Home Blog Page 1410

Day celebrated to empower women and girls in ICT

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Students who part of the International Girls in ICT Day

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE IT Society of Solomon Islands and its affiliated Women in IT Solomon Islands have held a one-day ‘Girls in ICT’ conference which involved students from primary and secondary schools.

The event coincided with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) International Girls in ICT Day which registered a great opportunity for students to learn from ICT professionals – regionally and nationally.

Group photo of the IT Society of Solomon Islands and its affiliated Women in IT Solomon Islands during the event celebration at Mendana Hotel on Thursday

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Mr Moses Virivolomo said such celebration marked pressing needs for girls and women’s participation in the ICT society of Solomon Islands.

He said ITU as the leading United Nations agency for Telecommunication and ICT seeks to encourage gender balance in the ICT sector at all levels of profession.

Virivolomo also adds ICT companies are looking to attract and promote women because achieving greater workforce diversity is good for business.

Students sitting for the Girls in ICT conference to commemorate the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU)
International Girls in ICT Day.

He said supporting education of women and girls in the ICT sector contributes to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5; aimed at achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls in information and communication technologies.

“Not only are jobs in ICT sector lifting women out of poverty, a more gender-balanced sector offers fulfilling mid and high-level careers, and enables highly talented women to springboard to top of career ladder,” Virivolomo said.

(Left to Right) PS for MCA Moses Virivolomo, PS for MEHRD James Bosamata and Mrs Christina Bakolo Misibini, Coordinator International Education Programme.

Permanent Secretary for Education and Human Resource Development, Mr James Bosamata said his Ministry realises ICT has important values to enhance and improve quality of teaching and learning in classroom.

Bosamata said under MEHRD national action plan (2016—2020) they have engaged a number of educational reforms that will target increased capacity to absorb students at all level of basic education.

He said digitising the curriculum materials for year-seven to nine is progressing well which falls in line with furnishing of identified schools with ICT hardware with support from donors.

Students who part of the International Girls in ICT Day

“Ministry of Education supports such initiative that encouraged students especially girls to be informed about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),” Bosamata said.

Yesterday’s event is recorded as first time for Solomon Islands to join member states of ITU globally.

The event as hosted with an aim to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing ICT field.

Malaita and Israel cement ties

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Former Premier of Malaita Province, Hon Peter Channel Ramohia.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE Malaita provincial government (MPG) recently held talks on underpinning its relationship with the state of Israel.

The talk was made during the visit by Mr Yaron Sultan Dadon – the Advisor to the Pacific under Israeli Ambassador’s Office in Canberra to mark Israel’s 70th Independence Anniversary in Auki.

In an interview, Premier Peter Channel Ramohia said the discussion held was to re-examine areas of relationship between MPG and Israel, under the bilateral agreement SIG has with Israel.

He explained that under the diplomatic agreement, Israel and Malaita have some areas of mutual understanding between them.

“And they are on working in partnership with the province on areas of development.

“Likewise, their area of assistance is through providing expertise to assist in area of development in the province.

“In other words their expertise will come through their businesses or companies to execute the work,” he said.

Ramohia continued that also part of the agreement comes back to the province and national government to assist in some areas.

“Thus, these were our key challenges and had been resulted that nothing being fruitful under the MOU.

“I understand that under the MOU an industrial park should have been at Katabina and Fishery project for Live in south Malaita, but nothing was done.”

Ramohia said the recent visit of Mr Dadon to Auki was a follow-up on a consultation MPG had with Israel’s ambassador on February 25 this year in Honiara.

He said during the consultation both discussed proposed areas of work on agriculture, education, learning the Israeli Alya Policy and other areas for development in the province.

He added that during the discussion MPG also presented a proposal to assist on provincial plan, to establish Malaita cultural village near a lake close to Lilisiana village on the outskirt of Auki.

The premier went on that in the consultation both reached revisiting the economic stimulus package under the expired MOU, in preparation for the new MOU (the current one is expired).

Ramohia however said in Mr Dadon’s recent visit, the MPG has reinforced commitment on the previous proposals with included additional proposals.

He said the additional proposals were capacity building which looked at empowering human resource in the province.

Ramohia said there were three areas of interest given under the additional proposal that looked at short term attachment training for provincial personnel, scholarship scheme and look-and-learn for MPG leaders.

“The short term attachment looked at training staff on important specific areas of work to support both public and private sectors within Malaita province.

“Another is scholarship opportunity which looks at distributing study opportunity for best students in all wards across the province to study in Israel.

“And next is for leaders under MPG to engage in look and learn from areas of successful development in Israel or other places in the world Israel fruitfully carried-out development projects,” he said.

A second chance for students

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Jerry Pakivai

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Jerry Pakivai

THE record of last year’s drop outs does not mean that our students are incapable because they can unleash their potentials provided that there are avenues present to help them pursue that.

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

He stressed that the Centre is currently in preparation to offer two certificates in September this year which are the Preparatory Community Studies Certificate (PCSC) for form 3 and 5 students and the Tertiary Community Studies Certificate (TCSC) for form 6 and 7 students.

Pakivai added that even students from previous years, those who are working and individuals who want to enhance their skills so they can help their communities are welcome to join the classes.

He pointed out that age is not a limit so anyone who is still a keen learner should sign up.

“This is a second chance and a golden opportunity to prove that you can do it so I encourage you to apply,” he said.

Moreover, Pakivai expressed that these certificates are designed as a pathway that gives students options in furthering their students in whichever way they find suitable.

He said that students can learn at home and the classes will not disturb those who are working.

Pakivai explained that form 3 students will have 11 units to do while form 5 students have 9 to 11 units. After having completed these units and receiving their PCSC certificate they can apply for certificate courses at SINU and then apply for diploma or degree courses at the national university or in other tertiary institutions.

Additionally, he said that the other option on the table is continue on to the Tertiary Community Studies Certificate and then apply for scholarship to do diploma or degree courses.

He furthered that in the case of senior forms, they only have 7 units to undertake to upgrade their marks in one of the three streams of Arts, Business or Science and can later apply for certificate courses at SINU and help their communities or apply for a scholarship to do diploma or degree courses.

Interested students and individuals can pick up the application forms from the Centre’s office at Panatina Campus, fill them in and submit them by August. They can also email Mr Pakivai at [email protected]

Mass to be held for missing person

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

A requiem mass will be held this weekend by the family of missing man, Chris Utia Nemaia.

In a media statement, the family advises that the mass will be held at the Holy Cross Cathedral this Sunday, April 29, starting at 2pm.

“This is held as part of the family’s grieving process in this sad and confusing time.

“The Requiem Mass will be an opportunity to find solace and take comfort in holy messages of hope in faith.

“Friends, extended relatives and colleagues of Christopher Utia Nemaia are invited to attend.

“At the end of the Requiem Mass everyone will be invited to walk from the church to take part in the floating of flowers in the river from the Old Mataniko Bridge.”

Meanwhile, Mr Nemaia’s family further request that friends and relatives taking part please come attired in bright colours of hope and not traditional funeral black.

“Flowers will be provided in baskets at the entrance of the church.

“The family maintains that their own attempts to locate Chris physically continues,” the statement says.

They also welcomed news that Police mobilised a dive operation at the upper parts of the river in the morning of Thursday April 26.

Mr Nemaia is the Senior Marketing Officer of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau, who went missing during the flash flood of the Mataniko river on Thursday April 19.

West Rennell landowners maintain onslaught on their MP

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

By Alfred Sasako

WEST Rennell landowners have kept up criticisms of their MP, accusing him of serving his own interests rather than those of the people he represents in Parliament.

They took up two full colour pages of advertisement to vent their anger. The two-page advertisement appears as a centrespread in today’s Island Sun newspaper. It carries the signatures of landowners in Wards 3 – 5.

In a statement accompanying the signatures, the landowners said the call by their MP for the closure of mining on West Rennell is not genuine.

“It is a campaign strategy to lure voters for the upcoming National General Election.

“This is because he only highlighted the mining operation under APID/BMSI in his articles but he never mentioned anything about the mining operation that is carried out by Worldlink …,” they said

They said one of the reasons why their MP wants mining operation on Rennell to stop was because he did not “want other people to be well off. He just wants to be better off than everyone so that he could manipulate them in his campaign to be re-elected to serve his own interest and not the interest of the people”, the statement said.

The statement said social instability on Rennell was not caused by mining.

“We are the ones to be blamed for all these when we failed to create avenues to engage our women and children in order to prevent such social instability.”

The landowners also turned on members of the public for criticising the mining operations on Rennell, saying “we learned nothing from all those lousy noises”.

Teacher arrested for alleged sexual offence

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mathew Varley has condemned the actions of a school teacher in Sikaiana for allegedly sexually assaulting a female student at a school there.

Mr Varley said a teacher involving in such offending is an abuse of power and breach of trust.

He made the comment following recent arrests made on Sikaiana Island last week after the patrol boat was dispatched there with police officers following reports from senior members of the Sikaiana community.

He said that two men were arrested in relation to alleged sexual assaults on two young girls at Sikaiana Island and are remanded in custody.

The two men were charged in relation to two separate incidents of rape which allegedly occurred at Sikaiana earlier this month.

“We received the report from a senior member of the Sikaiana community on Monday April 16 and we dispatch the Patrol boat in the afternoon of April 18 with the specialist team of Investigators, Sexual Assault unit our Intelligence officers and PRT for security,” Varley said.

“They went out to the Islands and conduct investigations for few days in which two suspects were arrested and also two victims were identified and cared for and were brought with the support to Honiara for medical check-ups the victims were subject to some serious threats and risks from the offenders.”

Varley also clarifies that police does not have any police post in Sikaiana, making reference to other remote parts of Solomon Islands which do not have any police post.

“It’s a very difficult balance between the resources that are available and something I will discuss with the Ministry. Currently we have number of other plans that the Ministry is working on as to where the Government will put a police post.

“Unfortunately Sikaiana at the moment is not one but that doesn’t mean will not be considered in the future,” Varley adds.

Police search for missing man continues

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

WHILE there has been a lot of criticism against police officers in relation to the search for the missing man, police say they will continue with their search operation.

Supervising Assistant Commissioner for National Capital Solomon Sisimia said police are still continuing with their search and starting yesterday police expert divers were out diving from Koa hill down to Mamana Wata.

He said police are conducting their search following information received from people and based on experience they have on searching for missing persons in the water.

Sisimia adds, they have established good communication with one of the family members of the missing person and are updating each other on what is going on and the progress so far.

“The search will continue today and if nothing discovered they will have other plans as to what they will do next,” Sisimia said.

Meanwhile Police Commissioner Mathew Varley said the RSIPF search operation began on Thursday last week (April 19).

He said the search includes members of the Police Maritime unit, Fire and Rescue and the Explosive Ordinance Department.

He said that police are not only searching the river but along the entire coast line and the river mouth and they have been intensively searching since the incident occurred.

“We also have our Fire and Rescue services involve because they have specialised equipment for fast water rescue and that equipment is not only for person found in the river also for precaution and safety for our own officers as well so if an officer fall in the river or need rescue we have to have a security proportion as well,” Varley said.

Responding to questions on whether police is using drones, he said the RSIPF doesn’t have drones and are not necessarily convinced in this environment because the water is running so fast.

However if they have information of any sightings they have the opportunity to dispatch a helicopter through their emergency response arrangements.

“We have other resources that can be used,” Varley said.

West to impose ban on plastics in July

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Former Western Province Premier Hon. Wayne Maepio

By Mike Puia

Gizo

WESTERN province will ban plastics as of July this year as part of its effort to be a plastic-free province.

The province is the first to impose such ban.

Premier of Western Province, Wayne Maepioh, said the plastic ban is part of the province’s plans and his administration is aggressively pursuing it.

Mr Maepioh said his administration is conscious about the environment of the province therefore the need to impose such restriction.

“The plastic free campaign which has been aggressively pursued will now reach its phase two for implementation.

“Effective as of July 1, 2018 Western Province will effect the banning of plastic shopping bags in markets and shops.”

He said the ban on plastic will includes ice-block plastics.

Maepioh revealed there is another ban planned on water bottles.

He said it is a separate ban that his administration will also follow up on.

“The issue relating to water bottles will be further pursued. But, for the meantime, the sale of plastic shopping bags and ice block especially in Gizo market and all markets elsewhere in the Province will be ceased,” Maepioh said.

He said this ban would give the women of the province a lucrative business opportunity to tap.

“This am sure will give women the opportunity to weave baskets or to sew shopping bags, a lucrative business,” Maepioh said.

Youki not SITCo product: Singh

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Youki cigarette

By Gary Hatigeva

WITH the recent revelation in the alleged manufacturing of tobacco product under a ‘Youki’ brand name that is said to be done without approval of the responsible authorities, there is also confusion over similarities in appearances and status as compared to current existing products in the country.

Yesterday, Island Sun’s publication on the issue also noted from sources including follow ups with those inside the Solomon Islands Tobacco Company (SITCo) for clarification on product similarities.

However, this paper was able to establish an official interview with the management for formal clarifications on this confusion over product similarities who officially disassociate SITCo from the reported brand name.

In an interview with SITCo’s General Manager, Shusendra Singh, he confirmed yesterday’s information on the product and distanced the company from being owner or part of the Youki brand.

Mr Singh clarified and further explained that the current brands manufactured by SITCo in the Solomon Islands are Pall Mall, Rothmans, and Solbako.

He said all brands sold in the country are packaged in compliance with the laws and contain the contact details of the company.

“The brand reported in the media article is not a product of SITCo,” the SITCo General Manager affirmed.

Meanwhile, he expressed SITCo’s supports to any government initiatives to carryout investigations into the reported issue as a matter of fairness.

“We welcome an even playing field for all tobacco manufacturers in the Solomon Islands in full compliance with all laws and regulations,” Singh added.

Currently, the country only has two major tobacco manufacturers, the Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited and the Solomon Sun who is the manufacturer of the Bro brand.

Unregistered pets in shops is illegal

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

DESPITE how much shop owners may love their pet(s), they just cannot keep them in their shops.

Honiara City Council Chief Health Inspector George Titulu says unregistered pets kept in shops within town boundary is illegal.

He said this in response to complaints from public on shop owners keeping animals or pets in their shops, which public say poses a health risk to customers and members of public.

The animals are also regarded as a nuisance by many.

Mr Titulu said the dog ordinance of the council states that animals found without a disc or wondering at large in circumstances which constitutes a nuisance or danger to public or to any person renders them (animal) illegal.

“With these circumstances it endangers the health of daily consumers in terms of pets’ nuisances.

“Due to these mentioned circumstances taming of unregistered pets at shops in town boundary is illegal,” he said.

In relation to its penalties the ordinances states that any person found breaching this ordinance will be charged in the magistrate court in relation to the offence.

Titiulu says shop owners who are in the habit of rearing pets in their shops should be made aware of the ordinance.

Hence the council is planning a campaign in mid-year to educate and inform pet owners, shop owners who have pets and general public over the set ordinances of dogs and animals.

1...1,4091,4101,411...1,674Page 1,410 of 1,674