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‘Look after your health & facility’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Gary Hatigeva

COMMUNITIES and residents of Rennell and Bellona province, especially those on Rennell Island, have been challenged to take the strong initiative to look after their new health care facility as it is anticipated to offer quality health services to the people.

Early this month, the contractor responsible handed the newly constructed health care centre to the province through its health director after succesfully completing the project.

Upon receiving the facilty, the provincial Health Director exressed gratitude on behalf of the Renbel population whom he said will benefit enourmusly from the much needed service.

The Centre is yet to be opened for public use, but both the ministry and province are anticipating a much better health service for the people of the two islands and should also save costs and time for patients.

The completion also came as welcoming news to people from other provinces who took to local social media forums, expressing their happiness for the people of the southern region, who many thought the project was a well-deserved one for the small province.

Meanwhile, as someone who has always been very critical and pursuant about issues that affect people of this country, Benjamin Afuga, stressed that health is the number-one social service that any community must have.

“Therefore if a community has one, it is the duty of all in that community to look after it, maintain it and appreciate those that donated that health facility, and that not all communities in the country have one therefore, those that have one are so be privileged,” the Yumi Tok Tok Forum founder stressed.

Afuga added that he is also encouraged to see smaller provinces benefit from such health initiative, and that the government through the health ministry, should also be acknowledged, “for this life saving facility to the people of Renbel.

“Youths, parents and the communities please treat this facility as your own home, and be reminded that this new clinic can only last long if you take good care and treat it as your own,” Afuga added.

Also sharing similar sentiments on the facility, a retired nurse who used to serve in the Renbel added that as a province that had always been left out in these kinds of health developments, with the beautiful centre completed, the people must think seriously about working closely with the responsible authorities to maintain it and ensure that services are not disrupted.

The retired nurse who asked not to be named stressed that, “to look after your health, would also mean looking after your care centre, and looking after your care centre also means looking after your health”.

The health care centre is expected to open for the Renbel public to use once work on getting personnel to serve and requured equipments are finalised.

It is understood that the selection unit within the Ministry is in discussions to select nurses and doctor to be sent to serve in the province, which according to earlier reports, should come in the middle of this year.

SI to benefit from Japan’s ¥1.3trillion aid

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mr Tomoaki Ishigaki speaking at the briefing of Japan’s initiative on Climate Change in Tokyo Japan.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Mr Tomoaki Ishigaki speaking at the briefing of Japan’s initiative on Climate Change in Tokyo Japan.

SOLOMON Islands is one of the listed priority countries to benefit from Japan’s 1.3trillion Yen initiative towards the Pacific climate change programme.

The Government of Japan has allocated 1.3 trillion yen towards its climate change programmes in the Pacific region.

The fund will cover Japan’s climate-related support in areas of establishing geothermal power generation, urban railroads, disaster prevention infrastructure, water supply promotion of establishment of early warning systems, intercity collaboration and human resources development and other areas of Japan’s expertise.

Solomon Islands will be one of the beneficiaries of this fund when the new climate change programme commences in 2020.

Director of Japan’s Climate Change Division Mr Tomoaki Ishigaki made the announcement official when briefing delegates who attend the PALM8 meeting on Japan’s Climate Change Initiative.

He said Solomon Islands will be one of the ‘top priority’ under the new fund because Solomon Islands is rated atop in the disaster risk index.

Ishigaki adds that the decision was made because Solomon Islands has a potentially higher fragility due to climate change, susceptible to natural disasters and considerable economic and demographic.

“We want to help Solomon Islands because Solomon Islands was among the top ten countries in the Pacific that features in the world risk assessment reports and was ranked the sixth in the world risk index with19.14 percent,” he said.

Ishigaki told the official that Japan has already financed a project of multi-hazard and risk assessment and early system and a climate change centre.

He adds that other Pacific Island countries also get a fair share of the new project.

“We did this because climate change is a global issue which cannot be solved by our self. We stand to support the Pacific Islands countries to compensate the benefits we have through raw materials that are imported from Pacific Islands countries,” Ishigaki said.

Recognition of rural women must be commended

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE National Financial Inclusion Taskforce (NFIT) must be commended for the initiative of the biennial awards for women in micro-business more-so for women in rural areas.

Often rural dwellers are being left out in such prestigious awards. However yesterday’s activity and ceremony saw women in rural areas taking the lead in discussing and speaking on things that matter in their communities and of their daily struggles.

For a change, these women in the rural areas were given the platform to share their stories and inspire other women doing businesses in a similar setting.

Hearing these women share their stories is quite compelling.

They spoke of challenges like lack of access to financial institutions, lack of support transport system, difficulties in communication etc. One micro-business owner spoke of the difficulty in getting her commodity across to Honiara for export.

It would have been easier for her to bring her commodity to the country’s second international port in the western province.

Sadly, this is not the case since the international port does not handle commodities.

One spoke of the hardship faced in doing financial transactions at the commercial banks. The commercial bank available in her provincial town doesn’t have the capacity to meet her demand and so she has to travel to Honiara each time she wants to withdraw or do bank transactions.

One spoke of the need to climb higher altitudes in search of network connectivity to contact business partners or clients in Honiara. However despite the hardships, these women remain optimistic and believe in hard work and determination. Their commonality is their drive to succeed. Giving up is not an option.

These women, though only five that shared their experiences, represents the vast majority of our rural women. We shouldn’t be turning a blind eye or turn a deaf ear to their stories. We need to listen and make the right changes to ensure they operate their businesses in a good environment.

After-all they contribute more to the development of our economy.

Gov’t and SINU signs MACFest MOA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SINU Pro-Vice Chancellor Acting Donald Malasa and PS Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara.
SINU Pro-Vice Chancellor Acting Donald Malasa and PS Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara.

THE Solomon Islands National University and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism through the MACFEST Committee signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on April 16.

Permanent Secretary (PS) & Chair of MACFEST Mr Andrew Nihopara and Pro-Vice Chancellor Corporate (PVCC) Mr Donald Malasa signed the MOA.

The Agreement covers the usage of SINU’s Panatina Grounds for the festival village, accommodation facilities, dining hall and catering services.

Nihopara stated that through some lesson-learnt from previous festivals, the committee has decided to reduce the number of service providers that partner with the Ministry.

The Ministry chose SINU as a fit partner since it has the capacity to accommodate and cater for 1000 festival participants.

The Permanent Secretary said he is aware of the concerns raised by the University about the previous Pacific Festival (FOPA) and assured that improved measures has been taken to avoid such from happening again.

Malasa gave assurance to the MACFEST Committee of SINU’s full support and commitment.

He said the University is pleased to host a national event again and said it falls well in its plan to turn the Panatina grounds into a public recreational area.

Construction of the semi-temporary Melanesian Village will commence after the MOA is submitted to the Government’s Central Tender Board.

Participants from Vanuatu, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Australia, Timor Leste, Indonesia and Republic of China (Taiwan) will be on our shores from July 1 to 10 for the 6th Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival 2018.

–SIG & SINU PRESS

Country’s economic growth increases: PM Hou

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela sitting amongst other Pacific Islands leaders yesterday during the economic seminar regarding the Pacific Islands Countries at the Economic Forum at Captiol Hotel, Tokyo.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

IN JAPAN

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has told Japan’s Economic Forum ahead of today’s PALM 8th Summit that the country’s economy has grown to an estimated 3.8 percent this year.

Houenipwela, in his address to the 14 PALM leaders and more than 100 top businessmen and women of Japan, said that SI’s economic progress has been consistently improving as noted by its broad economic statistics in recent years: Economic growth – 3.7 percent (2017) and estimate 3.8 percent (2018); Inflation rate: 1.8 percent (2017) – may rise to 3.8 percent in 2018; Balance of Payments has been improving – $218 Million surplus in 2017; Gross Reserves are consistently high – now at 11.8 months of imports cover (2017); Debt/GDP Ratio has been declining to 10 percent in 2017, which we want cap at not more than 15 percent in 2018 – due to a rise both in domestic and external debt; Population growth rate however, has been one of the world’s highest at 2.6 percent pa; With more than 45 percent of population under 25 years of age, there is a very vibrant work force – to be well harnessed; Solomon Islands is being recommended for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by the United Nations.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela sitting amongst other Pacific Islands leaders on Thursday during the economic seminar regarding the Pacific Islands Countries at the Economic Forum at Captiol Hotel, Tokyo.

“We are looking to embrace this with a more vigorous stance to make the best out of it.”

He alluded to the growth in successful cooperation and development of economic relations between Japan and Solomon Island.

“Japans economic relations with Solomon Islands may be tiny in terms of Japan’s own standards. However, in Solomon Islands terms it is not only very significant, but it has become multifaceted and has grown in respect of the diversity of their engagement,” he said.

“In recent years Japan has divested from large scale investments in fisheries, and simultaneously it has increased its investment in public sector infrastructure development in the transportation sectors: Aviation, Maritime as well as in the Road Transportation.

“At the same time Japan has also significantly increased its engagement in social and economic areas including education, health, waste management, water, climate change mitigation.

“Indeed Japan plays a crucial role in SI economy. In recent years, Japanese grant assistance has boosted major and critical infrastructure projects in our country, such as the Honiara International Port upgrade, Honiara Urban water supply upgrade, and now the current work on Phase One of the Main Kukum Highway upgrade, to name a few,” he told the Forum.

Opposition calls for removal of Forest minister

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga.

OPPOSITION Leader Manasseh Maelanga has called for the immediate sacking of the Minister for Forest and Research, Samuel Manetoali, while investigations are being carried out into his conduct.

The call was made in response to media reports that in March 2018, the Minister granted special exemption to a logging operation in his own Gao-Bugotu constituency in which he is a party to.

The Opposition understands that the exemption was granted on the basis of Manetoali’s own application to the previous Minister in October 2017, prior to his appointment as Minister for Forests in November 2017.

Mr Maelanga said that while the Act confers discretionary powers to the Minister to grant such an exemption, the exercise of that authority must be carried out with utmost diligence to avoid any instance that may constitute abuse of discretionary powers, conflict of interest, bias, improper motives, or undue influence.

The Opposition Leader added that ‘discretionary powers’ is not a ‘licence’ for the Minister to do as he pleases without giving regard to rules, law, public interest, and impact on fundamental rights of other citizens.

Maelanga said he believes Prime Minister Hou is determined to do what is right for the nation and within this context urges him to do the right thing by immediately removing Manetoali as Minister for Forest and Research.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

I signed to protect our land: Dr Kaituu

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MP for Rennell-Bellona, Dr Tautai An gikimu'a Kaitu'u

By Mike Puia

Gizo

MP for Rennell-Bellona, Dr Tautai An gikimu’a Kaitu’u

MEMBER of Parliament for Rennell-Bellona province, Dr Tautai Agikimu’a Kaitu’u, has defended a letter he had signed allowing his land to be mined, which is attracting public attention.

The letter, dated November 26, 2017, was addressed to Bintan Mining Company and copied to the Director of Mines.

It shows Kaitu’u as one of the individuals who signed the letter consenting Tekakamagoku land in central Rennell to be mined.

The letter was posted in various social media groups and was carried in front pages of newspapers.

The letter prompted unnamed constituents to attack their MP. Some claimed Kaitu’u has been “two-faced” over the issue of mining on Rennell.

Some constituents say Kaituu presents himself to be against mining operations on Rennell Island but in fact signed his land to be mined.

Some constituents question the integrity of Kaitu’u. Some say Kaitu’u is claiming to champion his people’s fight against mining in Rennell but in practice allowed mining to continue.

Other unknown constituents claimed that Kaitu’u has been lying to the people of his province and country and is playing double standards.

Most people who spoke against their MP were not named.

Kaitu’u confirmed to Island Sun Gizo that he did signed a document purposely to stop their land at Tehakaamagoku from being mined by other people.

“The paper I signed was to protect our land from different people. I don’t know why Janus has to be mentioned in a story carried in the front page of Island Sun newspaper?” Kaitu’u said.

He said he sees no reason why signing a paper to protect their land from being mined by different people would become an issue.

“The question is if I decide to mine some of my land, which is not the case, what’s the issue?” Kaitu’u asks.

He said he stands against mining because there are things that are not right.

“I only stand against mining because land registration was not done correctly, there were no good deal companies done with landowners, there is no land rehabilitation on sites mined and obviously, digging happens all over the place. These are things that I don’t support,” Kaitu’u said.

He said the way mining is done on Rennell is “bad mining” and these are things he is mindful of.

Too early to rule out crocodile attack on missing Asian man: Manelusi

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

SUPERVISING Police Commissioner Gabriel Manelusi says that police investigation into the case of the missing Asian man is continuing and it is too early to rule out that the man was attacked by a crocodile.

Mr Manelusi was speaking during the weekly media conference. He said police investigators are carrying out a full investigation into the incident to determine the truth about the missing man.

He said the missing Asian was employed by Windlex International Solomon Islands Company Limited.

Police say it is not known how the man went missing, but from reports gathered by police the man was last seen on the evening of Sunday May 13 at Lungga River mouth with his two colleagues and went missing after cutting hair at the river mouth.

It was alleged that the incident might involve a crocodile attack but that has to be determined after police investigation.

Manelusi appeals to the public especially around Lungga area or people who may have information to assist police in their investigation.

He said search for the missing man has been conducted when police heard about the incident and acknowledge the workers of the Windlex International Solomon Islands Company and the communities surrounding Lungga for assisting the police in their search.

Police takes Mbike shooting incident seriously

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Supervising police commissioner Gabriel Manelusi

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Supervising police commissioner Gabriel Manelusi

SUPERVISING police commissioner Gabriel Manelusi has assured that police has not abandoned the Mbike shooting case.

Police are still investigating the case four years on.

Responding to questions asked during a media conference yesterday Mr Manelusi said police investigation depends on information supplied by the people, and without people’s consent police cannot get the information.

Police work is difficult and in regards to the Mbike issue, police are seriously dealing with the case because it is a matter of national interest.

This is in relation to the shooting and arson incident which occurred at Mbike on December 9, 2014.

Some unknown people attacked the motor vessel Sun Express at Mbike Island, Central Province.

The persons fired a number of shots at the boat and later threw petrol onto the boat and set the petrol on fire.

Present on Mbike at the time of the attack were 17 newly elected members of parliament.

Following the attack the offenders left the scene.

And police are calling for public cooperation to establish the identity of the person or persons responsible for the shooting and arson on December 9, 2014.

The RSIPF believe that there may be others who may have had involvement, who are yet to be identified.

A reward of up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or part thereof will be paid at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police and executive panel, for information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of the person or persons.

Janus progressing very well

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE say that the Janus taskforce is progressing very well and criticisms that Janus has been weakened are not true.

Supervising Police Commissioner Gabriel Manelusi said that the Janus taskforce is an independent body and there has been no interference affecting the taskforce and they are doing fine on what they are doing.

Mr Manelusi in answering questions regarding to police investigation and Janus, said that police investigation can only be effective if there are more public support as police alone cannot do it by themselves.

He said any arrest that police will be doing in terms of their investigation, police will always release information in the media.

During a press conference yesterday, Manelusi was asked why police were arresting small fish and not big fish, to which he replied that police depend on information and facts provided to them and also police investigation are not categorising criminals on ‘small or big’.

However what police are doing is to be fair to everybody that nobody is above the law but everybody else is subjected to the law of this country, Manelusi said.

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