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Lanelle hits campaign trail

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Lanelle Orlandrea Tanangada

By Mike Puia

Gizo

Lanelle Orlandrea Tanangada

THE female candidate for the Gizo-Kolombangara by-election, in the Western province, Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada, wasted no time as soon as the nomination period closed yesterday.

Lanelle completed her nomination formalities in Gizo yesterday morning and in the afternoon launched her campaign.

The campaign launching started with a parade through Gizo town. At the venue for the official programme, Lanelle delivered a powerful speech that got the crowd cheering throughout.

Lanelle is the wife of the former Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, Jimson Tanangada.

She is contesting along three male candidates. One of them is a former MP and Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo.

Mr Lilo was defeated by Mr Tanangada in the 2014 national general elections.

However, Lilo successfully lodged a petition against Tanangada which led to his disqualification from the seat last November ordered by the High Court.

Since then the Gizo-Kolombangara parliamentary seat has been vacant.

Lanelle said she is contesting the seat in response to calls by the people in the constituency for a leader to continue the work her husband had started.

Jubilation in the air.

This call becomes clear when speakers at the launching programme took their time to speak about their hope for a humble leader. They say Lanelle is the perfect person for the seat.

Lanelle said she had already received criticisms for contesting the seat as a woman.

“I think I know my place. I am a mother and I can speak for the silent majority especially the women and children in the rural areas.

“I want to do my best for the interest of the people in the Gizo-Kolombangara constituency,” Lanelle said.

She said she is confident and is prepared to be the voice of the constituency.

The 38-year-old calls for unity, solidarity and respect during this time until the polling day on May 23.

Lanelle is no ordinary woman. Like her husband, she is a teacher by profession. Lanelle graduated with a Masters in Education at the Waikato University in New Zealand.

She has given up her job as a teacher at Burnscreek School in Honiara to contest the seat.

Lanelle said she is contesting with no “revenge” as she is only putting to action the call by people in the constituency especially their leaders and women.

This is the first time a woman is contesting the Gizo-Kolombangara seat.

Whoever wins this by-election will only serve for seven months before parliament dissolves preparing for fresh national general elections next year.

Bed nets for one-third of population

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

NEARLY 200,000 bed nets will be distributed to 16 locations across the provinces, it is reported.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services through National Vector Borne Disease Control programme is preparing to distribute a total of 186,960 pieces of bed nets soon.

There are 4,621 bales each containing 40 bed nets, which hospitals and clinics in the delivery locations stand to receive soon.

The bed nets come in sizes—single, medium and large.

The target this year is to ensure one-third of the country’s population across Solomon Islands have adult bed nets.

According to National Vector Borne Disease Control programme, this is part of the national campaign strategy to battle malaria and other vector borne diseases in Solomon Islands.

Vector Borne Division also said distribution of mosquito nets now will be an annual activity, new approach implemented this year instead of hosting it after every two years.

Meanwhile, National Vector Borne Division reveals the In-door Residual Spraying has been on hold by the World Health Organisation due to some findings.

According to the Solomon Islands Annual Malaria Programme 2017 Report, 85,976 Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) were procured in 2017 including remaining stock of 2016.

More LLIN distributed last year than expected due to incomplete implementation in 2016.

Malaita police officers 1-week training with PRT

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Auki police officers during their training session on Wednesday.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

THE Royal Solomon Islands police force (RSIPF) in Malaita are undergoing a gruelling one-week training under the country’s elite unit, the Police Response Team (PRT), in Auki.

PRT instructors from Honiara are in Auki, and immediately began the drills after the PRT facility in the Auki police station was opened on Sunday, April 22.

The training aims to strengthen the officers’ response capacity on any issue that may arise.

Police officers from Atori, Malu’u and Auki are participants.

Auki police officers during their training session on Wednesday.

The PRT instructors will be in Auki for the rest of this week for the training.

A demonstration exercise will be conducted at 9am tomorrow and is open for public and government officials to witness.

The venue for the demonstration exercise will be confirmed later.

A similar exercise was also carried out last year at the Aligegeo football pitch which was witnessed by the Premier of Malaita Province, Peter Ramohia.

Standing in an impenetrable front facing disturbance. Officers trained on formation.

The PRT is the ‘right hand’ unit of the RSIPF against anarchic activities such as riots, heavy crowd resistance to police presence and general disturbances.

Training requirements to enter this elite unit is well-known for being ‘tough and stringent’ which tests for superb physical and mental fitness and outstanding aptitude levels.

The PRT facility was recently opened on Sunday April 22 by a high-level delegation which included the Minister of justice and legal affairs, Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, the deputy commissioner of the Australian Police Force, Malaita province deputy premier, RSIPF Commissioner Matthew Varley, and commander of the SI police development programme.

PPC of Malaita province Timothy Apaesi witnessing the training sessions on Wednesday.
Police officers listening to instructions from the PRT instructors.
Police officers holding up their Batons during their training.

Say no to rape culture

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, today rape case in the Solomon Island is one of the immense problems. As a Law student, my concern is to stop such cruel and disrespectful act.

Today, increasing number of girls under the age of 11 became victim of rape in Makira and Isabel province.

It’s a shame, rape culture had breath through our daily lives.

The problem is everywhere and yet we rationalise it.

To forgive is an action but it is wrong when leaving behind the survivors when they are the one who matters the most.

People think rape is always about desire for sex, but the truth is rape is not born of sexual desires, it is a desire to degrade and humiliate another person.

The assailant wanted to take all power away from the victim.

In life we may not have control over things done but the only thing we are in control of is our body.

It is sad that victims of rape had loses control of something that is very personal to them, which is their body.

Once these rights have been deprive, you feel like nothing is left of you.

Victim may leave up with hurt feelings and fear for the rest of their lives.

We must stop such act of violence by educating our children in homes and Schools about sexual consent, what it means, how it works, how to get consent, what to do when a potential sexual partner refuses to give (or retracts) their consent and as well as what the criminal law of our country had define this offence of rape. Nurturing them will help to stop rape culture.

Secondly Legislature should create laws to empower the survivors, not concerning the rapist only.

For instance policies in school or work place to prevent rape culture because survivors of rape don’t feel comfortable to speak out after being sexually assaulted, fearing repercussion of losing jobs, force to leave school or socially isolated.

Therefore creating of good environment where these survivors feel safe in speaking out and calling out their attackers and in which the repercussion for potential rapist to be emphasise instead.

Moreover there should be proper awareness talk about the criminal law concerning rape in the rural areas.

Law should be delivered in simple language or the mother tongue as some people may not know how to read, write or even speak both English and pijin.

By doing so law will be understood and people will say no to rape culture.

Finally Government should financially supported such organisation like “Save the children” in fighting against rape culture and other social problems our country had face by extending awareness programme of rape through media like radio, television channels and outreach program to our provinces.

This will put an end to rape culture.

Well I would call on all good citizen of Solomon Island that it is not too late to make straight the path, It is time to pick up ourselves from the dust and work together with great support in putting an end to rape culture.

Relmah Ha’ananga

Central Honiara

Route of the public buses from central market to KG6

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, as a Solomon Islanders who lived in the capital city of Honiara, I urge the City Council to change the route of the public bushes from central market to KG 6, because it made the students and the public difficulty to catch the public bushes in time.

The route of the bushes from central market to KG 6 was very distance, compared to the route started from the central market to white river and because of that distance route, the bushes always took the route from the central market to white river, in which made the route from the central market to KG 6 had limited bushes to travel.

As I already experience the difficulty of catching the bushes from the central market to KG 6, the City Council should seriously looking into this matter and re-schedule the route, starting from the central market to SDA then SDA to KG 6, thus this would allow the people easy to catch the bushes from the central market to KG 6.

Therefore I urge the Solomon islander’s citizen to work hand in hand with the city council to re-schedule the route of the bushes and the people should follow the regulation and rules that the City Council tell them to follow, thus this would treat everyone fairly and equally to make our beloved country Solomon Islands lived in harmony in years to come.

Zephaniah Tukumana

USP, Laucala Campus

Thank you Solomon Islands, sorry but why?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the Solomon Islands delegation posing with caretaking Papua governor in his office. Photo supplied
Members of the Solomon Islands delegation posing with caretaking Papua governor in his office. Photo supplied

DEAR EDITOR, we, West Papua civil society, consisting of people from Non-Government Organisations, youth, students, women, and indigenous peoples, welcome the government and civil society delegates from the Solomon Islands to our country, West Papua.

We sincerely apologise that because we are not free to express ourselves in the land of our ancestors we cannot welcome you well and honourably as Melanesian relatives.

To be honest we just heard about this visit.

We did not expect this visit would be arranged secretly and unilaterally by the government of Indonesia through its foreign ministry.

We deeply regret that the government of Indonesia did not officially notify the United Liberation Movement of West Papua, a fellow Melanesian Spearhead Group member, of the planned visit.

This visit also reminds us of a similar visit led by the former Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Mr Gordon Lilo in 2014, which was organised silently by the Indonesian government and military without any involvement or connection to civil society.

We therefore, question the intent and purpose of this visit.

We, civil society of West Papua, express our support to the ULMWP as the organisation who represents our political aspirations and is advocating for West Papuans’ right to self-determination, which has been denied by the Indonesian government and international community for over 50 years.

We insist that the government of Indonesia and other states respect that right.

We wish to emphasise that since West Papua has been forced into shackles through the 1969 Act of NO Choice, there have been human rights violations, forced seizure of Indigenous lands for large mines, oil, gas, and oil palm plantations, transmigration programmes and mega agriculture projects, all in the name of development.

All these have harmed the people of West Papua, by creating conflict, depriving us of our land and ability to manage our own resources, and human rights violations.

The presence of the Indonesian military and police has disrupted the lives of our people causing havoc and gross violence all for the sake of foreign investment and capitalist’ interests.

The flow of population from outside West Papua is increasing and our people are becoming a minority and marginalised.

Therefore, we fully ask all parties to respect the rights of the West Papuan people to self-determination.

We ask this for the sake of the survival of the Melanesian people in West Papua, your family.

We hope that during this short visit, the Solomon Island government delegation can see, hear and experience firsthand, the reality of the Melanesian people in the land of West Papua.

That is our statement, yours sincerely, the undersigned civil society community of West Papua.

Sincerely, from Jayapura, April 25, 2018, Forum Independen Mahasiswa (FIM), Solidaritas Nasional Mahasiswa dan Pemuda Papua (SONAMAPA), Parlemen Jalanan (PARJAL), Asosiasi Mahasiswa Pegunungan Tengah Papua se-Indonesia (AMPTPI), Komite Nasional Papua Barat (KNPB), Elsham Papua, Gabah Papua, Kolektif Perempuan Papua, Garda Papua, and Dewan Adat Papua.

Signed West Papua Civil Society

Maleai chief raises concern on registering of Famoa council of chiefs

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

CHIEF Edward Kingmele of Maleai in the Shortland islands has raised his concern on the proposed plans to register the Famoa Council of Chiefs through a two-day workshop held in Gizo recently.

Kingmele told Island Sun he is concerned about the way, process for consultations had been carried out.

He says already Famoa is a registered organisation and had been established since 1974 while the Famoa Trust Board was incorporated in 1979. He says Famoa was established by the chiefs then as a community and voluntary organisation.

“We are not a political party. We are not part of the province. We are not part of government but we are a community based organisation. We will accept assistance from government. We will accept assistance from province. We will accept assistance from donor partners. We are an accountable body.”

Chief Kingmele said the provincial government should not be dictating to the Famoa Council of Chiefs (FCC) on what to do. He says they will work in cooperation with the provincial government but must be left alone to do things that suit their way of life best.

Kingmele said since the establishment of Famoa, there has been no funding from government.

“Therefore I am concerned. Anything the provincial government wants to do with the FCC or Famoa Trust Board I should be involved because I am the Chairman of FCC and Famoa Trust Board.”

Kingmele says Famoa had been established for more than 40 years now. He says if the provincial government wants to register the FCC, they must do it in the proper way.

He says Shortland Islands has a sacred system where chiefs are in position through traditional heredity and not elected or voted in but gain their chiefly title through lineage. Chief Kingmele says whatever plans western province or the government has, they must synchronise their plans with the system already in place.

“But now there are changes coming and if they want to make this change, they should hold a wider consultation with the people of Shortlands as well so that we can make these changes together. Why are they in Gizo? They should be in the Shortland Islands.”

Kingmele says he is not against any of these changes. He says what he wants to see is that consultations are carried out properly and accordingly and that people fully understand what this means. He said nor should the chiefs be rushed into something they do not fully understand.

On another note, Kingmele raises his disappointment as to why he was not invited to attend this workshop. He said he is still a reigning chief of Maleai, but yet there was no invitation for him to attend the consultations.

That aside, he said he only wished for proper consultations and that the people of Shortland Islands understand the issue since Famoa is all about the people of Shortland Islands.

Kingmele says lest they forget, Famoa has a five year development plan that also guides their operation. Traditional leadership is also entailed in Famoa’s development plan 2014 – 2019.

Famoa Council of Chiefs is the Supreme Authority in Fauro, Mono and Alu [FAMOA] and with Famoa Trust Board [inc] they are accountable for all the decisions and development plans and expenditures made in regards to its development programs and projects which are supported by Chiefs, Elders, People and Community of Famoa.

The workshop held in Gizo was purposely to allow the Famoa Council of Chiefs to re-look at the structure of the council and to look at the possibility of having the body registered under the charitable act.

15 chiefs from Shortland Islands were invited to attend the workshop. The work is part of government’s ongoing program to strengthen the work of chiefs in the country.

The workshop is sponsored by the Ministry of National Unity Reconciliation and Peace and facilitated by the western provincial government.

Solair clarifies Dash 8 incident

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Airlines Limited (SAL) say their pilots were confident all the time that the under carriage was positioned for safe landing during the Dash 8 H4-SOL incident at Lata last week.

In their side of clarification over the incident, Colin Sigimanu the Manager Commercial for Solomon Airlines Ltd said from gathered information from their engineering and operations departments, the decision taken by the pilots not to land at Lata was precautionary as it was best to return to Honiara where the maintenance facility and tooling is.

“This is so that our Engineers could take a thorough look into the indicator reading,” said Sigimanu.

“Our Pilots were confident all the time that the under carriage was positioned for safe landing. The aircraft did land normally in Honiara on its return and the indicator mis-reading has been rectified.”

When querying through to the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands (CAASI) last week, CAASI Acting Director Brian Halisanau also revealed to Island Sun that Dash 8 H4-SOL’s recent incident said to have its tyres faulted for landing is an isolated electrical indicator malfunction issue caused by an intermittent micro switch on the loose landing gear door.

This is obvious because the Pilot’s report stated that the green light was intermittent said the CAASI Acting Director.

He said the flight crew however have correctly acted in accordance with their approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and this is what is expected of them.

“There are no safety concerns from what we are seeing from the regulatory side but we will be waiting for the airline to send us their report and corrective or preventive action plan so we can close our incident report,” said the CAASI Acting Director when asked if there is any assurance for the general public as the recent incident has raised fear towards the plane’s operating for the airlines.

More than 20 passengers on board the Solomon Airlines Dash-8 aircraft flight destined for Lata were relieved after landing safely back to Honiara last week Tuesday after the aircraft was said to fail three attempts to land because its tyres were facing a technical situation of not functioning.

The pilots then according to passengers decided to fly the aircraft back to Honiara after the third attempt in which luckily, the tyres worked when approaching Henderson Airport enabling the aircraft to land.

“It could have been a different story if the tyres did not work on our return,” said relieved passengers after landing back at Henderson Airport around 2.30pm.

Locals disagree over delay blame on new bus routes

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Chairman of the Taskforce Mr Eddie Ngava said they are aware many bus still running short route from SDA to Naha route

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CITIZENS in Honiara say that the road condition in the city is one of the many areas also affecting the new bus routes enforced.

Recently, many members amongst the general public have blamed Honiara City Council’s (HCC) new short bus routes being enforced early this year stating that it is causing delay for public travelling.

However according to certain locals, they say that complaints from the new bus routes enforced is short sighted as there are other contributing factors to the situation faced.

“Continuous road maintenance along the city’s main roads is one cause of delay for the timing of movement for vehicles as well. Not forgetting, the roads are getting smaller from the number of vehicles now used in Honiara,” said locals raising their points to Island Sun.

“Honiara City Council (HCC) is acting in a way to bring about change to push us forward as we cannot always be in the same stage of development.”

Local say if from monitoring in the long run but the new enforcement is not improving to any changes at all then from there, people might then call for re-changing the new bus routes system.

HCC Mayor Hon Andrew Mua when questioned over complaints raised on the new bus routes enforced said that despite of many criticisms, they are not thinking of making any changes to the new enforcement system.

HCC’s Chairman of the Taskforce responsible for the bus routes, Eddie Ngava, recently during their press conference also clarified that HCC’s new enforcement is to help other rules or Acts of the National Government being enforced.

“This includes the health sector and the tourism industry,” said Ngava.

HCC Education clarifies White River headmaster issue

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THE Chairman of the Honiara City Council’s Education Authority Alfrence Fatai has issued a strong warning towards the White River Primary School board, not to interfere with the Authority’s final teachers posting.

This is in regards to the posting of the Headmaster of the Primary school which was endorsed by the Education’s standing committee, but never been recognised by the School Board.

Mr Fatai said that at the beginning of this year, all teachers’ postings have been submitted and fully endorsed for all schools under the HCC authority.

“I would like to state here that all these postings are final and should be respected by the school boards and leaders.”

The issue came up when the HCC Authority endorsed a posting for a new headmaster, replacing the former who is under suspension pending investigation.

This has caused a lot of confusion as the school board still recognised the former headmaster and currently the issue has not been solved.

However, Fatai maintained that the HCC Education Authority recognises the new headmaster and not the former.

“Based on our understanding and the final posting, we maintain that the decision is final and I would like to caution the White River Primary School Board, not to mislead everyone in regards to this issue.

“Let me remind the School Board that the powers of the Authority supersede the School Board and also have the authority to endorse postings and that is final,” he added.

Cr Fatai further warned the White River Primary school board to consider it and respect the HCC Education Authority’s decision.

–HCC PRESS

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