification and to response to the news item and the statement from the Honourable Prime Minister in relation to the Solar Hybrid Power Generation Project for SINU donated by the Republic of China, Taiwan.
The SINU Management would like to correct the misleading statement by the news article which appeared in the Island Sun newspaper issue of Tuesday May 29, 2018.
The SINU since the beginning of this year has been working closely with the Republic of China Embassy Office to implement the Solar Hybrid Power Generation Project.
Both parties have agreed that the tendering process for project should be in line with the SINU tendering and procurement procedure.
SINU has established its Project Team that worked on the project.
The fact is that the university Tender Board has already identified the winning bidder out of the two ROC Solar companies that bided for the project but since the value of the project is USD 1 million equivalent to approximately SBD 8 million, the recommendation of the Tender Board Committee was then submitted to the joint Finance and Investment Committee Planning and Development Committee of the SINU Council for its approval.
The SINU Management wants to clarify there is no delay from SINU on the implementation of the project.
Since the announcement of the funding last year, the SINU has not received any clear information on how to get the project started but at the beginning of this year, SINU has been working with the ROC Embassy office to implement the project.
The SINU Management does not think it is fair on the PM to put the blame on SINU senior Management on the current progress and status of the project because the SINU Project Team has worked really hard with support from the SINU Management to get to the current stage of implementation.
Had the PM or the Island Sun newspaper reporter sort clarification from SINU Management before going out to the media, the SINU would provide the right information needed.
There was no delay from the SINU Management but the joint Finance & Investment and Planning and Development Committee of Council demands for a Business case and other cost benefits analysis data from the benefits of SINU having the Solar Project implemented cause the delay in the formal confirmation and formal announcement of the winning bidder.
The article as appeared in May 29, 2018 issue of the Island Sun is really a disappointment to the SINU Management, its hard working staff and other colleagues from Solomon Power (SIEA) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy who were actively involved on the Project.
The SINU Project Team has worked closely with our counterpart from ROC in moving the project forward and communication has been done on regular basis.
SINU Management hopes this clarifies our side of the story about the Solar Hybrid Power Generation Project that there was no delay as perceived in the article but the University making sure that project has gone through its internal process for checks and approval.
DEAR EDITOR, as I write this piece I am mindful that there are many hundreds of ex-patients of the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital (NRH) that have had limbs amputated due to diabetes and who are still awaiting replacement prosthetics due to the closure of the once operational rehabilitation workshop at the NRH and there being no money to rehabilitate and re-equip the important facility.
According to the WHO (quote) “Replacing traditional foods with imported, processed food has contributed to the high prevalence of obesity and related health problems in the Pacific islands.
“Scattered across the Pacific Ocean are thousands of islands which make up three regions known as Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Beyond the image of white sandy beaches and carefree lifestyles, the Pacific islands are facing serious health problems, the prime culprit being imported foods.
“In at least 10 Pacific island countries, more than 50% (and in some, up to 90%) of the population is overweight according to World Health Organization (WHO) surveys”
I am pleased to have observed that a specialist from the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in the Solomon Islands has been urging local community members from the Balasuna area to eat a balance diet every day during meal time.
James Yu, when speaking at an integrated workshop held at Balasuna in North-East Guadalcanal on Friday last week, said “It’s important these days that you eat a balance diet to control non communicable disease (NCD) that is on the rise at the moment,”
Mr Yu went on to say, “Though everyone can have enough energy consumption, how to choose a balanced diet is also important for health.”
He added, “Adequate vegetables diversity is necessary, so we are able to stay away from NCDs,”
More than 30 people attended that training and it my hope that the TTM will continue to teach proper nutrition throughout the country and especially involve school age children and their parents.
The health risks posed by diabetes cannot be emphasised enough and a report carried today, 29 May 2018, by Radio New Zealand really underlines my message.
Quoting Radio New Zealand – May 29, 2018, “Fiji has highest death rate from diabetes in the world with 188 of 100,000 fatalities being attributed to the disease.
“The head of Diabetes Fiji said the ranking highlights the magnitude of the problem and the need for a more proactive approach.
“Project Manager Viliame Qio said people are shying away from medical attention and treatment out of denial and so when they do come forward they have more severe complications from their illness.
“Mr Qio said many people were also turning to traditional healers for help first, further delaying effective treatment.
“He said there needed to be more community education about diabetes.
“We have three amputations that take place in a day in the major hospitals and the main reason is the people are presenting late, they come very late, and they are not coming early. So we want to get people to be educated that they have to seek medical attention first before they resort to other traditional methods or herbal methods,” Viliame Qio said.
“Mr Qio said diabetes is also the leading cause of disability in Fiji and people need to heed public health messages about poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles.”
DEAR EDITOR, following a reported overwhelming turnout for the Gizo-Kolombangara by-election last week, the poll closed with a landslide victory for Mrs Lanelle Tanagada, a former teacher and the holder of a Masters degree from Waikato University in New Zealand.
Mrs Tangada won by a 987 majority from the 2580 votes that had been cast.
Her historic win means she is the fourth women in the history of this country to enter parliament.
The current parliament will now have two female MPs.
The other current female MP being the Hon. Freda Tuki of Temotu Vatud.
The win by Mrs Tanagada has been described as a sweet victory for women in the Solomon Islands.
In 2009 Florence Naesol then the Deputy Clerk to the National Parliament, said “Women taking up senior positions in the Public Service are becoming acceptable among us and I’m seeing a brighter future with Solomon Islands women assuming leadership roles in government”
I too, over the years, have witnessed seeing the value of women’s increasing participation in decision making processes in the public service and across the broader areas of life in the Solomon Islands.
Clearly, from Mrs Tanagada’s election victory attitudes towards women’s in the electoral role are changing, albeit still too slowly, but nevertheless I see change is on the way.
Some commentators have already said the victory is about advancing women in leadership and gender equality.
Another voiced the option that Mrs Tanagada’s win was a huge victory because the silent majority had spoken.
Mrs Tanaganda will be sworn in as a new MP soon.
I believe all will wish Mrs Tanaganda success in her parliamentary role.
