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Winlex International SI company begins safety improvement upgrade

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Part of the personal Safety gear Winlex International SI Company Ltd ordered for its workers.

By Alfred Sasako

WINLEX International SI Company Ltd, the company accused of ignoring safety issues at its Lunga plant, has begun importing personal protective equipment for its 350-plus workers, a spokesman for the company told Island Sun yesterday.

Most of this arrived in the country about two weeks ago, spokesman George Rifasia said.

These include 50 hard hats, 50 pairs of gumboots, 300 safety vests, 300 pairs of goggles, 300 pairs of ear plugs and 500 pairs of hand gloves. We have begun issuing these items to employees, he said.

“The next phase will include safety boots, which would be on order as soon as we have completed putting together our response to a show cause notice, which we hope to complete by this weekend, Mr Rifasia said.

Part of the personal Safety gear Winlex International SI Company Ltd ordered for its workers.

Winlex International SI Company Ltd – the only wood veneer company in the country – was quick to act following an accident at the Lunga Plant about three weeks ago.

An employee lost two fingers in the accident, which prompted the Labour Division to undertake an inspection of the plant to ascertain safety of workers.

“It is out of the recommendations by the Labour inspectors that the company moved quickly to purchase the personal protection and safety gear for its workers. This is only the first phase of the upgrade of safety at the plant,” Rifasia said.

He said the man who initially reported safety issues to the Labour Division was someone who was sacked a few years ago.

“We are not sure but it would seem he has something against the company. We are now moving forward, although we are disappointed that the company had been issued a show cause notice.

“This was after they had withdrawn their initial stop work prohibition order, giving the company 30 days to issue its workers the personal safety gear that it obtained from overseas,” Rifasia said.

Rifasia said he is confident the show cause notice being worked on would satisfy the Labour Division inspectors.

“We are confident that the welfare of the workers would also be taken into account, given the economic difficulties families are going through today,” he said.

Drivers must drive valid licensed vehicle

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Jim Seuika has again reminded drivers that it is their duty to know that vehicles they are driving are road-worthy and are validly licensed.

He said this in court yesterday when he made his ruling on the case against a man charged for driving an unlicensed vehicle.

Richard Namoriu pleaded guilty to the charge of driving an unlicensed vehicle relating to an incident which occurred on January 24 at the Kukum highway.

Police said the incident occurred around mid-afternoon of that date and Mr Namoriu was driving in the easterly direction; police stopped the vehicle and checked its registration and licence, but was found to have been expired on November 30, 2017.

Police then charged the driver and also the owner of the vehicle for permitting Namoriu to drive the vehicle.

Mr Seuika said the maximum penalty for driving unlicensed vehicle under the 2009 Traffic amendment Act is $5000 and this shows how the court is serious on traffic cases.

He said drivers and owners of vehicles must be aware that every vehicle and driver must have a valid licence.

He said in Namoriu’s case he had a valid driving licence but the vehicle he drove was expired, and it is his duty to know that the vehicle is licensed valid or not.

While considering Namoriu’s early guilty plea and saying that he was not aware whether the vehicle licence was expired, Seuika said he will impose a penalty that will deter others from committing such offence and he imposed a fine of $700 on the accused to be paid by yesterday.

He then made an order that failure to pay up the fine will result in imprisonment.

Police Prosecutor Ethel Maeue is prosecuting the case in court.

Defence awaits disclosures on larceny case

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

DEFENCE lawyer representing an accused charged for stealing solar panels at the Tanuli Royal Plains Motel is awaiting the last part of disclosures before his client can enter a plea.

The Police Prosecutor told court yesterday that partial disclosures is yet to be served as in the last occasion the accused did not have a lawyer and only partial disclosures was given to the accused.

However, since he now has a lawyer prosecution will serve the disclosures to the defence lawyer.

Meanwhile the defence lawyer sought a 14-day adjournment so that instructions can be obtained from his client and on the next appearance the accused will take his plea.

This is the case of Nelson Satorara who is charged for one count of simple larceny in relation to an incident on October 18 last year.

Police said the defendant is the former operation manager of the Tanuli Royal Plains motel.

The allegation said that on the night of October 18 the motel management hosted a farewell party for the defendant as the defendant will no longer be employed with the company, as they have made a restructuring within management.

However the defendant after the farewell party gave the keys to the other co-defendant and instructed him to go and open the store-room and remove 10 solar panels inside.

The stolen items were valued at $3,500 each, the co-defendant then went and stole the solar panels as instructed by the defendant and left the solar panels at the Fulisango area, at one of the house there.

Police then alleged that it was on October 23 when the co-accused called somebody to collect the solar panels from the defendant, Satorara, that the story of the stolen solar panels was revealed and the matter was reported to the Police and an investigation was carried out.

Police then investigated the report and arrested Satorara and charged him with a charge of simple larceny.

Dual Citizenship Bill considered for 2nd reading

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Gary Hatigeva

DESPITE its short and brief sitting, Parliament allowed time to put the widely reported Dual Citizenship Bill into its first reading and now expected to go through its second reading when parliament resumes today.

The Speaker of Parliament following the first reading of the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2017, which is accompanied by the Citizenship Bill 2017, confirmed that the (Bills) are now considered to be set down for their second reading.

According to the Prime Minister, today’s session will see that Parliament goes through the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill for its Second Reading.

He announced that the Bill will again be given its Second Reading on Friday where it will be debated before it goes down to the Bills committee of the whole house for its third Reading and hoping it gets the blessing of Parliament.

Vanuatu selected for a seasonal work pilot project

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, quoting Radio New Zealand International – February 26, 2018

“Vanuatu has been selected to start working on a pilot project to include people living with disabilities to join the seasonal work programmes in New Zealand and Australia.

“The Department of Labour’s, Julie Rereman, said the new project focused on the capability and not the disability of people to contribute to the economic development of the country.

“Disability Inclusion Project Officer Neneth Garae told the Daily Post newspaper that she will meet the first five applicants next week.

“If the project proves successful it is expected to be introduced to other Pacific countries.” Copyright: RNZI.   (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

More than 100 hospital beds needed urgently at the NRH and two provincial hospitals

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, having been appraised of an urgent need for at least 100 extra hospital beds at the NRH and at two provincial hospitals, one in Isabel and the other in Malaita, I am working closely with the Auckland based Charity Trust, Take My Hands (TMH) to secure those beds for the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS) as soon as possible.

TMH has assured me that acquiring good condition hospital beds in New Zealand that have become surplus to the needs of locally based hospitals is not likely to be a problem and at least 100 could be shipped in two 40 foot containers as soon as freight charges for the containers can be remitted.

Two 40 foot containers fully loaded with 100 hospital beds could cost between NZ$16.000 to NZ$20,000 with all handling and transportation costs in New Zealand covered by TMH.

100 hospital beds would be valued at NZ$175,000 (depreciated value given they would be pre-used but in very good condition), which would mean the beds would be 50% of what it would cost if the MOHMS had to buy new ones.

The impact on patient care, infection control, recovery time improvement, and staff morale through improved working conditions is something that is highly likely to be affected if the three hospitals could receive the beds they are needing soon.

I am therefore seeking any help I can get in raising the money necessary to cover the freight costs for two 40ft containers and the subsequent costs in relation to the handling and SIPF wharf fees when the containers would arrive in Honiara.

Sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Imitation product warning

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, it is becoming concerning that importers are imitating trusted brands in Solomons Islands. Bulk Shop would like to highlight to customers and retailers that genuine Rinso laundry powder has no association to “Solkai Rinso” imported by Fangs Company.

This imitation product is made in China and visually tries to confuse an unsuspecting customer by offering a cheap shelf price. It is in fact cheap because it is not real.

Additionally Solkai Rinso is an attempt of tricky marketing ploys by using the name “SOL” in an attempt to associate the brand as perhaps being local.

This is a clear case of purposely manipulating customers into buying a product that comes in a very similar packaging but the contents are unknown.

Solkai Rinso could contain cheap harmful chemicals with no proper cleaning properties.

Rinso is a trusted laundry brand in Solomon Islands that is widely preferred for its successful stain removal properties.

Rinso is a safe quality product made by reputable global company Unilever with proper safe guards and controls.

Ultimately uninformed customers buying this imitation product may lose out.

Thank you.

BULK SHOP

Good news for Tawaro health clinic

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, it has been reported that the Tawaro Health Clinic in the East of Small Malaita, built in 1969 and semi derelict has received building materials to aid the clinic’s renovation.

It is understood the generous supply of building materials were provided by the SI Ministry of the Environment with help from the World Bank

I am delighted to learn of this aid to enable the clinic to once again function effectively in accommodating the health needs of the local community.

I very much hope to read of more help forthcoming for the many rural health clinics in need of restoration in keeping with the promise made by the Prime Minister on taking office.

Thank you to the World Bank, Solomon Islands and to the SI Ministry of the Environment.

Sincerely

FRANK SHORT

Honiara welcomes Crystal Serenity today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Crystal Serenity

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

COUNTRY is expecting 600 tourists arriving on the Crystal Serenity cruise boat today.

Crystal Serenity will port at the country’s international wharf at 8am, later departing at 6pm to Gizo in the Western province.

Destination Solomons is the ground operator for the whole day in Honiara.

They will accompany tourists to the WWII sites, glance on the country’s cultural artefacts and histories, doing city tours and beach snorkeling.

According to Solomon Islands visitors Bureau (SIVB), this is Crystal Serenity’s first visit to Solomon Islands and thus will be a history for them.

SIVB Senior Marketing Officer, Mr Ellison Kyere said SIVB is calling on public to welcome tourists nicely and be friendly to them with a positive manner.

He said ‘if public meet them on the street, say hello and help then with informations when needed’.

Meanwhile, Kyere said people are now starting to see the importance and demand of cruise boats coming to Solomon Islands and slowly there’s a positive support from public.

In this year’s cruise ship schedule, Kyere highlights that two new cruise boat will visit new ports especially Tavanapupu in Marau Sound of the Guadalcanal province.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Andrew Nihopara also appeals for public cooperation while Honiara plays key role to host the 600 visitors.

Nihopara calls on general public to maintain respect and cooperation during Crystal Serenity’s arrival in Honiara today.

“I call on the general public of Honiara to continue to maintain respect and cooperation particularly during Crystal Serenity arrival in Honiara, since this will leave a lasting impression to the tourist and can lead to this cruise boat future visit,” he said.

 

Public employees union meets SINPF

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Mike Puia

THE Solomon Islands Public Employees Union (SIPEU) and the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) last week held a historic meeting.

The meeting was unusual and could be the SINPF’s response to a move by members of the fund to form a watchdog group for members.

Already an interim committee has been set up to drive the watch-dog initiative. The committee is on a six-month consultation.

While the interim committee is doing its consultations, the SINPF appeared to be having its own consultations as well.

SIPEU’s General Secretary Robert Au confirmed they met the SINPF board last Monday.

Au said the meeting was very good as it gives representatives of both party the opportunity to share their minds.

“We also talked about the issue of having SIPEU, being the body representing government workers, having a voice in the SINPF board,” Au confirmed.

He said they will make a nomination and whoever is nominated his or her name will be given to the Minister of Finance and Treasury, through the SINPF board, to make an appointment.

Au said SIPEU used to be a member of the SINPF board in the past.

He said it is exciting that the SIPEU is moving closer to getting back into the SINPF board after over 10 years.

Most members of the SINPF board are appointed by the Minister. One member represents employers. This member is nominated by the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Au added they are happy with the initiative taken by the SINPF board to sit down and have a talk with the SIPEU.

He said they also discussed other matters like full cover insurance, housing for public employees.

 

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