BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Job opportunities for elderly care in Australia for Solomon Islander is increasing, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Director acting for External Trade under Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Barret Saloto said they are looking at training 100 individuals to provide for age-care services overseas.

Mr Saloto confirmed this during the announcement of age-care training Preparatory Training to be delivered in Honiara, Solomon Islands press briefing organised by the Australia, through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) earlier this week.

 “In fact under this age care preparatory training programme we are looking at training 100 Solomon Islanders to undergo this training and we have selected 75 workers already from the work ready full and so we are left with 25 workers we are yet to select,” he said.

Saloto said 75 workers have been selected and they have passed the language and literacy training in order for them to be placed in this programme but 25 workers are yet to be selected.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to identify some of the nurses that they would like to come on board and be trained under this programme.

“In fact the MHMS already gave us the list of nurses that they think available to under the training under the age care,” he said.

Saloto said this is a very good initiative in terms of boosting participation under the age-care sector.

“Labour mobility is the high priority for Solomon Islands Government and benefits a lot of people and a lot of more of our people are still eager and keen to join this scheme.”

Saloto adds, Solomon Islands have 32 workers working in Age-care in Australia and they came through APTC training; 12 of those are male workers and 20 of them are females and so “we are looking forward for more workers to be trained”.

Counsellor Alison Purnell said Australia’s support across the region through APTC remains the same. The partnership is expected to yield positive outcome in shaping the future of age care programme.

“We anticipate we will see positive outcome from this collaborative effort. I take this opportunity to highlight the cordial relationship between APTC and the labour mobility unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.”

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

DEPUTY Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga said the Peace Ark’s visit to the Solomon Islands is a testament to power of international partnerships.

Maelanga echoed this at the welcome ceremony of the Peace Ark.

“As we welcome the “Peace Ark” to the Solomon Islands, we acknowledge the shared commitment of our nations to upholding peace, stability, and mutual understanding.

“This ship is a testament to power of international partnerships in addressing humanitarian crises, promoting public health, and fostering cultural exchange.

“In the World often beset by challenges and uncertainties, the presence of the Peace Ark reminds us that compassion, empathy, and cooperation transcend differences and pave the way for a better future.

“The medical missions undertaken by this remarkable ship have left an indelible mark on countless lives across the globe, bringing hope and relief to communities facing adversity,” he said.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Japanese government is preparing to release treated water from the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) into the Pacific Ocean, following a comprehensive safety review conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the ALPS Treated Water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in July of this year.

His Excellency Miwa Yoshiaki, the Japanese Ambassador to Solomon Islands, announced the upcoming discharge in a media briefing yesterday.

Ambassador Yoshiaki emphasized that the decision to release the treated water into the ocean adheres to international safety standards and anticipates negligible radiation effects on both humans and the environment.

“We have engaged with Pacific Islands for an extended period, discussing the matter with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. We’ve shared our thoughts on this issue with your government through bilateral and multilateral channels. For instance, when our Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi visited in March, he detailed this plan to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele,” Ambassador Yoshiaki stated.

He underscored the importance of transparency and openness due to the gravity of the issue.

“Monitoring will play a pivotal role as the discharge commences, with close attention given to the presence of radioactivity in ocean water. If any unexpected findings indicating environmental risk emerge, the discharge will be halted promptly. Moreover, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will oversee the monitoring process.

“We will share all information on the monitoring, as it is crucial for us to understand Solomon Islands’ concerns, given the significance of the ocean to their way of life. We are a maritime country ourselves and comprehend the paramount importance of the sea,” Ambassador Yoshiaki assured.

He acknowledged the shared history of nuclear testing’s impact on Pacific nations, referring to the nuclear weapon tests conducted by France in French Polynesia and China’s atomic test in Hongyanhe NPS.

Drawing upon Japan’s own experiences and memories from the past, he expressed solidarity with the concerns of affected nations.

The discharge of the ALPS-treated water reflects Japan’s commitment to ensuring both safety and transparency, with collaborative international oversight in place to address any potential concerns that may arise as the process unfolds.