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If you don’t know what you eat, come and test it: Manongi

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Director of the National Public Health Laboratory has called on individuals and business houses to bring food to the laboratory for testing if they are uncertain of the health status of the food.

Mr Dickson Manongi made the appeal in an interview yesterday stressing the importance of food safety that people need to understand.

He said currently the level of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is growing and most of the diseases are related to food.

Manongi said food contributes a lot to the body, but knowing the health status of the food is very important to your health.

“This is the reason I’m appealing to everyone that if they want to know about the health status of the food they consume, bring them for test at the NHPL.

“We can do the test for you and by giving you the result of the test it can help you know what you eat and control your diets.

“Because nowadays more food was imported and public for sure don’t know how those food were process and the status of factories or where they were processed.

“Not only imported foods, but there were foods prepared locally like in public food outlets that were also need to check for their health status,” he said.

Manongi stressed that knowing what you eat is very important as it helps you know your health and to control your health as well.

He said food testing at the laboratory is free for individuals except fee imposed for business or commercials to do the test.

Manongi said his staff often available for the duty and they can assist you with the test in the laboratory.

However, he pointed out that as food triggered alarm to diseases nowadays, local food is best to keep you healthy.

Adding that diet is very important and must often balance with right kind of food.

He reiterated that the NHPL is providing food test and they people don’t hesitate to bring the food to the laboratory for testing if uncertain of the food and what it may has for their health.

Heavy machine remains threaten environment

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Remains of heavy machines and other harmful material stored at the Ranadi Industrial Area

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

REMAINS of heavy machines believed to be from logging companies are posing a threat on the environment in the Ranadi industrial area.

Ranadi is regarded as the country’s industrial site, and remains of broken down heavy machines, irons, empty drums and cylinder for welding have caused a huge mess and damage to the environment.

The remains are from consecutive logging companies which had occupied the areas, and have over the years accumulated.

There are reports of oil leak from the remains.

As the remains are from the logging company activities, the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Forestry and Research, Mr Vaeno Vigulu said the Forestry has no direct means to penalise them.

He said the remains of heavy machines and other harmful materials are companies’ responsibilities for their disposal.

“The environment law should have provision for penalties for companies who just dispose their machines and their parts in public areas,” Vigulu said.

He said if the logging companies have their base at Ranadi then their return-off machines are kept for spare parts in their compounds.

“If they are disposed at public areas and land blocks owned by other people then they should be asked to remove them and disposed them properly,” Vigulu said.

“They can also sell them as scrap metal, I guess.

“It is understood in some countries, the government allocate grave yards for return-off machines and vehicles and their remains.”

In the meantime, Vigulu said Solomon Islands don’t have any grave yards as clearly seen remains of vehicles are even in residential areas.

To solve the problem, Vigulu said allocating grave yards for written-off machines and vehicles and their remains could be one of the best alternatives.

He said it will certainly need a collective effort from various relevant organisations such as Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and other relevant Ministries to making sure this is done as it is like to be.

Island Sun called the Ministry of Environment for comment but was not successful.

Data reveals ex-prisoners re-offending low

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Comissioner Correctional Services of Solomon Islands, Francis Haisoma

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

 

Comissioner Correctional Services of Solomon Islands, Francis Haisoma

COMMISSIONER of the Correctional Services of Solomon Islands Francis Haisoma says their data shows re-offending of ex-prisoners as ‘very low’.

He made the statements following complaints raised in the social media recently that there is an increase in ex-prisoners re-offending.

Complainants allege that this tendency to re-offend is due to the light punishment prisoners receive when sent to Rove prison, hence do not learn any lesson for their mistakes.

But, Haisoma said for people to say that treatments in prison is taken lightly and attracts prisoners to re-offend is a lie.

He said though they were well-fed and treated as according to the law of this country, freedom is one main thing missing in prison life.

“A day can be measured as ten years in prison life,” Haisoma said.

He said from their data and record, re-offending is very low and only few prisoners re-offend and keep coming back but majority of the prisoners when their term in jail is completed they go their own lives and doing good for themselves.

He said they have records of prisoners and if they are again re-offended they can automatically know them.

Haisoma said rehabilitation programs in Prisons are run by stakeholders and it is a good program to help prisoners think about of the life they have been through and it is a life changing program.

He said stakeholders assist prisoners in the rehabilitation programs because they are just normal human beings, they can learn from their mistakes and move on in life.

CSSI commissioner acts on evidence and proof

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Correctional Services Solomon Islands (CSSI) Commissioner Francis Haisoma says that he acts on evidence and proof in disciplining officers.

Speaking to Island Sun in a telephone interview, he said he is aware of the allegation against his officers in relation to the misconduct issues against officers alleged to have smuggled mobile phones and marijuana into the centre for inmates while on duty that was published by SIBC on January 20 this year.

Mr Haisoma said such issues already happened in the past and officers were disciplined and dismissed when found guilty.

He said when such allegations arise they conduct an investigation and if there’s proof, officers are dismissed.

He also said that sometimes information and evidence are lacking to discipline officers and people who have evidence of such allegation should report the issue to rightful authorities.

“We are trying our best to stop such from happening and as Commissioner I have authority to dismiss officers if they are found guilty.

“I have been doing that in the past,” Haisoma said.

He also said that trafficking issues into the prison not only happens to officers but visitors as well.

“Sometimes visitors when they came for visit they hide something in places where Officers cannot check.”

He said that visits to the prison occur during week days, and if visitors hide something for their relative in prison the duty officers will not aware.

Haisoma said, “People may wonder whether CSSI have a CCTV yes there is a CCTV installed but only at the entrance gate but inside the Prison compound no CCTV.”

In an issued statement CSSI said as a leader in correctional management in the region with effective, ethical, committed and professional organisation.

With the mission to enhance the safety of the community by providing secure and human containment through facilitating the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners, it stands to maintain that integrity.

Thus the issue of trafficking or smuggling is a normal issue in any prison system in the world, the statement said.

It explains the involvement of staffs with prisoners is part of their duties to rehabilitate prisoners, but not to involve in contraband trafficking or taking in any prohibited articles that is not allowed to enter into a correctional centre for any prisoner.

This is restricted and if found guilty, you are liable for dismissal from the correctional service.

However, there are provisions in the CSSI Act & Regulation which clearly stipulated the prohibited articles and disciplining of officers, it further explains. CSSI commissioner Mr Francis Haisoma said, his office has received reports of misconduct by officers.

Some of the reports regarding mobile and marijuana trafficking have been reported and severe disciplinary actions been taken which resulted to dismissal from service.

Correctional officers are fully aware of the consequences of trafficking prohibited articles and CSSI Commissioner said, he will not tolerate under any circumstances on matters of trafficking

Conditions of forfeiting of titles

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

WITH the amendment in the Lands and Titles legislation, the Commissioner of Lands may exercise his or his powers to forfeit a Fixed Term Estate or a PE award.

This action, according to the report on the legislation compiled by the Bills and Legislation Committee may happen if a land is not developed within three years of the award.

In such cases, the Commissioner of Lands may forfeit the land or use his or her powers for resumption.

“The affected party may appeal the cause for the act of forfeiting by the Commissioner of Lands, thus the objectives of this Bill to bring certainty to the loopholes of the current Act,” the report states.

However, in this case of a forfeited awarded title Fixed Term Estate or PE, no compensation will be paid to the affected party.

The BLC welcomed this aspect of the reform but also suggested that this provision should be extended so that an estate may also be forfeited in the event the owner of the estate is convicted of an offence relating to the possession, manufacture and sale of dangerous and illicit drugs.

The Lands and Titles (Amendment) Bill 2016 allows the Lands Board to resume for public purposes all or part of a fixed term estate automatically created under section 100 of the Act.

The Bills and Legislation Committee, in conducting the inquiry looked at the power of resumption of the Commissioner of Lands, compensation for resumptions

Foreigner’s trial continues next week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

HEARING of evidence into the case of a Japanese national has adjourned for Monday.

The trial was supposed to have been resumed yesterday for ten days, but had to be adjourned due to some reasons by the counsels.

This is the case alleged to have involved a Japanese national alleged of commercial sexual offences relating to incidents in October and November of 2016.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges at the Honiara Magistrate Court last year and a committal hearing was made on whether or not there is sufficient evidence on the case.

After the committal hearing the presiding magistrate ruled that prosecution has sufficient evidence on the case and committed the matter to High Court for trial.

The allegation said the accused possessed digital photographs of child exploitation material on his laptop and also he allegedly procured one unity home to provide commercial sexual service in Solomon Islands. His laptop also was seized by police upon his arrest.

A private lawyer Michael Pitakaka is representing the accused in court, while the office of the Director Public Prosecution is prosecuting the matter in court.

China “zhong guo” the Land of the Sleeping Dragon

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, China was long referred to as the ‘Land of the Sleeping Dragon’ but not anymore as it extends it influence throughout the world and especially in the Western Pacific.

Two years ago, Joanna McCarthy of the ABC’s Pacific Beat programme, reported that China’s two-way trade with the Pacific Islands had almost doubled in just one year.

Her claim was followed with the revelation that China had given the region $US1.8 billion in aid in the past decade.

It is now believed that China is the lead donor to Fiji and perhaps also to Tonga and Samoa.

In the context of Chinese aid to Samoa, Radio New Zealand today reported that Australia’s Foreign Minister, Bishop, called Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, to clarify another minister’s comments, those said to be have been made by Australia’s International Development Minister, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, when it was alleged she had claimed China was lending on unfavourable terms and constructing “useless buildings” and “roads to nowhere.”

The Senator’s reported comments had sparked a backlash from Pacific leaders and Beijing, with the Samoa PM calling them insulting.

Recently, Jenny Hayward –Jones told the ABC broadcaster, “Many Pacific Island Countries, like Australia, are in the position of having China as their primary strategic partner.”

“And as is the case for Australia, increasing Chinese economic (and in the Pacific island countries’ case, aid) influence does not mean Pacific Island countries have to switch their strategic allegiances.”

“They can get what they want from China without moving into China’s strategic orbit.”

There are others who view China’s increasing footprint in the Pacific as relatively benign, occasioned by the need to expand markets for its cheap consumer goods rather than any geopolitical motives.

Against their views, several observers see Beijing’s move into the Pacific as a growing threat to regional security and the reason the USA has prompted its foreign policy “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific.

It might be expected that as China’s aid spending is seen as having “no strings attached,” in contrast to the stricter governance criteria imposed by Australia – often reported to be a source of irritation to Pacific governments, who view the Australian approach as patronizing, more spats will emerge.

The Solomon Islands has no formal diplomatic relationship with China (PRC) and its foreign relations is directed to the Republic of China (on Taiwan) (ROC) allowing the SIG to receive substantial monetary support annually from Taiwan, but funding that is increasingly leading to calls at home for much stricter auditing and spending of the money it gets without so-far-strings attached.

Perhaps the last word to this story should go to Professor Hugh White of the Australian National University who reportedly said (quote).

“China clearly does seek to become at least a leading power in the Western Pacific and perhaps the leading power in the Western Pacific.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

IS SOMETHING IN THE OFFING?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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It’s a great year 2018 is.

No matter where one looks, there are “smokes” indicating there are fires out there. Fires that must be extinguished or it would consume us.

Fire is good. It is a tool to help us in a lot of ways. We use it to cook our food. We also use fire to get rid of rubbish that otherwise could attract and spread airborne diseases.

In the contemporary world we now live, we must be alert as well. For fires, large fires could bring huge destruction to buildings and other important installations in our communities, towns and cities. That’s why we have fire tenders out there so that when there are fires, these fire trucks are almost always the first to be at the scene to ensure the potential spread of such fires are curtailed, using fire retardant chemicals.

Politically, it would seem there are internal activities intended to undermine the stability of government.

In the days since last Saturday, one particular party has reportedly been holding meetings. Understandably, this is the period when political parties must be getting together to weigh the pros and cons as we approach the next election.

That sort of preparation is vitally important. One would hope that the series of high level meetings in Honiara are focussed entirely on winning as many votes as possible at the next general election due in March 2019. One would hope that there’s nothing more to these meetings.

There are however persistent rumours of undercurrents which seem to be gathering momentum. Its intention seems to suggest disrupting what the new government may have planned to undertake in the remaining months of Parliament.

That we hope is not true. Time is far too short to continue lighting the fires of politics, which are more destructive to the common good than anything else.

And while money and human efforts are spent organizing destructive forces, our hospital suffers. Our people suffer at the hands of those who wield powers to make good things happen in the country so that our people can enjoy.

Sometimes one wonders whether we, as a nation, have set priorities at all … in economic development, education, health and so on.

We have trained our people to be better educated and equipped. But when they returned, there’s nothing for them to do. Many are disillusioned, stressed and really have nothing to do but look at the ceiling all day long.

We cannot continue like that forever. There must be a change of approach to give our young a hope and a future. As a one-time international public servant I know there are people out there who are more than keen to assist.

Is our vetting system credible? Or are we encouraging second class mentality. That near enough is good enough.

In doing so, we have lost our desire to enjoy a quality life. This is why a few years ago I called on the then government to establish a quality control body so that only quality goods go past Customs and Quarantine at our ports.

Right now everything and anything goes – hook, sink and all.

Our people who do not have access to good health care, not because we do not have professionally trained and qualified doctors, nurses and a raft of other professional health workers. No.

The fact is that we do not even have medical equipment that our doctors need to diagnose illnesses that befell our people. Mother Theresa’s principle of Health before Wealth, appears to have escaped us all – from the leadership down.

So it is well and good to have political party meetings here and there to plan for the day after. But one wonders whether party meetings are the priority.

Fisheries jurisdiction, procedures, fines and liabilities queried

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

OFFENCES committed under the Fisheries Management legislation are to be prosecuted before the High Court except where jurisdictions are within the Magistrates Court and where summary proceedings are taken.

An authorised officer may lay information under the guidance and control of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) as a precondition for the Solomon Islands Government to sue for and recover fees, levies and charges.

It further provides that any limitation on the laying of information under any Act will not apply to an offence under the proposed legislation

The DPP, Ronald Bei Talasasa raised his concern during hearing of the Fisheries Management legislation before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) of the possible misinterpretation of clause 98(2).

The limitation on laying of information could mean either such is by of the Statute of Limitation Act, or it could be interpreted to mean limiting the powers of the DPP in relation to what is provided for in legislation.

“If the former is the intention of the provision, then it must be specifically spelt out.

“If it refers to the latter, then that provision must be read with section 91 of the Constitution.

“… and if it steps into the corridors that is provided for or as section 91 of the Constitution, then it should also be made clear so as to avoid any conflict,” the DPP stated in the report.

The BLC then added that the implication of the limitation of laying information in court must be clearly expressed so as to avoid misinterpretations.

If such limitations are required by the Statute of Limitation Act, then it must be clearly expressed.

“If it is limiting the DPP’s powers to laying information in relation to other legislations, then such interpretations ought to be construed carefully as there could be a possible breach of the Constitution,” the report added.

Composition of membership of valuers board questioned

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

THE proposed amendment of the Valuers (Amendment) Bill 2016 to the new structure of the Valuers Board is to ensure that the membership of the Board is more relevant to the valuation profession.

According to a report on the legislation by the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC), in the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey’s evidence before the Committee, he stated that some board members positions are reserved for provisions that are less relevant and other provisions that are not currently represented.

The amendment proposed to remove the civil engineer, chartered accountant and accountant from the board and introduce a quantity surveyor as a professional with much closer ties with the valuation profession.

“However, most of the witnesses to the hearing stated that they were not consulted about the Bill and the suggested recommendations to change the structural composition of the Board’s membership,” the report states.

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