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Frigates soar in G-Cup 2020

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East Guadalcanal Firgates celebrating Paul Francis opening goal coming in the second stanza. Picture Peter Zoleveke II

An undefeated feat

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

EAST GUADALCANAL Frigates was crowned 2020 Guadalcanal Cup undefeated winners following a thrilling grand final 3-0 showdown against North/West Guadalcanal Noni yesterday at the Lawson Tama stadium.

Both finalists came in the competition as underdogs to set a new record in the major provincial event.

The Eddie Marahare coached side waited till early in the second half to find the back of the net.

“I had to encourage the boys during the breather that they still have the opportunity to prove themselves in the next 45’ minutes and we won, undefeated throughout the tournament,” Marahare expressed in a post-match interview.

“What we did was pack up our fronts with high press in our attack to capitalize and avoid mistakes. I’m impressed with the response the boys have shown.

An awarded free kick just outside of the 18 yard box broke the deadlock, through a Paul Francis well-placed far post shot.

“We respect our opponents, we played them in our Pool game which we won 3-2 and I think the convenience disturbed our play in the first half,” Marahare said.

 N/W Guadalcanal Noni had clear chances to secure a point gap had if their chances were rightly executed as head coach Barnabas Loloito blamed finishing was their weakness.

“Actually the first half the boys were contained with the game plan and strategy we are working on. Just finishing is our problem and the second half we try to re-strategize but you know the players are home boys they are merely adapted to the modern standard so they just go back to the typical style of football,” Loloito said.

 Francis had a brace to his name before called off for injuries.

East Guale captain Youngstorm Hetia put the icing on the cake from a counter attacking play for a neat cross that picked him unmarked to seal victory.

NWG remained with 10 players for the reminder of the second match after a defender was shown the dressing room for a dangerous tackle.

The third and fourth playoff saw North Guadalcanal thump South Guadalcanal 3-0 to secure the second runners up place.

TEAM AWARDS;

WINNERS – EAST GUADALCANAL FRIGATES

FIRST RUNNERS UP- NORTH WEST GUADALCANAL NONI

SECOND RUNNERS UP – NORTH GUADALCANAL

THIRD RUNNERS UP – SOUTH GUADALCANAL

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS;

Fair Play – West Guadalcanal

Golden Glove – Cornelius Juniro (East Guadalcanal)

Golden boot – Simon Sagi (North Guadalcanal)

Player of the tournament – Francis Paul (East Guadalcanal)

Govt to discuss budget and state of public emergency

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Parliament

By EDDIE OSIFELO

GOVERNMENT will discuss a re-direction and come up with a resolution to spend money until the expiry of four months since the 2019 budget is not ready.

It will also deliberate on whether to extend the State of Public Emergency for the next four months when it ends on November 25.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare moved a special adjournment motion in Parliament yesterday to move the sitting to Thursday, November 19, 2020 in order to allow the government to deliberate on both issues.

Opposition Leader, Mathew Wale supported the motion moved by the Prime Minister.

However, Wale decided to raise some issues in order for the Government to provide answers and details when Parliament resumes in the next sitting.

He asked the government to provide list of the Economic Stimulus Package and explain why some Members of Parliament received more than $600,000 than other MPs.

Further to that, Wale asked for Government to explain the cash flow problem in the Treasury and performance of the economy in this trying time.

“The house should be informed on the number of jobs lost due to covid 19, noting the jobs lost that are not covid-19 related, new jobs created, or projected to be created, by the various government interventions through ESP and projects, especially the Pacific Games construction projects,” he said.

He said government will see how the information will be presented in Parliament when discussing the resolution here.

However, Sogavare said jobs creation is very important in any economy and country which government will try to address.

3 more cases

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islands has recorded three more positive covid-19 cases.

Of the three new cases, one is a student repatriated from the Philippines while the other two cases are footballers who returned from the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his ‘nationwide address’ yesterday on the covid-19 situation said this now brings to 16, the total number of positive cases registered in Solomon Islands.

“Fellow citizens, I am saddened to inform the nation that we have recorded a further three cases of covid-19 since my last announcement. This now brings to 16, the total number of covid-19 cases registered in Solomon Islands,” said Sogavare.

“Of the three new cases, one is from the original group from the Philippines. This brings to five the total number of cases from the Philippines.

“The good news is that this 5th case has now converted to negative. This means that all five cases from the Philippines are now negative.

“The other two cases are footballers that returned from the United Kingdom. This brings to 10 the total number of footballers that have covid-19. Only six of the 16 footballers are still not infected.

“However, given the nature of the virus, we anticipate more positive among the footballers in the coming days. The saving grace is that all the footballers are quarantine in a separate quarantine station so they cannot infect others.

“Based on these numbers, we now have 11 confirmed covid-19 positive cases from the flight that arrived on October 25 from Auckland. 10 of these are footballers and one from Korea. All these 11 cases are still positive.”

According to the Prime Minister, it is sad that most of the positive cases resulted from dishonesty by Solomon Islands own citizens. He said they lied in their pre-departure assessment forms.

“As a result of the behaviour of few of our citizens that opened our country to this unprecedented increase in numbers of covid-19 cases, my government will hold these people responsible for endangering our people and our country,” said Sogavare.

“At the same time, the government is tightening up the pre-departure assessment form making it a ‘prescribed form’. This simply means that anyone who lies on the form will be prosecuted after their release from quarantine stations.”

Sogavare said the ‘Government’ has tried its best in good faith to bring its people back home but Solomon Islands very own people have not returned the good faith.

“Fellow citizens, as I stated before, covid-19 is not a game. Unfortunately, many of our returning soccer players and some of our returning students from Philippines seem not to realize the gravity of the situation,” said Sogavare.

“By their dishonest actions, they knowingly endangered our citizens and our country. Their selfish actions had increased the cost of our fight against Covid-19 substantially. It has also delayed the repatriation of the many deserving citizens that are still waiting to return home. This is extremely disappointing.

“Fellow Solomon Islanders, contact tracing of the positive cases and their assessments have been completed. I would like to reassure all our good people that your Government remains committed to implementing appropriate and strict measures to prevent the spread of covid-19 into our communities.”

Solomon cocoa products launched in New Zealand

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Customers in New Zealand holding Solomon Islands cocoa products. Photo supplied

SOLOMON Islands cocoa company, Cathliro, achieved international success last month, launching a range of cocoa products in New Zealand. Cathliro was supported in this venture by the Australian Government initiative, Strongim Bisnis.

Cathliro’s products were launched in over 30 speciality and whole food grocery stores throughout New Zealand. The products were made from Solomon Islands grown cocoa. The range included cocoa powder, cocoa nibs, cocoa tea, sun-dried cocoa beans and roasted peeled cocoa beans.

The products were launched under the brand name “Pacifica Raw”. This brand is a collaboration between Cathliro and New Zealand chocolaterie company, She Universe. Strongim Bisnis supported this collaboration by introducing and facilitating the partnership between Cathliro and She Universe.

Australian High Commission, First Secretary Economics, Cailin Lucas, said “Exporting Solomon Islands grown products internationally creates new market opportunities for local businesses and showcases Solomon Islands to other countries. The Australian Government is pleased to help Solomon Islands businesses achieve this success and build resilience against the economic challenges caused by the Coronovirus pandemic.”


Pacifica Raw products, made from cocoa beans grown in Solomon Islands. Photo supplied

To launch Pacifica Raw’s products, tasting events were held at the largest store of the primary Auckland stockist, IE Produce. Customers at this store gave favourable feedback when tasting Solomon Islands’ cocoa. The most popular tastings included cocoa powder sprinkled over coconut yoghurt, and peeled cocoa beans.

Pacifica Raw’s products will be launched in She Universes’ chocolaterie during November. She Universe will host three launch events, present the products at two trade shows in Auckland, and run a tasting event in stores in December.

Pacifica Raw’s cocoa is sourced by Cathliro, from cocoa farmers primarily in Guadalcanal and Isabel provinces. Cathliro is a female-led, Solomon Islands enterprise, operated by Diana Yates. The company works with cocoa farmers and women’s groups to improve cocoa farming practices and teach Solomon Islands communities how to process cocoa into value-added products, such as cocoa nibs and chocolate, within the village.

Strongim Bisnis partners with Cathliro to facilitate its activities, as part of Strongim Bisnis’ efforts to develop COVID-19 resilient businesses. Strongim Bisnis is an Australian Government initiative that supports growth in the tourism, cocoa and coconut sectors with a strong focus on supporting women, youth and people with disability.

–STRONGIM BISNIS

“No police protest”

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

Commissioner Mangau says officers will continue duties while authorities work hard to pay outstanding allowances next week

BY JENNIFER KUAPA

POLICE Commissioner has guaranteed that his officers will not stage a sit-in protest against government’s failure to pay outstanding allowances.

He made the assurance following reports that police officers working frontline duties were threatening to stage a sit-in protest because government has not paid them several allowances including ones connected to covid-19 duties.

Commissioner Mostyn Mangau adds that responsible authorities are working hard to ensure these allowances are paid next week.

This he says comes from an understanding reached between the Office of the Prime Minister, Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services after discussions was held between them to address the problem.

Mangau explains that the Finance ministry has been facing difficulties in processing allowances for the huge number of police officers involved in covid-19 operations across the country, which include assisting other government agencies.

Meanwhile, he thanks his officers who are affected by the unpaid allowance problem for their patience and allowing authorities to deal with it.

“I thank the police officers who committed themselves to work on frontline duties here in Honiara as well as in the western border for the good work they are doing in protecting our border at the Western part of our country and for our officers here in Honiara for continue dedicating themselves in supporting our government in fighting covid-19.

 “It is important to note that the Government’s Covid-19 Oversight Committee, the specially tasked committee in spending a lot of time in ensuring our officers are adequately remunerated,” Mangau said.

He said police officers are mandated to provide law and order in the country and also is one of the essential services, therefore police officers will always make sure that the security of this country is maintained and also with these coivd-19 operations police are supporting other government agencies to fight covid in the country.

“I want to reassure the frontline officers that Government has assured us that the issue of unpaid allowance has been given priority and the outstanding allowances will be paid in the coming week.”

Mangau also explained that police officers are paid in two different allowances for those support officers they are paid $500 fortnightly, whilst officers who are deployed to the Border are paid $150 per day and those that looking after the quarantine sites are paid according to the camp managements of $400 per day.

No budget in upcoming parl session

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) will not table the 2021 National budget when Parliament resumes on Monday, November 9.

This is not possible because the government is heavily focused on the coronavirus pandemic in the country and has little time to prepare the budget proper.

Chairman of Public Accounts Committee, Douglas Ete said currently there is no budget proper to scrutinise ahead of the sitting of Parliament.

Ete said it is highly likely the budget proper will come before his committee around January or February next year.

He said the Minister of Finance is highly likely to table a resolution to allow authorization of money in the Consolidated Fund to meet the operation of the public service until the expiry of four months.

However, Ete said if the front-line ministries in the covid-19 are spending money outside of their budget, government should bring a Supplementary Bill to Parliament for blessing.

This is in line with Section 103 of the Constitution and Section 58 of the Public Financial Management Act 2013.

According to Section 103-(1) If the Appropriation Act in respect of any financial year has not come into operation by the beginning of that financial year, Parliament by resolution may empower the Minister of Finance to authorize the issue of moneys from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the public services at a level not exceeding the level of these services in the previous financial year, until the expiration of four months from the beginning of that financial year or the coming into operation of the Appropriation Act, whichever is the earlier.

In Section 58 of PFMA 2013, the Minister (Finance) may only consider an application for a contingency warrant if the following conditions are met:

  1. An urgent and unforeseen need has arisen to authorize an issue from the Consolidated Fund;
  2. No such issue has been authorized by an Appropriation Act or Supplementary Appropriation Act for the relevant financial year; and
  3. The issue cannot be delayed without detrimental effects to the public interest.

Some frontline ministries are adamant their budget will run out before the end of the year in December because most money are spent on covid-19 preparation and response.

Chairman of National Disaster Council and National Disaster Operation Committee, Loti Yates said so far, the government has provided funding to meet needs in the quarantine centers like food and others.

However, he told the Health and Medical Services Committee in Parliament yesterday that for their budget to reach December is something that a request will be put forward to government to consider.

Parliament passed $3.8 billion 2020 National Budget on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

It also passed two Supplementary Appropriation Bills in September 2020.

MARA gov’t lauds MOU with MAL

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Provincial Government has lauded the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) for a MOU signed between them.

The MOU looks into ways of partnership with MAL through national government and MPG will collaborate in the agriculture sector to achieve better results for people in the province.

Speaking during the signing this week, Premier Daniel Suidani said his government and people are happy to sign the MOU with the national government.

He said this is the third MOU MARA government has signed with government ministries.

“Not long ago my government has signed historical MOUs with the MFMR on Bina Tuna Processing Plant project and with MCT.

“And this is the way we believe we should do things collaboratively,” Suidani said.

One that note, he said the MOU with MAL has marked a new journey in the development of agriculture and livestock in the province and the country.

“This is a new journey based on mutual cooperation and share responsibilities. Especially in addressing multiple challenges that often confront us in our large scale agriculture endeavors.

“We must take stock of our past disappointments and thereupon forge a new outlook for our agriculture sector.

Agriculture as we know is the pillar through which our society survives. Therefore, it is an industry that we all related better to it than any other sector.

“However, as our society expanded and grows in population we need to expand and grow the way we see agriculture as well,” Suidani said.

He said this is though what the MOU is intended to host. Finding new ways to work collaboratively in the agriculture sector to achieve better results.

“And as said in the MOU, our mutual interests and obligations are the pillars of the document.

“MPG will strive to ensure its parts in the MOU be executed correctly and we believed this will be the same for MAL,” Suidani said.

PM confident country will retain covid-free status again

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare is confident Solomon Islands will retain its Covid-19 free status again.

However, the Prime Minister said the government cannot do this alone as ‘all hands on deck’ is needed from the nation.

Speaking during his ‘Nationwide Address’ early this week, the Member of Parliament (MP) for East Choiseul said in such unprecedented times, ‘unity and solidarity is very important’.

“I would like to thank citizens that have continued to support the government in our fight against the deadly virus. We have lost our status as a COVID-19 free country but I am confident that we have managed it very well,” said Sogavare.

“We have avoided community transmission and we are containing the virus within the quarantine and isolation stations. Our aim is to eliminate it from there. I am confident that we will overcome this pandemic and we will retain our COVID-19 free status again.

“However, this government cannot do this alone. As I have already said, we need all hands on deck.

“Fellow citizens, in such unprecedented times, unity and solidarity is very important. Now is not the time for division. Now is not the time for petty politics.

“This is a time that calls for ordinary people to do extra ordinary things for this country and our people. This is a time that requires people to act selflessly and to put the interest of this country and people above all other interests. Now is the time to rise to the occasion and be counted.”

Ontong Java chief calls on Fisheries to return confiscated beche-de-mer

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A Lord Howe chief has called on the Ministry of Fisheries to return the beche-de-mer that were confiscated on Tuesday night this week back to the owners.

Chief Bartholomew Kokolopu said with the covid-19 situation the country is facing, the Ministry of Fisheries should sympathise with the beche-de-mer owners and return those beche-de-mer that were confiscated on Tuesday night at the Point Cruz wharf, inside MV Onogou on her return from Lord Howe.

“The owners of those beche-de-mer in fact had breached Fisheries regulation because they harvest the beche-de-mer illegally, but I want the Fisheries to sympathize and understand our situation.

“We the Lordhowe people did not have other means to earn money from but only through Beche-de-mer,” Kokolopu said.

He said what happened on Tuesday night was a really sad scenario; Officers from Ministry of Fisheries along with Police officers went inside the ship and checked all the luggage and also inside the crew-rooms.

And after a thorough check they took off with the cartons of beche-de-mer, Kokolopu said.

Kokolopu blamed the Fisheries office for ignoring Lordhowe chiefs request since 2018, they have been discussing with them to assist the chiefs in raising awareness and explain the regulation to the people but nothing forth coming.

“I was also one of the member delegation that came some two years back and last year discussing with the Director of Fisheries for a possible way forward for Lordhowe people, and for their officers to come to Lordhowe and educate our people relating to beche-de-mer issues.

“In our discussion we told them that it will be effective once anybody from the office to down to our people and tell them why they ban the beche-de-mer, instead our request fall on deaf ears,” Kokolopu said.

He said Fisheries officers should at least work with the Chiefs of Lord Howe so that any decision made is fair to them and the resources owners.

He also said in 2018 the ban lifted in October because of the National General Election, and at that time it was not in the interest of Lordhowe people to lift the ban, and after the ban imposed again.

“Earlier this year we made a call to the Fisheries again if they could allow us some time do the harvesting just for our survival, they refused our request, and because of no other means we can earn money our people continue to harvest illegally”, Kokolopu said.

Kokolopu said Fisheries had refused to visit their communities and also refused to consider their call, therefore they should have been blamed for the people’s action.

“Since the Fisheries office did not respond to our call, we the resource owners decided that since the beche-de-mer are ours, we continue to harvest because it is our God given resources,” Kokolopu said.

Therefore, he calls on the Ministry of Fisheries to return the confiscated beche-de-mer.

Meanwhile this paper made contacts with the Ministry of Fisheries to confirm the raid but was unsuccessful, since the Director of Fisheries was busy in a bilateral meeting yesterday.

Oversight’s oversight?

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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Members of the Oversight Committee recently. Photo PETER ZOLEVEKE II

Government had allowed a high-risk passenger to be quarantined with low-risk ones in the heart of Honiara

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

A positive covid-19 case detected in a quarantine site in the heart of Honiara may be the result of government oversight, it is reported.

Island Sun has learnt from witnesses in the October-25 flight that the covid-19 patient who had travelled from Korea had sat close to the player accused of breaching safety protocols [refusing to wear face mask] in the plane. Yet, authorities deemed it fit that he be quarantined along with low-risk passengers at the King Sol Hotel quarantine site.

All the high-risk passengers are reportedly quarantined at the SA Accommodations at Henderson, east of Honiara.

Sources tell the paper meanwhile that this passenger had boarded the flight covid-free, and had contracted the virus via flight.

Government has said as part of its anti-covid measures, high-risk passengers in repatriation flights are identified upon arrival and quarantined at the same location to safeguard other passengers regarded as low-risk.

However, this latest revelation speaks otherwise and indicates serious risky loopholes.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Secretary to the prime minister and member of government’s covid-19 oversight committee, could not comment when contacted yesterday for an explanation.

Pauline McNeil, permanent secretary to the Health Ministry and member of the covid-19 oversight committee, when contacted yesterday for comments referred the paper instead to the “incident controller”.

She interrupted questions, saying, “The distance on that, those on the operation will have detail on the sitting arrangement on the flight, our ‘incident controller. We will have to refer it to the incident controller.”

Speaking during an earlier ‘special address’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said all the returning 16 players were seated together in the flight, which minimises the risk of potential spread to other passengers.

Despite the Prime Minister saying the remaining travellers on that flight have all been quarantined in single rooms to minimise any potential spread should any of them become positive, it does not go down well with members of the general public learning that one the recent positive Covid-19 cases was identified from within the centre of Honiara. The location for quarantine is what members of the general public disagree on.

“With the exposure that was understood from the flight being reported, why were all these passengers not quarantined in one isolation centre that is far out from the main centre of the capital,” raise concern.

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