BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

The Solomon Islands Maritime Transport Association (SIMTA) welcomes females to join in the shipping industry

Representative from SIMTA Mr David Faradatolo said it is good to have female folks through the newly launched woman in Maritime association

He said women’s presence in this sector will enable male folks to develop the industry

“As ship owners we welcome female seafarers and encourage them to work in this association to make it successful and grow.

“Because through the association you (women) will be able to advocate for innovative means and alternatives which the industry needs to develop,” Mr Faradatolo said.

He said the involvement of women in this sector will now help men to boost this industry to be recognised by other neighbouring countries in terms of working partnerships.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE Solomon Islands Scouts Association has presented a roadmap comprising eight priority areas to work towards boosting the scout movement in the country.

It has a timeframe of two years starting this year and ending in 2020, which was lately presented in the Forum of Chief Commissioner held on March 8.

Outgoing Chairman of Council of the South Pacific Scout Association (CSPSA) Mr Joe Billy Oge, a Solomon Islander, said there are eight key priority areas the association will work towards.

“These are reestablishing an office space and administrations, to strengthen leadership and governance, to improve membership registration systems and Scout Land Property at Naha.

“Also to revise the Solomon Islands Scout Constitution, strengthening financial management, train leaders and seeking avenues to provide for youth development programme,” he said.

Oge said the priority areas will be achieved through undertaking an initiative of giving talks to places that will be interested to give the scout association a home to rehouse its administration for a start and to recreate the administration.

“Having the nerve of achieving the priority extents the association is now putting to gather a small budget to be part of other partners to see if they can support. This will include some of our internal sources.

“The second line of attack is to strengthen the leadership and governance of the scout’s association in terms of having an active Scout council with people who are willing to serve and to re appoint Scout leaders to key roles and functions of the association,” he said.

With this roadmap Solomon Islands is next on the radar to become a full member of the world organisation of the Scouts movement by 2020.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

GALOVARANI tribe of Katupika, Ward 2, at South Choiseul Province recently received beneficial livelihood support from a logging company operating in their land.

Over the weekend, a land cruiser vehicle, an OBM with a 40 hp engine plus 23 Rotomould drinking water tanks (2000 litres) were shipped to South Choiseul after receiving the support from Malaysian logging company called Sktwawasan Limited.

According to the Chief, Trustees and spokesman for Galovarani tribe Mr Alva Galo, what their tribe has received should be an encouragement for landowners at their area to work positively with logging companies for tangible developments.

He said after disturbances to the logging company at where it was first operating during 2014, their tribe took partnership with Sktwawasan Ltd since 2016 in which they made a supplementary agreement for support seeing the company assisting much so far.

“First was a portable saw mill to provide housing scheme. Now we have received and OBM plus its engine, a land cruiser and water tanks,” said Galo.

The logging company is said to support the locals through education and medical areas as well. This includes providing development of sport fields and landscaping new villages to be built. Its operation so far is said to generate cash flow for the people.

Mr Galo wants to remind local landowners that what they are receiving is an example of working together rather than creating negativity all the time such as raising land dispute cases.

“Court will not sort development to take place in the country,” said Galo.

“Stop blaming investors for our downfall and let us work together. They have the potential for development so we should combine positively to achieve our goals.”

The water tanks recently received are said to be for the majority population living on islands because they are far from the main water sources of the mainland.

For the OBM and its engine, it is for the tribe trustees purposely to work with. The vehicle land cruiser is to help farmers and operation areas.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THE provincial elections for Choiseul and Western provinces has been earmarked for June this year, it is reported.

A source from the Western provincial government told this to Island Sun Gizo yesterday, but says that the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening is yet to confirm the actual dates of the elections.

He advises public in the two provinces to think wisely on who to vote for.

Western Provincial government Secretary (PS) Jeffrey Wickham, when asked, confirmed the month of June but could not give a specific date.

“This year’s biometric registration and update exercise has been success complete in Western and Choiseul provinces.

“Handing over of the Western and Choiseul province registration data and materials by the registration officials to the office of Revising Officer (RVO) and Registration Manager has already concluded.

“We are now waiting from the final confirmation from the Ministry of Provincial government and Institutions in Honiara, National government and Electoral Commission for this year provincial election for both Western and Choiseul.”

He said Western provincial government is now working on the supplementary budget for 2018 and 2019.

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Traffic Department recorded a total of 292 cases from January 12 – March 15, 2018 for Honiara City alone.

Acting Director of RSIPF Kukum Traffic Department, Inspector Brian Surimalefo says, “Out of the total cases recorded, 86 were for careless and inconsiderate driving which include vehicles creating extra third lane. Creating third lane comes in as careless and inconsiderate driving.

“Sixty seven cases were for using unlicensed motor vehicle, 23 for using uninsured motor vehicle, 47 for presence of alcohol, seven for permitting uninsured motor vehicle, nine for driving without a valid driver’s licence, 23 for driving without a driver’s license, 18 permitting unlicensed motor vehicle, seven permitting unlicensed driver, two for failing to display motor vehicle license and three for taking vehicle without lawful authority.

“Careless and inconsiderate driving still has the highest record and this shown in operation carried out from February 9-15 which recorded 22 cases, from 16-22 recorded 23 cases and from March 9-15 recorded 10 cases.

“The second highest record is for cases of using unlicensed motor vehicle and this indicate a lot of vehicles in Honiara require owners to have their vehicle licences validated and for those not yet licensed at all, do so, as well as the third party insurance cover.

“In order to reduce and avoid more accidents every vehicle owners, drivers, the police, other government ministries, Honiara City Council, private businesses and the general public at large must help spread the message.

“Always drive carefully and consider other road users, make sure your vehicle has a valid licence and do not drink alcohol if you are driving; put safety first.”

–POLICE MEDIA