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Officers undergo data handling training

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Officers listen attentively as former Government Statistician and facilitator Joseph Naesol go through the specific topics covered in a power point presentation.
Officers listen attentively as former Government Statistician and facilitator Joseph Naesol go through the specific topics covered in a power point presentation.

STAFF of the National Statistics Office (NSO) within the Ministry of Finance & Treasury (MoFT) have concluded an intensive two weeks of training in data processing last week.

Held at the NSO conference room in Honiara, the training run from May 7-22.

Trained officers will be responsible for the data entry and processing of the National Village Resource Survey 2017-2018 (VRS) that is now nearing completion.

Facilitator and former Government Statistician Joseph Naesol said the training is necessary to equip officers with the essential skills and knowledge on how to use the data processing software and well-versed with the operation system.

“The trained staff now well armed with skills and capability in using CSPro, the software used for data entry and validation-which they trained to enter data collected from the filed using questionnaire and data has to be entered and validated in the computer.

“The questionnaire is around 44 pages, and the validation process is quite strenuous,” Mr Naesol said.

CSPro is an acronym for Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro), developed by the US Census Bureau, ICF International, and Serpro SA. The version used is 7.0.0 released on May 8, 2017.

Specific topics covered throughout the training include: CSPro structure and Meta data; Computer procedure in data entry using CSPro; Form editing guidelines; Non-sampling errors and how to control NSE; Manageable units in storing data in the computer; Going through the 2007-8 VRS, and the lessons learned to improve current VRS; House-keeping matters; Final comments on the VRS 2017-18 questionnaire.

The training was in two parts. The theoretical aspects of processing a survey, and the software CSPro in how it deals with survey data and the hands-on practical aspect in which data operators actually punch in data from completed forms into the computer using CSPro software.

“The training fully equipped the officers to have confidence in entering the VRS questionnaire, which has 14 sections, and 10 of the sections having 24 sub-tables. The VRS 2017-18 hopes to cover around 7,000 villages’ throughout the country, and processing period is envisioned to take seven months using at least 6 data operators,” Naesol said.

–SINSO PRESS

Road construction in Lau Mbaelelea progressing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Lau Mbaelelea constituency road construction is reportedly progressing well.

A Mr Eddie Kaia recently told this paper that construction of roads in the constituency is advancing as they are looking towards tangible road construction in the constituency.

He acknowledged their MP for the initiative, saying Augustine Auga is addressing one of their major problems head on.

Kaia also accredited MP Auga for the proposal in place to connect roads to every place having difficulty with road access in the constituency.

He said the only means of transportation in the constituency is through road.

Kaia said it has been quite a while since late Mariano Kelesi, who was their MP in the 1970s, pursued road in their constituency.

He appealed to everyone to put aside any political differences they might have and team-up in their work with this project for their betterment.

Meanwhile, Kaia believes that the benefits to having roads in the northern region of the island will only be realised once the other MPs in the region follow Auga’s path and build roads in their constituencies.

This paper understands that Hon Manasseh Maelanga was also doing the same in his constituency of East Malaita where roads are currently under construction.

CIP citizens thank NGF for carrying out logging and mining awareness

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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From L to R, Toga community leader, Michael Kukule, and NGF’s travelling team member Mr Kenneth Sagupari during the awareness and signing of petition against logging and mining in Ngella. PHOTO SUPPLIED

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CENTRAL Islands Province (CIP) citizens thank Social Media’s famous Ngella Forum (NGF) Team for their efforts of carrying out awareness over the weekend on the effects of logging and mining.

The team that travelled went to Toga Village at Sandfly Passage carrying out also the signing of petition against anymore logging and mining prospect to take place in Ngella as negative impacts have been occurring from logging alone that has been operating at Ngella for some time now.

From L to R, Toga community leader, Michael Kukule, and NGF’s travelling team member Mr Kenneth Sagupari during the awareness and signing of petition against logging and mining in Ngella. PHOTO SUPPLIED

From report reaching Island Sun, hundreds of people including community leaders, women and students of young age as far as 8 years old had signed the petition giving their support to stop anymore logging or mining in their islands.

It is said that the mining and logging petition will cover the whole of Ngella and will be launched hopefully this coming weekend at Tulaghi Provincial Head Quarter.

All petition forms should be collected and compiled in the team meeting expected today, at the Coconut Cafe ready for the launching.

Ngella Forum’s Constitution will be launched by July this year as NGF encourages young educated graduates and secondary students from Ngella and everyone as a whole to join the Forum in order to give ideas contributing to issues that affect Ngella and its livelihood.

“We must stop logging and mining because they do not go together. This is our chance to protect our land and future,” said NGF.

Community leaders on behalf of their communities, as well as members of NGF have acknowledged the NGF Team for their stand to fight for the people of Ngella through such matters.

On behalf of the team travelling to Toga village last weekend, NGF also thanks Ngella Forum members and locals for their assistance in one way or the other towards the recent trip.

With no time to lose, it is understood that NGF is now walking the talk.

Final plenary on draft federal constitution underway

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Group photo of the members of the Constitutional Congress and the Eminent Persons Advisory Council.

THE final plenary on the Solomon Islands Draft Federal Constitution is underway in Honiara after its opening this week on Monday, May 28.

This is the last joint meeting of the Constitutional Congress (CC) and the Eminent Persons Advisory Council (EPAC) who were mandated to promulgate a proposed Federal Constitution for Solomon Islands.

The meeting’s main focus is to endorse and bless the 2017 Final Draft Federal Constitution after it was refined by the Professional Legal Draftsman, Dr Philip Knight from Canada.

Director of the Constitutional Reform Unit (CRU) of the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) Philip Houlia said members will go through the entire document page by page before endorsing it as true and exact records of their work for the last 10 years.

Mr Houlia said the endorsed document will be handed over to the Prime Minister who is also the Minister for Constitutional Affairs at the conclusion of the current meeting.

The meeting concludes on June 22.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS UNIT

Group photo of the members of the Constitutional Congress and the Eminent Persons Advisory Council.

MSG member countries confirm delegates to MACFest

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

ALL member countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) have finally confirmed their total number of delegates attending the Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) in Honiara this July.

Chair of the MACFest Programmes and Events Committee and Director of Culture, Dennis Marita have received confirmation of numbers from his counterparts in PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia last week.

PNG will send a total of 150 participants, followed by New Caledonia with 147, Fiji with 80 and Vanuatu with 62.

Solomon Islands as the host nation has confirmed the highest with a total of 300 participants taking the total number of participants to 739.

Mr Marita said the total is expected to reach the 1000-mark once the other invited countries send in their participant numbers.

The invited countries include the Melanesian populations of West Papua in Indonesia, East Timor, Torres Strait Islands of Australia and the indigenous people of Taiwan.

The MACFest National Organising Committee in Honiara is currently in full swing with preparations to host the event.

The 10 days event will run from July 1-10 on the theme “Past Recollections; Future Connections” which is programmed to coincide with the country’s 40th Independence Anniversary.

Solomon Islands was the first MSG country to host the Melanesian Arts Festival in 1998.

After this inaugural event, the festival has been held every four years on rotational basis in the five Melanesian countries.

The Festival was conceived in 1995 by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to promote and preserve Melanesian culture, tradition, values and contemporary arts in the region.

–SIG, MSG & NOC JOINT PRESS

BLC looks into maritime authority bill 2018

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
The Bills and Legislation Committee headed by Chairman Hon. Matthew Wale with two MID officials appearing before them.

THE Bills and Legislation Committee has concluded its hearings into the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority Bill 2018 on Wednesday.

The Bill has 92 clauses and is an Act to establish the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority and other related purposes.

Its intended purpose is to complete the progression of change at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development from the former Marine Division, operating ships on behalf of the Government (former government fleet) as owners, to monitoring and controlling the registered private sector fleet as regulators (the Maritime Authority, or SIMA).

The Bills and Legislation Committee headed by Chairman Hon. Matthew Wale with two MID officials appearing before them.

This final organisational progression will ensure the administration has sufficient resources, flexibility of staff and volume of assets to be able to fulfill its mandate to enforce compliance with the shipping Act 1998 and associated national maritime legislation.

The Bill will also enable the new maritime authority to monitor commercial aspects of shipping and engage more with the international shipping community.

Solomon Islands Maritime Authority or SIMA’s objective, created by the Bill, is to monitor domestic shipping to improve the safety and comfort of passengers; develop a marine environmental protection section to minimise, mitigate and prosecute marine pollution incidents, especially by foreign-owned ships; and to advise on improvement of energy and economic efficiency of shipping services, especially to the provinces.

Fulfillment of the obligations of the maritime conventions to which Solomon Islands has acceded, and future accession to more recent international maritime conventions, together with greater involvement in the international shipping community, will help to ensure control in the escalation of freight rates to and from Solomon Islands (currently escalating at one of the highest percentage annual increase rates in the world).

Appearing before the Committee during the course of the inquiry were officials from the sponsored Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

Although the Director of SIMSA, Captain Tim Harris was overseas for medical attention, the committee was fortunate to have contact with him via tele-conferencing, in which he presented comprehensive perceptions surrounding policy matters of the Bill.

BLC will make a written report to Parliament containing the observations and recommendations arising from its deliberations soon.

–PARLIAMENT MEDIA

Honiara rotary club $100k richer in its fight against malaria

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
A $100,000 smile from Rotary’s Wayne Morris (right) receiving the money from Johnny Sy, the Vice President of the SFA

By Alfred Sasako

A $100,000 smile from Rotary’s Wayne Morris (right) receiving the money from Johnny Sy, the Vice President of the SFA

THE Honiara Rotary Club is $100,000 richer – thanks to the Solomon Forest Association (SFA), which has supported the on-going “Rotarian Against Malaria” programme for the last three years.

Director of Rotary International Services, Wayne Morris, received the payment from SFA’s vice president, Johnny Sy at a brief ceremony at the SFA Office in Honiara on Wednesday.

Other Executive members of the SFA Board also attended the ceremony.

The payment completes SFA’s three-year sponsorship of the program at the cost of $300,000.

The programme has been credited with reducing the incidences of malaria in at least 140 communities throughout Solomon Islands.

Mr Morris said the Honiara Rotary Club works with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in the fight against malaria.

He said communities, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services received tools such as brush knives, shovels and so on which are used to drain out stagnant water which mosquitos use as breeding grounds.

He said one of the success stories in the Rotarian Against Malaria programme is Isabel province, which is about to be declared the first malaria-free province in Solomon Islands.

Morris said the financial support by SFA over the last three years is a major contributing factor to the success of the programme, which also received Rotary funding from Australia.

SFA’s vice president Sy said the organisation is pleased to be part of a programme, which fights a common enemy in mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

SFA has already indicated support for the next project – a trailer for a mobile blood bank being set up at the National Referral Hospital. It will be run by Red Cross.

Trial for man facing arson charge next week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi says hearing of evidence into the case against a man facing one count of arson will resume on Monday next week, not Tuesday.

She made the orders in court yesterday when Prosecution applied for the trial to resume on Tuesday as the prosecutor in carriage of the case is currently in Kirakira for the court circuit and will back on June 2.

Ms Taeburi said the trial will resume on Monday and not Tuesday as the prosecutor in carriage will be back on June 2 and she still has time for a conference with the witnesses in preparation for the trial on Monday.

Court told the prosecutor who appeared yesterday to inform their admin and support staff of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution to assist the prosecutor in carriage of the case in bringing the witnesses to Honiara.

The court also said the witnesses are all in the GPPOL area as the incident occurred in GPPOL and there should not be any difficulty in bringing them to Honiara.

The accused man, John Ammond, is facing one count of arson in relation to an incident which occurred this year at the GPPOL area.

Daniel Kwalai of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused in court.

No lawyer, case adjourns

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

WITH the issue of lawyer shortage, defendants remanded in custody just might wait longer to have a lawyer.

On Wednesday an accused remanded in custody told the court that he written to the Public Solicitor’s Office requesting legal assistance plenty of times since being remanded to no response.

The accused Reginald Eloga is facing a charge of act to cause grievous harm in relation to an incident which occurred sometimes this year.

He was remanded in custody in April.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi then adjourned the case to June 13 and made directions for the PSO practice manager to consider requests made to their office.

Recently in court, Ms Taeburi had said that it must not be forgotten that every person charged with criminal offences have the constitutional right for legal representation in court – it’s a right given to them by the constitution.

Man denies rape charge

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man has pleaded not guilty to rape charge yesterday.

His case was adjourned for June 5 for a preliminary inquiry.

Allegations said the accused was using his finger to sexually harass a female early this year.

The matter was reported to police and the accused was arrested and placed in custody to face court.

Daniel Kwalai of the Public Solicitor’s office who represents the accused after his client entered a not guilty indicated to the court that a short form preliminary inquiry will be conducted on the case.

The court then adjourned the case to June 5 for the SFPI.

On another separate case of sexual offence the accused is still without a lawyer and the court made directions for Mr Kwalai to follow up with his practice manager on the allocation of cases.

The accused told court yesterday that he had already sent ‘plenty’ of requests to the PSO but has received no response.

The accused is charged for raping a female with disability.

Meanwhile, prosecution also told the court that investigation in relation to the case is still ongoing.

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