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Commercial Centre is to earn benefit from: Vasuni

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CENTRAL Islands Province (CIP) Provincial Government’s plan for a Commercial Centre at Tulaghi is one of the plans for them to earn benefit according to Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni.

He said the Commercial Centre planned is to meet the demands for lock-up shops and Office rooms now increasing in the provincial capital.

“The Commercial Centre will be a two storey building having around 10 rooms or more for renting.

“Its top floor will have rooms for Offices while downstairs will accommodate other purposes such as for lock-up shops,” said the Premier.

Tulaghi Township at present is slowly progressing with new developments taking place.

 

Demand for coconut water high in global market

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

COCONUT water has become a fast growing beverage in the global market, according to the APCC.

The Asia and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) in a workshop with Solomon Islands’ coconut sector in Honiara reveals that coconut water is high in demand in global markets.

It is widely sought for due to its health benefits.

APCC Director General Dr Uron Salum said Brazil is the leading exporting country for coconut with annual increase production of over 20 percent in 2015, and USA sales is at over USD$350 million annually.

Mr Salum said the Philippines’ export volume of coconut water is peaked at 61 million litres in 2015, which is described as growing major export destination – and USA is at 25 million litres.

This is followed by the United Kingdom at 38.6 percent, Netherlands 3.8 percent; and other destinations are Canada, Australia, Singapore, China and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He adds, export price increase from USD$0.8 litres in 2008 to USD$1.13 litres in 2015.

Salum describes coconut juice as the fluid of life which contains health benefit.

It contains protein, amino acid, sugars, vitamins, biological growth factors and enzymes promoting anti-aging, healthy cell growth and rehydration, Salum said.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Mr Jimmi Saelea thanked Salum for giving such information to alert the coconut sector in the country to look seriously about coconut production.

He said challenge now is rhino beetle and re-planting is other alternative to revive coconut production in Solomon Islands and looking at tapping such opportunities.

 

DPP office expected to discharge duties professionally

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Director of Public Prosecution has been accused of lazy and sloppy prosecution on the case against Harry Lilimae.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi made the points in court yesterday when the prosecutor did not give any positive feedback on the case of Mr Lilimae.

Mr Lilimae was alleged of being involved in the armed robbery case on January 18, 2015.

Prosecution on previous appearances told the court that the case against Lilimae has insufficient evidence to proceed with and on previous appearance the prosecution withdrew the charge under section 190 (2) b (II) of the penal code.

Magistrate Taeburi said that the DPP cannot have the charge hanging over Lilimae when there is insufficient evidence it is now three years after the incident and nothing has been on the case.

“I wonder what evidence can be obtained after three years,” Ms Taeburi said in court.

The office of the Director Public Prosecution is expected to perform discharge its duties professionally rather lazy and sloppy prosecution.

The delay in dealing with this case is a disgrace to the DPP’s office, Taeburi added.

Honiara market with new lighting

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Market Master for Honiara Central Market, Jimmy Hanson Riunga. PICTURE BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE Honiara central market has had its lightings improved recently.

The improved lights installed include the security lights across the four corners of the market building and few other electric light bulbs within the building.

Honiara Central Market head Mr Jimmy Hanson Riunga said having the electric lights bulbs installed has been another achievement of the Honiara Central Market.

He explained that having enhanced security lighting would deter intruders from breaking into the market premises.

He adds that it also brings beauty and dimensions to the market’s settings, minimises hiding spots and shadow corners, and more importantly increases the sense of safety in market venders and workers.

Mr Riunga said now the improved level of lights at the market premises will discourage unwanted activities that usually take place after official hours at night

He said, apart from this improvement achieved, his office will now focus on minor works within the market in terms of facilities, like painting.

Melanesian festival committee calls for theme song entries

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Melanesian Arts & Cultural Festival (MACFest) Committee is calling on musicians around the country to submit entries for the Festival Theme Song completion which opens this week.

To qualify for the competition, the musician or artist must be a Solomon Islander by origin with a background in music and song writing or musical arrangement.

The winning entry will remain the property of MACFNOC and the Solomon Islands Government while all other entries will be returned to their respective owners and not to be reproduced in anyway.

To enter the competition, a participant has to accept the above cash price award and its related Intellectual Property Rights condition before entering the competition.

The lyrics of the theme song must be reflective of the theme of the festival “Past Recollections; Future Connections”, and relates to the people and culture of Melanesia.

The lyrics may be in English, however, can be able to use some inserts of pijin, Tok Pisin and Bislama as well as French (provided that the meaning is absolutely clear).

The competition will close on April 6, 2018. A Cash Prize of SBD$10,000 will be awarded to the winning entry which covers the outright payment of the Intellectual Property Rights of the song.

Details of entry requirements and musical arrangements can be obtained from the Director of the Culture Division of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Honiara.

–GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION UNIT

Student calls for more computer labs at USP

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A concerned student is calling on responsible authorities to consider providing USP (University of the South Pacific) Honiara based campus with more computers.

The student who wishes to remain anonymous expressed that the campus only has one computer lab which is not enough to cater for the growing number of students.

She adds that not all of the computers are functioning properly. At the same time she said this will affect the ability of the students to carry out their studies more or so do their research and assignments.

The concerned student stressed that one way of addressing this is to ensure that all computers are working properly with a plan on the table to provide the campus with an additional computer lab.

On top of that, she explained that if this made possible, it would not only help our students but also be very helpful for other students who may enroll at the campus in the future.

She emphasised that at the end of the day, we must look at ways to help our students and better develop how we provide education services we provide in the country.

Tenants of Auki Plaza await repatriation payment

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

TENANTS of Auki Plaza are awaiting repatriation payments before moving out from the building.

A member of Malaita People’s Power Association told this paper yesterday on the tenant’s agreement on the issue.

The person said after everything that has happened with the issues, they have come to an understanding with the Malaita Provincial Government to settle the issue.

The person said the province has held dialogue with them and they have agreed with the assurances given by the province for repatriation.

The person said tenants acknowledged the province for the initiative and they are hoping to solve the issue soon.

“During the discussion both the province and the tenants agreed for a repatriation of $5,000 per head of the tenants.

“So currently this is what the tenants are waiting. They are not ignorant however if the repatriation happens they will leave as agreed,” the person said.

Information sighted by this paper stated that Auki Plaza repatriation is among other priorities Malaita provincial government is currently pursuing.

However, it depends on the service grant and if funds are available the province will proceed with the payment.

With an eye on national sovereignty

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, last week there was local news that the giant Chinese IT company, “Huawei,” had donated 927 sets of tablets to Solomon Island students following a request from the Treasurer of the Solomon Islands-China Friendship Association (SICFA), Diana Yates, who has apparently requested the IT Company to donate up to 300 tablets for students being aided by SICFA.

The generous donation obviously gives a PR boost to China and it is claimed in a recent article by Wei Jia writing in China.org.cn, that perceptions of china are growing more positive.

The article went on to say (quote)

“In the 22-country survey conducted by the Center for International Communication Studies under the China International Publishing Group, China scored 6.22 out of 10 on its overall image, maintaining a slight upward curve in recent years.

“The Chinese survey, which includes the U.S., shares a similar finding as the Gallup survey— people aged 18 to 35 have the best impression of China.

“Besides the country’s economy, of which 33 percent of the survey’s 11,000 respondents believe will become the world’s largest, China’s global influence is also widely recognized.”

The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has no official diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands and, although the PRC is officially recognized by Australia and remains its largest trading partner, according to an article in the ‘Diplomat’ last week, written by Merriden Varrall, the “bilateral relationship is at a low point.”

Ms. Varrall went on to say, “Over the past year there has been heated discussion within Australian media and political circles about Chinese influence in the country, and its role in the world more broadly. Australian politicians have been public in their critique of China as a threat.”

“China has reacted strongly, both at the official and unofficial levels. Much Chinese media has been scathing in its coverage of Australia.”

The Solomon Islands must be cautious not to fall victim to any offers of monetary help, or in kind, from any source that could prejudice it national sovereignty, independence and values that are based on human rights and the rule of law.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Students late in their classes every morning

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, this concerns the problem of students standing so long in the bus stops in the morning.

I as a concerned parent and a resident of Honiara, I urge the government to look at the problem as one of the important issue for them to address it as the students are our leaders of tomorrow therefore they should be treated as important as they were our asset in the near future.

After the Honiara Town Council stopped short routes, they also cease the licence of foreigners who own buses, not to provide service.

This caused many inconvenience to the student who have no private vehicles and used to catch buses every morning because there are only a few buses owned by Solomon Islanders providing service thus students arrive at their respective schools very late.

Some schools in Honiara have school three tone pickups paid by their consistencies but are not being used to transport their students.

I think it is best for the Principals and the school committee to start thinking seriously to provide transport for their students every morning along the bus stops.

Therefore the schools in Honiara should have their own school buses to transport their students to schools rather than waiting for public buses in the bus stops for so long. The government, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development ( MEHRD) should increase the budget for each schools to afford to buy their school buses.

I urge that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance should present the increased annual budget to the parliament this year for them to look at the issue of our students and to ensure pass the budget.

We should look at our student more important as they are the future leaders of tomorrow.

Marlysah Steven

Student

USP SI Campus

Be responsible to your rubbish

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, I think the above topic is not a new thing but I would like to share my opinion so that the public could rethink on how to behave and act when coming to rubbish disposal.

Firstly, I would share what I had witnessed.

Yesterday, I was travelling in a public bus with a woman and her three children sat beside me.

Along the way they ate some snacks and when they finished eating, the mother held those plastics nicely and threw them out off the window.

However, to my expectation she would take them nicely and dispose them at the right place but that scenario surprised me to see a woman in about her 30s for doing that and so I stared at her for a minute.

While staring at her, these three questions prompted at the back of my mind, firstly, what did she expect when leaving the rubbish behind?

Secondly, who will be responsible for that rubbish?

And finally did she know that she is educating her children for acting irresponsible?

Again, all good citizen of Solomon Islands, we must understand that the cleanliness of this country especially Honiara City depends on us, therefore, be mindful to our behaviours and act responsibly when coming to rubbish disposal.

I reiterate my call to be responsible by applying these 3 Rs, Reuse, Recycle and Reduce to stop littering and help keep our country clean.

ALICE PENLOPE HOTE

Honiara

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