Gozoruru Agriculture Research Centre to be developed.

From left to right: Isabel Government rep, Isabel Premier Hon James Habu, MAL Minister Hon Duddley Kopu, MAL PS Jim Saelea and Isabel Provincial Gov't Rep .
Standing from left to right: Hon Dr Culwick Togamana and Isabel Provincial Gov't Rep.

The National government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, MAL, and the Isabel Provincial government have signed a memorandum of Understanding, MOU, and officially opened the Gozoruru Agriculture Development and Research Centre in Isabel Province last week.

This has paved the way for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, MAL, to develop Gozoruru site into the main Agriculture Development and Research Centre for the country.

Speaking during the MOU signing, Minister for MAL Hon Duddley Kopu said the MOU has two objectives.

“One, to facilitate the use of resources within the Gozoruru property by the Ministry for establishing Agriculture development centre where research and development will be the main focus,” Hon Kopu said.

“Two, to foster collaboration between Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Isabel Provincial government with regard to agriculture development for Isabel province and the country,” he said.

Under the MOU, MAL will gradually establish an agriculture research field station and programs or records on research and land use planning, integrated rice development, livestock development, cattle breeding and related activities.

Parliament Member for Maringe/Kokota Constituency, Hon Dr Culwick Togamana said the agriculture centre will seek to address too many issues.

“From strictly agriculture research, it will focus on actual methods of growing and utilizing crop plants with animal production,” Dr Togamana said.

“The research facilities will use agricultural methods, develop empirically invites part of the world and submit them to critical field experimentations to test their viability for use in actual practice and climatic conditions,” he said.

Hon Premier James Habu and Minister MAL, Hon  Duddley Kopu at Gozoruru Agriculture Development and Research centre.

Meanwhile the Isabel Provincial Premier Hon James Habu said the MOU signing and opening of the Gozoruru Agriculture Development and Research Centre is done in the best interest of Isabel people and all Solomon Islanders.

Hon Habu said  agriculture remains the back bone of the country and agriculture research is very important because most people rely on agriculture.

Hon Habu said agriculture research is very important for food security and national security.

“In short I will say it is in the best interest of our people of Isabel Province and also in the interest of our people in the Isabel Provincial government,” Hon Habu said.

He said Isabel Provincial Assembly believes that Agriculture is the backbone of the country.

Hon Habu assures the national government that Isabel province will committed to support the agriculture research project.

“The Isabel government will do its best and I appeal to our good people including the government officers to do our part, and our good communities, that whatever we think, this is important for us and for our country,” he said.

“Our farmers, students and all the people of our province will have access to the research and of course everybody will benefit,” Hon Habu said.

He said Isabel Province is happy to partner with MAL to develop the agriculture centre.

About 400 hectares of land is given to MAL by the Isabel Provincial government for development.

MAL Minister Hon Duddley Kopu and Isabel Premier Hon James Habu officially opening the Gozoruru Agriculture Development and Research Centre.

The MOU was signed by the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, MAL, Hon Duddley Kopu, Permanent Secretary MAL, Jim Saelea, Isabel Premier Hon James Habu and a rep from the Isabel Provincial government.

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Australian High Commissioner Roderick Brazier visited Guadalcanal Western Weather coast

Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke and Australian High Commissioner Roderick Brazier walking to Paila Village: Photo Supplied

Australian High Commissioner, Roderick Brazier made his first visit to Tangarare and Paila villages in Weather coast of Guadalcanal on Thursday 8^th June 2017.

A media statement from the High Commission office said Mr Brazier was accompanied by Guadalcanal Premier, Anthony Veke.

 He was given a traditional welcome at Tangarare village on their arrival.

The statement said, in a meeting at Tangarare Provincial Secondary school with the students, chiefs and community leaders, Mr Brazier discussed the final withdrawal of RAMSI and assured the people of the ongoing corporation between Australia and Solomon Islands in security and development.

“Although RAMSI is leaving, Australia remains your close friend and neighbour, and our commitment to Solomon Islands is as strong as ever,’ Mr Brazier said.

He answered questions from an enthusiastic audience about Australia’s Direct Aid Program, Australia Award Scholarships and the Labour Mobility Scheme.

Australian High Commissioner Roderick Brazier, center with Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke, seated to his right, with Paila community members. Photo Supplied

The Australian High Commissioner also visited the Tangarare Area Health Clinic that has solar powered lights thanks to an Australian Direct Aid Program project.

Clinic staff told Mr Brazier that without the support of the Australian Government, night-time delivery of babies would be far more difficult for staff and mothers alike.

In Paila Village, Mr Brazier and Premier Veke were hosted by the Paila Community Learning Centre, an initiative supported by the Australian government.

Mr Brazier was shown the students’ work including coconut oil, woven bags and clothing.

Australian High Commissioner Roderick Brazier viewing coconut oil produced by the Paila Community Learning Centre. Photo Supplied.

The Paila community discussions again focused on Australia’s intention to continue the support to the people of the Solomon Islands through development programs and security support.

The media release stated, The Australian High Commissioner told the community that Australia will continue to work with the Solomon Islands Government to improve the lives of all Solomon Islanders, including those in rural and remote areas.

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18 firearms and more than 2800 round of ammunition surrendered to RSIPF

Fire arms surrendered to RSIPF during amnesty. Photo supplied 

A total of 18 firearms and more than 2800 round of ammunition have been surrendered to police at the end of the final amnesty,  midnight 9^th June 2017.

RSIPF Commissioner Mathew Varley announced this in a police statement issued Saturday 10^th June.

These consisted of:

•           Two (2) SR88 rifles, likely to be former police weapons stolen in the Tension era;

•           One (1) pump action shot gun

•           Several .22 calibre bolt action rifles

•           Several home made or modified weapons

•           Two (2) handguns, including one pistol and one WW II revolver

•           Two machine gun frames and barrels from WWII.

Ammunition surrendered to RSIPF during amnesty: Photo supplied

Hundreds of rounds of live and workable ammunition were also surrendered.

A portion of the rounds of ammunition are old and likely to be from the WWII era. 

The statement said the items are now safely stored in the custody of the RSIPF.

Commissioner Varley thanked those who handed in their weapons and the stakeholders who worked alongside police to encourage others to do the same.

“Our RSIPF officers and SIPPCRA members have conducted dozens of engagement talks and visits to communities and villages right across Solomon Islands,” Commissioner Varley said.

“We are grateful for the courage and honesty shown by community groups and leaders who worked with us to progress this Amnesty.  Each gun and bullet handed in has made Solomon Islands a safer place,” he said.

Commissioner Varley said this is the Government’s final amnesty  and there will be no leniency for persons found with illegal firearms after 9^th June.

“Anyone found now with firearms will be arrested and charged for illegal possession of firearms,” he said.

The statement said the Government and RSIPF will announce details about the destruction of the firearms soon.

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Solomon Islands into FIRST Global Robotics Olympics

Team Woodford International School, Solomon Islands with their Mentor Mr Rakesh Pandey, second from right, for the FIRST US Global Robotics Olympics, 2017. Photo supplied.

A four-member team from Woodford International School will for the first time represent Solomon Islands to participate in the Robotics Competition in Washington DC on the 17th-18th July 2017.

The competition is being held only for high school-age level students of age range from 15 to 18 years from more than 165 nations around the globe.

In an interview, Team Mentor Mr Rakesh Pandey said this is huge opportunity for young students in Solomon Islands.

“It’s a very inspiring moment not just for Woodford International School and Solomon Islands but for the Pacific Region,” said Mr Pandey.

“The point of all these is to inspire kids to tell them where science can take you, what are the possibilities of science,” he said.

He said the idea is also to promote the STEM based education in all schools.

“Now STEM is something needs to be focused on. S is Science, T is technology, E is engineering and M is Mathematics. So the whole idea of the event is to celebrate STEM education,” he said.

Youngest team member Travis, the team's little programmer said he is excited to represent Solomon Islands and Woodford International School.

“Seeing that I am only 12 and underage I am grateful for the opportunity that i have been given to make new friends, learn about robots and see how others interpret the problem,” Travis said.

“This competition means the world to me and I am 100% sure that this experience will change my life forever,” he said.

Team captain, Ryan, who is the designer, programmer, operator and spokesperson said being a part of this competition has now opened his mind to reality and his ambitions. “It falls directly in line with what I would like to pursue in the future,” Ryan said.

 “An opportunity of a lifetime would be an understatement.” he said.

Team builder Nathan, who’s nicknamed “Mr Extrusion,” said he is really honored to be part of this competition with his team.

“Travelling to the US will be a great experience. This would be a great opportunity to represent my school Woodford international in the Solomon Islands,” Nathan said.

 “This would be the first time Solomon Islands is being represented in this competition and going to be able to work with other countries around the world and given that I am 14 years old this will be a great experience,” he said.

Another Team member, Marialena who is ever enthusiastic and brings organization to the team said she is happy and satisfied of the progress of their team work.

“I cannot wait for the moment that our robot is ready and presented to other groups as well,” Marialena said.

“I am so excited for having the chance to compete with all these different countries and meet new people,” she said.

The team is hopeful the opportunity will allow  Solomon Islands to be recognized internationally.

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"Stunted Children," Survey Reveals

Stunted children :Photo provided

About 32 percent of children under age of five are stunted and ten percent of them are severely stunted according to the Solomon Islands National Statistics Development Strategy, NSDS, 2015 and 16-2035.

Speaking during the NSDS launch this week in Honiara, Government Statistician Douglas Kimi said this is one of interesting findings in the Demographic Health Survey, DHS.

“Low height or stunted growth is the result of health and nutritional factors and also poor socio-economic conditions,” Kimi said.

He said this issue seriously needs to be addressed because of its impacts on the whole country.

“With the trend of significant reduction in the adult size, this will have implications for reduced work capacity impeding on economic productivity and draining out of our potential labour force for the country,” he said.

Meanwhile Mr Kimi said with the launching of the NSDS, producers and consumers in the country will now have a twenty year plan to be provided with updated and important information for planning purposes.

“It is our road mark with a clear vision and a mission to accomplish,” he said. 

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192 family violence victims sought Seif Ples

Say No to Violence slogan

A total of one-hundred and ninety-two violence victims sought safety from the Seif Ples Care Centre for the last three months to date.

In an interview, Seif Ples Deputy Centre Manager Falu Maesugea said their record showed  most of the victims were women, girls and children.

Ms Maesugua said a lot of them sought shelter during celebrations of big events.

“Times like Mother’s Day and Easter Celebrations are the times most women coming through to seek safety,” Ms Maesugea said.

“Our data shows that these are times  that maybe fathers and boy-friends took alcohol and so on,” she said.

Ms Maesugea said alcohol is the main cause of many who came to seek care from the centre.

“Most of the women and girls who come around mentioned to us that their aggressive dad or husband or boy-friend commit violence when under the influence of alcohol,” she said.

Seif Ples is working closely with Safe the Children in the fight against Family Violence.

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“Please Guns in!” Deputy Police Commissioner.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Deputy Police Commissioner Gabriel Manelusi

Deputy Police Commissioner Operations Gabriel Manelusi has reiterated the call to hand in illegal fire arms and ammunition to the police before the amnesty period ends.

Speaking to SIBC’s Distaem Nao Program, Mr Manelusi  said only  four  days remained before the amnesty  period lapses midnight Friday 9^th June 2017.

He said citizens are asked to encourage anyone who might in possession of firearms to hand in to the police before it is too late.

“Police will not tolerate, but investigate and to enforce the full force of the law, to those who might police believed, are still possessed with arms after number nine,” Manelusi said.

Meanwhile the Deputy Commissioner said total number of arms surrendered to police still stand at three.

“Three rifles and a pistol and more than thousand ammunition have been surrendered to police,” he said.

The amnesty program is a joint disarmament task force led by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, RSIPF, and supported by the Solomon Islands Post Conflict Rehabilitation and Restoration Association, SIPCRRA.

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Continuation of blogging

After couple of years, I have decided to revisit my blog and continue posting my interests and also some soft stories. So follow my blog if you are interest. Hope we have some fun.