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Western eyes 6,500 new voters

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Dieffany Noiama is the first eligible voter to register this year

BY BEN BILUA

Gizo

VOTER registration in Western Province is looking at approximately 6,500 new voters to register for the upcoming provincial election in December 14th.

Registration Manager, the Deputy Provincial Secretary of Western Province, Patrick Toiraena made the statement during the launching of voter registration at Gizo yesterday.

He said these new voters are those who have turned 18 after the last registration.

“Based on the latest census, approximately 6,500 new voters are expected to be registered this year,” Toiraena said.

He said a total of 59, 983 voters have been registered during the previous voter’s registration in 2017, 2018 and 2019 national general election – meaning the current registration is expecting to register close to 66,483 voters.

Toiraena said the registration process is a legal obligation under section 12 of the Electoral Act [2018] where eligible voters are obliged to fulfil.

He adds that the process is anticipated to provide the basis for the scheduled provincial election and at the same time establish an avenue for eligible voters to satisfy their democratic rights.

“If your name is not on the list, you are not eligible to vote, so this registration process is to provide the opportunity to those who are eligible to vote to fulfil their democratic rights to vote.

“Those who turned 18 and above after the last registration must make all efforts to register,” Toiraena said.

He appeals to stakeholders, leaders and families to advocate and encourage eligible voters to register.

Toiraena also calls on community leaders to assist those with special needs to register.

“We must put our hands together to ensure we are able to participate in the democratic process leading to our provincial elections comes December.

“As a democratic nation, these are the principles of democratic elections and this must be upheld.

“We cannot hold provincial election without an updated voters list,” he said.

Sisilo meets Kennedy

Written by
Press Release
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Sisilo and Kennedy during the courtesy visit in Canberra

Within a week of her arrival in Canberra, the new US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, on Monday this week paid one of her first courtesy calls on Mr. Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia. 

Being new, and at a time of tensions and geo-strategic rivalries between the US, Australia and China on Solomon Islands and the region, she hit the ground running but in a more and keen listening mode. 

“Maybe because Solomon Islands is not under her remit (the US Embassy in POM is), she listened more to know more on what the US and Australia are doing in Solomon Islands and the region.” Mr. Sisilo, also a former Solomon Islands Ambassador to the United States said. 

The proposal to put a US Embassy in Honiara and the US/Pacific Island Countries Tuna Treaty are some of the notable developments Mr. Sisilo drew to her attention. 

There are also the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) threshold programme of $20 million to boost economic growth and USAID’s funded SCALE’s $25 million programme to unlock economic opportunities and increase trade in the long term. 

On the return of the US Peace Corps Volunteers Mr. Sisilo, a former beneficiary of the programme, was very appreciative and thankful.

“More than 700 Peace Corps volunteers were in the country since the early 1970’s but left in 2000 because of the ethnic unrest.  In fact, one of my teachers at primary school was a Peace Corps volunteer thanks to your late father and former US President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who in 1961 established the Peace Corps Volunteers to assist developing countries in education, health, cooperatives etc.  It was his idea, his baby.”  Mr. Sisilo said.

Ms Caroline Kennedy, under the Obama Administration, served as US Ambassador to Japan from 2013 – 2017.  She played a critical role in the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. 

She will be in a high-powered US delegation that will arrive in Honiara over the weekend for the 80th Anniversary Celebrations of the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Floral training for SIWIBA members

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Press Release
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SIWIBA Members after their floral training.

SIWIBA members have successfully completed a three-day floral arrangement training for Honiara members.

The training ran from July 27-29 at the SIWIBA Business Development Centre, facilitated by Karina Aubira Paineitala and Ethel Saelea.

Fifteen members attended the training and were very pleased to have done so.

Speaking during the closing, SIWIBA President Pamela Zoleveke acknowledged Strongim Bisnis for making it possible for the training to take place; also for Paineitala and Saelea for conducting the training in a simple manner to help the women to upgrade their level of learning in floral arrangement.

Also Strongim Bisnis for providing the much-needed funding for the SIWIBA members.

A member representative acknowledged SIWIBA for taking the lead in empowering the women and appreciated Strongim Bisnis.

The training closed with the members awarded certificates on their achievements.

Guadalcanal to reopen CITREC program

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Solomon Islanders that have arrived under CITREC partnership to strengthen Canada’s labour mobility.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Guadalcanal is working on reopening the once popular CITREC job opportunity in Canada.

“The task of reopening the CITREC program is ongoing,” Guadalcanal premier Francis Sade echoed.

He said under this the Canadian International Training and Education Corp (CITREC) and the Guadalcanal Provincial government are creating employment for Guadalcanal people.

He said 32 people from Guadalcanal were recruited to work in Canada under this scheme between 2014 and 2018.

“As much as we want to increase this, my administration needs to assess the costs and ensure that the Province and our people truly benefit from this program, especially in terms of the value of labour we provide and the anticipated financial returns,” Sade said.

He echoed the above statement this week at the commemoration of the Guadalcanal 38th Second appointed day anniversary.

Guadalcanal plans to limit logging operations

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Logging in Solomon Islands. Photo supplied

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

GUADALCANAL Province is planning to limit the number of logging companies operating in the province and focus more on conserving the environment.

Premier Francis Sade revealed this during the 38th second appointed day celebration at Tenaru.

He said whilst logging is a major industry in the province and throughout Solomon Islands, it has huge negative environmental and social impacts and customary landowners do not always benefit from it.

“We also plan to look at limiting the number of logging companies and focus more on environmental conservation and protections in terms of carbon trading,” Sade said.

He said recently GP Forestry Division had visited several logging companies and camps in east and west Guadalcanal a first ever logging assessment and valuation exercises since 1985.

He said their goal is to have better regulatory implementations with the logging partners. And also, to ensure that logging companies follow environmental regulations and pay their debts to the province.

Work with both govts, Seleso tells people of Guadalcanal

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Member of Parliament for South Guadalcanal and Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, Rollen Seleso

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

MINISTER for Provincial Government (MPGSI) Rollen Seleso has called on Guadalcanal people to work ‘collaboratively’ with their provincial and national governments.

Seleso said this partnership will result in having Guadalcanal’s joint efforts recognised. 

“I wish to appeal to all churches, community leaders, youth reps, business houses, NGOs and civil society organisations to work collaboratively with the Provincial Government and our National Government so that our joint efforts can be recognised through the achievement of our sustainable development goals.

“We must commit one another in out pursuit for economic prosperity. In this manner, our Island, our pride and our future can be secured for our own wellbeing and that of our future generation,” he said.

“We will continue to provide support and to ensure that the people of this province should benefit from the assistance the national government is providing.”

Premier for Guadalcanal Provincial government Francis Sade said few of the many challenges the province is facing have been identified; he urged his people to work together with his government to address them.

“I have identified are a few of the many challenges that our Province and country face. So, my good people of Guadalcanal, while we celebrate our achievements, we must also work to address our challenges.

“The Guadalcanal Provincial Government is ready and willing to work with you in partnerships to championing development. I also appeal to the National Government and Development Partners to work with us to create new and alternative futures for our province and country,” Sade said.

Talks on Alligator Creek market ongoing 

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Designated-market-area-for-Guadalcanal-women-at-Alligator-opposite-Hell’s-point

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Discussions to establish the Alligator Creek Market project aimed at giving some breathing space for people on the eastern side of Honiara to sell their products is still ongoing.

That’s according to the Minister of Provincial Government Institutional Strengthening (MPGSI) Rollen Seleso this week at the celebration of Guadalcanal Second appointed day.

Seleso said the Government has also put aside allocations for the Alligator Creek Market through the PCDF.

“We hope this project should be on-going to give some breathing space for our people, especially on the eastern side to sell their produces at this market. Based on the Government’s position to get this project running, a committee was set up to monitor the progress of this project,” he said.

Seleso said there are currently discussions on land issues as well as capacity and assurance of funding continuity that are underway.

“I hope this project will have compounding benefits for our rural people, Honiara city, our province and the national government,” he said.

Sade urges people to get jabbed

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

Guadalcanal premier Francis Sade is urging people of the province who are yet to take their covid-19 vaccine to do so.

Mr Sade made the call this week, warning that the covid-19 threat is still active.      

“I would like to state that our fight against COVID-19 is not yet over, therefore I appeal to all the unvaccinated Guadalcanal people to come forward and receive your vaccination at your nearest Area Health Centers. Also on the same note, I also share my Executive’s sympathies to all Guadalcanal people who have lost their loved ones from COVID-19,” Sade said.

He said following the opening of the international borders one month ago new BA.5 subvariant of Omicron has been detected.

“With this, I would like to humbly applaud all the Guadalcanal Province nurses and doctors and front-liners from GPHQ and downright to the community levels, who have taken extra miles to fight the outbreak of the Covid-19,” Sade said.

“In terms of vaccination – Guadalcanal Province has the largest eligible adult population of 18 years and above. The single dose achievement is now 50 percent (47,106 doses) which is bigger than the eligible population in some provinces. The double doses are 32 percent (29,490 doses) – also more than some Provinces eligible adult vaccination population.”

Sade adds, there are some Health Zones like West Guadalcanal had reached above this above of 95 percent single dose and 50 percent of double doses. “Moreover, the vaccination of our teenagers from 12-17 years and pregnant mothers is ongoing, and our nurses and doctors around our Clinics and Area Health Centres (AHC) have been trained to diagnose and manage COVID-19. This an encouraging news,” he said

Wings of Hope Christian school opens door to students

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Students and staffs of Wings of Hope Christian School

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

WINGS of Hope Christian School officially opened its door for students with a focus to securing a future that is productive and creative.

Located at Okea in the Guadalcanal plains, Wings of Hope Christian School offers Early Childhood Education.

The school is the fifth under the education authority of the Church of the Nazarene. It uses the Accelerated Christian Education Approaches and Resources.

Chairman of the school Pastor Dickson Manongi said the schools just commemorated one year of providing Early Childhood Education for children in GPPOL-one.

Cutting of ribbon to officially open Wings of Hope Christian School

Manongi said the school will provide children with education that encourages them to flourish their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

“With this I want to express my sincere appreciation to all parents who have prayed and supported the school from infancy to now,” Manongi said.

Chairman of the school Pastor Dickson Manongi

Head teacher for Wings of Hope Christian School Raymond Baro says it is such a joy each day to help children achievement their daily tasks and goals.

“Our approach of teaching and modelling of students is different from our secular government schools. We teach according to individual student peace of learning. As a teacher I see it as one of the greatest responsibilities and is a call to serve our children. It is the command from God, not just a career,” Baro said.

Ishmael Boboli on behalf of parents residing at Kondazale area said the establishment of this school is a source of blessing for parents, children and surrounding communities.

Wings of Hope Christian School

“We thanked God for putting this school at our door step. From now on we will no longer spend more money to travel far to seek education for our children. This school will help our children to grow physical, mental and spiritual well-being,” Boboli said.

Moreover, the vision of the school is for all children ages three to ten years within the school catchment must access early quality Christian education and its mission is to provide a conducive environment for early childhood teaching, teachers must always be available to teach and children are nurtured with love utilising preventive approaches with clear guidelines and expectations to help child be successful.

Teachers of Wings of Hope Christian School

MINING ROW BREWS UP ON SAN JORGE

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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A drilling operation on San Jorge Island.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ANOTHER row over resources is brewing on the resource-rich island of San Jorge in Isabel Province.

This time, it’s over minerals.

It comes as the long-running legal battle over the island’s rare tubi trees between resource owners and Asian loggers lie unresolved before the courts.

In this latest dispute, two Asian funded mining companies backed by rival landowners were at each other over rights to mine the island.

Yesterday, San Jorge Island Resource Owners Association Trust Board hit out at a Ben Devi, who attacked East Resources Company Limited in a paid article published in this paper.

The Trust Board is a shareholder in East Resources Company Ltd.

Devi, who represents Vihuvunagi Tribal group, claimed Far East Resources Company Limited directors have announced that once the Mines and Mineral Board issued their Letter of Intent, all their machines will arrive from overseas.

Devi, who works for Solomon Islands Resources Company Limited (SIRCL), that is owned by the director of Win Win mining company, said this is cheap in the making and mockery of our government, and the landowners.

“There must be a stop to this and my tribe do not have doubt of our position.

“We will welcome Far East Resource Company Limited, even if we take such a position, this company is incapable of conducting anything,” Devi said.

He said its sister company, who shared the same director/shareholders – Golden Star Resources Ltd, cannot even dig up a mount of dirt on its PL-02/21 at Hograno.

Furthermore, Devi said East Resources Company Limited is not welcomed and in the event that it pushed its way, his tribe will not support and will not execute any Surface Access Agreement (SAA).

However, chairman of San Jorge Island Resource Owners Association Trust Board, William Tohidi said they do not know anybody by the name of Ben Devi.

“To correct your statement Ben Devi, Mines and Minerals Board has met to discuss Far East resource companies’ application over South San Jorge Tenement on 28th July 2022,” Tohidi said.

“This would determine the Letter of Intent (LOI) for negotiations.  To grant Prospecting License without having LOI is unprocedural,” he added.

Tohidi said Devi’s allegations are only disturbing and have no standing on the claims he made.

“We know very well that Ben Devi works with SIRC since day one until the original SIRC sold its company share to Win Win mining company.

“Ben Devi has been working with various mining companies who have been operating in the past, yet he does not use those experiences to negotiate well for the people,” he said.

Tohidi said his Trust Board is a registered association and it represents three tribal groups who reside at Talise village, as well as the nearby villages who are close tribal members.

“We know very well the claims by south San Jorge so-called landowners who are not members of our association.

“They are pushing away our interest and want to push in theirs with the backing of Win Win.

“Devi must know that it is first come first serve policy that Far East shows interest on south San Jorge tenements, and submitted its application to the Mines and Mineral Board.

“May I call on him to refrain from the misleading letter to the Mines and Mineral Board.

“Let the board deliberate on its requirement and its findings.”

He said San Jorge Island Resource Owners Association Trust Board will not accept any company that bypasses its authority.

“We are well represented by the three tribal members who inherit the land called San Jorge Island.

“This is land passed on to us by our ancestors, and we lived and depend on it.

 “We wish to assure Ben Devi that if Far East is given the LOI, the process to negotiate with landowners will be done according to the process and requirements of the Mining Act and regulations.”  

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