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Gina opens education conference in Gizo

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Officials from Central Province Education Authority presents their gifts

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Province Premier David Gina yesterday opened the sixth National Education Conference in Gizo.

He said his province was honoured to host the event.

“I on behalf of the government and people of this province warmly welcome you to Gizo,” he said.

Premier David Gina delivers his speech

“It is my hope that you will enjoy your brief stay with us in our province as we learn, share and unite together this week,” Gina added.

“I believe, for some of you, this would be your first trip to Western Province.

“If you are one of these first timers, I convey a big welcome and be informed that Gizo is not Western province.

“We have hundreds of islands, coral reefs, scenery beaches, rivers and hospitable people out there that you can visit if time permits.”

Gina said education is vital as it can set a foundation for a greater nation where joy, peace, progress and prosperity can be achieved.

Renbel Education Officer presents his gift to Premier Gina

He adds that the conference is a very important event that will establish new directions that would provide a systematic approach towards providing better access to education.

“I’m aware the subject of your discussion this week centers on the socialization with all stakeholders to form new directions and better prepared for the Education Bill is enacted.

“This is a very important and mammoth task and is no mean-undertaking.

“We need to question ourselves whether our education system have properly addressed the needs of the nation looking back 43 years ago since independent,” he said.

Performance from a Coomunity high school located west of Gizo Island

Gina told those present that the theme of the conference “Moving forward in Education now and beyond” speaks volume of the need for thorough evaluation of existing system to achieve positive change.

He said the present generation is responsible for making changes through refocusing and redirecting of potential requirements to address the need of the people.

Gina said the goal of the education system should be centered on the need to improve the lives of the people.

Rannoga Dancers

Delivering the keynote address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, Dr Franco Rodie expressed his gratitude towards Western Province for its commitments in preparations towards the event amidst COVID-19 challenges.

He also acknowledged the presence of the Premier of Western province and his executive during the opening of the conference.

Rodie further extends its acknowledgement donor partners and Educational Authority officials who made efforts to be part of the conference.

He said the country’s potential and aspiration depends on investment towards the development of the country’s children and young people.

PS Education Franco Rodie speaking during the opening of the Conference’s first session

Rodie said the existing government is very much supportive of the transformative role of education and training in building human capacity, empowering youths, women and marginalized groups.

“Discussion in depth of our people’s or country’s expectations and aspirations in education is deemed important because we can distill from such discussions, renewed commitments and plan that can enables us to develop the potentials of our country.

“How we frame education now affects what is possible later. Choosing our words carefully is paramount.

“Fatalism is high right now, and the public needs your help to see what’s possible and where they fit into creating positive and effective change.

The long que of officials and students taking part during the parade

“By strategically framing this moment and the solution that can see us to the other side of it, we can mobilize greater public will for long-term social and systematic change,” he said.

Rodie said the education system in the country is exciting yet challenging and that needs collective supports from stakeholders to minimise or address the challenges.

He told education officials present during the opening program that the responsibility to influence, make positive change and improve access to education in all levels depends entirely on collective participation of the Ministry of Education and Provincial Education Authorities.

Officials from Malaita Education Authority waves to the crowd after presenting their gift

“It is you and I together with the support of the government, community and development partners that can improve the quality of education standard in the country,” Rodie said.

CLOUD OVER AUKI

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki provincial town of Malaita.
  • No official resignation from 9 MARA members yet
  • No instructions to swear-in newly appointed deputy premier
  • No statement from MARA on ‘crack’ in ranks

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

THE speaker for Malaita province says he is yet to receive any official instructions from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) to swear in the new deputy premier.

Ronnie Butala told Sun Auki he has already received a letter from Premier Daniel Suidani instructing him to facilitate a swearing-in for MPA Glen Waneta, the newly appointed deputy premier.

However, Butala says his office is answerable only to the Ministry of provincial government (MPGIS), thus will wait for any ‘confirmation’ from Minister Rolland Seleso before he can proceed.

Butala said this is the formality and his office cannot just carry-out the oath without advice and letter of appointment from the Minister of MPGIS.

“This is the formality and my office is just waiting for advice from the minister to carry-on the swearing in of Waneta.

“It must also be cleared that my office is only to facilitate the process and approval to that must be made from the minister.

“Because after facilitating the process (swearing-in), document must send back to minister for gazzetting as the appointment is made,” he explained.

Butala meanwhile, said his office has already prepared required documents for the swearing-in of Waneta.

Waneta was appointed as the new deputy premier following the sacking of the former, Randol Sifoni, by premier Daniel Suidani last week.

Meanwhile, Butala says his office has not received resignation letters from the nine executive members who are reportedly planning to leave the MARA government.

He explains that the process of resignation for an executive member is that the resignation letter be submitted to the deputy premier who will forward it to the provincial secretary (PS) and then to the minister of MPGIS.

Butala said his office will then be notified by the Minister of MPGIS.

He adds that other provincial offices such as the provincial clerk will also be notified by the MPGIS minister.

Butala said his office will work closely with the minister in such a situation and if advice is for election (if need be) then his office will facilitate the election process.

He confirmed his office is aware of the plan by some of the executive members to resign from the Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government.

Attempts by Sun Auki to speak with the acting deputy premier on this issue was futile before this paper went to print last night.

‘Plans in place for mentally ill persons’

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) says it has plans in place for persons with mental illness during a lockdown.

MHMS Covid-19 Incident Controller, Nemia Bainivalu says in the event of a lockdown they “catch” persons with mental illness who roam the streets of Honiara and place them in the mental health facility at the national referral hospital (NRH).

For those they cannot “catch”, MHMS refers their cases to the police “to deal with them”, says Bainivalu.

Bainivalu was responding to questions asked on whether or not the Ministry have plans to look at mentally ill people during a lockdown exercise and during a real lockdown in response to any covid-19 community transmission here.

He said they have plans and during the 36-hour lockdown; they have a facility provided for them and those ones where they manage to get them, they keep at the facility at the National Referral Hospital.

“We actually took some out of the streets and place them at the facility, but others we cannot catch them because they are moving from place to place very fast, and we have arranged with the police to deal with them,” Bainivalu said.

Bainivalu also said they have arranged with the Correctional Services to place the mentally ill at the facility CSSI uses to admit inmates in.

During the previous three lockdowns, persons with mental illness were reportedly allowed to roam the streets of Honiara.

Several social media posts have images taken of few freely roaming around in various locations in Honiara.

Schools visited during lockdown

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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NDOC education Chairman Christopher Sakiri

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A total of 24 out of 38 schools have been visited and monitored by the National Disaster Operations Committee (NDOC) Education during the 36 hour trail lock-down inside Honiara Emergency zones.

NDOC education chairman Christopher Sakiri told reporters during the 36-hour lock-down NDOC education was activated and operational.

“During the lockdown we managed to visit 24 schools out of the 38 schools but from initial information about rock-throwing we managed to visit 24 schools to check if the schools were locked and have securities looking after them,” Sakiri said.

He said they found that not all schools were locked and have securities.

Sakiri said they engaged 16 staff during the lockdown.

“Some of them manned the office while others remotely communicate directly to the Emergency Operation Center at the Ministry of Education,” he said.

He added they were tasked to support the two boarding schools that are inside the Honiara Emergency Zones – King George Sixth School and Betikama Adventist College.

“We were also tasked to ensure that learning continues to happen for all schools within the SOPE,” he said.

Sakiri stressed they’ve talked to and advised school leaders to ensure that all students are given home work for Monday or if not from Saturday and Sunday and Monday.

He adds for King George and Betikama College, they have their own SOP activated during the 36 hour lock-down – meaning only teachers responsible should be moving around.

SICCI launches ‘Bisnis for Vaccines’ campaign

Written by
Press Release
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The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) has launched a campaign with the aim to get private sector support to encourage and drive vaccination as the country continues its fight against COVID-19.

The “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign will reward anyone who has received their first jab and those who are fully vaccinated with prizes following draws in the coming months, the Chamber said in a statement yesterday (Wednesday 1 September, 2021). Due to the current low take up rate of COVID-19 vaccinations in the Solomon Islands SICCI has decided to run this incentive with the support of the of businesses to focus the eligibility for the draw on those vaccinated from 1st September onward.

“SICCI has reached out to its members and a number of businesses operating in the country have already come on board to support by donating cash and other prizes for fort-nightly draws to drive this initiative forward.

“To register for the fort-nightly draws you must be partially or fully vaccinated from 1st September, 2021 and will be required to present your COVID-19 Vaccination card at the registration site. Registration site is at the SICCI Secretariat Office at Hyundai Mall, room 223 and Y-Sato Office at Commonwealth Street.

“At the time of registration, you will be required to show an ID card that has a photo on it which can be your NPF Card, Driver’s License, Voter Register Card or a Passport Bio page,” the SICCI statement said.

Prizes include:

  • $250 for those partially vaccinated (one draw per fort-night)
    • $500 for those fully vaccinated (two draws per fort-night)
    • Four (4) 10kg bag of rice for those partially vaccinated (first jab)
    • Four (4) 20kg bag of rice those fully vaccinated (second jab)

The first draw will be made on Wednesday 15 September, 2021 and will be conducted by Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare as a show of support by Government to this private sector led initiative which aims to boost vaccination numbers among our citizens.

The draws will be conducted live through social media (Facebook) and winners will be contacted to collect their prizes.

Meanwhile SICCI encourages other businesses who are interested in participating directly in this effort to get in touch with the Chamber Secretariat.

“Our communities and our businesses face the reality of being shut down if we have even a single case in our communities, as such, leadership and support for Solomon Islanders getting their jab is necessary and should be a priority.

“The private sector and business are ready to support Government vaccinate the targeted population to keep our country safe from this deadly virus,” SICCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Natalina Hong, said.

“Vaccination is one of the main ways to protect our communities and businesses to reduce the possibility of community spread if and when our borders are reopened,” she added.

SICCI acknowledge the following business and companies who have come forward to support the “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign:

  1. Y-SATO Marine
  2. AJ & Blum Ltd
  3. BRED Bank
  4. Bank South Pacific (BSP)
  5. SolTuna Limited
  6. Reeves International 
  7. ANZ Bank
  8. Solrice Limited
  9. Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML)
  10. South Pacific Oil (SPO)
  11. Fivesafe

Staff at the SICCI Secretariat will be hosting a live session on the SICCI Facebook page on Friday 3 September to respond to questions from the general public relating to the “Bisnis For Vaccines” campaign.

-SICCI Media

HCC lags in climate emergency declaration

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

HONIARA City Council is still to make any progress on the issue of climate change to date.

This is after former City Mayor, Wilson Mamae declared a Climate Emergency on behalf of Honiara City Council on Friday, September 20, 2019.

The Declaration is a bold step which reflects the Council’s determination to support its communities in regards to the threat of climate change.

Current Mayor, Eddie Siapu said there is still no work done on it after the launching.

HCC Chief Health Inspector in the Environmental Health Division, George Titulu said he is not aware of this matter.

However, Titulu said his division has introduced the Environmental Learning City.

He said under this project, the Council provides environmental learning facilities to the communities.

One officer of UN Habitat who used to work at HCC said one of the setbacks is because there is no climate change officer in the Council.

He said there are Planning officers there but they are busy with daily applications.

During the launching, former Mayor Mamae said climate change is “truly the challenge of our generation. It will affect our lands and oceans, it will affect our flora and fauna, and it will affect our people and cultures”.

He said all of the climate change challenges Solomon Islands as a whole faces, Honiara City also faces.

Mamae noted that these challenges include flooding, landslides and erosion, health effects, higher temperatures and changes in growing seasons for farmers.

He said it was for this reason that the Council declared a climate emergency.

Mamae noted that emergencies had been announced in countries and cities including the UK, New York, Paris and Auckland, but that Honiara’s declaration makes it a climate leader in the Pacific.

He said the key affirmation in the document – that the Council “affirms, as Solomon Islands Government did in the Kainaki II declaration endorsed at the Fiftieth Pacific Islands Forum, that climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of Solomon Islands”.

As a response to climate change, Mamae said the range of steps the Council is taking.

“This includes the drafting and implementation of new policy around climate change and disaster management, as well as continuing a range of strategic partnerships to support Honiara communities in regards to climate change.

“These partnerships include UN-Habitat’s ‘Climate Resilient Honiara’; World Bank with the CAUSE project; and the LEAF project supported by JICA,” he said.

He said that “our government and Council are just part of the solution. We need input and participation from communities across the city and country to ensure real action is taken on climate change. We thank all of you in civil society organisations, school programmes and church and community groups who have already demonstrated real leadership and courage in that regard”.

Father now faces rape charges over daughter

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE prosecution has filed amended charges against a man alleged to have sexually abused his daughter in 2014.

The 46-year-old man is accused of having sexual intercourse with his 12-year-old daughter.

Previously he entered a not guilty plea on the incest charges and his case was listed for trial on September 6 to 17 of this year.

Yesterday’s appearance was for an interim mention.

However, prosecution said they made amendments to the initial charges.

A public prosecutor appeared on behalf of the prosecutor in carriage of the file, told the court that prosecution amended counts 3 to count 8 incest to that of rape.

Prosecution said they amended the charges conferencing the victim, and amended the charges of incest to rape charges.

Presiding Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi adjourned the case to September 7, so that amended charges are filed to the defence and also the accused to be re-arraigned on the amended charges.

Magistrate Taeburi also said that since the incest charges are now amended to rape charges, defence to elect a form of preliminary inquiry into the matter for committal to the High Court for trial.

Police arrest 3 during kwaso raid

Written by
Press Release
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LATA Police in Temotu Province have arrested three suspects in a raid for brewing kwaso (homebrew) at Nole farm area in Santa Cruz Island on September 1, 2021.

Operation Manager, Temotu Province, Inspector Walter Leleina says the raid was conducted following information received regarding kwaso brewing in that community.

“Police entered three dwelling houses and confiscated a total of 60 litre of home-brew,” Leleina said.

“Three suspects were arrested and placed in police custody awaiting further dealings,” he added.

“The kwaso products are recorded as police exhibits for court.

“I want to appeal to our law-abiding citizens to provide information that will assist the Police to get rid of kwaso from our communities.

“Police cannot do this alone. It needs the support of our people.”

Lata police can be contacted on phone 53184 or 53070 to report anyone involved in Kwaso brewing in our communities.

NFD is a shame, Wale insisted.

Written by
Press Release
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LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale has rubbished the response by a faceless official within the PMO to his statement on the $200,000 China funding under the shameful so-called National Development Funds.

“Of course you expect that kind of response from political operatives, whose interest is only their jobs and not wider national interest,” Mr Wale said yesterday.

The Opposition Leader said if the shameful NDF is open to all then publish the list of beneficiaries who received these funds in 2019 and 2020.

“I am calling on the Prime Minister to publish the list of beneficiaries and corresponding amounts received in 2019 and 2020.

“It really is very disappointing that the PRC is continuing this practice and funding.

“If they are requiring some accountability, that is an improvement.

“However, the fact that these funds are only for MPs who support the PM clearly shows these are political patronage funds,” stressed Wale.

He said the Minute signed by the Prime Minister dated 25 August 2021 is clear.

“The NDF is only for 39 MPs, adding that the list of those 39 MPs contain only MPs in government.

“This is political funding. And it is SHAMEFUL!”

Wale adds:

“There is no way to hide it under anything else.

“Why this attempt to cover it up and make it sound better than it is?

“Why this blatant unashamed attempt to deceive the Solomon Islands public about the true nature of the shameful so-called National Development Funds?

“Why mock the ordinary people of Solomon Islands who are struggling on a hand-to-mouth situation?

“It is disrespectful of the people of Solomon Islands.”

The Opposition Leader further added that the shameful so-called National Development Funds undermine Solomon Islands sovereignty, and the fact that the Prime Minister does not see it as such, is even worse!

SI Scouts gain independence

Written by
Press Release
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Members of the Solomon Islands Scouts Management.

AFTER 94 years as a branch of the United Kingdom Scout Association, the Solomon Islands Scout Association, is now independent and is the 172nd member of the World Organisation of the Scouting Movement (WOSM).

This announcement which was made at the 42nd World Scout Conference that ended in Dubai hosted from GENEVA yesterday 30 August 2021.

It was greeted with joy and celebrations in Honiara despite the lockdown.

Chief Scout Governor-General Sir David Vunagi in welcoming the declaration on behalf Solomon Islands Scouts Association thanked WOSM for accepting SISA into the global family of the scouting moment.

“This is a special day for us as we become the newest member of the WOSM,” said SISA Chairman, William Barile.

“We have worked tirelessly to achieve this ultimate goal that is to become independent from the United Kingdom Scout Association,” he said.

“The real work and new life starts here,” said Chief Commissioner of SISA, Joe Billy Oge.

Oge was one of the key members of SISA who worked so hard with the Asia-Pacific Scout Region in the past two years to ensure Solomon Islands got its independence from the UK in the last meeting.

Young scouts

“Today we have achieved our that goal. It is a new dawn for us let’s move forward as a new born baby from here,” Oge said in Honiara this week.

Being independent, SISA can now deal directly with other members of WOSM and attend meetings as a full member.

“Our voice can be heard at the world platform. We now have an equal standing with the rest of our scout family to the services WOSM offers,” said Oge.

SISA was founded in Tangarare in 1928, 94 years ago by a Roman Catholic Priest. It had then spread throughout the country during the colonial days and post independence.

Moves to achieve WOSM membership began as early as 2007 and finally it was granted this week.

Traditionally, the Chief Scout position is held by the Governor General of Solomon Islands. Sir David, who is the current Governor General, is the chief Scout.

In achieving independence, Oge pays tribute to the UKSA which had been the custodian of the SISA for the past 94 years.

“I would like to thank UK for their support towards us in the past years and supporting us to get our independence from WOSM.

“I am so grateful to them for guiding us to achieving independence,” he said.

Oge also paid honor to the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Office in Manilla for the support it rendered to SISA along the process to attaining membership with WOSM.

 “They have been with us since day one and we are so grateful for their support,” he said.

Additionally, Oge thank the British High Commission in Honiara which has been very supportive of SISA in the past.

He said their support has been huge and they too contributed significantly to “our achievement.”

“I would like to thank them especially the current high commissioner Dr Brian Jones who has been one of our biggest supporters since his appointment here.”

Solomon Islands Scout Association was represented by six [6 ] Youth Delegates and eight [ 8 ] Leaders and Observers of the Organisation for the Virtual Conference which began on the 18th of this month and ended Monday 30th August 2021.

Meanwhile, SI Scout Association would like to thank the following who have contributed significantly to enable SI Scouts Associations to participate in this first World Scout Conference.

  • SI Telecom for their sponsorship to install the wireless internet with the routers for the Zoom meetings and contribution t
  • National Youth Congress for providing the venue to host

SI Scout Delegation all through out the conference

  • Smart Technology for the Zoom Equipments
  • All individual Delegate Scouts, Leaders and institutions who have contributed one way or the other.

“Your contributions have all made the successful participation of Solomon Islands Scouts in this first World Scout Conference,” said Oge.

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