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FSC launches three documents and toll-free line

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FSC centre manager with three other attendees to yesterday’s launching event

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

FAMILY Support Centre yesterday successfully  launched three documents and a toll-free line aimed at enhancing services the centre has been providing for clients in the country.

The toll-free line is 699.

The three governing documents launched were Family Support Center Strategic plan 2022 to 2027, Gender Base Violence Training Manual and Gender Based Violence Committee Operational Manual.

Speaking at the lunching ceremony, Chairlady of the Family Support Center board Dolores Devesi said the FSC mission is to respond and protect survivors of violence to ensure prevention through advocacy of Gender Based Violence with partners and stakeholders.

“It is about prevention, responding and protection. Today (yesterday) we can celebrate all the hard work that has gone into tje development of FSC strategic plan 2022 to 2027.It aims to focus on the core mandate which is to prevent, respond and protect our families.

“This plan outlines our vision and strategic goals to help the organization our visions and strategic goals to make sure the organization realise its full potential and better fulfill its mission to serve the women, girls and families Gender Based Violence and domestic violence in Solomon Islands

“Our strategic plans ambitious. Our four strategic goals underpin our core business. Our Service provisions focuses on responses to Violence through essential services provided at the center,” Ms Devesi said.

She said the five years strategic plan set the course for use to be successful within a challenging and changing environment.

“FSC stands with all safenet partners and new partners in the campaign to eliminate Violence against women and girls until the end of implementing these five years,” Devesi said.

On the same note, Centre manager for FSC Lorio Sisiolo said the strategic plan was put together by the senior management team and staff after a team building and reflection workshop.

Mrs Sisiolo adds by thanking International Women Development Agency (IWDA) who have partnered with FSC in the development of the strategic plan.  

“It is a pleasure for me and the whole of the Family Support Center staff and board members to develop together this strategic plan that will pave the direction for our organisation in the next five years,” she said.

MID and Temotu sign $5m ship project

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PS Maesiola and Provincial Secretary Agassi at the signing ceremony today

The National Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and the Temotu Provincial Government yesterday signed an agreement to purchase a ship worth $5 million for the Province.

The signing by the Permanent Secretary for MID Stephen Maesiola and Temotu Provincial Secretary Allan Agassi formalised the purchase agreement.

The shipping project was in response to a request by the Provincial Government through the Prime Minister when he visited the Province in 2020. Prime Minister Sogavare heeded the call and pledged to deliver the request.

Mr Maesiola said the Government through his Ministry recognised the province’s shipping needs including for both passenger and trade.

“I am very pleased that through my Ministry, Temotu Province will now be able to purchase their vessel to serve its people.”

Maesiola said the vessel is anticipated to be delivered by December this year.

Meanwhile Mr Agassi thanked the National Government through MID for the positive response to the request by Premier Clay Forau and the people of Temotu Province.

“On behalf of the Premier and People of Temotu Province, I would like to thank the National Government through MID that the Government recognized the need of a remote Province like Temotu in terms of shipping services.

“There is nowhere else the Province can look to for assistance but only the National Government and for this we are very pleased.”

He added that Temotu Province under the leadership of Premier Forau remains supportive of the National Government’s development initiatives and policies.

–GCU PRESS

Mustard Seed chided for breaching agreement with Parliament commission

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MUSTARD Seed International Health Insurance in Honiara has been directed to resort to its original agreement to refund members of Parliaments (MP) after seeking medical assistances from other clinics.

This was after it breached the agreement with Parliamentary Entitlement Commission (PEC) to open its own clinics and appoint its own doctors to assist the MPs, and refund them.

Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr Jimmie Rodgers told media in a press conference yesterday that PEC has sorted out this with them and is now going back to honouring the agreement. They (MPs) can use any doctors.

“That’s sorted out for this year, because we are relooking on what might happen next year.

“Whether Mustard Seed will continue or not or government has another mechanism. Hopefully that will be sorted out before the year is out,” he said.

However, Mr Rodgers defends MSI as not being an insurance company but a comprehensive medical firm domestically.

He said there is only two insurance companies in Solomon Islands.

Rodgers said no insurance company here likes to provide because of a lot of liabilities which led to PEC to sign an agreement with MSI.

Under the agreement, MSI looks after the 50 MPs and their spouse and four children of 18 years up in domestics.

Under PEC, a total of $60,000 is allocated for each MP and a total of $3 million for the 50 MPs per year for health cover.

For overseas referral, MSI set up a mechanism where they have some doctors, to assess MPs and public servants and refer them to any hospital in Australia, New Zealand or Philippines.

Rodgers said overseas referral is not a cheap exercise.

“Just on average, any MP that goes overseas, you work on the basis on minimum of 7 days, average of 10 days, and normally you looking at up to three weeks depending on the diseases.

“So, the cost for overseas referrals, it doesn’t matter no MPs, public servants, private go to Australia, you looking at the cost of $400,000 per referrals,” he said.

“If you send one referral that is $400,000, you need to send 10 of those and that’s $4 million.

“That $4 million supersedes $3 million for one year for 50 MPs and their families plus all domestic costs,” he added.

Rodgers said there is no scam, scam may have been that Mustard Seed set up own clinics.

“We have MPs overseas where Government had to pick up support for them because support from MSI is limited.

“If a person pays $30,000 to MSI, and go to Australia costs about $50,000. My $30,000 cannot meet that, and I cannot expect the provider to meet the remaining costs,” he added.

Mustard Seed International Health Insurance scheme is run by an Agnes Podorua.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Immigration and Labour confirmed Mustard Seed International Ltd was incorporated in Solomon Islands under the Companies Act 2009 on February 25, 2011. Its Company registration number is 20111424.

The company was initially incorporated but removed from the Company Haus register from January 1, 2016 to February 1, 2016, according to Company Haus extract.

Mustard Seed International Ltd was re-registered on February 25, 2011 to January 1, 2016. It remains registered.

The company has 5 million shares and five directors. The directors are a Peter Hauia, a Peter Jnr Hauia, a Aggie Podarua and a Freeman Podarua, a PNG national. All the directors were appointed on February 25,  2011 – the day the company was incorporated.

Company Haus extracts show the company also have individual shareholders.

The two individual shareholders are Aggie Podarua and Peter Hauia – each has 2.5 million shares. Oddly the other directors had nothing to their names.

Court summons surety for breaching order

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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Tearo Beneteti has ordered prosecution to serve summons on a woman, Esther Jareth, surety for the accused, Jareth Sialo, to appear in court on Monday next week.

This is for the woman to pay the principal bail as she has breached court orders for not being responsible in making sure the accused attends his court schedules.

Magistrate Beneteti said sureties must know their obligation and abide by court orders.

Ms Beneteti then adjourned the matter against Sialo to July 27 for the review of warrant of arrest while the surety was summoned to appear in court on July 4, 2022.

This is the accused who is charged in relation to the incidents which occurred in 2021 and 2022, the first allegation was an incident of rape that occurred in October 2021.

Prosecution said on October 15, 2021, the accused was driving a caldina car along the Point Cruz Road when the victim walked home from work.

Prosecution said the accused was in front of the old ANZ building at Point Cruz, when he saw the victim walked past and he stopped by her side in a black caldina car, he lowered the left window screen of the front left door of his car and asked the victim if she was heading to the market. The victim replied the accused that she is heading that way.

The accused allegedly invited the victim into the front seat of his car but instead the victim got into and sat at the back seat. The victim did not know the defendant therefore felt strange when in encounter with him. Inside the cab, the victim asked the defendant if he knew her and he replied yes, he knew her. The victim told him that she did not even know him. The defendant told the victim that she lived at Vura 3 which was right. The defendant drove off then.

The defendant told the victim that his name was Shane. At the market bus stop, the victim was about to get out of the car and there the defendant asked for her mobile contact. The victim gave him her mobile phone number and the defendant made a missed call to her cell phone.

On the 18th October 2021, between 1700 hours and 1900 hours, the defendant known to the victim as Shane contacted her and asked of her whereabouts. The victim told him that she was on her way from the office to the Main Market bus stop. Not long, the defendant reached her and picked her up again in his car. Both travelled up easterly direction.

On reaching the SDA Bus Stop at Kukum area, the victim informed the defendant that she will bedropped off there. The defendant refused and insisted that they both continued up to Panatina Plaza. So, he continued driving up to Panatina Plaza and stopped besides the fence of the Kausimae Building.

There he told the victim that he was a doctor at the National Referral Hospital, working at the Theatre Operation Department and then he moved over to the back seat where the victim was sitting and raped the victim.

The second incident is a false pretence incident that occurred on the night of February 7 2022, the defendant pulled over along the road side at Lunga and forced the complainant and her sister to board the car for a ride.

On the way, the defendant started to introduce himself and claimed that he is one of the WICKHAM’s family and his name is “Shane WICKHAM”, 23 years of age and he is the youngest officer at Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Honiara.

He also claimed to have resided at the Prime Minister’s area at GBR and claimed to be part PNG and also told the complainant and her sister that his mother sent him some money through Western Union (WU) for him to rent a room at AJ City Mall. This is where he will operate a Phone shop and owns a RAV-4, Caldina and a short boot car.

The complainant then was about to drop off at Kukum, the accused asked for their contacts, the complainant’s sister then gave her number to him.

Later that day, the complainant’s sister received a call from the defendant identified himself as Shane WICKHAM. He asked them if they can help him with an amount of $1000.00, he already had $3000.00 with him.

He claimed that he was running out of cash to pay the charges of his container at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority because if he is late to pay, extra fee charges will be charged to his container, he promised them that he will refund their money.

The defendant’s false statements convinced the complainant to believe that he is telling the truth and she gave him $1000.00 to him in front of Jasmin shop along Vura Road in Honiara.

On the next day, the defendant then called the complainant and his sister and asked them again if they could help him with another $500.00.

They started to doubt the defendant’s credibility whether or not he was telling them the truth and they decided to give him only $100.00. He drove to the same location and collected the money.

The third incident occurred on February 11 2022 between 2 to 3pm, the defendant contacted the complainant’s mobile phone and introduced himself as Lawyer- Willie.

The complainant on this matter is a Correctional officer,

The allegation said that the accused called her if she could give him of $1000.00 so that he could pay for his container charges and will present a new brand-mobile phone to her in return, the complainant told him that she did not have such amount but only got $500.00.

Not long after the phone conversation, the defendant arrived to the complainant at Rove Correctional Center Headquarters, picked the complainant and heading up to SIEA office at Ranadi where the complainant took an amount of $500.00 and gave it to him.

Three days later as promised by the defendant that he will be refunding the complainant’s money. She contacted him and asked for her refunds but the defendant started to make some excuses. She kept on contacting his mobile phone but he ignored to answer her calls and avoid himself from the complainant.

Bobby Harunari of the Public Solicitor’s represents the accused in court.

Government cut funds to Council of Women.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs has withheld funds from the Solomon Islands National Council of Women (SINCW) for non-compliance.

Permanent Secretary, Dr Cedrick Alependava confirmed this to media in a press conference yesterday.

He said according to the Constitution and White Paper of Parliament in 1983, it stipulated very clearly that the Council must has an annual general meeting every year.

“There has to be good narrative report to show how you use the money according to the four policies of Women Development Division in the Ministry.”

He said that was not the case.

“Since I came in 2017, there has never been any Annual General Meeting up to now.

“It similar to the National Youth Council,” he said.

Alependava said there was such case like that and the Minister suspended the National Youth Congress and appointed a new Board.

He said now there is good governance and non-government organisations and partners showing interest to put money.

Further to that, Alependava said he met with Social Sector PS and NC, and came up with resolution to do audit and come up with AGM where ministry will support.

“Nonetheless, door of ministry is open for NCW to come and dialogue,” he said.

“We contact Office of Prime Minister with Chief of Staff to have round table with NCW to amicably solve this problem.

“Next week we can have round table discussion to release funds to our good women in Solomon Islands,” he added.

Marovo shows how to spend public funds wisely

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Hon Chachabule, H.E Li and Hon Seleso cut the ribbon to officialy launch Gasini market

BY BEN BILUA

Marovo, Western Province

MAROVO constituency has set an example on how government funds should be spent to benefit people in the rural area.

Yesterday, Marovo constituency opened a brand new market house at Gasini and at the same time officially launched the constituency’s fisheries initiative.

People waiting at Gasini port

A total of 160 boats, engines and eskies were distributed on Monday evening after the recipients signed a contract agreement with the government represented by the Ministry of Rural Development.

The contract binds the recipients and the government making sure the assets will be used for their intended purposes.

Boat parade in the Marovo lagoon

Speaking before the signing of the contracts, Member of Parliament for Marovo constituency, Chachabule Rebi Amoi said the assets are to help communities earn income.

He encouraged recipients to used the assets according to their purposes.

Marovo MP, Chachabule Amoi delivering his speech

“These boats, engines and eskies cost around 6 million. They are very expensive as such I urge you to take goof care of the assets.

“These assets will help you generate income for your financial needs,” Amoi said.

He said the government will retrieve the assets if recipients fail to fulfill the agreement.

On the same note, Amoi urged the recipients to share the assets so that everyone can benefit from them.

Hon Chachabule, H.E Li and Hon Seleso unvail the plague of Gasini market

“I want to make it clear that these assets belong to your community. You are selected as recipients just to keep the assets and not owning the assets.

“Our election motto was leave no one behind, and now I want you not to leave anyone behind,” he said.

Caretaker Minister of Rural Development Rollen Seleso said the distributions boats, engines and eskies is a milestone for people of Marovo constituency.

Minister Seleso, Chinese Ambassador and MP, Chachabule Amoi

“On behalf of the government and my colleague Ministers and cabinet MPs, I congratulate Honourable Chachabule Amoi for this fine achievements.

“The government wants to see more developments like this in other constituencies to help build and improve our people’s livelihoods.

“We are very happy to see Marovo constituency leading the way by delivering most needed assistance to people of the constituency,” he said.

Police praise business body for support

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Solomon Islands Chinese Business Council (SCBC) donates bags of rice and two frames to Royal Solomon Islands Police at Rove headquarters as part of strengthening their cooperation.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ROYAL Solomon Islands Police has acknowledged the Solomon Islands Chinese Business Council (SCBC) for its close cooperation.

This after SCBC donated bags of rice and two frames depicting the Chinese and RSIPF close collaboration and cooperation at the Rove headquarters yesterday.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) National Security and Operation Support Ian Vaevaso acknowledged the gesture provided to the RSIPF.

“We very much appreciated the support of Chinese businesses.

“We know you have done this quiet a number of times in supporting RSIPF and so thank you for the support again,” Vaevaso said.

He said RSIPF will continue to support you and community, in terms of business family.

“We will ensure support is given to you in terms of law and order because you are very important people in community in terms of broadening the economy of the country.

“It is one area of focus for RSIPF, we want to invest more in supporting business people to ensure that the nation is growing,” he added.

Vaevaso said they will continue to work together for the good of this nation.

Chairman of SCBC, Antonio Lee said the donation is to support RSIPF in its operation.

Lee said it is a start in the Council’s effort to build closer cooperation with the RSIPF.

Last week, SCBC also donated bags of rice to the Honiara City Central Police station.

China Police Liaison Team to Solomon Islands Commissioner, Zhang Guangbao and Deputy Commissioner Zhao Biao thanked the Solomon Islands Chinese Business Council for the donation to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Zhao Bao thanked them for their concern and support to the cooperation between Solomon Islands and Chinese police, and for their understanding and condolences with the police of Solomon Islands.

He believed that with the joint efforts of the police of the two countries, a good living environment would be provided for the overseas Chinese officers in the agency to live and work in peace and contentment.

Zhao Bao also hoped that the overseas Chinese would strictly abide by local laws and regulations, actively cooperate with the police of the agency to carry out various work and create a beautiful, harmonious, a safe island country.

UN Women project pledges firm support for Auki market

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The Australian government funded tip truck through M4C that handed over to MPG and managment of Auki market yesterday.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

UN Women Market For Change (M4C) project assures of continuous support to provide a better trading environment for markets especially to vendors under the project in the country.

The M4C project aims to promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors. 

Speaking during handover of a tipper truck to the Malaita provincial government through Auki Market Management yesterday, Ms Edna Dii said the truck is part of the support under the project.

She said the truck came as part of support the Australian Government provided through M4C project for Auki Market to support the management of waste collection at the market.

Australian High commissioner’s rep to the handing over ceremony, Ms Joanna Zoloveke receives gifts as token of appreciation President of AMVA, Ms Janet Ramo for the delivery of a new tip truck to Auki Marke

Dii said the truck was procured late last year by M4C project upon request by MPG through the market management to ensure rubbish collection at the Market is supported.

“I would like to thank the Australian Government for making this possible for our Market and Market Vendors.

“The Australian Government has been our key donor partner to the UNWomen Markets for Change Project since 2014.

“Your continued and generous support has enabled us to implement many activities for our women market vendors across four markets (Honiara, Auki, Gizo and Munda) in Solomon Islands.

UN Women Market For Change (M4C) rep to the handing over ceremony yesterday, Ms Edna Dii receives gifts from President of AMVA, Ms Janet Ramo.

“I would also like to thank the Malaita Provincial Government through the leadership of Hon. Suidani and your staff for the partnership we have with the M4C project.

“The Malaita Provincial government is a key stakeholder of the project and so far, we have provided a number support to market in the last few years,” she said.

Dii said M4C project aims to promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors.

Premier Daniel Suidani also receives gifts from President of AMVA, Ms Janet Ramo during the handing over of a tip truck to Auki Market Management yesterday in Auki.

“This Tip Truck will definitely help to improve the needs and aspirations of the women market vendors in Auki especially having a much cleaner and safe market environment. 

“I can assure you that UNWomen will continue to work closely with the Australian Government, Malaita Provincial Governments, Councils and most importantly women market vendors to ensure we provide a better trading environment at the market for our vendors,” she said.

UN Women project pledges firm support for Auki market

(L-R) UN Women Market For Change rep, Ms Edna Dii, AHC rep, Ms Joanna Zoloveke and Premier Daniel Suidani are cutting the ribbon to officially hand over the Australian funded tip truck through M4C project

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

UN Women Market For Change (M4C) project assures of continuous support to provide a better trading environment for markets especially to vendors under the project in the country.

The M4C project aims to promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors. 

Speaking during handover of a tipper truck to the Malaita provincial government through Auki Market Management yesterday, Ms Edna Dii said the truck is part of the support under the project.

She said the truck came as part of support the Australian Government provided through M4C project for Auki Market to support the management of waste collection at the market.

Dii said the truck was procured late last year by M4C project upon request by MPG through the market management to ensure rubbish collection at the Market is supported.

UN Women Market For Change (M4C) rep to the handing over ceremony yesterday, Ms Edna Dii receives gifts from President of AMVA, Ms Janet Ramo.

“I would like to thank the Australian Government for making this possible for our Market and Market Vendors.

“The Australian Government has been our key donor partner to the UNWomen Markets for Change Project since 2014.

“Your continued and generous support has enabled us to implement many activities for our women market vendors across four markets (Honiara, Auki, Gizo and Munda) in Solomon Islands.

“I would also like to thank the Malaita Provincial Government through the leadership of Hon. Suidani and your staff for the partnership we have with the M4C project.

“The Malaita Provincial government is a key stakeholder of the project and so far, we have provided a number support to market in the last few years,” she said.

Dii said M4C project aims to promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of market vendors, with specific attention to the needs and aspirations of women market vendors.

“This Tip Truck will definitely help to improve the needs and aspirations of the women market vendors in Auki especially having a much cleaner and safe market environment. 

“I can assure you that UNWomen will continue to work closely with the Australian Government, Malaita Provincial Governments, Councils and most importantly women market vendors to ensure we provide a better trading environment at the market for our vendors,” she said.

Afio health centre set for handover and opening

View of Afio Area Health Centre from Eastern end.

In just a few weeks’ time, thousands of people within the catchment area of what used to be Afio clinic will access an improved and expanded range of health services that the new Afio Area Health Centre will offer.

This followed a recent visit by the National Ministry of Health inspection team to Afio who confirmed that the health centre is now ready for official handover and opening.

Afio Area Health Centre is a construction project that the Ministry undertook under its Role Delineation Policy (RDP) that aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), whereby appropriate health services are provided closer to where people live so that they can easily access the services without financial hardship.

Western end view of the Afio area health center.

Similar undertakings were also carried out in Guadalcanal province which saw the recent opening of Aola and Avuavu area health centers that are now operational and serving thousands of people within their catchment communities.

The Afio Area Health Centre will have one full-time residential medical officer in addition to the nursing staff to enable longer-term admission of patients with acute conditions requiring observation, treatment, or awaiting transfers to Kilufi Hospital or the National Referral Hospital, minor or low-risk procedures under local or regional anesthetic, accident and emergency services including short term stabilization and management and where necessary transfer to specialist care for trauma and major injuries; acute medical emergency and psychiatric emergency cases.

Staff house.

The Ministry of Health is pleased with the progress that’s been made to date and thanked the contractor Advance Quality for the work done so far, Malaita Provincial Government and the Malaita Provincial Health Team for the support in ensuring that the Afio area health center project is a success.

The actual date for the official handing over and opening will be announced soon.