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‘Gov’t takes serious public demand seriously’

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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THE Minister for Civil Aviation and Communications, Peter Shanel

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE national government takes seriously the public demand for transparency in information dissemination.

This was uttered by Minister for Communication and Aviation Peter Shanel Agovaka on the matter of temporary suspension of Facebook.

Agovaka said in terms of Transparency in dissemination of information the government takes seriously the public demand for transparency in dissemination of information.

He said initiatives such as the weekly radio talk back shows, frequent press conference, the Prime Ministers weekly live address, distribution of Press Releases to stakeholders and the media are some of the testaments of the government’s proactive responses to the demand.

“The government believes these initiatives are made in the interest of creating a space for national conversation to take place. Yet despite of these, social media users continue to misinterpret and misconstrue public information to suit their own agendas.

The public is strongly encouraged to make use of both print and broadcast media and other social media platforms such as twitter and google plus to exercise their freedom of expression and gather information.

As stated above, the suspension of this social media platform is temporary while policy and lawmakers explore ways in which this can be regulated so that individuals can be held accountable for what they say in social media.

The government wishes to make it clear that freedom of expression remains intact and is not infringed upon. Other social media platforms are not affected; however this does not mean that they will not be monitored,” said Agovaka.

He stressed the above sentiments at the latest press conference of Temporary ban of Facebook.

Ministry of Agriculture focuses on export

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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ROws of Cassava blocks at Adeliua Taiwanese farm

By EDDIE OSIFELO

MINISTRY of Agriculture and Livestock has invested in agriculture this year with the aim of developing it into a new industry.

Speaking at the sine die motion in Parliament on Tuesday, Minister Senley Levi Filualea said there is so much they can achieve through cassava – as a new export commodity – exporting roots and leaves, for the local market as cassava flour and as starch, roots and leaves as animal feeds and can be used in other value add products.

He said a $2.7 million investment with Sape Farm for root crop production for export, food security and animal feeds.

“As of today, the farm has now cultivated and planted about 31 hectares of cassava and now look to roll out more to its 80 out growers around the Guadalcanal G-Plains.

“Earlier this year, we saw Varivao exported cassava to Australia in partnership with Sape Farm and its out growers,” he said.

Minister Filualea said in the coming months they expect to see more cassava exports as they look towards harvesting of current farms and the constructions of two park houses that will see proper processing that is meeting food safety standards.

Furthermore, he said a $2.4 million support to FoodWorks Suppliers to increase supply of day old chicks to meet local demand is now materialised and they will launched the support this Monday with the first batch of day old chicks totalling 17,000 and a further 6,000 first week of December.

“Our chicken farmers often wait for months for day old chicks.

“It was reported to me that some of them are still waiting since last year,” he said.

Minister Filualea said this support is timely creating income opportunities for their own people.

He said reducing the second highest agriculture imports – which is poultry products.

“We are ahead in our plans to develop our own local food supply systems than rely on other countries to feed us.

“These too will contribute towards improving our trade deficit which is now at its lowest,” he said.

Maelanga highlights infrastructure projects

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

DEPUTY Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga has highlighted the ongoing national infrastructures projects nationwide in Parliament on Tuesday.

Speaking on the sine die motion, Mr Maelanga, also the Minister of Infrastructure Development, said the country’s infrastructure development means new roads, bridges and wharves and also expanded internet.

He said that a number of ticket projects are planned and already started to improve the infrastructure development in the country.

The projects includes the upgrading of the international airport, roads from Kukum to Henderson, the tarsealing of domestic airports and the construction of wharves and bridges in the provinces.

Furthermore, Maelanga said in Temotu province, there is a planned trade relationship underway.

“Our task therefore is to ensure that these plans go with the relevant infrastructure plans and actual infrastructure.

“We must prepare to construct the relevant infrastructure to secure that side of our country,” he said.

In Makira/Ulawa Province, Maelanga also said that work has already commenced in various infrastructures.

“We must also make sure the rump at Kirakira is completed successfully.

“That internal roads connecting will also be developed including bridges,” he said.

Maelanga said Makira province has huge capacity in the agriculture sector therefore it needs the roads to connect the farmers, wharves to load and unload products and so forth.

In Malaita province Maelanga said Malu’u wharf should commence as soo as the contractor is engaged.

“This will ease pressure at Auki wharf as the Malaita Northern Malaita Region beefs up its economic activities,” he said.

He further stated that in Auki the Kokola Taba’a road will also be priorities to connect Auki with these communities.

He also said that the government will also support proposed communication infrastructure for Sikaiana.

In Guadalcanal Province, Maelanga said that Aola Marau Road will be prioritised to connect that part of Guadalcanal into the opportunities available between South Guadalcanal.

Moreover, he said that Rennell Bellona his ministry will maintain and expand the road network covering the World Heritage site to the Airport and township which was factored in the national development infrastructure plan.

For Choiseul he said they will enhance their road programme and ensure that the necessary infrastructure plans towards the new township is captured within the plan.

Maelanga said that Tulagi roads will also be implemented for Central Islands Province as one of the tourist destination.

In Isabel, Maelanga said there is an ongoing programme to support provincial, private and national initiatives to construct new roads connecting potential economic hub and social services.

For Western province the government prioritise constructing a new wharf in Maravo and that will commence after engineering formalities are finalised.

Maelanga said that the country’s development must not only meet economic targets but must also embrace a united Solomon Islands.

Chiefs need recognition: Manetoali

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Member of Parliament for Gao/Bughotu, Samuel Manetoali

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs, Samuel Manetoali says the role of chiefs need to be recognised because they help maintain peace in the communities.

Speaking in the sine die motion in Parliament yesterday, Manetoali said in every villages in Solomon Islands, the chiefs and elders are the ones looking after the villages every day.

He said they settle disputes, call for community work and welcome strangers in the villages.

“The chiefs and elders are important people in our villages.

“They lay down rules in the villages,” he said.

Furthermore, Manetoali said the chiefs settle disputes day by day.

He said they maintain peace in the villages.

“In order to have peace, we must recognise the work of chiefs and the church.

“There cannot be any development until there is peace,” he said.

Manetoali said we cannot see or touch peace, but if we see people smiling, there is peace.

“If we see people praying, there is peace.

“If we see people singing, there is peace. If we see people dancing, there is peace,” he said.

Manetoali said peace if biblical.

“Our Lord said it all, blessed are the peace makers, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them,” he said.

Soga rebuts Wale in parl closing

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has lashed out at Opposition Leader, Matthew Wale for attacking the government on its roles, governance and decisions made on a number of national issues.

Some of the issues related to suspension of Solomon Islands Nurses Association, temporary suspension of Facebook, alleged soliciting funds from logging companies to hold members in the government and the State of Public Emergency gives too much power to Sogavare.

Winding the sine die motion last night, Sogavare described some of the allegations made by Wale as defamation of character.

He said Wale’s debate was out of context and rhetoric.

Furthermore, Sogavare accused Wale and former Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal, Dr Derek Sikua for soliciting millions of dollars to bring him down in the past.

He said Wale was firing a lot of bullets which were not effective.

Moreover, Sogavare used the sine die motion to outline Government’s programme to achieve under the re-direction policy.

He said the government aims to table the Federal Constitution and reformed the fiscal regime.

Sogavare said work on anti-corruption has started with the appointment of Director of Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC).

He said there is need to bring the Constitution Boundary Commission report to pass or reject it.

Parliament resumes in the first quarter next year.

PM’s chief of staff citizenship hearing made

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Robson Djokovic

BY JENNIFER KKUSAPA

THE civil case hearing on the issue of citizenship in relation to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Robson Djokovic was made yesterday at the High Court.

Wilson Rano who represents Djokovic filed a submission on behalf of his client to the court seeking declaration under section 20 subsection one and section 26 subsection one of the Solomon Island constitution.

Rano submitted that as an indigenous Solomon Islander, Djokovic’s citizenship is automatically in regard of whether he holds any other citizenship from any country.

Meanwhile the Attorney General on behalf of the Citizenship Commission argued that Djokovic lost his Solomon Islands citizenship as he currently holds an Australian passport.

The hearing was made yesterday and awaiting the court’s judgment on a later date.

High Court Judge Justice Harward Lawry presides over the case.

Meanwhile Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau also said during the press conference yesterday that the criminal case against Robson Djokovic relating to his citizenship and his registration to vote in the 2019 National General Election, will be stayed pending the outcome of his civil case at the High Court.

Prosecution told to amend PTC checklist

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi has told prosecution to amend the current PTC checklist and file to the court by December 15.

This is in regards to the case against a 37-year-old man accused of stealing huge amounts of money from his employer in August this year.

Magistrate Taeburi said prosecution needs to clearly include the issues for trial in their PTC checklist.

Therefore, she adjourned the case to December 16 for an interim mention to sort those issues.

Ms Taeburi also said the trial date will be set by the presiding Magistrate DCM Ricky Iomea as he is the one presiding over the case.

This is the case of Ian Pias Walelabua who faces one count of Burglary in relation to an incident occurred on August 28 between 11.30pm and 12.30am when the victim and his wife were out from their residence at Henderson, Central Guadalcanal Province.

Police said the accused and other male entered into the complainant’s house by climbing the walling to enter inside the house and removed the security camera.

Police alleged it was when they were inside the house, they then removed a cash box that contain the amount of $300, 000SBD, $20,000AUD and $5,000 pounds.

It was also alleged that the defendant Walelabua before committing the offence did called another employee, who also works for the complainant to find out the couple’s movement on that night.

Police said the phone conversations were made by the accused was to check on the couple whether they were out of their residence.

Police also said the accused Walelabua worked as an electronic officer for the complainant.

The Public Solicitor’s Office is representing the accused in court.

Prepare for USAID Scale programme: Suidani

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

PREMIER of Malaita Province, Daniel Suidani has reiterated his call to Malaitans for positive engagement in light of the USAID scale programme.

He reiterates the call, which he had made few times in recent weeks, as consultation now progresses between USAID, MPG and implementing partners of the programme.

In a statement from the province’s policy advisory body (PARU), Suidani urged resource owners in the province and people at large to prepare to participate in the USAID scale Programme.

He said his MARA government had made strong emphasis on a paradigm shift to development to one that puts strong emphasis on restorative economy.

Suidani said restorative economy was a notion adopted by Malaita Provincial executive, of economic activity that rebuilds natural, social and cultural intactness, resilience and vitality.

Adding that the central idea is that sustainability is a sufficient target only in the absence of massive structural destruction of ecological and sociocultural systems.

He said given decades of destruction and diminishment, restoration and rebuilding needs to be the higher-order goal of economic activity in Malaita province.

Suidani said the importance of this restorative economy is the call for Malaitans to restore their relationships both vertically and horizontally aiming at revitalising those long lost survival principles of living and caring for each other.

“I would like to call on you my good people of Malaita province that this is an opportunity we must approach with openness, togetherness and with the attitude of genuineness in dealing with each other,” he said.

Appealing on all tribes, communities and landowning groups to get organise and resolve issues that would stand in the way to stop them from progressing development in their communities under scale programme. 

“This is the time for us to progress together and nothing else,” Suidani said.

He said it’s important for individuals to share something positive amongst communities in the province like on development models and approaches that are successful in ones communities.

PARU encourages Malaitans and interested people to visit their office at the provincial office in Auki to share successful stories with the office. Information sharing is the key to positive development.

Kakamora tops Group B

Written by
Taromane Martin
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Makira Ulawa Kakamora starting 11 against Isabel Frigates yesterday. Kakamora moves top of Group B following their 3-0 win over Frigates yesterday. Picture Peter Zoleveke II.

Shields suffer second defeat

By Taromane Martin

MAKIRA Ulawa Kakamora moves top of Group B following a 3-0 win over Isabel Frigates in Day 6 of the 2020 Solomon Cup.

Three second half goals from Philip Polancos, Andrew Hanua and Climson Mauto were enough to secure all three points for the George Fafale coached side yesterday against a determined Frigates side.

Despite the loss Frigates Head Coach Gideon Omokirio was pleased with his boy’s performance saying their remaining fixture against Central Shield is a must win game.

“Thank you to the boys for their performance today.  Despite the result I’m pleased with the way they played today,”Omokirio said.

“For me the part I was disappointed with was that we failed to make use of our chances today. If we had finished off our chances, I believe we would have won the game.

“But congratulations to Kakamora. They worked really hard and definitely gave us a good game. They finished off their chances which boosted their performance towards the end.

“Despite the result, my boys played much stronger than against Renbel which I’m very happy with,” Coach Omokirio said.

With one game remaining for Frigates, Omokirio says pressure is mounting for his side but vows to bounce back to keep their title hopes alive.

“Against Central it’s a must win game for us. Pressure is mounting for us so that game is a must win for us.

“We will improve and make sure we learn from our mistakes today, especially our finishing.  If we collect all three points then we’ll have seven points and then will see what the results from the other games in the group will be like ” he said.

Now with six points and top of Group B, Kakamora Head Coach George Fafale says though his side were not secure in their performance, their tactical game definitely helped them with their win yesterday.

“Our tactical game I think helped us win the game in the last 20 minutes.  I had to encourage the boys in the second half because most of the boys this is a new scene and atmosphere for them.

“But thank you to the boys for giving their very best, which I did not expect from them,” he said.

With two games to go Coach Fafale says they will take their preparation step by step as they look to qualify for the semifinals.

“We’ll have a short time to recover. We’ll take it step by step for our last two remaining matches. We respect our opponents. However, we’ll play to the best of our abilities in those two games, ” Fafale said.

Standings for Group B after Day 6 of competition yesterday sees Makira Ulawa Kakamora with six points, Renbel Ibis with four points, Isabel Frigates with four points, Honiara Warriors with three points, while Central Shields are still without a point following their second loss in the competition to ibis yesterday.

Puia foils u-turn

Written by
Admin
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VICTOROUS - Renbel Ibis hero multi talented athlete, Lavernstar Puia celebrates his late winner against Central Shield yesterday. Photo PETER ZOLEVEKE II.

Ibis third in Group B

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

A killer goal by Renbel Ibis forward Lavernstar Puia in the dying seconds of extra time saw ibis upset Central Shields in Day 6 of the 2020 Solomon Cup yesterday.

Following their 7-0 mauling to Honiara Warriors in their opening match on Tuesday, Central Shields Head Coach Tome Kiki said his side were hoping to make a U-turn against ibis in their second match of the competition.

However, the Batram Suri ibis coached side shocked Shields with a 1-0 victory, causing one of the tournament’s biggest upset in Group B.

The win moves ibis into third position with four points after three matches played behind Isabel Frigates in second and Makira Ulawa Kakamora in first position.

It was a game full of intensity with both sides having equal opportunities in front of the goal mouth. Shields attack led by veteran Oscar Sara, despite a number of chances failed to penetrate a disciplined Ibis back three defenses, led by Patterson Tongaka.

Ibis pressed throughout both halves, thanks to the continuous well-managed ball distribution from central attacking midfielder Jorge B Tongaka, who kept speedsters Steve Mane and Puia busy in causing havoc for Shields defense, with a number of clear goal scoring opportunities.    

A switch in the remaining ten minutes of the second half by Coach Suri saw Puia moved to the right flanks after calling off Tongaka, with ibis almost penetrating Shields defense time and time again.

Despite Shields defense holding on for the whole of the 90 minutes, their shields were finally cracked in the dying seconds of extra time when a loose high lob from the center was chased down by Puia who managed to win the ball in the 50/50 encounter with Shields custodian.

His header was right on the money, heading the ball over and into the open net in the 91+2 minute of the game.

“The victory for us is good to match the other teams in the group and hopefully finish second to qualify for the next stage,” a relieved Suri said after the game.

“We will try our best to maintain second because I believe that Makira will go through as leaders so we have to fight for the second place.

“I’m very happy with the performance of the boys, they showed courage and never give up the fighting spirit until the final whistle.

Ibis now have a crucial game at hand against host Honiara Warriors while Central Shields has two games left against Isabel Frigates and Makira Ulawa Kakamora who tops Group B with six points following their 3-0 win over Isabel Frigates in the 1pm clash yesterday.

With Honiara Warriors up next for Renbel ibis, Coach Suri knows their chances of collecting all three points will be tough but vows to give the capital side their best, as they seek qualification for the knockout stages.

“Our chances in the last match will not be easy, at the end of the day the boys worked hard for these points. It’s a slim chance for us if we should make it through.

“Our preparation ahead for a team like Honiara will be challenging but I will try my best out of the best to help the team prepare, perform and match the capital players,” says Suri.

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