Monday, March 20th, 2017
Support the HCC in making Honiara clean and a place of national civic pride
A photograph on the SIBC’s webpage last week showed a pile of rubbish on a street in Honiara and a story beneath the photograph mentioned how the Honiara City Council is looking at new ways to reduce the rubbish problem around the capital. George Titiulu, a health inspector from the HCC, was quoted as saying the council was examining various “waste minimization practices.” The HCC has been battling the same problem of rubbish disposal and littering for 20 years to my knowledge and the fact is plain that many peopleRead More
Binge drinking impacting on societal issues affecting health and crime
After 20 years of closely monitoring societal issues in the Solomon Islands, both on the ground and from afar, I am increasingly alarmed about the high rates of alcoholism manifested in the reported increasing incidences of domestic and family violence, drunk driving, communicable diseases, crimes of violence, including wounding, and cases of vandalism. The change from an early betel chewing community has spread over the years to communities ever increasing use of alcohol, especially home brew, ‘kwaso.’ and the pervasive and psychoactive use of marijuana. I recall in 2012 aRead More
A thank you to four Japanese volunteers and for sound advice on the need for a speech therapist at the NRH
I would like to take the opportunity through your newspaper of expressing my personal gratitude and thanks to four Japanese volunteers who will be leaving for home very soon after undertaking two years of voluntary work in the Solomon Islands. Mr Yusuke Nishiyama, a science teacher, worked at the Arnon Atomea school in Malu’u, North Malaita, Ms Misato Amano worked with the Malaria Division of the Honiara City Council, Ms Yuriko Mizobuchi demonstrated cooking to women at the NRH and at the Red Cross Development Centre and Ms Tomomi KimuraRead More
Climate change among challenges facing Solomon Water
THE impact of climate change has been dubbed as Solomon Water’s future challenge, one that will affect the vulnerability of portable water services in the Solomon Islands. As part of Solomon Water’s 30-year draft strategic plan, discussions held last week points out that the organization’s future challenge in implementing its programmes is the vulnerability of key water and wastewater assets to extreme events and climate change. Solomon Water’s General Manager, Ian Gooden said, “Whilst there have been significant improvements in recent years, institution capacity is an ongoing challenge and anRead More
60 percent of water used not billed
MORE than 60 percent of produced water from source are not billed according to Solomon Water. The Solomon Islands Water Authority have discovered that there is a high loss of water that is not billed due to the combination of leaks, illegal connections and meter inaccuracy. Solomon Water’s General Manager, Ian Gooden said the imposed high volume of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) increases operation costs, and major loss of income for them. Mr Gooden said Honiara is not the only town facing such shortfall but also Auki, Noro and Tulagi asRead More
Tutu Zone “Hey Dad Formation” workshop
TWENTY seven men from Tutu Zone on Northwest Choiseul attended a workshop called “Hey Dad Formation” at Tutu on the 17th and 18th of this month. According to Mr Nerio Ulemiki reporting from Christ the King parish at Voruvoru, “Hey Dad” is a programme for men parenting children. It is aimed at all fathers particularly those parenting under challenging circumstances. Its purpose is for the whole family unit to benefit from their fathers being more involved with their children and more confident in their parenting role. Mr Ulemiki said theRead More
Peter Kenilorea Junior fills PS position
THE Government this week has formally announced Peter Kenilorea Junior as the new substantive Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. Prior to his appointment by the Solomon Islands Government, Peter was employed as an International Civil Servant with the United Nations Secretariat in New York. From 2000-2017 he has held positions in the UN Office of Legal Affairs, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the UN Department of General Assembly and Conference Management, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,Read More
Boat accident claims life
A mother of three was killed after two boats collided outside the Kukudu Adventist School on Kolombangara Island in the Western Province. Police and locals are still searching for a 16 year old boy who also went missing following the incident. The collision occurred around 8:00 pm on Friday evening. According to Gizo Police Operations yesterday, another three passengers also received medical treatment at Gizo Hospital. It was reported that more than five passengers were on board the two OBM’s involved in the collision. Gizo Police Operations said they wereRead More
Mother concerns again over expired goods in Gizo shop
A concerned mother is calling on responsible authorities to visit shops in Gizo over expired goods. A woman from Kolombangara Island expressed her disappointment after she bought two tin foods on Friday and found out later that the goods have already expired. “We felt angry about what happened as my family were shocked to have learned that the food has already expired before we had our dinner. “As a mother I’m calling on the Ministry of Trade and commerce and Health Departments to keep monitoring Shops within Gizo town forRead More
South San Jorge landowners meet with head of governments
THE Landowners of South San Jorge have met with heads of both the national and provincial governments. Last week the landowning group met with Officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Prime Minister Office (Chief of Staff on behalf of the Prime Minister) then travelled to Buala on Friday where a meeting with the Premier of Isabel Province was held on Saturday. In his speech, the Premier of Isabel Province Hon James Habu said mineral development is fully controlled by the government and that the province has very limitedRead More