JOASH Tuai from Malaita Province has commended the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) for the internship program under the Pacific Litter Project (POLP).
Tuai and four others have been graduated by Australia and ECD with certificates for completing their intern program under POLP at Outback Holiday Resort in West Honiara on Tuesday 29 October.
POLP Project is supported by the Australian Government.
Tuai said this internship program has really supported him and his colleagues to build their capacity and gain experience in environmental work in the country.
“This intern program is really helping me in terms of capacity-building and I learned a lot of new things and experienced working in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology particularly in implementing the plastic regulation, which the government passed last year,” Tuai said.
Apart from the plastic ban project, Tuai also worked with a Conservation Group, which went to Auki to do awareness on how to conserve mangroves.
This awareness program duration was one week and it introduced people to a new mangrove policy.
“It is important to conserve mangroves by way of carbon-trading because they have high carbon,” Tuai said.
Tuai said this internship program has supported him and his family.
He managed to build a house with money he received from the program.
“This intern program helps me financially. I built a house and am able to support my children’s education by paying their school fees and meeting other needs and wants of my family,” he said.
Tuai highlighted that he was really inspired with the environmental work he was involved and would like to explore more when he is accepted to permanently work in MECDM.
He said he applied for a job with the ECD and he is waiting to be shortlisted.
Tuai recommended the intern program to other students who have graduated from universities because it will help build their capacity through training, workshops and field work.
“You will learn a lot about the environmental policies and regulations of Solomon Islands Government, other governments as well as regional and international organizations through such internship work,” he added.
Photo caption: Joash Tuai (sitting at the far left) with four other interns with their certificate. Standing are Australian High Commission officials and MECDM staff
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
