By Mike Puia

THE number of local ships brought into the country has seen a 50 percent increase in four years, from 2013 to 2017.

In 2013, the number of ships was 196 with a total of 52,865.18 gross tonnes. But in 2017, the number of ships has grown to 280, with a total of 100,438.50 gross tonnes.

Many of the ships brought during this period are obtained using the shipping grant; this is grant administered by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

During this four-year period, it is reported that the shipping grant has increased from SBD$9 million in 2013 to SBD$85 million in 2017.

The Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) said the increase has resulted in over-tonnage on some routes.

During a presentation at a recent seafarers’ workshop in Honiara, SIMSA’s director, Capt Tim Harris said ships brought using the shipping grant has also created unfair competition especially on private sector ships that are purchased on loans.

Harris said SIMSA is concern as this defeats the object of privatizing the inter-island shipping service.

He said they are also concern as getting ships using this grant creates a culture where constituencies expect cheap subsidised shipping cost.

Meanwhile, Harris encouraged those who want to bring in ships from overseas to involve SIMSA in the selection of ships.

He said getting the right ship is important. From experience, SIMSA is always sidelined in the selection of ships that are brought into the country.

Harris said SIMSA can help recommend the best boat that is good and has the capability to do the job saying, there are boats that are only designed for short run, be to cross a river, which is not suitable here.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

FORMER Premier of Choiseul Province Clement P Kengava requests Telekom Television (TTV) to set up TV coverage at Taro Station for this coming football World Cup in June.

“I ask Solomon Telekom to bring television coverage to Choiseul as the World Cup is ready to be staged in Russia.

“Not only for the World Cup purpose but having TV coverage would be useful for many purposes as well in the province,” said Mr Kengava.

“Solomon Power is providing 24 hours electricity supply at Taro and its residents are ready to have TV screens if Telekom can provide a television service.”

By Mike Puia

SASAMUNGA hospital in Choiseul Province is currently without a doctor.

This is according to Rev. Caleb Kotali, the Hospital secretary.

The hospital, also known as PJ Twomey Memorial Hospital, is owned by the United Church.

Kotali has started an appeal to raise money to build an accommodation to house a doctor who is posted to the hospital.

“Currently, cases brought to this hospital are referred to Taro (Choiseul’s provincial centre) hospital or Gizo (Western provincial centre) hospital”.

According to Kotali referring cases to Taro or Gizo hospital is costly and unsafe for nurses and patients.

He said there have been recent cases where people went had drowned and died in the sea between Choiseul and Western provinces while attempting to access these health facilities.

Sasamunga hospital, which was recently refurbished, has 30 beds.

It offered services like; x-ray, scan, pharmacy, dental and primary health care.

Provincial Doctors at Taro hospital usually pay visits to the hospital to see patients there.

By Mike Puia

THE Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) has welcomed the support offered by Belgium to boost the industry.

The government of Belgium has offered a programme that would help seafarers undergo training and gain experience overseas through attachment.

Representatives of the government of Belgium, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and our United Nations Ambassador in Geneva and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development signed the memorandum of understanding for this programme.

This paper has not sighted details of this program but according to SIMSA’s director Captain Tim Harris, it is a “complex programme”.

Mr Harris said the programme will enable seafarers to go on trainings and do attachments in Papua New Guinea, Australia and even the United Kingdom.

He said it was IMO that flagged the need for support to our maritime in 2016 and Belgium willingly stepped-in.

Harris said the understanding signed will help SIMSA improve safety and security in the industry.

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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A concerned Temotuan is calling on their provincial government to preserve crown land in Santa Cruz for landowners and prohibit an Asian logging company currently operating in one of the districts from entering the area.

An outspoken Mr James Menai of Nangu Village, Santa Cruz stresses that the land which is covered with virgin trees belongs to landowners thus, something their provincial leaders should consider.

Henceforth, he said the provincial government should communicate with landowners with regards to development endeavors that can take place in the future.

Menai also stated that because the land is covered with virgin forests, another positive way of utilising it is to allow students who are majoring in Forestry and Agriculture studies to conduct their research there.

“So I strongly call on the Premier and his executive not to allow the crown land to be accessed by the company. It should be preserved for the landowners for future development purposes,” he said.

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A Task Team from Ward 11 and 12 in Northwest Choiseul Constituency made a tour to groups requesting attention from their Member of Parliament (MP) with regards to special projects.

The tour that took place between Polo and Voruvoru on February 16 2018. The tour was said to be fruitful.

“Fruitful in a sense that it aroused interests from groups in Varisi district to follow the trend,” Mr Nerio Ulemiki, media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru reports.

“Our team consisting of Chief Leo Takaku, Eddie Mason, Johnson Minevaleke and myself first stopped at Polo Village meeting with the Chief of Korasa Tribe Mr Stanley Kovo.”

Details of the meetings were not disclosed by Ulemiki.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

THERE is growing concern for the increasing number of young people indulged in homebrew and marijuana in Gizo, Western province.

A mother of three, Mrs Martha told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that women and girls are not safe from such practices that are entertained in communities around Gizo.

“This is dirty practice as young youths to entertain in Gizo and the influence of alcohol or drugs may lead you to the wrong direction.

“Alcohol and drugs affect each and every one of us, directly or indirectly: in our homes, in our families, in our school, in our community, town or nation as a whole.

“I observe most young youths start drinking alcohol and this is a concern for parents who are responsible to advice your children not to involve with other boys who influence drug,” said Martha.

She calls on Gizo police officers and parents to seriously monitor young boys, especially at night.

She said those who reside at Top-hill, Jah Mountain, Banana valley and District areas become victim to disturbances by youths.

“Responsible organisations, church elders, community leaders and parents must be responsible to stop those bad activities continue to be entertained in Gizo,” she said.