COUNCILLOR for Naha Ward Charles Aiwosuga has raised concerns about the increase of coconut Rhinoceros beetles causing damage to coconut trees within the City.

He said this is now becoming a common sight which is damaging the beautiful environment in Honiara, and is a sad scenario.

As the country and especially Honiara is preparing to host big events such as the South Pacific Games in 2023, immediate actions have to be taken.

“I would like to call on the Quarantine Department, Customs and the Ministry concern to work together with Honiara City Council to address this issue.

“Honiara is the gateway in the Solomon and to promote a beautiful image for tourism and other major events to be hosted here, we have to ensure our City has a beautiful environment,” he added.

Aiwosuga said it is time to get rid of these affected coconut trees and replace them with new ones.

–HCC PRESS

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE Solomon Islands Annual Malaria Programme Report recorded an unprecedented success in Malaria control cases in 2017 with a reduction of 10 percent from the 2016 trend.

The report was revealed by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, and such information is supplemented from newly data system called Malaria Case Management Register (MCMR) introduced in 2015.

Last year’s report shows that after an unprecedented period of success in 2014 and 2015 malaria control in Solomon Islands has had further progress in fighting the vector borne disease.

Vector Borne Division report stated 79.6 percent was recorded in 2017 which overthrew the 88.8 percent cases of malaria in 2016, an increase of 40.5 percent cases over 2015 compared to steady downward trend in malaria as previously reported in 2004 and 2013.

According to Vector Borne Division, they said this is an impressive success for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services through National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme to fight against Malaria and vector borne disease in Solomon Islands.

Currently, the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme is working on controlling malaria cases with an aim to reach one-third of the country’s population using the Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) also known as bed nets.

They said vector control intervention relies much on distributing LLIN, and with the massive distribution of bed nets last year, same will be continued this year.

The National Malaria Strategy 2015—2020 remains valid which will be the guiding tool for determining programme priorities and government and other stakeholders’ investment in malaria control and elimination in Solomon Islands.

According to World Health Organisation, Vector-borne diseases account for more than 17 percent of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually.

More than 3.9 billion people in over 128 countries which include Solomon Islands are at risk of contracting dengue, with 96 million cases estimated per year.

In terms of Malaria cases globally, WHO stated Malaria causes more than 400,000 deaths every year globally, most of them children under five years of age.

Meanwhile, many of these diseases are preventable, and Solomon Islands installed progress in battling vector borne disease with strategy to distribute LLIN across the provinces.

The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme strongly emphasize prevention measures are using of bed nets, cleaning backyards, drainage cleaning and frequent cleaning of residential environment.

By doing this it will help to eliminate or control malaria and dengue in the country, they said.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A farmer from Northwest Choiseul is calling on the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to explain why the agriculture office in Taro is unable to provide him any assistance.

Mr Binet Pitakera stressed that he had sought assistance from the office several times but was only told that there is no money.

He said that this is surprising given that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has expressed in the media that they provide assistance for farmers in the rural areas through their provincial agriculture offices.

Pitakera also mentioned that he has come to the thought the ministry is only supporting projects and not farmers’ individual requests for assistance.

He calls on the ministry to explain why their office in Taro has not been able to assist him.

MAL’s Under Secretary and Supervising Permanent Secretary, Mr Oswald Ramo when contacted by the paper earlier this week explained that government’s budget cut this year has really affected their funding and assistance for projects and farmers in the provinces.

He added that those who apply for assistance include groups of people and individuals whose applications have to be assessed before being dealt with.

Ramo furthered that even last year’s approved projects are yet to receive funding.

THE Honiara Central Magistrates Court has remanded two men in custody for alleged rape and grievous harm charges on Tuesday this week.

The incidents of the alleged rape are believed to have been committed during March 2018.

Both defendants are expected to reappear before the same court on May 8, 2018.

Officer In-Charge (OIC) of the Police Sexual Assault Squad based at the Rove Police Headquarters, Detective Sergeant Rose Nala says, “The two men are alleged to have raped separate 13-year-old victims on Sikaiana Island in the Malaita Outer islands on separate occasions.

“Arrangements are underway for both victims of rape to undergo counselling and medical examination at Seif Ples and Family Support Centre in Honiara.

“One of the men, a 31-year-old man is also charged for grievous harm after he allegedly attacked a 46-year-old man on April 6, 2018 on Sikaiana Island. The victim is believed to have lost 10 teeth.

“I appeal to any member of the public and communities in the country who is alleged to be a victim of rape or sexual assault to come forward to police and report any such alleged crime.

“You can report any crime to your nearest police station or post, or contact the Police Communication Centre on phone 23666 or free toll 999.

“You can also contact Seif Ples on phone 132 or 24677 for advice and counselling for alleged victims of rape or sexual assault.”

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) team of investigators from Rove Police Headquarters with some from Police in Malaita province were deployed on board Police Patrol boat Auki on April 18, 2018 to Sikaiana Island following reports of the alleged rape of a girl.

The team carried out investigations and established three separate allegations against the two alleged offenders and three victims identified.

–POLICE MEDIA

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE reported plunge in student discipline in the Central province’s premier school, McMahon Community High, has forced the provincial government to hold an open forum on Monday this week, it is reported.

Classes were suspended after 9am to allow students and staff to join the day-long conference with members of the Central Islands provincial (CIP) government and concerned parents to discuss the issue and find resolutions.

CIP’s Minister of Education and Deputy Premier Selwyn Luga had to chair the forum in response to recent report of Police in Tulagi arresting an 18-year-old male secondary student on April 13 after being found in possession of Marijuana drug.

The recent issue over the arrest has now drawn the line in no tolerance over lack of discipline by students of the school being experienced since the beginning of this year, said the provincial Minister of Education.

“This issue of arrest has become a National report because it was released on social media and on radio after the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) of the province released its news item.

“There are only two things, students discipline and at the same time, school leaders should show good examples too. This mainly goes for school teachers.

“Since January and now in April from observation, nothing has been done or changed in certain student’s attitudes usually involving themselves in bad and illegal activities.”

Mr Luga said the blame cannot be on teachers alone too as parents are also responsible for their children’s behaviour.

Regarding the open forum held, the Minister of Education said it was successful on the understanding that they will be addressing the issue.

“A lot of the teachers, parents and guardians did not have much time to talk because of the limited time we had but discussions will be continued in a Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting to be held this coming Sunday as there are around ten resolutions that were gathered after collecting decisions from teachers, students and parents,” said Luga.

During the Open Forum, parents, teachers and students had openly stressed and discussed their concerns through many areas they were not happy with and also that are beneficial for the improvement of the school.

School teachers speaking to Island Sun expressed their appreciation for having the chance to openly discuss with the education authority, provincial government, stakeholders, students and parents of the school in which they said they are looking forward for the continuance of their meeting.

Luga also added yesterday that the decisions on student’s discipline after their compilations in meeting must also be carried in all the other schools of CIP.

Resolutions will be completed during the upcoming PTA meeting this coming Sunday at Tulaghi.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that smoking of marijuana by youths within Tulaghi is raising great concern for parents and leaders of the former Capital Town.

CIP’s PPC, Superintendent Patricia Leta said the arrest of the student was possible through information from the public, alleging the student was using the dangerous drug.

Community members of CIP are now asked by the PPC to pass any information about the transactions of the illicit drug, where it is grown and who uses it, so that the police may bring those involving in such activity to face the law.

Leta added that Marijuana is illegal in all aspect in the country and everyone must work together to ensure this drug is ridded from communities.

Tulagi Police and Yandina Police Stations can be contacted on phone numbers 32117, 32999 and 7652044.

By Taromane Martin

THE SIPA national futsal league continues today at the Multipurpose Hall with three more exciting matches.

Matches for today will kick off at 2pm this afternoon as Vania FC takes on Mataks. After two matches played in the competition both teams are yet to claim their first points in the national futsal league.

Vania Head Coach Paul Muia knows his team is the underdogs in the competition but is confident his side can prove a point in the competition.

“This is a good competition especially for my players who are all from Sikaiana,” Coach Muia told SunSPORTS.

“For us competing at this league is like part of our preparations in developing players because we strongly believe that Polynesians also have some great players in futsal and football.

“This is what we believe in and therefore want to show that yes Polynesians in Solomon Islands also have a lot of excellent football and futsal players,” he adds.

Their opponents Mataks FC has also lost twice, losing to Marist 4-3 in their opening match and suffered a 5-2 defeat to Guntimac last week, will also be eager to claim their first three points today.

In action in the 3pm match today will see current competition leaders Kooline FC taking on Guntimac FC in what promises to be an action packed match.

With nine points on the competition so far, the start studded Kooline side led by Coleman Makau will be eager to claim their fourth win and maintain their three points cushion over Marist FC who are in second place with six points.

But with Guntimac lurking close behind Kooline and Marist with six points, Marist knows they will be a force to reckon with the Mana brothers (Ellis and Benjamin) leading their attack.

Happening at 4pm will be the final match of the today as another star studded side Marist FC takes on Indo-Solo.

Indo-Solo who has one win and a loss in the competition will be eager to pick up their second three points this afternoon.

Led by Dennis Ifunaoa, the 2017 Suva National Hire/Pasifika Tents International Futsal champions’ biggest test yet will be against Elliot Ragomo and last year’s Top 8 futsal champions, Marist FC.

But with just three points behind competition leaders Kooline FC, the Caleb Fox Marist coached side will be hunting for their third win at the Multipurpose Hall this afternoon.