The national senior futsal side known as Kurukuru is the reigning OFC champions. (INSERT) Kurukuru head coach Jerry Sam.
Kurukuru coach to name training squad next Friday for 2019 OFC title defense campaign
BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE national futsal head coach Jerry Sam will name his training squad next week.
This is to prepare for the 2019 Oceania Futsal Championship, which will also serve as the qualifiers for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania.
Solomon Islands, known as Kurukuru, is the current Oceania champion and next year’s tournament is an important one in their title-defense.
Jerry said the training squad will be made known by Friday next week.
“The training squad will be put out next Friday after the semifinals of the SIPA futsal challenge currently underway in Honiara.
“Training will officially start on November 19.
“The squad I’m working on at the moment would be a mixture of old and new players where probably one or two players would be selected from the youth team that went to play in the recent Youth Olympic Games in Argentina. These young players’ selection into the national team training squad does not guarantee they have a place in the final team. They have to prove themselves first.
“Next year will be very crucial for us and we have drawn up tight plans in the preparations for our title defense.
“We are looking forward to a tour to Asia to prepare for the 2019 OFC Futsal Championship where we are still working on its arrangements. That’s what our preparation would be like next year,” Jerry said.
Jerry added that some teams in Oceania have already kick-started their preparations.
“We are running a bit behind time, but looking ahead, I think we still enough time to prepare. Like for now, it’s about six months left to go. But I feel that six months of preparation is still good time for us.
“For Oceania level, six months would be enough for us. Like in 2016, we did not have much time to prepare our team for the qualifiers and we have to work very hard within a limited space of four months to try and get to the top.”
The head coach outlined that he is banking on their upcoming Asian tour to help boost their preparation.
“We need the Asian tour next year to happen.
“And after playing those upcoming friendlies, I believe it will give us more confidence and will come as a boost for the young players heading into the qualifiers,” he expressed.
Meanwhile, Jerry said their preparations for next year would be an intensive one and he wants all players to be at the top level of everything before heading into the qualifiers.
UNSUSTAINABLE and illegal logging continues to cause tensions between a logging company and vulnerable landowners in Temotu.
Much of the small island of Vanikoro, Santa Cruz, has been stripped bare of exportable trees by a logging company, owned by Solomon Islanders and Asians.
It was reported that in September 2018, the company successfully pressured the Ministry of Forestry to renew its felling licence.
This means the company now has the right to log the island’s last remaining areas of old growth forest.
The alleged company, Vanikoro Lumber Limited (VLL) licence to fell trees on Vanikoro, expired on July 20, 2018, following a contentious three-year period of unsustainable logging during which various clashes arose with local residents opposed to VLL’s operations.
Reports from the island over the years have shown that VLL’s rapacious logging in the area has brought with it a slew of problems to Vanikoro.
Vanikoro island
This includes increased prevalence of land disputes, complaints about sexual exploitation of local women by loggers, destruction of sacred taboo sites and a long list of lasting environmental impacts.
The environmental damage caused to the island includes the destruction of the island’s once unique ecosystem and the pollution of local water sources, to the point of rendering the once pristine rivers and streams of Vanikoro, unfit for human use.
Despite not possessing a valid logging licence in the period after July 20, 2018, it was alleged that VLL continued to fell and export logs from the island.
These activities are in clear contravention of key provisions of the Forest and Timber Resources Utilisation Act, legislation which is supposed to regulate all logging across the Solomon Islands.
In a further insult to the indigenous landowners of Vanikoro, environmental defender and group spokesman, Eddie Pae, said VLL and its subcontractors are now planning to extend logging operations to the island of Teanu, to the east of Vanikoro.
Teanu has never been logged and was not included in the approved concession area under the original (and unlawfully renewed) logging license granted to VLL.
“Notwithstanding that the island of Teanu contains a number of Tabu sites sacred to the people of Vanikoro, it is also a rare and significant hub of biodiversity,” Pae said.
Independent environmental assessments show that Teanu is home to a number of endangered floral and faunal species, including: a bat, only found on the island called the Vanikoro Flying Fox, the Pacific Kauri Pine, and other vulnerable endemic species including: the Red-bellied fruit dove, Pied goshawk, Vanikoro Monarch, Palm lorikeet, Rusty-winged starling and Polynesian starling.
In a harsh assessment by Mr. Pae, he said, if VLL is allowed to log Teanu, this would constitute a cultural and environmental catastrophe.
Vanikoro-island
Pae also noted that destruction of this habitat would deal a fatal blow to any potential future tourism opportunities on the island and would fly in the face of the Solomon Islands REDD+ Roadmap to name Vanikoro as a pilot site.
Pae and others like him continue to fight for the preservation of Teanu and other areas of Vanikoro which have not yet been logged by VLL.
Pae says that he and his supporters face constant bullying and underhanded tactics at the hands of the logging company, including attempts to circumvent the process of dealing with the recognised landowners of Vanikoro, as required under our legislation.
Pae has recently been served with an application by VLL to the High Court for a restraining order against him and others who have vocalised their opposition to logging in the area.
“The restraining order applied for by VLL states that I should not be allowed to return to my home because I am a threat to logging equipment and personnel in the area.
“Unlike those who log on Vanikoro, I do not engage in illegal activities. I, and others like me, are merely trying to protect our home for the enjoyment of future generations,” Pae said.
Pae will seek legal assistance to contest the restraining order and the renewal of VLL’s felling licence.
In April last year (2017) Pae also spoke to Radio New Zealand about their frustrations over logging in Vanikoro. Logging operations in Vanikoro was said to commence in 2013.
(LEFT TO RIGHT) Solomon Airlines Chairman, Austin Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, Brett Gebers and the Secretary of the Board, Bill Tyson
Solomon Airlines staff demand immediate removal of bosses
By Alfred Sasako
(LEFT TO RIGHT) Solomon Airlines Chairman, Austin Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, Brett Gebers and the Secretary of the Board, Bill Tyson
SOLOMON Airlines staff are demanding the immediate removal of their Chairman, Austin Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, Brett Gebers and the Secretary of the Board, Bill Tyson, before the national carrier breaks down.
“Solomon Airlines staff want immediate termination of his employment as CEO of Solomon Airlines before the company breaks down,” the staff said in a confidential assessment report.
Island Sun has obtained a copy of the report.
“Since he Joined Solomon Airlines in early April 2017, he is busy employing his con friends as Consultants including his (own) son William Gebers as an IT Consultant based in Brisbane. These Consultants … are Contracted fly in/out doing nothing and so far no good results have been achieved for Solomon Airlines,” the report said.
The report named the consultants as Richard Holstein, Josef Loew, Mike Arbuckle and William Gebers.
The report also named former JETCO staff that Capt Gebers had engaged at Solomon Airlines’ Brisbane Office. They are Arlene Bennett, Jennifer Sipple, Julie Stimson and Julieann Fagan.
“He (Capt Gebers) is a liability to the company and needs to be removed immediately. He (Gebers) has no future plans for the advancement of the national airline. Only the poor National staff are working their guts out to keep the national carrier flying,” the staff said in the report.
The report said with just one large aircraft servicing Australia, the Brisbane Office is over-staffed with people who had no airline background.
“As a result of this, one of our dedicated PNG airport manager, Mr James Chan, had resigned. Solomon Airlines is Solomon-owned Airlines and should be providing employment to Solomon Islanders, not his son (William Gerbers) and his con man. He is also interfering with the Airline AMADEUS REHRESH Training Programme where he nominated his son (William Gebers) and other new staff just employed at Solomon Airlines Brisbane Office who have no Airlines experience to attend this training whereas it should be the National Staff (Solomon Islanders) who have the experience are the ones who should be given priority to attend these refresher courses but they have not been nominated for the training,” they said.
“Bill Tyson is one of his right hand man and advisor for Brett. They have been running Solomon Airlines like they owned it. They can do anything they want. Bill is a liability for Solomon Airlines, he has done or contribute nothing to Solomon Airlines. Solomon Airlines does not need Bill Tyson. Need to be terminated as well,” the report said.
“Solomon Airlines Board of Director Chairman Austin Holmes has failed to move Solomon Airlines forward. He has contributed nothing because he has no good idea about airlines industry operations, his only business is logging Solomon Islands.
“He should not be appointed in the first place,” the report said.
The report said Mr Austin’s tenure was due to expire two months ago. He should never be reappointed, the report said
“All Solomon Airlines Staff are calling on the Chairman of the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands (ICSI) to immediately terminate the CEO/Brett Gebers and Bill Tyson. There are many Educated and qualified Solomon Islanders in the market place who are capable of replacing these Gentlemen,” the report said.
An action in last Saturday’s contest between Solomon Warriors and
Marist. Warriors won 3-0 to extend their lead on the top of the table.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
An action in last Saturday’s contest between Solomon Warriors and Marist. Warriors won 3-0 to extend their lead on the top of the table.
SOLOMON Warriors continue to extend its lead on the Telekom S-League (TSL) table following another win last Saturday at Lawson Tama Stadium.
The defending champions dominates the top with 22 points after coming away with a 3-0 thrashing of Marist in the 2pm fixture on Saturday – thanks to goals from Kensi Tangis, Jerry Donga and Alwin Hou.
Vanuatu international Tangis scored his 16 goal for this season in the opening five minutes for Warriors.
Donga doubled the lead with a clever finish at the 38 minute before Hou scored the third at the break with a smart finish.
Marist FC with mostly youth players, and probably without young Raphael Le’ai, regrouped in the second period but tither sides couldn’t find back of the net in the second half as Warriors extended their lead to 22 points and five matches to spare.
Meanwhile, Henderson Eels maintains its second place position on the tally with 20 points.
This follows the 3-1 win posted over Western United yesterday afternoon.
Eels got their goals through Joses Nawo and Tuti Zama while United’s consolation was scored by Moffat Kilifa.
In the other match yesterday, Real Kakamora climbed onto the fourth spot with 14 points after coming away with a 4-2 victory over FC Guadalcanal. In the other match on Saturday, KOSSA and Malaita Kingz completed the match with a one-all draw.
See table below.
TELEKOM S-LEAGUE TABLE AS AT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2018
DPM Manasseh Sogavare conggratulating the new AG as SPM Dr Rodgers
looks on
By Alfred Sasako
DPM Manasseh Sogavare conggratulating the new AG as SPM Dr Rodgers looks on
SOLOMON Islands has a new Attorney General but Gilbert John Osmond Muria Jnr’s appointment, announced by the Government yesterday, has attracted harsh criticisms by a member of the social media.
Mr Muria Jnr, the seventh Solomon Islands national to hold the job, was sworn in at Government House yesterday.
Many congratulated Mr Muria Jnr on his appointment on the social media, Yumi Toktok Forum yesterday. One, Makili Lawrence Kepangi dissented.
“While everybody congratulated, I have second thoughts of the new appointed Attorney General by the current Government,” he said.
When asked to elaborate, Mr Makili said:
“During Sogavare’s reign as PM, he set up a committee to gauge into the Beche de mer saga and I believe the appointed AG was a member. Mifala lo Ontong Java still wait to see the outcome, till then nothing. There are puzzles related to other issues are yet to be solved,” Makili said.
“How independent and impartial is that AG chamber’s office when the position is politically appointed. It is very difficult to understand how this country will move progressively forward as we turn a blind eye on issues that destroy the fabrics of our society,” he said.
“The devil enjoys the momentum, while the silent hand clapping noticed from the current regime.”
When others pointed out that it was not an easy job, Makili said, “there are a lot more deep down to be uncovered. Hence the new AG is going to be a blocker.”
Still others said Muria Jnr was just a member of a committee. “He is not to be blamed here for the decision made.”
“Yes I know, before that, he knew well the issue of beche de mer. At the starting he was with the AG Chamber. I now see the difficulty of our pursuance in the future, since he is now sitting in the chair,” Makili said.
His appointment has left a Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM) vacancy, where the young lawyer occupied under Manasseh Sogavare’s reign as Prime Minister.
Muria Jnr remained on the job under the changing of the guard when Rick Houenipwela became Prime Minister last December.
His appointment was seen by others as Sogavare preparing his own team to take over government after next year’s national general election.
Some doubted it was the motive for the appointment of the Guadalcanal lawyer.
Newly appointed AG John Muria Jnr takes his oath of allegiance before the GG this morning.
SOLOMON Islands has a new Attorney General and he is Gilbert John Osmond Muria (Jnr).
The former Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM) was officially sworn in on Friday morning at the Government House.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, senior government officials and family members.
He replaces former Attorney General James Apaniai whose contract officially lapsed on October 31, 2018.
Muria Jnr was appointed by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission Minister in accordance with the advice from the Prime Minister pursuant to section 42(2) of the Constitution.
Muria Jnr said he is honoured and privileged to be appointed as the Attorney-General of Solomon Islands.
“I know it is a challenging role, but I will discharge my Constitutional duties to the best of my ability. I thank the Prime Minister and His Cabinet and Government Caucus for having the confidence in my ability to perform the role and functions of the Attorney-General.
“I also wish thank my family, friends, mentors and all those that have supported and guided me. It is my hope address long-neglected matters and, in particular bring closure to disputes that have remained unresolved,” he said.
The newly appointed Attorney General’s appointment comes into effect as of November 1, 2018.
Muria Jnr is the son of Sir John Baptist Muria the first indigenous to be Chief Justice of the Solomon Islands.
He is also a lawyer by profession.
Muria Jnr has also worked at the AG Chambers as a former Chief Crown Counsel before he was appointed SSPM in March 2017.
DPM Manasseh Sogavare conggratulating the new AG as SPM Dr Rodgers looks on.Muria Jnr and his family members that came to witness the swearing in.Newly appointed AG John Muria Jnr takes his oath of allegiance before the GG this morning.
CONSTITUENCY properties and Office assets will be returned if they do not make it to the next Parliament term according to Ngella Constituency’s Office.
Ngella’s Constituency Office responds to queries by Constituents questioning what will be next of the Constituency’s vessel and other properties seeing that the country’s current Parliament term is now heading to an end.
“All Constituency properties will be returned to the Constituency Office as we will be handing them over for the next Constituency Officers to take on responsibility for the Constituency from there. This is how such process usually works.
“The same goes for the government vehicles being used as well. They will be returned to the government,” replied Ngella Constituency’s Office.
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands National General Election (NGE) is now nearing to take place during March next year 2019.
THE case of a man facing an intimidation charge will appear again in court on Monday.
This is the case against Nick Pitamama who police alleged had intimidated a 12-year-old girl at the Central Market area.
The allegation said that the accused at that time was drunk.
Police said the victim and her sister were on their way home from church when they met the defendant, and the defendant called out to the victim to go to him.
Allegations said that Pitamama used intimidating words at the 12-year-old victim, frightening her, and she burst into tears when she saw her sister.
The case then was reported to the police in which they arrested the defendant for the charge of intimidation and molestation.
The defendant denied the charge and a trial was conducted on his case.
In his closing submission the defendant submitted to the court that all evidence said in court against him was not true.
Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea was supposed to have delivered the judgment yesterday but since he needed to look through the defendant’s submission, the case was adjourned for November 5 for judgment.
Police Prosecution Service prosecutes the case in court.
Constituents complain over unavailability of provisional list with concerns over time limitation
By Gary Hatigeva
ISLANSUN Sun has over the past few days been receiving a good number of concerns and complaints from constituents, claiming they have not received or seen any activity for the providence of the Provisional List.
Constituents in East Kwaio of Malaita, including a few from the Western province, have reported that they were aware of the timeframe indicated by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) for the availability of the list, which was expected to start on October 29.
But concerns revealed that “to date [yesterday], there has not been any official around to execute the pinning up program of the Commission of the provisional list”.
This was something the Commission was also made aware of, and a follow up on Friday revealed that they too have been informed of these concerns, and are working closely with officers that were sent out to pin up these lists.
When contacted on this, Philothea Paul of the Commission confirmed that they have also received the similar complaints, but explained that the provisional voter lists have been dispatched to all provinces and should be pinned up in every polling station within the constituencies.
She outlined that the timeframe for pinning up the voter list is from Oct 29 up until Nov 4, and anyone who has not seen the list is advised to keep looking out when the officers will come around and pin up the list.
She said registration officers are there in the field with the list and with two more days still remaining, they are expecting to have the entire list up for viewing by November 4 and assured that people will still have the chance to view the list before the other phase as SIEC is still on schedule.
“The list will remain in all the constituencies for viewing from November 4 up until November 20 and everyone to take their time to check the list and awaits Omission and Objection period which starts on Nov 7 to start lodging in their complaints with Registration Officers for their respective constituencies.”
Meanwhile when questioned, the SIEC official clarified that the only factors that could hamper SIEC processes is logistic, finances and bad weather, “otherwise as said earlier, the list are out there and should be pinned up before November 4”.
“There is no reason seen to be of benefit for intending candidates to have interest in inferring in this processes.
“The list is intended for the public to inspect as part of the legal procedure that must be fulfilled before a final voter list can be compiled.
“And voters, candidates and political parties should help scrutinise and allow the process to ensue,” the SIEC Head of Media and Communications Awareness explained when questioned on the possibilities for the lists to be tempered with or manipulated.
However, people are concerned that there is a chances those who have strong influences particularly, intending candidates or their agents, in the system or over officers, can interfere for the sake of keeping names that might have higher chances of being objected.
“Especially, with regards to the mass cross-border registration that was done under the registration centres in Honiara, most of which registered for constituencies in the provinces,” one of the concerned constituents in Malaita shared when contacting this paper on Friday.
Men from Pacific Islands cutting leafy green vegetables in a paddock in Queensland.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
WORKERS in Solomon Islands receive one of the lowest wages in the world. Since 2008, the minimum wage in Solomon Islands has remained the same.
The current rate is SBD$4 per hour for all workers except those working in the fishing and agricultural sector. They receive SBD$3.20 per hour.
In comparison to other countries, the yearly minimum wage for Solomon Islands is USD$1,005 in International Currency.
International currency is a measure of currency based on the value of the United States dollar in 2009.
With this comparison, Solomon Islands sits in the bottom percent of all countries based on the yearly minimum wage rate.
“There are 99 countries with a higher minimum wage then in Solomon Islands,” Minimum-Wage.org reports.
While workers in Solomon Islands are struggling to cope with the high cost of living, government on the other hand is prioritizing labour mobility as a way to send Solomon Islanders overseas to earn so called, lucrative money.
In Australia, the minimum wage rate is AUD$17.70 per hour, an estimated SBD$100 per hour. This is 25 times greater than the wages earned in Solomon Islands.
In recent interviews with seasonal workers, most alluded that money earned in labour mobility is way better than what they earn working in Solomon Islands.
Men from Pacific Islands cutting leafy green vegetables in a paddock in Queensland.
While the focus for labour mobility scheme is on unemployed youths, in some cases, skilled workers including professionals also left their job to sign up for the seasonal workers scheme.
“I go to school, I spent years in education to attain a diploma or degree in my profession, I come back to serve my country, earning less than SBD$2000 a fortnight, who wouldn’t want to go to Australia or New Zealand to earn more in their minimum wage than what we are earning in ours,” a professional employee in Solomon Islands say.
Even the Prime Minister attributed the fact that seasonal workers are being paid more than him and there is nothing much the government can do about this scenario.
He said this is not in government’s best interest yet as they are currently focusing on the labour mobility schemes.
“Let’s do one thing at a time. You can’t try and do everything at a time. Otherwise you’ll clog it out,” Hou said in response to a question raised by Island Sun during a Press Conference on the Labour Mobility scheme.
Prime Minister Rick Hou in the recent Pacific Labour Mobility Meeting revealed that he wants government to send at least 10,000 youths overseas within the next 10 years.
He said population in Solomon Islands is at a 2.6 percent growth rate and the economy is not producing job opportunities for the unemployed thus it is important government address this issue now by sending workers overseas as labourers.
Meanwhile, the employed and professionals in Solomon Islands are said to be the ones left behind in the labour market.
While the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) speaks of leaving no-one behind, with SDG 8 promoting productive employment and decent work for all, the future seems brighter for those toiling the fields in foreign countries, than educated professionals in their own country.
Contrary to what the PM said, Commerce Minister, William Marau says, his Ministry is aware of the need for the increase in wages and salary and decent employment for workers in Solomon Islands.
He said since the beginning of 2018, consultations are being carried out with major industries to get feedback from the organizations because it will impact greatly on their businesses.
“Slowly and surely, we are getting there,” he said.
At the same time, Unionist, David Tuhanuku says it is a bad reflection of the government to forgo the minimum wage increase for 10 years now.
He said the issue of legal minimum wage should be addressed by government through the Labour department with relevant institutions like trade union movements involved in the process.
He said in the course of 10 years, cost of living has changed and government through the labour department should have addressed this issue already.
“All I can say, if the labour department embark on this now, the trade union movements will then be able to participate in this process,” Tuhanuku said.
He said legal minimum wage is important as it set the basis for worker’s wages.
He said it is very important government reviews this, particularly for the low paid workers.
Tuhanuku is the President of Solomon Islands Council of Trade Union (SICTU) as well as President of the Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI). His Associations had been vocal in labour rights issues for many years including admonition of the tax free awards for MPs in 2016.
For likeminded workers in Solomon Islands, Minimum Wage is the lowest amount a worker can be legally paid for his or her work.
No worker in Solomon Islands can be paid less then this mandatory minimum rate of pay. Employers in Solomon Islands who fail to pay the Minimum Wage may be subject to punishment by Solomon Islands’ government.
Currently it is understood that a proposed Minimum wage policy is said to be in the making.
The minimum wage policy will set the framework for minimum wage in Solomon Islands.
Furthermore SBD$8 is said to be the proposed minimum wage under review.
