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Japan to expand support in fisheries.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Japans Ambassador to Solomon Islands Yoshiaki Miwa.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

JAPAN says it looks forward to expanding its support in the sector of fisheries in Solomon Islands.

Its ambassador, Miwa Yoshiaki, highlighted this at a fisheries seminar in Honiara last week.

Yoshiaki said during his reign here, his office will be looking at enhancing and integrating development in the areas of Fisheries, Agriculture and Forestry.

“On the fishery scope it is narrowed on the coastline but now I am expanding it to the blue sea and so, the Blue economy is very important,” Yoshiaki said.

“Hence on the view point of our diplomacy blue economy is very important, it also means that we regard marine, maritime resources and marine activities international commodities,” he added.

“So we sincerely hope our cooperation will start and grow in this particular area.”

Director of Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Edward Honiwala said the cooperation between Japan and Solomon Islands in the Fisheries Sector started in 1970s, mainly in Tuna fisheries.

Honiwala said recently Japan through its organisations like Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation of Japan (OFCF), have engage with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources on community-based Fisheries Resources Management, Research and Livelihood support programs.

“Under this program, we work in partnership with communities to sustainably develop and manage their coastal marine resources,” he said.

Honiwala adds that coastal fisheries is vital to the people of the Solomon Islands because about 80 percent of our population rely on marine resources for food security and other social and economic benefits.

“The ministry wants to see this partnership and cooperation, contributes significantly to the development of the Fisheries sector in the country, as well as supporting our communities in food security and their livelihood,” he said.

 

WASTE OF MONEY

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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National and provincial government officials with women of Sepi at the launch of their fisheries project last June.

Gov’t funded project failed two months after its launch

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

This fisheries project (pictured) brought smiles to the women of Sepi in Isabel Province when it was launched June last year.

Government provided $76,372 for the project, which it dubbed “Sepi Women Fisheries Initiative”.

But just two months after its launch, the project collapsed and is no more.

The benefits it promised to bring to the lives of the women of Sepi disappeared with it.

Island Sun was invited to cover the project at its launch last June.

When the paper visited the project site again last week to see how it’s been going, we were told by women of the village the project is no longer in operation.

“It failed just two months after the launching ceremony,” one village woman told the Island Sun.

“We only operate for about two months in July and August. Since then, nothing happens here,” she added.

“The deep freezers that were supposed to store fish are now used for cooling drinking water.

“The many ideas and promises made that the project will benefit the women in the village were nothing but lies.

“The women never worked together to sustain and keep the project going.”

The Sepi Women Fishery Initiative project was ssupported by the National Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI).

It aims to improve the quality and supply of fresh fish and other marine products to Honiara and other market outlets around the country.

The initiative was tailored under the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Programme and geared towards supporting downstream processing and value adding to fish and other marine products.

Deputy Secretary Technical for Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Eric George said at the launching last year that the newly launched fisheries project will create partnership between the provincial government, the national government and Sepi village and the nearby villages.

“We believe this project will bring rural cash flow and you will be self-reliance meaning you will no longer depend on anyone,” Eric said then.

“We often think women do not have ability and competence to participate income generating but these women have proved us wronged and turned things around.

“We applaud Sepi women for this milestone achievement.”

Sepi village is located in Gao-Bugotu Constituency.

Samuel Manetoali is the MP for the constituency.

Mala direct employees get their covid-19 allowances

Written by
Samie Waikori
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

MORE than a hundred direct employees who served in last year’s covid-19 programme in Malaita province received their due covid-19 allowances on Wednesday this week.

They form part of seconded staffs and casual workers in the province who had served in the covid-19 campaign, and continue to receive their allowances.

In a statement from the direct employees, they thank MHMS for facilitating the payment that was delayed for more than half a year.

They said the payment received was part of their first submission which covered their involvement in the campaign from January – March 2022.

They said their second submission which is yet to be paid is from April – June 2022 to complete their allowance payment for the covid-19 programme.

However, they said although they are happy to receive their allowances, there are number of concerns that need clarifications on their payment package.

  • Why staffs performed similar duty and days of work, but paid different amounts of allowances
  • Why not paid with SBD$300 and SBD$350 standard covid-19 allowance rate
  • Why some paid with the standard rate whilst others paid with only SBD$150 rate
  • Some staffs worked only in green zones (not high risk) and received high allowances more than those worked in red zones (high risks)

Director of Malaita provincial health, who also the chairman of Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for covid-19 in Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera explained that payment is mainly done upon number of days staffs had worked.

Saying his office depends on reports from supervisors.

Having said this, he said the ministry of health (MHMS) can offer the workers answers to their questions.

SIG scholarship results to be released before end of Jan

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Deputy Secretary MEHRD James Bosamata

BY NED GAGAHE

Government scholarship results 2023 will be published before the end of this month.

This is according to the acting permanent secretary of the ministry of education and human resources development (MEHRD) James Bosamata.

Bosamata revealed this when asked in a media conference yesterday.

He said he had received an update from Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA), which is responsible for the scholarship programme, confirming that the result will be ready before the end of January.

“Most institution will open in January or early February the scholarship is under SITESA, however, I have received an update this morning (Yesterday) that they are also working very hard to release the scholarship names for the recipients of Solomon Islands Government (SIG) sponsored students this month before the end of the month.”

SIG Scholarship online application opened on October 14, 2022 and closed November 30, 2022.

Education to probe missing school results

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Mr James Bosamata .

BY NED GAGAHE

The education ministry (MEHRD) will investigate why some schools are missing in this year’s form-one placement results.

The form-one placements (or grade-six results) were released this week by MEHRD, but some schools were reported missing.

Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Mr James Bosamata they will probe this matter ‘as soon as practical’.

Bosamata confirmed that they are aware of the issue and officials at MEHRD have been directed to look into the matter and resolve it as soon as possible

“That was true, some schools might not in the list, the work on the year six (grade 6) for placement into year seven (form 1) is very challenging for us,” Bosamata said.

Basamata said the task involves a lot of processes and collaboration between schools, education authorities and MEHRD which relevant documents are transferred and processed before actual placement is made.

He said along these process things might go wrong which has resulted to the missing schools.

Bosamata assured affected schools and individuals to they are currently working on it and will resolve accordingly before the academic year begins on January 23.

“During these process documents might go missing.

“At the moment we are get in touch with the education authorities why those schools did not appear.

“So that we ensure placement of the schools appear.

“It’s not too very late, we have two weeks more to go. In fact, we’ve already contacted the schools concerned through their education authorities why their documents have gone missing.

“Hopefully in the next two weeks we will rectify that and ensure that it will appear and published,” Bosamata said.

DELAYED SCHOOL RESULTS

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Deputy Secretary MEHRD James Bosamata

November 7.3 earthquake blamed

BY NED GAGAHE

Placement results for forms four, six and seven will be delayed, the education ministry (MEHRD) has announced.

The huge 7.3 earthquake in November last year is the main cause.

Speaking at a media conference yesterday, Acting Permanent Secretary of MEHRD James Bosamata said the cause of the delay was due to the late administration of all the exams in November last year and the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that forced MEHRD to cancel work on results for almost three weeks which he said is beyond their control.

Bosamata said no date has been promised yet as to when the results will be released, but it could be after January 23 when all schools begin the academic year.

He also confirmed that marking was completed yesterday and clarified that marking is just one part of the process.

He said despite completion of marking, other underlying tasks and steps of the process are yet to be completed which leads to the delay.

Bosamata calls on parents to be patient and as ‘MEHRD is working hard and doing everything to ensure results are released soon as possible’.

Bosamata urged parents, guardians and fee payers to ‘get prepared and plan ahead before school starts and not to wait until the last-minute when results come out’.

“In fact, by the look of things will delay further but our staff are working really hard to complete the task but will inform the public about the possible dates for the release of those results.

“In fact, the year 2022 was a challenging year for all of us, for us at the Education Sector there is no exception that also affected us, our work. You know it’s a global pandemic.

“The impacts were hugely felt in the Education Sector and really affected our work. For example, the late administration of the exams.

“Despite the late released of the exam results but the start of the academic year will still remain as it is on the 23 January.

“We remained firm that schools will open on that date.”

Bosamata urged all schools, (Primary, Secondary and ECE) to return on that date.

He said forms one (result already out), two, three, five will commence classes on January 23.

“Forms four, six and seven will wait until the placement results are released,” Bosamata said.

MPCW  to kick off programmes for 2023

Written by
Samie Waikori
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President of Malaita Provincial Alliance (MPA) who also the President of Malaita Provincial Council of Women (MPCW), Ms Martha Rurai.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

MALAITA Provincial Council of Women (MPCW) is set to kick start its programmes for 2023.

President Martha Rurai said yesterday this includes ongoing projects as well as new ones which centre on Gender Based Violence (GBV). 

“This year, we are heading for GBV and human trafficking project that will be funded by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for selected communities in the province.

“It will be a six months project and communities to work with are Waisisi, Kware and Rufoki. These communities were selected based on experienced they encountered on the issue,” she said.

Rurai said the projects include counselling for victims of GBV and trafficking, followed by trainings for communities.

She said people to carry out counselling and trainings are specialists provided by IOM. IOM is one of the UN agencies supporting civil society groups and organisations on areas of migration and trafficking.

Rurai said still under the project, IOM will liaise through National Council of Women on infrastructure set-ups like counselling space and accommodation for Malaita province.   

The president adds that this year, Oxfam through MPCW will resume work with 10 communities they worked with in five wards in the province on Safe Family project.

She said the project focused mainly on GBV and communities they have been working with were two each from wards one, two, three, 28 and 29 in the province.

Rurai however said that based on their findings last year, they will be adjusting communities they worked with based on their participation in the project.

She said they will look only at communities are willing to take on the project.   

Moreover, Rurai said the UNDP Women Outstanding program will also happen this year.

She said the program will be funded by UNDP where programmes will support women within wards affiliate to MPCW in the province. 

Rurai said under the programme, they will liaise with women in the communities and work on areas they will come-up with to be supported.

She said the support will be to try and address issues face by women in the communities. 

Rurai said the program supposed to begin last year and trainings, but not eventuated and they hope for this year as per its rescheduling.

MPCW looks forward to working together with MPG

Written by
Samie Waikori
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MPCW newly elected president Mrs. Martha Rurai

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

MALAITA Provincial Council of Women (MPCW) is looking forward to strengthening its partnership with Malaita’s government and other partners this year.

President Martha Rurai told SunAuki yesterday that a close partnership with stakeholders is paramount to boosting their work on women’s issues.

She said MPCW as known was a local organisation supporting Malaita provincial government with its women’s policies.

Rurai said MPG supports MPCW with its programmes on 16 days activism and others that advocate and promote women issues in the province.

She said MPCW is eager to work closely with the Women Development Desk (WDD) officer under MPG to establish a recognised connection between them.

Rurai said through the link the two stakeholders can work stronger to deliver services through programmes to people especially women in the province.

She said MPCW only implements its plans and activities through support from donor partners.

She said another important area provincial government should look closely on is to increase allocation for women in its new budget for 2023.

“Being a non-profitable local organization, they need partnership with other stakeholders and work to address issues of gender Based Violence in the communities,” Rurai said.

On that note, she called on women in the province to uplift and support each other in all challenges face and continue and face them again this year.

Arnon Atomea to provide USP courses starting 2023

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Arial view of Arnon Atomea Provincial Secondary School in Malu'u Station North Malaita. Picture supplied.

BY NED GAGAHE

Principal of Arnon Atomea Provincial Secondary School in Malu’u North Malaita Mr Henry Bare has thanked The University of the South Pacific (USP) for approving the school to franchise the Foundation Arts Programme commencing this year.

Bare told  Island Sun from Malu’u yesterday that he is pleased after learning that the school was successful in its application to host the programme.

“I am really pleased and grateful indeed for accepting our application.

“The community was so thankful because their vision has become a reality.

“Such a setup is really needed to allow access and reduce the gap due to lack of space,” Bare said.

Bare said the community, school and people will immensely benefit from the establishment.

He said such move is not only welcoming but timely as well because it will provide  access to University programmes at the students’ doorstep.

He said this is really rewarding where fees will be cheaper and it will ease fee payers’ multiple burdens.

On January 9, in a letter USP’s Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President (Education) Professor Jito Vanualailai has informed the school that their application was approved in accordance with the USP Pacific TAFE Franchise Policy and Procedures.

Arnon Atomea and Kilusakwalo Christian High School were the two schools first to provide such programmes in the province commencing this year (2023).

Principal of Kilusakwalo CHS Christian Mekope also echoed similar sentiments following the approval of the school.

Mekope told The Island Sun on Wednesday this week that he is also excited about the outcome.

He said it’s a dream come true for him under his leadership to secure such a vital programme that will improve access to a university programmes.

Meanwhile, Pacific TAFE Campus Coordinator in the country Primo Ugulu also welcomed the news and describing it as very timely.

Ugulu said he is pleased to work with the schools that have interests in providing University like Education accessible to the rural communities who have the required technology.

He said he really appreciated the effort and the leadership of both schools in requesting the accreditation process to take place which consequently led to the approval.

“Their preparation is timely and that they met our essential requirements to Franchise Pacific TAFE

Foundation Arts program. Foundation Business Program will also be available to students who intend to pursue the business stream.

“In giving the offer to franchise our programs, the schools have obtained a higher status equal with any other schools around the country that offer our Foundation programs.” Ugulu told The Island Sun this week.

Premier Tabe names executive

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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The new Government of Choiseul Province led by Premier Tongoua Tabe, after their appointment on Wednesday. Photo Tabe.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PREMIER Tongoua Tabe on Wednesday named his ministerial line-up to lead Choiseul province for the next four years.

This was following his election as the new premier on Monday, after defeating David Deva, 10-6 during the election.

Tabe was given a full responsibility to lead the 30,000 people of the province after being bestowed with a shell money (Jiku Kesa).

Tabe said his government is still working on their policy.

He said it should be ready in few weeks’ times.

“We want to launch a do-able and realistic plan, priorities, policy; hence, we are now consulting our key stakeholders to help my consultative executive government,” he said.

The ministerial arrangements are:

Tongoua Tabe – Premier and Minister responsible for Planning and Administration;

Harrison Ngosu Pitakaka – Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Forestry and Natural Resources;

Lincoln Galo – Minister of Finance and Investment;

Patson Sualalu – Minister of Education and Training;

Jones Galo Sepu – Minister of Health and Medical Services;

Simon Polotovae – Minister of Works, Transport and Communication;

Samson Takubala – Minister of Agriculture and Lands

Deputy Speaker – Stiudy Salekana

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