Sunday, May 31, 2009

Asia Tour a Success: Sikua

Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua said his 25-day tour of three Asian countries was a success.
"It has certainly been a long trip but it was a successful one.

It was cost effective and beneficial to Solomon Islands," Prime Minister Sikua told a media conference just after his arrival last week in Honiara.

"It is important that we remain engaged with our friends and partners in the region and globally. The challenged we face today such as financial crisis, climate change and environmental degradation, to name just a few, are issues that individual countries cannot address on their own. It requires the collective effort and commitment of all countries concerned," he said.

Prime Minister Sikua said the Solomon Islands Government commitment to its international relations such as the ROC-Pacific Allies Summit is important as it demonstrates Solomon Islands commitments to this partnership as well as to the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Solomon Islands.

Dr Sikua said the trip with his delegation to Indonesia "demonstrates our political commitment to the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI)" and that the presence of Solomon Islands at the highest level of representation shows to our partners and donor agencies that we do care about our marine resources and ecosystems.

"The PALM 5 Summit in Japan shows our commitment to work closely with the countries in the region and Japan to address the many challenges facing us"."It shows that we value our relations with these countries and are serious in working with them to address these challenges," Dr Sikua said."What sort of signal do we send them or the region if we did not attend the Summit? I believe Solomon Islands will benefit from the funding support (50 billion Yen) announced by the Japanese Prime Minister for the Pacific Islands following the summit," Dr Sikua said.Dr Sikua said it is also important to note that the actual benefits of such official engagements at this highest level usually come after.He said his Cabinet Ministers and government officials will now need to work hard at their levels to follow up and ensure that Solomon Islands does benefit from the funding support that will be available for programs and projects for the CTI and the PALM 5 outcome and action plans.

SOURCE: Solomontimes

Friday, February 27, 2009

Auluta oil palm launching today

A HIGH level government delegation is now in Auki ahead of today’s ground breaking ceremony of the proposed Auluta Palm Oil Project in east Malaita.

They’ll join village and chiefs of Auluta this morning in the ceremony, to be held at Fera’abu village.National Coordinator of the Project, George Boe, said today’s ceremony will be historic for people in the area and Malaita Province.Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Selwyn Riumana with other government ministers will travel to Auki this morning on a chartered flight in time for the ceremony.Thousands of people from Auluta and surrounding areas are expected to witness the ceremony.Today's programme will feature speeches from Malaita Premier Richard Irosaea, landowning reps, Agriculture and Livestock Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister.This will be followed by the signing and presentation of perpetual estate of the land by Commissioner of Lands and Auluta Basin tribal groups and then planting of palm oil trees.Each of the two main tribes will be presented with $150,000 each as a token of appreciation from the Government.

Source: Solomon Star

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Speaker Highlights GFC in Parliament Opening

Speaker of Parliament Sir Peter Kenilorea has said he hopes parliament can actively assist in protecting communities across Solomon Islands from the damaging impacts of the Global Financial Crisis, GFC.

In a speech welcoming members of Parliament attending the current sitting, Sir Peter said since the last meeting, the world financial systems have gone into crisis and the global economy has suffered a major downturn.Sir Peter said he raised the matter because parliament represents the people of Solomon Islands in a global community. He said although Wall Street and the G20 economies seem a long way from our local villages, they are already impacting on our people in the form food prices and falling commodity prices.Experts agree that the effects of the global economic crisis are a cause of concern for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member countries. While others have downplayed the impact of GFC on PIF, it is quite apparent that in these times of crisis there are opportunities for PIF countries to address its weaknesses through regional cooperation.There is an obvious need for the region to take charge of its problems, associated with the global economic downturn, to demonstrate the resilience Forum states have shown in past crisis.Now is the time to adopt sound policies and structural reforms through a regional framework. It is up to our 50 members of Parliament to chart our way forward but in this day and age, regional cooperation is, quite realistically, the most feasible way forward.

Source: Solomon Times

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Urgent Prayer Request for YWAM

This is a request for prayer for YWAM (Youth With A Mission) missionaries and their churches in Orissa, India. The request came from her friend, Mable Hurst, an associate of HCJB Global. Please read and make this a matter of urgent prayer.

Dear beloved sponsors and friends of Good News India, We have never seen anything like this. We knew that Orissa was the most resistant and hostile State in India as far as the Gospel is concerned. And we brushed off the continuous threats and harassment wefaced as we went about His work. But none of our staff imagined that they would see this kind of carnage.... And it seems to be totally under the radar of the Western Media..... Let me explain.... A militant Hindu priest and 4 of his attendants, who were zealously going around the villages of Orissa and re-converting people back to Hinduism, were gunned down by unknown assailant Orissa last weekend.Â

Immediately the Christians were blamed. The cry rose up...'Kill the Christians!' And the horror began....In the past 4 days, we have first hand witness to hundreds of churches being blown up or burned and many, many dozens of Christian tribals have been slaughtered. For no other reason than they bear the name of Christ. Night and day I have been in touch with our Good News India Directors spread across 14 Dream Centers in Orissa... they are right in the middle of all this chaos. In Tihidi, just after the police came to offer protection, a group of 70 blood-thirsty militants came to kill our staff and destroy the home. They were not allowed to get in, but they did a lot of damage to our Dream Center by throwing rocks and bricks and smashing our gate, etc.

They have promised to come back and 'finish the job'. Our kids and staff are locked inside and have stayed that way with doors and windows shut for the past 3 days. It has been a time of desperately calling on the Lord in prayer.More police have come to offer protection. In Kalahandi, the police and some local sympathizers got to our dream center and gave our staff and kids about 3 minutes notice to vacate. No one had time to even grab a change of clothes or any personal belonging. As they fled, the blood thirsty mob came into the building. We would have had a mass funeral there, but for His grace.In Phulbani, the mob came looking for Christian homes and missions. The local Hindu people, our neighbors turned them away by saying that there were no Christians in this area. So they left. We had favor.Â

The same thing happened in Balasore.All our dream centers are under lock down with the kids and staff huddled inside and police outside. The fanatics are circling outside waiting for a chance to kill. Others were not so fortunate. In a nearby Catholic orphanage, the mob allowed the kids to leave andlocked up a Priest and a computer teacher in house and burned them to death. Many believers have been killed and hacked into pieces and left on the road.... even women and children. At another orphanage run by another organization, when this began, the Director and his wife jumped on their motorbike and simply fled, leaving all the children and staff behind. Every one of our GNI directors that I have spoken to said: 'We stay with our kids.... we live together or die together, but we will never abandon what God has called us to do.'More than 5000 Christian families have had their homes burned or destroyed. They have fled into the jungles and are living in great fear waiting for the authorities to bring about peace. But so far, no peace is foreseen. This will continue for another 10 days....supposedly the 14 day mourning period for the slain Hindu priest. Many more Christians will die and their houses destroyed. Many more churches will be smashed down. The Federal government is trying to restore order and perhaps things will calm down. We ask for your prayers. Only the Hand of God can calm this storm. None of us know the meaning of persecution. But now our kids and staff know what that means. So many of our kids coming from Hindu backgrounds are confused and totally bewildered at what is happening around them. So many of their guardians have fled into the jungles and are unable to come and get them during these trying times. Through all this, I am more determined than ever to continue with our goal: the transformation of a community by transforming its children.Â

Orissa will be saved... that is our heart's cry. If we can take these thousands of throw-away children and help them to become disciples of Jesus, they will transform an entire region. It is a long term goal, but it is strategic thinking in terms of the Great Commission.What can you do? First, please uphold all this in fervent prayer. Second, pass this e-mail on to as many friends as you can. We must get the word out and increase our prayer base for this is spiritual warfare at its most basic meaning. We are literally fighting the devil in order to live for His Kingdom. The next 10 days are crucial. We pray for peace and calm to pervade across Orissa. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please pass it on and help us to get as many people to partner with us on this cutting-edge effort to fulfill His mandate: Go and make disciples of all nations....Prayer works!Blessings,

Sources : Chip & Sandy Wanner Col 2:2 MBI Team Facilitators to YWAM frontlinesÂ

Monday, November 17, 2008

APPOINTMENT OF NORTH MALAITA STUDENT ASSOCIATION NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM.

North Malaita student at Laucala campus has appointed their new Leadership team for the end of this semester and next year 2009.

North malaita student association was comprises of the following dialects or main languages of the northern part of Malaita, that is Toabaita students, Mbaelelea students, Lau student, Baegu and FataLeka student. who are pursuing their study at the university of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus.`

The newly appointed leadership team are as follows

President: Jones Otafalu
Vice President: Linus Samani
Secretary: Brian Mangi
Treasurer: Blondie Akwasia
Cultural Rep:1. Enly Saeni
2. Ken
Social Welfare1. John Buata
2. Ruth Ramo
Fundraising Coordinators:1. Danny Waneoroa
2. Jennifer Delemani

During the Final meeting and Handing over Ceremony,One of the Out going student Leader Trevor Mae’eda has stated that North malaita student have played significant role in the SISA (Solomon Islands Student Association) community especially in the Independences celebration and the UPS open Day, our contribution to SISA is recommendable and as wel as other association with SISA community.he said, those good things should be maintain by the newly appointed leadership team and the students or even build upon.

Mean while Stevaldo who looks after northern student social wel-fare has embraces the new leadership team and the student body to work together, he said 'having in mind that we are not educated only for the aid of our Families but to help Solomon Islands as whole after we finished our program.

Hence, the out going President, Milfred Delemani, has Given his last speech, that carry such a responsibility is another curriculum from USP, its challenging but it is significant in training of leaderships role. and which follow suit by the refreshment. every student of north malaita were happy and looking foward to worker to gether with the New leadership team.

JOTA.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

What MPs get

THE Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination appreciates the opportunity to clarify confusion by Mr Morongoa regarding the need to review the National Development Plan and at the same time, put in perspective some ill-informed information carried therein on Minister of Development Planning’s overseas travel. Sir, Mr Morongoa will know very well that, the CNURA government only came into power in late December 2007.Prior to that and under the leadership of the previous government, the responsibility for the National Development Plan was under the mandate of the Office of the Prime Minister. However, when the CNURA government came into power in late 2007, it made the decision to re-assign the responsibility for preparation of the National Development Plan to the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination. For the information of Mr Morongoa, under the leadership of the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, the Ministry has now completed the draft National Development Plan, commonly referred to as the, ‘Medium Term Development Strategy – (2008 – 2010). This outlines government’s key priorities for the medium term, 2008 – 2010 and is now before Cabinet for final blessing. With regards to annual review of this document, it is an integral part of this very important document and the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination will embark on putting in place a mechanism for that as soon as practical after clearance from Cabinet.Secondly, Mr Morongoa has misconstrued the responsibility of the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination with Parliamentary Entitlement Regulations (PER) and the associated overseas travel, and it is important that this is put it in perspective. For information, the PER contains the entitlements for ALL members of the Parliament, and this is similar to the ‘Conditions of Service’ for any employer.These conditions apply to all members of the Parliament during their term in Parliament.We hope Mr Morongoa is aware of the rationale for any condition of service for any employer. On the other hand, the overseas travels are Ministerial obligation and duties under his mandate as Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination. Therefore, Mr Morongoa’s concerns on the Minister’s overseas travel and the PER is not only naïve but very ill-informed. We hope the brief explanation below will give him a piece of mind.Mr Morongoa, the appointment of the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, or any Ministerial portfolio for that matter, means that the respective Minister, is given a specific mandate to oversee and implement in as far as government policies are concerned, and this is apart from him being a member of Parliament. In this case, the Minister for Development Planning and Aid Coordination is responsible for National Development Planning and Aid Coordination matters on behalf of the government, in addition to the responsibility for his constituency as a member of Parliament. In this context, the Minister and the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination are an important interface between the government and its development partners both at the political and implementation level respectively. Therefore, it is imperative that the necessary policy dialogue, negotiation and consultations are undertaken at the highest levels (political) where necessary to demonstrate serious government commitments to implementing both its policies and at the same time, enhance Solomon Islands confidence as a country with the international community. Mr Morongoa, this cannot always happen in-country because the headquarters including decision makers of our development partners, both multilateral and bilateral, are overseas let alone the planned meetings! By the way, most of such travels are fully funded for your information.Be further informed Mr Morongoa that, in that capacity, the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination has the overall mandate to coordinate not only the national development plans and strategies, but also to coordinate the development assistance from donors and other stakeholders to support implementation of government programmes in order to ensure efficient and effective delivery of service to the people of this country. Just as an example, the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, is also the Solomon Islands Government National Authorising Officer (NAO) for ALL European Development Fund spent in Solomon Islands . In this capacity, it is obligatory that the Minister responsible attends pre-scheduled regular and annual NAO meetings, to discuss matters relating to or affecting, the implementation of these development co-operations or development partnerships, either in the Pacific Region, any ACP state or in Brussels at the European Commission’s Headquarters or wherever the relevant meetings are held. Don’t forget Mr Morognoa that Solomon Islands is part of the global community and this is just an example of government obligation with one donor – European Union. For further information, Solomon Islands has other development partners with similar commitments. Finally, the Minister of Development Planning and Aid Coordination equally values the responsibilities under his mandate for both government’s international and regional commitments and obligations and for national matters, especially in promoting rural and grassroot development in the country. We highly recommend Mr Morongo to listen to the radio programmes (world bilong iumi) or just buy and read a copy of the Solomon Star to know what’s happening around him.


SOURCE: SOLOMONSTAR

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Police Charge Man Responsible for Attacking RAMSI Officer

Solomon Islands Police Force detectives have charged a man with attempted murder after he attacked a RAMSI police officer with a bush knife.

Police will allege the 39-year-old man was responsible for seriously wounding the New Zealand police officer at Avuavu on Guadalcanal's Weathercoast on 2 September 2008. On Saturday 8 November 2008, the man surrendered to police based at Avuavu after an extensive operation to apprehend the offenders responsible for the attack. The man was transported to Honiara on Saturday where detectives from the Solomon Islands Serious Crime Squad interviewed and formally charged the 39-year-old. Acting Commissioner of Police, Peter Marshall, said the two-month operation to apprehend those responsible has been successful. "This arrest is the result of some very good work by a number of dedicated police officers. For eight weeks we have been actively pursuing the offenders that committed the cowardly attack on the New Zealand police officer."I am pleased to say the man we believe responsible for inflicting the wound with the bush knife is now in police custody," he said. Three other suspects involved in the attack surrendered to police on 20 September 2008. The operation to apprehend the remaining offenders will continue. "The support from RAMSI's Participating Police Force and RAMSI military during this operation has assisted the Solomon Islands Police Force locate and arrest the offenders responsible. "I would like thank RAMSI, the community leaders and people living on the Weathercoast that have provided assistance to the Solomon Islands Police Force during the operation. "There are still a number of people wanted in connection to the attack and I ask the community to continue to work with police so the other offenders can be brought before the courts," Acting Commissioner Marshall said. The 39-year-old man is expected to face the Honiara Magistrates Court on Monday 10 November 2008.
Sources: SOLOMON TIMES