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Men outnumber women in Solomon Islands workforce

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Acting Undersecretary Governance and Performance Management for the Ministry Public Service Mr Jude Devesi part of the Gender Mainstreaming and Sensitisation Workshop for Human Resources Managers and Gender Focal Points held at the Rock Haven on Wednesday

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

Acting Undersecretary Governance and Performance Management for the Ministry Public Service Mr Jude Devesi part of the Gender Mainstreaming and Sensitisation Workshop for Human Resources Managers and Gender Focal Points held at the Rock Haven on Wednesday

WITHIN the top two highest levels of senior management positions within the Solomon Islands Public Service, men outnumber women on a ratio of 12 to 1, it is reported.

This comprises around 8 percent of all senior management positions within the government ministries.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service Mr Nego Sisiolo revealed the report during a workshop on the Gender Mainstreaming and Sensitisation Workshop for Human Resources Managers and Gender Focal Points yesterday.

Sisiolo said such report is truly below the global target minimum of 30 percent of women in leadership position which the United Nations Economic and Social Council endorsed in 1990 and reaffirmed the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995.

He said in Solomon Islands’ Public Service, compared to many other developed and developing countries, public administration often remains a patriarchal institution, perpetuating gender-based traditions, attitudes and practices.

He said women do not yet participate equally in public administration, especially in leadership and decision-making roles.

Sisiolo said without including mass number of women, the public service have not tapped into the full potential of the country’s workforce, capacity and creativity.

Sisiolo said, “Barriers to women’s advancement in public administration undermine the fundamental principles of equal opportunity and social justice in society as a whole.”

He adds, multiple strategies must be developed to break such barriers down, and garner ongoing support and commitment from all stakeholders.

With the workshop, Sisiolo said it is important for public servants from both government and private sectors to equip them with necessary knowledge, skills and tools.

He said acquiring such tools will enable participants carry its role actively as an effective Gender focal point in their respective ministries and agencies.

“If we want to achieve gender equality in the Public Service, we must be intentional about it,” Sisiolo said.

Election fever

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

ELECTION fever is reported rising in Choiseul province as its citizens are preparing for the provincial government election next month.

Meanwhile amongst many, former Premier of Choiseul province Mr Clement Kengava urges Lauru citizens to seriously make good choices when voting for their MPA leaders.

Recently he said the confirmation by the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that Choiseul and Western provinces provincial elections are to be held in June 2018 has been a relief for voters of the province.

This is after their rights to choose new assemblies in September last year was suppressed through deferments.

“I call on Choiseul voters to not take the provincial election lightly or treat it as a game, be serious about it because Choiseul needs a new roadmap in its relationship with the National Government,” said Kengava.

The former MP of Northwest Choiseul and also former Premier is encouraging people who believe in developing Choiseul Province to go ahead to another level in contesting for the province’s 16 seats ( Provincial Assembly).

Pharmacy shortage

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, the above mention that was on the Headline news SIBC.

It was announced on the news that there is a shortage of medical supplies stored at the pharmacy department store at Ramadi Prince Philip Highway.

As a concern citizen, I see this as a nationwide manmade disaster that would affect every clinic and hospital throughout the country.

The most at risk are the sick patients.

Those who depend on drugs and other medications.

A decision made by someone, due to budget or too much of this and that or whatever the obstacles that could cos a shortage in the National Pharmacy Department.

Now the simple question is, who is to blame and who is making the cut or reducing the pharmacy orders, and all the other health items that needs to have a full stock in place at the warehouse.

Is it the Director and his pharmacist, or is it the Minister of Health and his PS, or is it the Head Admin and the advisors at the Ministry of Health?

These three groups are answerable if disaster strikes.

However looking at their responsibilities.

The director and the pharmacist surely know so well all the data in every single clinic and main hospital in the country.

In fact they have been distributing drugs and medical supplies to every provinces since the NRH was set up. No doubt.

This is their field they’re the expert.

They will always ensure that medical supplies will reach those clinics and hospitals by whatever means of transportation.

Also they will ensure that stock will last before the next batch of order is placed.

Definitely these pharmacist will always place an order for a full stock to save the lives of this nation.

Now the next two person is the Minister of Health and his Permanent Secretary.

In fact we can say they’re the voice in the parliament for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

They’re also responsible for seeking fund from donors for the health services that the nation needs. likely I would say, both men would have a little knowledge about pharmacist and the operation in distributing drugs and ordering medical supplies plus data’s and all its mobilization and so and so. Unfortunately this is not their field.

In my opinion, as the ministry is one of the pillars in this nation.

I suggest the Minister of Health and the PS should deal directly with the Director Pharmacy to have a full stock budget when it comes to make orders, of drugs and all the other medical medications.

The Minister to the crown has the power and the authority to even approve a budget for the National Pharmacy to save lives of our beloved country.

As a former patient from NRH, for the pass two decade I’ve been living on drugs an antibiotic. Back then it’s rarely to hear doctors and nurses saying, your medication is out of stock in the pharmacy.

What I’ve heard was a lot of complains from both doctors and nurses and other welfare matter that would be submitted to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for consideration by the heads of departments.

Here we see, it is clearly from a point of view that all matter concerning health services must be dealt with, by the head office.

So in my observation the Heads of Admin or even so called advisors could make decision to this shortage of medications for the pharmacy.

The reason behind this, could be luck of cash flow or estimation could be too much. Or other reasons.

The situation could be scary if there is absolutely shortage of drugs and vaccine in the store. What the general public is concern about is the money and budget allocate to pursuer these orders.

There is a saying –‘what goes around comes around “this is a clear message to the MHMS Head office.

Let’s be reminded that lets avoid what happen two year ago, when a larger sum of monies went missing in the hands of senior staffs.

In conclusion, let’s have passion for those who a sick. Let’s care for one another. give them what they deserve so they can also enjoy life as we do… Smol toktok nomoa.

 

Andrew Fioga

Honiara

Police mediate suspected sorcery case in Central province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PPC Central Province Patricia Leta.
PPC Central Province Patricia Leta.

POLICE at the Tulagi police station, Central province have mediated a suspected case of sorcery at Soso village within the Sandfly area in the Florida Islands on May 14, 2018.

It is alleged that a false rumour was spread within the communities that a 50-year-old man alleged to have used black magic to kill another man in December 2017.

This has caused ongoing hatred between the two parties.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Central Province Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “My officers with a lot of effort by Crime Prevention Committee members, church leaders and village chiefs managed to bring both parties involved to reach a common understanding and settled their grievances through custom.

“I would like to thank both parties and all the community leaders who assisted my officers to peacefully mediate the long standing issue.

“This shows police and the community are working together to implement the Crime Prevention Strategy for a peaceful community for our children.

“My officers also conducted an awareness talk to remind the community at Soso not to take the law into their own hands, instead resolve things through amicable means or allow authorities to be involved.”

The community leaders also conveyed their sincere appreciation to police in Tulagi for their continuous partnership with the communities especially to ensure peace prevails within Central province.

–POLICE MEDIA

SINU to offer new primary teaching programme in Jan 2019

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

CURRENTLY the University has enrolled five cohorts in the current Primary Teaching Programme offered at the distance mode and they will be the last to do the programme.

This is according to SINU’s marketing and promotions officer for DFLC (Distance Flexible Learning Centre), Mr Jerry Pakivai.

He said that the university is reviewing the programme with the plan to deliver a new one by January next year and mentioned that form five leavers will no longer be direct intakes.

Pakivai explained that this is because they have found that the standard of teaching by form 3 and form 5 leavers is quite low hence have developed a platform that will train and improve their confidence in teaching.

“As a proactive decision, the University has developed the Learning Pathway Certificate to help improve the confidence of Form 3 to Form 5 in terms of content.

“We have seen from the current trend where standard of content is quite low particularly among Form 3s. Secondary Schools are complaining for the fact that the students are not well prepared in content in primary schools.

“This is also captured in the survey Distance and Flexible Learning has done, hence, it is developing the Learning Pathway Certificate to help in that regard. The Distance and Flexible Learning Centre is also working with the School of Education & Humanities for the new Primary Teaching Certificate programme,” he said.

Pakivai expressed that they are optimistic that the School of Education & Humanities will be ready to offer the new programme in January 2019.

“The programme emphasis is more on content, therefore should really help trainees to prepare primary students in content in the primary level before they transit to secondary school,” he said.

Gulatata’e shipping enterprise sent 3 reminder notices before de-registration: Company Haus

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ALFRED SASAKO

 

GULATATA’E Shipping Enterprises Ltd was sent three reminder notices before it was removed from the Company Haus register last September, it was revealed yesterday.

“It’s the normal practice. We just don’t walk in and pull the plug off straightaway,” a spokesman for Company Haus, the government’s custodian of company registrations and records, told Island Sun yesterday.

The reminder notices are intended to alert companies to the fact that unless they fulfil certain requirements, their registration would be removed.

“That’s what happened to Gulatata’e Shipping Enterprises Ltd. They never responded to all three reminder notices, sent electronically. As a result, it was removed from the register,” the official said.

Company spokesman John Kennedy Taufunu told Island Sun a lengthy explanation that as far as he knew the outstanding fees were paid shortly after it was removed from the Company Haus register.

Documents show the company was removed on September 1, 2017, after it failed to file its annual return in February, its annual filing month.

According to extracts from Company Haus, John Kennedy Taufunu is the contact person for the company’s affairs. Although the company is listed as a private local company, Mr Taufunu uses an email address emanating from the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The company’s address is located at the Town Ground Plaza in Honiara.

Meanwhile Mr Taufunu yesterday afternoon issued an explanatory note acknowledging the delays. He also claimed the outstanding dues were paid last September. He did not provide any proof confirming payment.

“Yes, Gulatatae is deregistered for not filing its annual return for 2016/2017. The company was registered in April 2016 but operated around October 2016. The company is newly established and recruitment of office employees commences around September 2016 until April 2017.

“The delay in recruiting suitable persons for important positions within the company has an impact on the filing of the annual return. Even if three notices were given it depends on the preparation of the annual returns. The company then finally sorted the issue after September 2017 for payment was made to IRD thereafter.

“In terms of ownership, we believe with clear mind that Gulatatae is owned by the Constituency of East Kwaio regardless of the shareholding arrangement. The holding of the shares whether it is 20 percent or 40 percent is just an administrative matter to facilitate the process and the requirement for registration as required by the shipping grant policy,” Mr Taufunu said.

“I think it depends on who holds the shares. If they want to be greedy with the shares then that is not good. But for those that we hold the shares, we feel that it belongs to the East Kwaio Constituency because we do not claim any dividend from the shares and as long as the company exists we will not do it.

“The truth of the matter is – yes Gulatatae is being de-registered because the company has delayed in filling its Annual return. There are 100s of companies that are de-registered from the company Haus. Why pick on Gulatatae bro, a constituency company that tries to assist our good people of East Kwaio. It is good you raise the issue but as (the) late John Garo said, remember if you hit a man by a sword, you will die by the sword.

“If this is politically motivated then let’s put it to rest and the management to ensure that shareholding arrangement is amended to reflect the true ownership by the people of East Kwaio,” Mr Taufunu, from West Kwaio, said.

There was no response from the newly-established Solomon Islands Maritime Security Authority (SIMSA) when Island Sun approached it with questions relating to liability in the event of a natural disaster.

Earlier, a spokesman said given the registration status of the company, the LC Gulatata’e is not owned by anyone, not even its directors.

“Only when its registration as a business is restored that the ownership issue becomes relevant,” the spokesman told Island Sun this week.

Gov’t signs 4b Yen airport project with Japan

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister Kono and Foreign Minister Tozaka during the signing ceremony.

THE Government has signed a milestone agreement with the Japanese Government for the improvement of the Honiara International Airport Project yesterday in Tokyo.

Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade Milner Tozaka and the Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono officially signed the agreement at the Japanese Foreign Affairs Office.

Both Ministers exchanging the signed documents after the signing.

During the signing ceremony, Minister Tozaka acknowledged the Government of Japan for its unwavering support in infrastructure development.

The four billion three hundred and sixty-four million Japanese Yen (4,364,000,000), is directed towards the upgrading the Honiara International Airport.

“I would like to express through you, our gratitude towards your Government for the continuous support rendered to us through the volunteers, Grassroots projects and more importantly the country’s infrastructure development ambitions,” he said.

Tozaka said Japan remains the leading infrastructure development partner in Solomon Islands.

Minister Kono and Foreign Minister Tozaka during the signing ceremony.

Therefore, he said the Solomon Islands Government welcomes the continuous cooperation and support by the Japanese Government.

“I want to thank you on behalf of the Government of this milestone achievement,’’ Tozaka said.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Kono in response said the improvement of the Honiara International Airport is Japan’s desire to see sustainable development through infrastructure programs in the Solomon Islands.

He said this project will also supplement the current Kukum Highway Infrastructure programme.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Foreign Minister has also congratulated Solomon Islands for opening a tourism office in Japan.

Kono said his office together with other relevant agencies will make sure Solomon Islands tourism is promoted in Japan.

–OPMC PRESS

Concern over land allocations in Noro

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE Western provincial government is being blamed for the land issues facing Noro township.

Concerned members of public say the prevailing issue of illegal squatter settlements is a result of unlawful allocations of land made by the provincial government since 2011.

There are claims that nepotism has been involved in decisions to allocate land.

Concerned members of public are calling on the provincial government to solve this issue before it leads to more serious developments.

It is understood that MPA Billy Veo, of ward 25 in Noro, is the provincial minister for lands and physical planning.

Island Sun has been unsuccessful in reaching him for comments. However, the paper is striving to get his comments.

Murder case committed to the High Court for trial

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Jim Seuika has committed the case against the accused, Leonard Mokuniahaka, to the High Court to stand trial.

This is after prosecution submitted preliminary inquiry papers to court by way of short form preliminary inquiry.

The accused pleaded not guilty to one count of murder.

This is in relation to the murder incident which occurred in Makira Ulawa province on October 24, 2017.

Mr Seuika said after looking through all the documents submitted by prosecution to the court, the court decides that prosecution has enough evidence on the case and commits the matter to the High Court.

Seuika also made directions that the accused will be called in the High Court on his next appearance.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown on the matter.

MP’s lawyer submits no case to answer submission

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court will decide on whether or not the Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola Constituency David Tome has a case or no case to answer on the allegations against him.

Yesterday, defence lawyer Michael Pitakaka made a submission of no case to answer on behalf of Mr Tome after prosecution closed their case.

The defence in their submission said that Tome has no case to answer as there is not enough evidence to prove him guilty of the allegations against him.

But in response, prosecution submitted that the accused has a case to answer in regards to the allegations he faced.

The ruling will be made today in the Honiara Magistrate Court.

This is the case against David Tome who was alleged to have involved in converted funds in relation to incidents which occurred in 2011.

The prosecution alleged that in 2011 the MP obtained public funds for a constituency project; however those funds were not used as intended and was converted for his own use.

The MP is charged with fourteen (14) counts of Conversion under Section 278(1) (c) (i) of the Penal Code, involving funds totalling $67,170.

The minister was on $2000 cash bail and will appear in court faithfully till his case completed.

Ishmael Kekou of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown on this case.

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