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FARE OPTIONS

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Crowded busstop at the Honiara Central Market.

Meeting to consider bus and taxi rates

By EDDIE OSIFELO

BUS and taxi owners will be invited to a meeting to discuss their demand for authorities to increase fares.

The proposed meeting, to be held on 12 July, came after the Working Committee of the Road Transport Board (RTB) met Tuesday this week on the matter.

“The Working Committee agreed to invite representatives of bus and taxi owners to the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday 12 July 2022,” a statement from the Honiara City Council (HCC) said.

RTB is made up of HCC, Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labor and Immigration (MCILI) and the police.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) was held on Tuesday 5th July 2022.

The statement said the 12 July meeting will consider options for bus fares and taxi fares within Honiara City.

It added that during Tuesday’s meeting, the Working Committee agreed that legal or regulatory mechanisms must now be put in place to regulate public transport service within Honiara City.

“The Working Committee is pressing towards this in collaboration with bus owners, taxi owners and other stakeholders.

“As part of this expected collaboration, the Working Committee requests bus owners and taxi owners to register as companies so that it would be more effective and efficient to consult and collaborate on issues pertaining to bus and taxi services in Honiara City.”

Meanwhile, city mayor Eddie Siapu calls on bus and taxi owners to maintain current fares until the Working Committee completes its tasks.

Last week, bus operators staged a protest in Honiara demanding the city council to approval fare increases in Honiara.

Some of the buses went ahead and imposed a new bus fare of $5, an increase of $2 from the usual $3.

The demand for fare increases came in the wake of continuing rise in fuel prices.

Buses, taxis warned against increasing their fare rates

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Crowded busstop at the Honiara Central Market.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

BUSES and taxis are warned against increasing their fares.

Stephen Maesiola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, made the reminder after last week’s protest by bus drivers to increase their fares from $3 to $5.

Also, the Taxi Association proposed over the weekend to increase the Kilometer rate from $10 to $15 and the hourly rate from $100 to $150.

These proposed fare increases came in the wake of the continuing fuel prices.

Maesiola told Island Sun the National Transport Board is still to meet over the fare increases.

He said a working committee consisting of Honiara City Council, Price Control Unit in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration and MID will need to meet with the Bus and Taxi Association before forwarding the proposal to NTB.

He said there are representatives of Bus Association and Taxi Association in the NTB.

Island Sun understands some buses have charged $5 from Honiara Central Market to Lunga because it is outside the boundary of the city.

Passengers who get off before Lunga can still pay $3.

However, some buses imposed $5 within the city, which resulted in heated exchanges between passengers and bus conductors.

Some passengers threatened to report the buses to police when the bus conductors refused to give them change of their bus fares.

As a result, the bus conductors returned the change money to the passengers.

Honiara City Council Mayor, Eddie Siapu said whilst he sympathises with the bus owners, he asked for them to maintain the $3 fare.

“As we’re heading towards the 44th Independence Anniversary, let us have the spirit of one and unity to support each other,” Siapu said.

The Lord Mayor appeals for calm and understanding from the general public in this matter.

More than 40 communities to benefit from Gasini market

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gasini Port, Marovo Lagoon in the Western Province. PHOTO: BEN BILUA

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

OUTGOING Provincial Member of Ward 24 in Western Province says the newly opened Gasini Market will benefit more than 40 communities.

Samuel Sive said the market house will be a life-line to people of ward 23 and 24 in Marovo Constituency.

He adds that the project will go a long way in addressing the need to shelter men, women and children who have exposed to unfriendly weather when selling foods and other items to passing passenger ships.

Sive further stated that the travelling public will also benefit buying food and other essential item at the healthy and clean market house.

He said the benefits will be enormous and take home income will multiply due to good environment provided for vendors to sell their products.

“We all know that there are many hurdles to go through during the initial stages of the project, but thanks to vision and foresight of our people especially the landowners of Gasini to allow this piece of land where this market house was built on.

“You have set a good example for others to follow. In this note, I would like to urge all landowners to allow your land for development because without land there is no development.

“I on behalf of my people wish to acknowledge Member of Parliament for Marovo Constituency, Chachabule Amoi for been instrumental in securing funds for the project.

“We also very thankful to the government, aid donors and tax payers who also contributed one way or the other for supporting this project,” Sive said.

Ngossi Valley prepares to celebrate independence day

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Kids and residents of Ngossi Valley stage a colouful parade of the national flag during last year's celebrations

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO    

NGOSSI Valley community in West Honiara is set to celebrate the 44th independence celebration on July 7 with focus to educate community members of the meaning of independence and the reason behind the celebration.

Chairman for Ngossi Valley Community Ramsey Olisukulu said the celebration will begin in the afternoon with a parade in national colours, flag hoisting, and singing of the national anthem.

“Celebration will continue in the evening with an independence dinner, video flashback of the Independence Day, address by Guest of Honour, speeches and finally cultural presentation from the provinces.

 “Maintaining this spirit, we have organised different activities from monthly clean-ups, sports, Police talk, health awareness programs and religious programs.

“This year we are organising this independence celebrations in a unique way with the Theme ‘IUMI TUGEDA, ONE COMMUNITY, ONE NATION, SOLOMON ISLANDS’. This event is educational aimed at teaching our children and youths about their history promoting a sense of patriotism in our youths and children to grow up to be good citizens of this beautiful nation,” he said.

Mr Olisukulu said Ngossi Valley is a vibrant community known for its peaceful, safe and clean environment with its residents valuing and promoting the belief of working together in building a model community.

“We have invited a Senior Statesman as our guest of Honour, a Minister of crown, a Permanent Secretary, the Mayor to Honiara City Council and our ward member as other quests. Therefore, your donation will be of great value to our community,” he said.

SIAF, RSIPF conduct joint foot patrol at Koa Hill

Written by
Press Release
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Children in the community who accompany members of the patrol.

Officers of the Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF) and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) undertook a joint foot patrol at the Koa Hill community in Honiara recently.  

Joining the patrol were officers of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Defence Force (ADF), New Zealand Police (NZP), New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF) under SIAF and that of the RSIPF’s Central and National Crime Prevention Department.

“The patrol provided an opportunity for the patrolling officers to interact with members of the Kia Hill community,” a statement from SIAF said. 

“SIAF members have been supporting the RSIPF with community patrols since 2021 after the Bilateral Security Treaty was enacted following the request of the Solomon Islands Government,” the statement added.

“Regional partners have continued to support RSIPF as part of the SIAF contingent.

“The RSIPF and SIAF members also took the opportunity to discuss a range of issues with the Chairman and Chief from one of the zones during their patrol, while other members participated in a quick game of soccer with children at the Koa Hill field.”

SIAF Leading Senior Constable, Phil Bradley, said SIAF is supporting the RSIPF as it works toward building relationships with communities. 

“The foot patrols we conducted provide us with opportunities to interact with residents so we all know better understand local issues,” Constable Phil said.

SIAF plans to continue to undertake more joint patrols with the RSIPF in communities around Honiara.

Government intends to reopen Barakoma airport soon

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Proposed Barakoma Airport at South Vella

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

RESOURCE owners and authorities will discuss the opening of Barakoma Airport in Vella, Western Province.

Permanent Secretary of Commerce, Riley Mesepitu said a meeting will be held on July 8 to look at issues that had led to the boycotting of this important development.

He said the meeting is aimed at addressing issues between resource owners and at the same time hearing people’s views on the importance of the airport.

Upgrading of Barakoma domestic airport has been one of the government’s intentions to expand domestic airports within the country.

Barakoma airport is one of four sites on government’s list. The other three sites are Avuavu, Babankira and Yandina.

Assessments were made and ground work have been seen on some of the sites such as Barakoma.

This paper understands that ground work at Barakoma was halted due to disagreement among few resource owners.

Last week, Easter Lelapitu, one of the resource owners, said there was no proper consultation before the Barakoma Airport project was carried out.

She said landowners never gave their consent and it was her decision to stop further ground work and also stop any flight to land on the airport.

Lelapitu said she is happy to work with the national government to solve the impasse and allow the development to continue.

Barakoma airport was built by the US Navy (USN) 58th Naval Construction Battalion on August 15, 1943.

The airport was built purposely for fighter strip – a landing site for US war planes during the war in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

Possible role of churches during PG2023

Written by
Press Release
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Like other sectors in the country, churches will play important support services when the country hosts the Pacific Games 2023 next year.

A government statement said the role of churches was highlighted last week during a meeting between representatives of the Government Services Integrated Committee (GSIC) and the National Hosting Authority (NHA) in Honiara.

“Church bodies such as the Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) and the Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA) have been consulted previously by the Games Organising Committee (GOC) on this initiative,” the statement said.

“The roles of churches will include counselling services to athletes and team officials, organising church services for athletes and team officials, support to provinces for community engagement programs, use of church facilities including fields or halls for team trainings and assisting to deliver key messages to communities.

“Other roles that will require church support includes facilitating the Games mascot tours of church congregations and church-run schools, engagement in the games relay, provision of teams (financial contributions to congregations) for, logistics, cleaning and other voluntary services.

“The GSIC is spearheading a government-wide support to the NHA to ensure the Games are successfully hosted next week,” the statement said.

Centre records 227 victims of violence since January

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

The Family Support Centre has recorded 227 clients since January this year.

FSC deals with victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Chairlady of FSC, Dolores Devesi said the 227 are new clients apart from the ones who repeatedly use their services.

“Within five months we have recorded 227 new clients that is roughly 45 new clients per month and it equates to about one and a half person a day coming through our doors or over the phone,” Ms Devesi said.

She stressed this is on top of the number of repeated clients who continue to regularly access their services.

“We also recognise that a client can experience all forms of domestic violence,” Devesi echoed.

She confirmed that the youngest clients recorded since January 2022 is seven years old and the oldest being 80 years old; that is the range of clients that Family Support Centre had to see in the past five months.

Devesi revealed this at the recent launching ceremony of the FSC five years strategic plan 2022- 2027, Gender Base Violence Training Manual and Gender Based Violence Committee Operational Manual. During that event FSC launches its toll free line number which is 699.

Wale irked by increase in Police trainings

Written by
Press Release
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RSIPF members undergoing training recently

Since the riots, a noticeable change was in the increase of trainings conducted and equipment supplied to our police forces by foreign Governments.

 What we have not seen however, is the change in our own Government’s style of leadership.

According to the Leader of Opposition, the latter is what we need to address our internal security issues.

In his recent statement made at the demonstration of joint training, PM Sogavare said that there needs to be a permanent arrangement with PRC to ensure gaps within the RSIPF & CSSI are identified and addressed. According to the PM, this was to ensure that RSIPF & CSSI are capable of dealing with internal threats.

However, the Opposition Leader insists that this is not the permanent solution to our internal security issues.

According to Wale, this is because the root causes to the Nation’s security will still remain unsolved.

“It is undeniable that our security issues are internal, and our police forces must continue to grow in their capacity and ability to deal with security issues.

“However, it is also undeniable that our Nation’s security concerns are heavily linked with problems of corruption, high levels of unemployment, no access to education, poor health services, a low paid public sector, a suffocated private sector, and an exploitative economy that only benefits a few.”

Wale said because our security concerns have underlying causes the solution cannot be a military response.

 Wale insists that the permanent solution is a government and leadership that listens and is responsive to the cries and voices of the people.

“Listening and responding to the voices of the people has not been something Government has been doing. Under the PM’s leadership, Government’s attitude towards Provinces and the people has been a rule by power approach.

“This is clearly a problem that needs addressing when it comes to our security concerns.”

Wale insists that PM Sogavare should have no problem identifying this gap in his style of leadership and addressing it given his adequate analysis of the gaps that exist in the police force.

“Moving forward, what our country needs in terms of security is a government that listens and responds to the people.

“What we do not need is a government that can order a strong military response, while at the same time is deaf to its own people. That, is a recipe for disaster,” Wale concludes.

New covid-19 infections likely

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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0
Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THERE is the possibility of new infection of covid-19 or a third wave following the reopening of our border on July 1.

This was mentioned in the Ministry of Health and Medical Services advisory number-three.

“With the easing of public and social measures and more importantly the reopening of our borders on the 1st of July there is also possibility of new infection of covid-19 and third wave,” the advisory said.

The health advisory stressed admissions at health facilities are also declining as well but health is recording few cases in provinces.

“Therefore, the Ministry of Health is issuing this advocacy to guide us on how to continue mitigate any possible risks of covd-19 to our communities,” the statement said.

The advisory further mentioned to practices the covid-19 health safety measures, business houses and critical infrastructures like shops and banks to follow and strengthen covid-19 safe practices, for person experiencing covid-19 symptoms to get tested at any of Honiara City Council (HCC) clinics and incoming travellers will not undergo mandatory quarantine bur they are advised to adhere to and observe covid-19 protocols.

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