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US advice – Infrastructure and Development Projects in the Region should not leave countries in debt

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela most recently praised Japan’s initiative for its connectivity in providing quality infrastructure in the Pacific region.

Specifically, on the cultural dimension of sustainable development, the Prime Minister reportedly said Solomon Islands and other PIF members are looking to strengthen the very basis of their own sustainable development by seriously taking into account their specific and unique cultural dimensions.

“These cultural dimensions will include the consideration of policies, formulation of plans and the implementation of sustainable development programs.

“One in which sustainable development has a working rationale in which it stipulates that the interdependence of economic, intellectual, political, environmental and cultural dimensions must be considered together in the making of policies and plans for the future of Solomon Islands and its people,” he said.

Following closely on the heels of the PM’s statements, Matthew J Matthews, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands is quoted by Radio New Zealand has having said, “Infrastructure development aid projects in the Pacific region should not leave island countries with debt.”

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands was expressing concern about Chinese soft loans to Pacific countries.

Mr Matthews said the US urged China to adhere to the development approach of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank in the Pacific.

Quoting more from the Radio New Zealand news bulletin on 22 May 2018, Mr Mathews went on to say it was essential for the long term economic prospects of Pacific Islands that infrastructure and development assistance projects are free and fair.

“Projects, regardless of the donor, should be transparent,” he added

“They should [have] high standards and high impact and follow international rules and norms that are designed to ensure that projects in the region provide economic sustainability and the ability of borrowers to repay loans in a timely fashion and generate greater economic potential for the countries in question,” Mr Matthews commented.

“Clearly, China has dramatically increased its funding into the region. A lot of lending.”

“We want to make sure that that lending takes place in a way that’s constructive and that helps grow the economies in the Pacific Islands makes them healthier, make them more prosperous,” Mr Matthews said.

“If they can follow that kind of pathway, great… if they look at the approach of Australia and New Zealand, the United States, Japan, other traditional donors in the region that have been working you know over the longer term to improve economic outcomes in the Pacific, I think will be a good place.”

 

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Shortage of Hospital Beds at the NRH need not be

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR,

Radio New Zealand presented a news bulletin this morning, 24 May 2018, which highlighted the situation at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara and photographs accompanying the report showed many hospital patients sleeping on the floor in the corridors and on the floor in other rooms due, it claimed, to an acute shortage of beds.

I was deeply shocked to see those pictures and to learn of the critical shortage of beds, images reminiscent of scenes I had first witnessed more than 50 years ago when working as a young policeman in Africa.

With the very kind support of the Solomon Forest Association (SFA) 100 hospital beds will be shipped from Wellington by my partner charity, Take My Hands, in June.

The critical shortage of hospital beds could have been overcome with help from New Zealand if only the second stage payment of NZ12,500 had been paid in relation to the two-phase payment requirements set out in the MOU signed between the MOHMS/TMH and myself as Coordinator of the aid support.

When the first payment was made several containers of medical equipment and medical supplies reached the NRH but shipments ceased once the second payment went unpaid.

It has also to be said 48 hospital beds and new mattresses were delivered to the NRH by TMH after the SFA met an appeal I had raised for help in shipping a 40 ft container about 2 years ago.

TMH is able to acquire hospital beds in extremely good condition from hospitals throughout New Zealand when the hospital authorities there seek to make administrative changes.

I would, please, urge, the MOHMS/NRH to make payment of the outstanding second phase payment on the MOH so that I can quickly supplement the already provisioned 100 hospital beds for early shipment to Honiara.

The cost savings to the MOHMS are huge in acquiring much needed fully serviceable hospital equipment and supplies from TMH compared to having to buy new equipment.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Japan vows support to protect illegal fishing in Pacific waters

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

JAPAN will continue to support the Pa¬cific Island Coun¬tries (PIC) in improv¬ing their capacity to protect their waters from illegal fishing, says Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Mr Abe said this before the joint summit of the 8th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM8).

He made this comment in light of increased concerns by Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island Countries (PICs) on the limitation of policing activities on their large and resource-rich Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).

Mr Abe said: “Japan will be unstinting in its assistance towards improving countries’ capacity to “protect the seas”, including each country’s le¬gal enforcement capabilities.

“Where Japan wishes to place emphasis from now is, first of all, establishing the rule of law in the maritime order.

“I would like to ask all the leaders here to give special consideration to Japan’s fishing activities.

“At the same time, regarding as¬sistance to enhance your guarding capabilities and your capacity to converge resources, I believe Japan has a role it can play,” he said.

Currently, the region receives sup¬port in the form of patrol boats from Australia and New Zealand to police its EEZs.

Nursing director’s position queried

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

IT is more than two years since the Nursing Director’s post at Kilu’ufi hospital had been vacant. Since then, only a senior staff is currently in office acting as Director.

Island Sun Auki was informed that applicants have applied for the post but till now, no one has been able to fill in that position.

It is understood that the Director’s position is important to oversee the nurses’ responsibilities and services provided at the Hospital.

Currently without a Director, procedural matters are now lacking and there is a call for the position of the director of nursing to be sorted out immediately so that nurses can able to do their job properly.

ACOM Bishops and clergy end three day training

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

ACoM Bishops and Clergy Training at Heritage Park Conference room

MORE than thirty senior bishops and clergy members from nine dioceses of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) ended their three day training at the Heritage Park Hotel yesterday.

The training aims to equip them with better understanding of the context of carrying out work in their ministry and to have them build strong leadership teams committed to their various areas of responsibility.

This is according to ACOM’s press release statement.

As expressed, chancellor of the church highlighted that the key focus of the training strives on growing leadership teams, capacity building and effective administration to spur vision setting and strategy development within their respective dioceses.

Topics covered included understanding the context of their ministry, order and structure within the church, bundling collegiality amongst the leaders, and how they can set vision and strategy for their mission.

The report also stated that in assessing the context of their work, four guest speakers were invited to present their perspective of the church and ministry in the country.

“These include the Chairman of the leadership Code Commission, the acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, and the Attorney General. The Church sincerely thanked these senior government officers for highlighting some of the pressing issues which the Church together with other stakeholders must help address as part of their mission work”, said the press statement.

The training was facilitated by Bishop Ross Bay, Bishop of Auckland, Hon Chris Allan, NZAC Deputy Chair and Hon Lyn Stevens QC, Chancellor of the Anglican Church of Melanesia.

It is a training following previous trainings including the Bishops Training which was held in Vanuatu in August 2016 and a training held in Honiara in April 2017.

FAO support SIG addressing negative impacts on forestry and climate change

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mrs Rosemary Kafa

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Mrs Rosemary Kafa

THE Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been working with the Solomon Islands Government on ways to sustainably manage our forest.

In an inception workshop with Guadalcanal provincial leaders on Wednesday 23 May 2018, Mrs Rosemary Kafa from the FAO assured provincial leaders they have been working with the SIG on a project that relates to conserving forestation.

Mrs Kafa said FAO is a United Nations Institution with a mandate to work on forestry, agriculture and natural resource management.

She said FAO under its Forestry Department has set mandate to support member countries to implement sustainable forest management by providing policy advice, technical knowledge and reliable information.

This was mainly meant as contribution towards forest and trees to sustainable livelihood, she said.

Mrs Kafa said for the Implementation of the project, it is mainly focus on addressing issues such as climate change mitigation. This is through a measure designed to enhance forest carbon stocks and increase adaptability of communities.

The project also looks at capacity gaps in biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and sustainability forestry management.

“Conservation and protected area management work is very important for Solomon Islands, and it is anticipated that lesson learnt and experiences from other project of similar nature will be shared with Solomon Islands through FAO in-country and regional activities,” she said.

Mrs Kafa adds cooperation by stakeholders and communities are crucial for the successful implementation of the project.

She says FAO will continue to support SIG and its citizen in sustainable development and management of its natural resources through their technical team based in Apia and Papua New Guinea.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management Dr Melchior Mataki acknowledged the project partners in the country who are targeting forestry and climate change issues.

SIELA conducts Policies and Legislation workshop for HCC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Facilitator, Ms Mauli and co-facilitator, Mr Lappy Hite speaking to HCC heads of divisions.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SOLOMON Islands Environmental Law Association (SIELA) yesterday proceeded into the second day of its “Policies and Legislation Workshop” for Divisional Heads within Honiara City Council’s (HCC) Management.

The workshop is tailored to provide information on environmental-related laws from SIELA including the participation of partner and enforcement agencies namely; the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), the Ministry of Forestry and Director of Public Prosecution Office.

HCC Heads of Division working in groups.

It seeks rigorous discussions and group activities to better understand the roles of Honiara City Council and identify possible partnerships and collaborations that link the different legislations with the work of the council.

It was in the workshop that Mr George Titiulu, HCC’s Head of the Environmental Health Division talked on offences under the Pure Food Act 1996.

He said that offences under the Act include; the display of expired goods, mandatory labelling and unhygienic conditions of eating outlets.

Facilitator, Ms Mauli and co-facilitator, Mr Lappy Hite speaking to HCC heads of divisions.

Mr Titiulu said under their power, they can seize goods, condemn them, enter places and demand closure and investigate issues.

The penalties for these offences as he explained are; a fine of $1000 for a first time offence, $1500 if the offence is still committed the second time around and $2000 if the offence continues to be committed.

Mr Titiulu stated that recently they had to close down a number of eating outlets because they committed the offence of operating under unhygienic conditions.

Mr George Titiulu notes down discussed points as fellow HCC offical looks on.

He mentioned that one of the challenges they have come across is the issue of foreign food labelling.

Mr Titiulu said collected fines from offences under the Pure Food Act 1996 when totaled almost reach $100,000.

Meanwhile, SIELA chair and facilitator of the workshop, Ms. Senoveva Mauli expressed that it was a first time opportunity for some of the participants.

“We note, the important role of this agency and are keen to continue this partnership”, she said.

The workshop which kicked off on May 23rd will conclude today with focus on group activities involving Honiara City Council’s (HCC) enforcement team.

St Nicholas seniors enjoy a glimpse of Taiwan and Mandarin phrases

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Ms Li with one of the students.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Ms Li with one of the students.

ON May 18th, St Nicholas College students spent their afternoon learning a language spoken by 1.2 billion people across the globe, Mandarin.

SINU’s Mandarin teacher, Ms Li Kuei-Mi expressed that the students were quick learners who were eager and happy to learn.

Students were made to understand the Taiwanese culture and language through presentation of videos and interaction that involved singing Mandarin songs and each having a go in belting out Mandarin phrases which they learnt in just two hours.

One of the students, Victoria Piva said the day’s activity was very interesting and meaningful because she enjoyed it.

She adds that after watching the video clips she is now motivated to learn Mandarin. In doing so she will also learn a new culture.

Another student, Yan Shuyee, spoke of how fun and enjoyable the presentation was.

Meanwhile, fellow student, Bronwyn Townshend also found the presentation interesting and she enjoyed seeing different things from a different culture.

The school’s Science teacher, Mr Samuel Avui said that through the awareness activity they discovered the language and cities in Taiwan.

“I have learned something new, culture, and big cities, landscape is good, I have learned a lot of things. My favorite part is the singing in Mandarin language”, he said.

Eddie Raru who is a Malaria technician at GPPOL is one of Ms Li’s students who assisted her throughout with the lessons she carried out.

He said this activity is helpful for the students.

“Because we have to make them aware what’s going on, you need to go to more schools, to let more students know what Mandarin is. I study Mandarin because I wanted to know different life styles from different countries, I think it’s another gateway to go further in life or in career” he said.

School Principal, James Lengi stressed that it is in the school’s interest to have their students speak different languages as learning languages develops critical thinking.

“We all understand very well what Asia is to the Pacific in terms of business, economy, politics, etc., now that we have common ground, we need to understand each other, in order to do so, we must learn different languages available to us”, he said.

Ms Li stated that she is grateful the Principal had accepted her request for this activity.

She said although activities were conducted in the afternoon, the students were still enthusiastic in the presentation.

“These students are quick learners, eager and happy to learn, three of them have even prepared and performed a Mandarin song, that’s very impressive”, said Ms Li.

People to people exchange an investment for countries

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

DURING the recent Eight Pacific Islands Countries Meeting in Japan, leaders have reaffirmed their intention to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in all spheres of influence.

Prime Minister Abe pledged Japan’s intention to implement human resource development and people-to-people exchanges of more than 5,000 people from FICs over the next three years, based on the recognition that investment to human capital is the most effective, efficient and enduring mode of support for the future of FICs.

He said this pledged to implement high-quality assistance that draws unique strength to bring direct benefits to the people and the society of the FICs both in soft and hard components by taking into account important factors such as sustainability and economic viability.

“We will enhance people to people exchange further and work together with you all to cultivate leaders who will shoulder the future of the PALM nations.

“Over the next three years, until we gather for the next PALM, Japan intends to work to foster human resources and exchanges for more than 5000 people,” said Abe.

Drink and drive

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR,

As concerned citizen and a victim of this continuing exercise, I wish to remind the responsible authority to monitor drivers who drink and drive, endangering our lives in our towns’ streets.

Drink and drive is an ongoing issue and is very common amongst both the young and old male drivers and most recently females. This mafia like behaviour is dangerous and will cause death not to drivers alone but to the passengers, pedestrians and other motorists.

This exercise was decline when police introduced the use of breathalyser to check on drivers who are under liquor. However, there are still few who have the ‘’No care attitude’’ roaming the street chill-out drinking and driving, especially on weekends. No wonder every accident took place usually fall on weekends.

Drink and drive takes many lives away. It is a dangerous and unlawful practiced indeed for drivers. Drivers must bear in mind that they are the ones stimulating the transportation service in town day and night and as a sole citizen. I strongly encourage their service provided for us is comfortable and safe.

Having the police around monitoring drunken drivers especially on weekend’s night will help reduce the risk on the lives of frequent road users.

I urged the responsible authority to keep on monitoring our streets to ensure there are no drivers who drink and drive and I strongly encourage all good motorist to be a role model to their service and stand firm to campaign for brighter future and a free- accident town.

 

Jeremiah Teiraru

USP, SI campus.

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