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NEW CRAFT CENTRE FOR THE COUNTRY

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Ministry of Culture and Tourism through its Culture Division has proposed establishing the first ever crafts centre for the country.

The crafts centre is being planned to be built in the current Art Gallery site in Honiara.

Director of Culture Division under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Dennis Marita said the plan was already formalised and is only awaiting implementation.

He told this paper yesterday that this is part of the preparation for the 2018 Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture, as they plan to integrate the site to become a central venue for crafts showcasing during the festival.

Mr Marita said this is one of the key areas they will work towards, as it was their utmost hope for the venue to complete before the festival next year.

He added that in preparation to build the craft centre, his office will meet with key donors and relevant ministries next week to discuss ways forward to carry-out the plan.

Mr Marita said integration of the site will be a milestone for the crafts people in the country as it will help them sell their products in a more improved and attractive environment.

“Putting on this idea is indeed a relief for crafts people in the country as it will solve their long standing issue to have a well build crafts centre to do their market.

“As the plan targeted the festival next year, that will just a part of the plan but the infrastructure will be there and later use by the local crafts people.

“A well-integrated site where it will be a centre for arts and crafts where people can go straight to the area if they want crafts products.

“Establishing the site will also an improvement whereby it will make easy for tourists to come only to a venue to find the products they may wish rather than going from venue to venue,” he said.

Mr Marita said coming up with this plan is a long time plan of the ministry to create a better site for crafts people.

COUNCIL OF TOURISM MINISTERS A SUCCESS

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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COUNCIL of Tourism Ministers in Gizo is being hailed a success as the national Tourism Ministry heard for itself the plans of each provincial ministry towards tourism development.

All ideas contributed are collected and combined into a document as data information for the National Government to push the tourism industry forward.

Tourism Minister for Western Province Hon Chris Mesepitu said it was good to learn from the visitors’ survey report on SIVB’s data collection pointing out the country’s strengths and weaknesses towards attracting more tourists.

“I thank such meetings as the CTMM because it is from such meetings we can access data’s and information’s that will help us know where to improve our development in the tourism industry of the country,” said Hon Mesepitu.

Speaking on behalf of all the Provincial Tourism Ministers and Senior Officers during the official closing of the CTMM last Friday night, the Premier of Rennell and Bellona province, Hon Collin Singamoana, said they have learnt a lot within the few days spent in Western Province. “We will take back to our various provinces what we have learnt here so that we will improve our development in tourism,” said the Premier.

He thanked the Tourism Minister and his hardworking staff, the Premier of Western Province Hon Wayne Maepio and his executive and lastly the people of Western Province for their gifts and hospitality.

“On behalf of the eight provinces including HCC, there is no other word we can say more but thank you,” said the Premier for Renbel.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Hon Bartholomew Parapolo, before his official announcement for the closing of the CTMM, thanked local chiefs of Western Province as well for the traditional shell monies of the province presented to them.

He said that the gifts marked unity, peace and love amongst the provinces of Solomon Islands for the development towards tourism.

CULTURE IS THE ATTRACTIVE PRODUCT: HON MESEPITU

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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WESTERN Province Tourism Minister Hon Chris Mesepitu after the recent Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting (CTMM) in Gizo Town said culture is the attractive product of tourism.

He said it is the most interesting product people will want to come and explore in Solomon Islands.

“We have a diverse culture of nine different ones representing our provinces,” said Hon Mesepitu.

“I would really like the tourism industry of the country to develop more on culture attraction in terms of conservation, artefacts, carvings, traditional beliefs, dancing and so on.

“This is because only culture product will make a big difference.

We may have a lot of white sandy beaches or so but it is just similar to other countries. It is our cultures that will make a difference compared to other countries.”

The Minister suggests that this is one of the areas in tourism development the country should dwell within and improve on as well.

“I thank the CTM meeting that had recently took place in the province because from such meetings is where we can access data’s and information’s that will help us know where to improve our development in the tourism industry of the country,” said Hon Mesepitu.

The Hon Minister is focusing on culture because he said it was one of the interesting data’s surveyed by Solomon Island Visitors Bureau (SIVB) shown during the CTMM in Gizo Town last week.

SINU SCHOOL OF NURSING AWARDS PRE-DIPLOMA GRADUATES

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

NURSE Aide students of Solomon Islands National University (SINU) have successfully completed a bridging programme which qualifies them to enroll for the Diploma Nursing programme.

A total of 36 Nurse Aides graduated in yesterday’s mini graduation held at Ranadi Campus of SINU.

The bridging course had taken 13 weeks and the candidates were sponsored by their respective provinces, the national referral hospital and the Honiara City Council.

SINU’s Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Basil Shelton Marasinghe thanked the Ministry of Health and Medical Sciences (MHMS) especially, National Director Mr Michael Larui and Under Secretary Mr George Pego for their support to the programme.

Prof Marasinghe said SINU is grateful for the close working relationship the SNAHS-SINU is enjoying now.

The SNAHS has advanced so much because of the support the school received from its stakeholders MHMS and other national and international partners, Prof Marasinghe said.

SNAHS offers four bachelor degree programmes, a number of Diploma programmes and Certificate programmes.

In the meantime, the school is considering starting a postgraduate programme, Master of Health Management with the support of World Health Organisation (WHO) and an Australian university, Prof adds.

The SNAHS is the leading school of Nursing in South Pacific Region.

It has a very close relationship with Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) in the Republic of China, Taiwan.

Every year 2-3 lecturer of this school are admitted to KMU for Masters’ Degree Programmes.

READ SI WINS PRIME MINISTER’S HEART

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A recently established literacy organisation in the Solomon Islands has won Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s heart for its mission to battle the country’s high illiteracy rate by providing literacy classes and libraries in 600 villages across the country by April 2018.

As a result, “READ SI” which stands for “Resources for Education to Advance Development in Solomon Islands” was given a SB$2 million assistance under a partnership programme between the Solomon Islands Government and the Republic of China, ROC (Taiwan) today.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and ROC Ambassador H.E. Roger Luo handed over the SB$2 million cheque to Ms Joyce Boykin, Founder of READ SI in the presence of the Organisation’s teachers and senior government officials.

Expressing his deepest appreciation to the Organisation, Prime Minister Sogavare reiterated his earlier pledge to the Organisation last year saying, “My Government will be an ally in this fight against illiteracy”.

“We all know that illiteracy was and still is a concern amongst the rural people yet for some of us Solomon Islanders, it was convenient to have this issue swept under the mat,” Mr Sogavare said.

The money will assist the Organisation to advance development by teaching people and providing them with books on informal topics, such as making and saving money, economic planning, better farming methods, strengthening families, creating healthier communities, good governance and helping people with disabilities.

“Our belief is that when people get the information they want, they will be better decision makers and problem solvers,” said Ms Boykin during the handover ceremony.

“The most powerful way to receive information is by reading and studying it. Smart people deserve that opportunity and that is the main goal of the National Literacy Campaign,” she explained.

ROC Ambassador, Roger Luo said literacy or education is a key ingredient in development and his Government has valued education so much that they are keen to share their experience with countries like Solomon Islands to elevate the level of literacy in programmes such as the National Literacy Campaign.

“ROC (Taiwan) is keen to help in such a valuable endeavor and we are ready to assist when called upon to help,” Ambassador Luo said.

READ SI was started by Ms Boykin in 2015 and has since depended largely on funding by local businesses in Solomon Islands.

Since its inception, the organization trained teachers and dispatched them to villages around the country. With its successes in 2015 and 16, READ SI is targeting 600 villages across the country by April 2018.

SCHOLARSHIP REDUCTION FOR 2018

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Permanent Secretary for MEHRD, Dr Franco Rodie.

IT has surfaced that overseas scholarships for next year, 2018 will perhaps be reduced.

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) Permanent Secretary highlighted this during last week’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing.

“As of next year, we would like to see reduction in the number of scholarship that will be available to students wanting to go overseas,” the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Franco Rodie said.

He said the government sends students to regional universities such as in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and lately in the Philippines based on the opportunity list and the skills that are required to attain

The education permanent secretary said the government is committing largely towards the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to cater for students.

He emphasized that the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) must continue to develop courses and programmes to prepare skilled people that the country needs.

“Let’s take stock of the courses and programmes that our students go over to the regional universities to take,”   Dr Rodie said.

He sternly warn leaders not to interfere in the scholarship system and let the Ministry do its job.

Dr Rodie has revealed that scholarship and payroll received most of the allocated funding in the 2016 budget.

Responding to reports that claim Fiji students are to defer studies, the permanent secretary he was assured by the ministry of Finance that there will be enough finance to support the students who are currently on scholarship in Fiji.

“But those that did not perform will be recalled.

“The problem only happens in Fiji, our students are not performing, but in other institutions such as in Papua New Guinea our students are performing very well,” he said.

He said in PNG institutions, rules are really tough and universities assess students’ GPA and if students are found below the expected GPA, concerned students will not continue.

GOV’T SCHOLARSHIP ABUSE

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon Snyder Rini

Minister reveals system abused, Ministry calls for review

THE Ministry of Finance and Treasury has disclosed that the process in obtaining government tertiary scholarships was abused and that government had continued to pour money into ‘what seems to be a black hole’.

Minister of Finance and Treasury Snyder Rini explained that the award of tertiary scholarships is an example of a DCCG policy with good intentions.

However, he says that somewhere along the road the system was abused which led to the government being faced with financial commitments beyond its capacity.

“Sadly, the process was abused, allowances inflated, students name duplicated, etc. that the government continue to pour money into what seems to be a black hole,” Mr Rini said in the statement.

The Cabinet specifically outlined how and how many students could be awarded so that the programme is managed within government’s affordability.

The statement furthers that the Ministry of Finance and Treasury in line with the Cabinet decision would therefore like to see the tertiary scholarship being reviewed.

The statement also admits that the abuse of good policies is widespread and its financial implication is a burden to the government.

“In addition those who abuse the system raise unreasonable public expectation on the government, and impedes normal service delivery,” the statement said.

FORMER PM URGES GOV’T TO GAZETTE PUBLIC FINANCE ACT

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MP elect for Central Honiara Gordon Darcy Lilo.

FORMER Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has strongly urged the Government to gazette the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA) as soon as applicably possible as a step to dose the country’s current financial situation.

Lilo made the strong statement in an exclusive interview with Island Sun yesterday.

According to the former Prime Minister, if the Government were to gazette the PFMA, there would be a stronger and more transparent slant to boost its fiscal responsibility.

“If we were to gazette the PFMA, we would not be in the situation we are in right now and it would make the Government more responsible,” Lilo said.

The former Prime Minister then added that this was the exact fear he had leading up to the lapse of his term as PM of the previous government.

During Mr Lilo’s tenure as Prime Minister, as part of their fiscal consolidation reform approach, they left behind $127,000,000 worth of cash reserves for the next Government.

“It was part of our fiscal consolidation reform approach that earned confidence of donors to improve accountable cash grants and budget support.

“There is a macroeconomic effect which the Democratic Coalition for Change Government leadership including the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance failed to see and that is the support on external reserves.

“Sad situation that they decided to completely wipe it out,” the former Prime Minister said.

Citizens have been heavily criticising the Government based on much concern on the unsatisfying services by the Government including the health and education sector.

Mr Lilo told the paper that the country’s current financial crisis is more than just a cash flow issue as cash flow is usually cyclical and is normal to have a pick and trench in its flow.

He added that it is clearly domestic economic mismanagement that is the issue and unless the PFMA is not gazetted as soon as applicably possible, the country’s financial situation will continue to go downhill.

Lilo then further added that the concern is that the Government may turn to the private sector when its reserves and fiscal finances do not go the way they are supposed to and that would be a worse of scenario.

The second issue the former Prime Minister stressed was to not have the Government touch the State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that are doing well and should help them to financially grow instead.

He then added that Government should also stop negligible borrowing and should do structural reforms and fix its fiscal issue.

“Discretional spending is a classic example and the failed scholarship awards.

“We are awarding scholarships left right and centre and not even based on merit.

“This must be dealt with because it is taxpayers’ money! “said Lilo

Gordon Darcy Lilo then said there are definitely tough times ahead and something must be done to avoid further exacerbating the situation.

“What the Finance Minister said about the country’s finances, I must say, this should be the last time we borrow and the Public Financal Management Act must be gazetted because it promotes transparency and also has elements of anticorruption.

“Stop feeding on our reserves and make hard reforms,” the former Prime Minister said.

Lilo then said he is not trying to point out wrongs in any way, but instead, trying to suggest ways to dose the country’s domestic economic management.

Island Sun then sought comments from the Prime Minister of the Democratic Coalition for Change Government, Hon Manasseh Sogavare yesterday and he told the paper that the country’s cash reserves are still healthy despite critics of the Government.

“We thank his (Gordon Darcy Lilo) government for that.

“The cash reserves are still healthy contrary to what critics of the government are saying,” the Prime Minister said.

In March this year, the Minister of Finance and Treasury Hon Snyder Rini said that the Government cash flow situation was stable.

However just last month he accepted that despite recorded under-spending of 2 percent, the current revenue shortfall of 6 percent as of May 31 is proportionally higher, that resulted in a deficit of $269,820 million.

PM UNDER PRESSURE?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

..Sogavare reportedly forced to sack two ministers under internal pressure

TWO senior government ministers stand to lose their portfolios as Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare finally relented under Party pressure to act, internal sources said.

“It is looking likely. And it could be as early as this week,” one source said.

This follows reports that one Party president told Mr Sogavare in no uncertain terms that if he did take action immediately, he would lose the support of some Party members.

The source said some coalition partners have become very unhappy about the way some ministers use public funds under their portfolios.

“These public funds are becoming like pocket money for some ministers,” the source said.

“It has created a rift of sorts within the DCC Coalition government. As a result, some Ministers have been avoiding Cabinet and Caucus meetings in recent times. That has brought pressure to bear on the Prime Minister to act,” the source said.

Officials approached yesterday were tight-lipped about the identity of the two Ministers.

Island Sun has however been reliably told that the Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, David Day Pacha, is likely to be one of the two Ministers facing the axe.

Asked why, sources said it was to do with recent allegations he was seen having discussions with an Asian logger-cum-bauxite miner in a hotel car park in the dead of night.

A video clip of the encounter was published by both newspapers last week. To date there’s been no denial from either Minister Day Pacha or the miner

The other is the Minister for Infrastructure Development, Hon Jimmy Lusibaea, over his handling of the shipping grants.

Prime Minister Sogavare, however, may have to think twice about removing Hon Lusibaea as he could spill the beans on other senior DCC Ministers.

SOLOMONS GOLD LAUNCHES COUNTRY’S VERY OWN CHOCOLATE

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THE Solomon Islands Cocoa and chocolate week 2017 in collaboration with PHAMA (Pacific Horticulture and Agricultural Market Access program) programme launched Solomons Gold chocolate yesterday.

The country now produces its very own chocolate which is also in the New Zealand market with prospects of venturing into other potential markets.

Managing Director of Solomons Gold Mr Clive Carol spoke of the company’s vision in terms of developing the cocoa industry in the near future.

Mr Carol said that they are trying to foster the development of high quality cocoa.

“Our future depends on being able to secure a line of quality beans,” he said.

Speaking about the company he said that they offer and produce a pure product with quality from natural organic products.

Mr Carol said that part of their vision is to produce totally natural products that are non-dairy and gluten free.

“We have to compete on terms of quality,” he said.

The Solomons Gold managing director mentioned that last year, forty-eight tonnes of dried cocoa beans were exported to New Zealand.

He proceeded on to say that their vision is to also increase that number to about a hundred and fifty tonnes within the next two years given that they work closely with the cocoa exporters.

Mr Carol urges close working relations between cocoa farmers, exporters and stakeholders with the company.

“Work with us so we can collaborate much more and promote the Solomon Islands brand,” he said.

Guests at the program included the deputy New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr Tim Breeze, Solomons Gold Managing director Mr Clive Carol, stakeholders and cocoa farmers.

The Bulkshop supermarket will be the main distributor of the Solomons Gold chocolate.

In relation, in their support of promoting Solomons Gold they will be distributing the product to wholesalers, hotels, as well as to places in and around the capital.

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