A trough of low pressure is expected to continue throughout the country in the coming days.
Solomon Islands has been experiencing rainfalls due to a low pressure over the country.
At 9am yesterday, the National Weather Forecasting Centre in Honiara announced that the trough is expected to affect the whole of Solomon Islands until this weekend.
The country’s Met Service said strong wind warning is enforced for Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Makira, Western and waters south of Guadalcanal and Russell islands.
Variable winds of 15 to 25 knots are expected to increase to 30 knots with rough seas and moderate swells (2.5-3 meters) expected throughout the country.
The forecast says there will be heavy rain in showers and thunderstorms in parts of the country.
A strong warning has been issued for Sea travelers and the Met service has advised everyone to be careful as these strong winds have the potential to produce waves that are dangerous and hazardous to small boats.
Met’s Acting Chief Forecaster, Mr Manoah Teta said public should put off any social activities they have and stay indoors since the low pressure will affect the whole of Solomon Islands.
“Nation is expecting cloudy periods with heavy showers over Solomon Islands and interior of the larger islands.”
With that, he encourages people to be on alert until Met call off the warning.
“But we expecting fine weather on Sunday or Monday,” he said.
Teta assures the country there is no cyclone warning and people are advised to be on the lookout for any information provided by Met Services.
PREMIER of Malaita Province, Peter Ramohia is optimistic that having a law such as the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation is the way forward to help the country deal with issues related to customary matters that are deemed a part of the stumbling blocks to development progress of national projects.
Speaking on behalf of the Malaita Provincial Executive, Premier Ramohia noted the Bill should be an added bonus or mechanism for the country, particularly the province to deal with what he termed as, the ever pressing issue that continued to hold back developments and major projects, most of which are to do with customary lands and people.
The Traditional Governance Bill is not a new concept to the Province as it has already been widely captured in a model they have created for the province that looks to address the issues of customary lands, being one of their key fundamentals to pave the way for development forward.
In an interview yesterday, Ramohia outlined that since taking office in 2015, his government came up with three key fundamental areas that they insisted to be the way forward, especially in the area of traditional and customary matters, and they are ‘People, Security and Sustainability’.
He explained that in the area of Sustainability, it is where the Good Governance Bill is captured, and Security is where the Land Reform Bill plays a vital aspect, where as in the fundamental of People is where the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill is highlighted.
He said with the proper alignment of these pillars, the country can experience the strongest traditional and customary structural system in the region that should see the realisation of developments in a society that over 80 percent of its lands is customary.
“We see this Bill as a solution approach,” Premier Ramohia shared.
The Malaita Provincial delegate also shared that the bill gives hope for the formalisation of people’s traditional and customary identities, and not become foreigners in their own lands.
The Premier, who appeared along with Sir Nathanial Waena before the Bills and Legislations Committee yesterday, when questioned on the view of withdrawal that was highlighted, stressed it is a matter that depends on the pending consultations and the Members of Parliament.
However, like a few other recommendations that were made on the bill, the Malaita Premier had also suggested for a change in the name of the National Council of Chiefs, to the Solomon Islands Affairs Board, and calls for an inclusion of a Strategic Fundamental Committee.
This committee according to the Premier and his team will play the in-depth scoping of consultation and take care of the issues people have been talking about in relation to the Bill.
With strong emphasis and intentions to develop and set a benchmark to deal with the issue surrounding the Traditional and Customary Structure having been connected with successful developments, the Provincial Executive through its responsible personals and members, held a visit to Fiji early this year for a learning exchange tour.
This according to the Premier was for the team of experts and provincial representatives, to learn from how they are able to make their Traditional and Custom systems work and how their they are able to deal with matters related to their fundamental principles and policies.
National Under 18 futsal squad and Team coach Stanley Puirana
BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE national under-18 futsal side’s departure for the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina initially planned for this Friday has been deferred for next week.
The new travelling date set for next week is yet to be confirmed.
Futsal is one of the few sporting codes picked to represent Solomon Islands in the third edition of the event that will run from October 6 to 18 in Buenos Aires.
The youngsters’ participation also marks the first time for a team sport to represent Solomon Islands in the youth olympic games.
National Under 18 futsal squad and Team coach Stanley Puirana
Led by top goal poacher Raphael Le’ai, the young Kurukurus as they were known, qualified to participate in the youth Olympics after winning last year’s youth futsal championship in New Zealand.
The futsal competition will begin on October 7 and the under-18 side had been drawn in Pool B of the men’s competition going up against world heavyweights Brazil, Russia, Iran and Costa Rica. Head coach Stanley Puairana had named his final travelling squad of 10 players on Sunday.
Meanwhile, upon arrival in Argentina next week, the team is expected to play Pool A contestant Slovakia in a friendly encounter before heading into their first Pool B match of the tournament against Iran on October 8 commencing at 10am (Solomon Islands Time).
Football actions return to Lawson Tama this Saturday and Sunday with four matches
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Henderson Eels defender Bonnie Pride tries to go past an FC Guadalcanal player during an earlier fixture of the 2018 Telekom S-League season. . PHOTO: ROMULUS HUTA
THE Telekom S-League will resume this weekend after a month break.
Solomon Islands Football Federation Competition Manager Gabriel Riotarau confirmed yesterday that four matches will be played this Saturday and Sunday.
“Just to remind all TSL club managers and coaches that according to the Turf Manager, Rubén Oimae, after assessment on Lawson Tama ground after the OFC U16 Championship, the ground is now ready for TSL matches to resume this Saturday 29th September 2018.
“Therefore, I strongly call on all TSL clubs to be ready for this weekend,” Riotarau said.
The league went on a break after entering into its fourth weekend on Sunday 26th August.
The break was to allow the national governing football body to carry out some refurbishment work on Lawson Tama stadium’s turf and changing rooms as part of their preparation to host the recent Oceania Under-16 Championship in Honiara which finally concludes last weekend.
With four weeks gone since the start of the 2018/19 season of the TSL till the break on August 26, Henderson Eels are leading the points table after three matches.
Eels gained the advantage to go to the top of the table due to their goal difference of 9+ despite equal on seven points with Western United (+7), Solomon Warriors (+4), KOSSA (-1) and Real Kakamora (-2), respectively.
Four interesting encounters are set down for this weekend.
At 2pm this Saturday will be Solomon Warriors taking on Real Kakamora and to be followed by Marist going against KOSSA at 4pm.
Western United and FC Guadalcanal will kick off Sunday’s round of matches at 2pm while at 4pm will be Malaita Kings and Henderson Eels.
See points table below:
TSL updated table tally below as at Sunday August 26, 2018
St Lucia’s Foreign Minister shakes hands with Minister Tozaka after the signing. Photo from PMO
SOLOMON Islands and Saint Lucia have formally established diplomatic relations yesterday.
The signing of the Joint Communiqué to formalise the ties was done by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of St Lucia, Allen Chastanet and the Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Milner Tozaka, at the Permanent Mission/Embassy of Saint Lucia to the United Nations, in New York.
The establishment of diplomatic relations is part of SIDCCG’s Foreign Policy in expanding Solomon Island’s reach to the Caribbean and American region.
Minister Tozaka said both countries are already engaged actively through the United Nations, Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), Africa Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the Commonwealth.
However, this recent signing is expected to formalise diplomatic relationships between both countries.
Solomon Islands and St Lucia share common issues and challenges, as Small Islands developing states.
This was something both leaders have expressed and agree to assist and learn from each other.
“We share an interest in developing economies that are resilient with stand economic and environmental pressures. Therefore, formalizing of diplomatic relations also means, both countries can enhance collective effort in addressing Climate Change issues,” he said.
Both foreign ministers have also agreed to pursue opportunities particularly in the areas of tourism, transfer of knowledge, trade and culture and exchange.
Foreign Minister Tozaka signing the formal bilateral with St Lucia Foreign Minister.
FORMER Governor General and Former Member of Parliament for Ulawa/Ugi, Sir Nathanial Waena, has suggested for the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018 to be taken back to the people for proper discussions.
Sir Nathanial made this statement when giving his views on the bill that is currently before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) for scrutiny.
The Chairman of the Eminent Persons Advisory Committee thought that the legislation is being rushed into reaching this level of the process, but missed a lot of fundamentals that make up the governance aspect of the diverse cultures and customs of all the people of Solomon Islands.
“We are talking about the fundamentality of the existence of our people throughout this nation from Tikopia to Shortlands, from Rennell and Bellona to Sikiana in Lord Howe, and the main islands within the chain,” Sir Nathanial said.
He pointed out that laws are hanging under the constitution and therefore they must be seen to be operative and hold relevance and meaning in the spirit of the constitution.
“We are building a nation of diversity, which is a blessing because it makes Solomon Islands rich in that school,” the former GG stressed.
He added that Solomon Islanders are a people that came out from time immemorial that have their roots deeply tied to their past, “and governance”, speaking as a person from Ulawa, a small island within this nation, “cherishes the past, is enriched by the blessings of today, and holds hope for a future that is being designed constitutionally and legally”.
The statesman further stressed that as someone from a small island community, he outlined that their traditional system can be threatened by virtue of unsound laws, but can be enriched by the blessings of sound legislations.
“Our past is an inheritance of ancestral sacredness rooted in the spirit of our ancestors. We are talking about the blessings left behind by them to be enjoyed by generations both in the past, at present and into the future.
“So that this legislation in draft, must be looked at from the point of view of, does it hold the past, does it endure the present and does it points to a future of hope for prosperity and cohesive coexistence?
“Those are from my humble point of view, the fundamentals in the concepts of governance and customary land.
“Today our people enjoy the freedom of movement of existence on customary land, the rules of governance by our traditional chiefs since time immemorial, I entrench and therefore individuals that are affected by those rules, continue to enjoy harmonious coexistence.
“There is no room for inferior and superior considerations, but there is room certainly for coexistence. Do we throw it out the window or do we hold respect for it?”
Waena further added that Solomon Islands is going through very interesting time of change and the government has paid dearly for the sustenance of the work of a constitutionally review exercise.
He said Solomon Islands is a nation that has come through a volatile period of history, the ethnic tension.
“We have just come out of it, and we are focussing our minds and attention to a future of hope, how do we build that future of hope?”
He highlighted that those are some of the issues that the government needs to look at before moving the initiatives forward and questioned what the kind of Solomon Islander are being talked about.
“I noted from the media that captured a national judge and a respectable female magistrate have highlighted huge matters of concerns regarding the bill, and if these learned minds are saying something questionable and concerning in these laws, something is not right here,” he said.
He reiterated his suggestions, thinking that the government is rushing this bill, “but the question is, rushed to be taken where?”
“We are building a nation and this bill is seemingly being rushed in a time when the country is heading into a major political event.
He further highlighted that the government or the new house, should first look at sorting out matters that deal directly with the resources of the people of this country through relevant laws.
He also reiterated that this bill needs to be taken back to the people for proper discussions, and be taken to the provincial governments to look into, as elected governments of the people in the provincial level.
“I wish to say that this Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation bill 2018 may well be a rush into a future, and therefore those of you in parliament, particularly as current custodians of the constitution, have a duty and an obligation to the people of this country, and those who have decided to become naturalised citizens of this country and those to be in the future,” he added.
This sentiment also comes as no surprise to the office of the Prime Minister, whom insiders said is fully aware of the matters connected to the Bill, but have allowed for the process to continue and looks to withdraw it on the floor of Parliament, based on the calls and recommendations, when it is brought back for deliberations.
“Because of political reasons, it had to be allowed to make the list of bills for the house, with anticipation for those on the Opposition and Independent group to call for its withdrawal, where it should then be moved to be withdrawn,” our insider explained.
There have also been great concerns surrounding the nature of its consultation phase, which many thought was not being done properly with depths, giving coverable reasons for it to be withdrawn.
Insiders agreed that the this piece of legislation is very vital for the country as a mechanism to deal with the ever pressing issue of developing customary lands, but argued that the political point scoring motives behind it has also tainted its genuine intentions, as far as the political circle is concerned.
“If it is to be put in, at least it is a fully cooked bill with the backing of the whole political circle and the people through Civil Society Organisations and other government stakeholders,” insiders added.
THE Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) reminds electorates that today, Thursday, September 27 is the final day of voter registration.
SIEO said the BVR update period which commenced on September 3, 2018, targeted new registrants who turned 18 after the 2014 Voter Registration and those who have already registered but wish to update their registration details to reflect their current place of residence.
“We hope the given period really captured new eligible voters and gave time for people to update their details.”
The electoral office said there will be no time extension, therefore those who are yet to register must visit registration teams in their constituencies before close of business today to register or update their registration details.
SIEO said the BVR update exercise have been rolled out smoothly throughout the country over the past three weeks, thus wish to thank electorates for their cooperation and patience.
“We’ve encountered few issues but that did not deter efforts to execute the exercise smoothly.
“There were concerns over transfer and the cross border issue but we have laws to punish anyone found and we’ve provided an opportunity for people to correct their registration details before close of business on Thursday [today].
“Otherwise, there is another registration phase called the Omission and Objection phase, where corrections can be made to the provisional list.
“After this BVR exercise, all the data will be retrieved and compiled after which, the provisional list will be produced.”
The provisional voter list is then pinned up at all polling stations throughout the 50 constituencies for people to check and make corrections either through omission or objection.
Any registered person on the list can challenge the provisional list or any person on the list on the following grounds; not a SI citizen, not 18 years old, not an ordinary resident in the area, not of sound mind, not the person he/she claims to be, registered more than once.
A registered person can also apply to correct his/her name if appeared to be mis-spelt or placed in a wrong polling station.
A public enquiry will follow after which the final voter list is compiled.
Below is the timeline of the subsequent registration phases that electorates need to take note of.
–SIEC PRESS
BVR Activity
Date
Number of Days
Legal Framework
Voter Registration Update
Sept 3 – Sept 27
25
Sec.16 (3) (B) & Sec 17 (1)
Retrieval of Data
Compilation
Oct 3 – Oct 23
21
Sec 18 (1) (B), Sec 19A (1)(2)
Distribution of Provisional lists
Publication of Provisional Lists
Oct 29 – Nov 4
7
Sec 18 (3) (B)
Deployment of staff to Omission/Objection sites
Omission & Objection period
Nov 7 – Nov 20
14
Sec 19 (3) (B), Sec 19 A (3)
Retrieval of Omission/Objection forms, preparation of list for public enquiry
A pamphlet containing information about the various BVR phases (circled) on a sack of rice destined to reach the most remote
eastern part of Malaita when passengers boarded a passenger boat travelling to East Malaita. Photo by Philothea Paul
THE Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) has been actively using various media platforms to communicate educational and awareness messages to electorates.
Chief Electoral Officer Moses Saitala said awareness is an important aspect to electoral activities as it enhances knowledge and understanding of electorates on electoral matters.
Mr Saitala said there were recommendations from past elections on the need for a substantially more robust voter education and awareness efforts in preparation for the 2019 National General Election.
“The Solomon Islands Electoral Office prior to the current BVR update had worked really hard and engage all effective media platforms available to get electoral messages across to electorates,” he said.
He said some of the effective awareness platforms used to disseminate electoral information included, radio advertisements, radio programs, radio service messages, TV, short videos, website, social media, text messages, distribution of posters, pamphlets and stickers, awareness talks, using religious gatherings, using the mainstream media and engaging Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to do face-to-face awareness in constituencies.
A pamphlet containing information about the various BVR phases (circled) on a sack of rice destined to reach the most remote eastern part of Malaita when passengers boarded a passenger boat travelling to East Malaita. Photo by Philothea Paul
“For radio, SIEO uses advertisements that are replaced to reflect the different BVR phases. SIEO also have a weekly radio program on SIBC every Friday 5.45pm.
“Awareness talks have also been conducted during gatherings and after Sunday Church services.
“Text messages have been programmed according to the BVR timeline inorder to blast out information in line with a particular registration phase and activities.
“The Electoral Commission also has a newly launched informative website that has all information that will answer most questions, even checking for voter registration details.
“Electorates should also look out for CSOs that are conducting voter awareness in some remote constituencies throughout the country.
“Voter information and messages will continue to be disseminated through these mediums therefore electorates should listen out.”
The Chief Electoral Officer said awareness is an expensive exercise but with the support the Australian Government, European Union and UNDP through the Strengthening the Electoral Cycle of Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP), voter education and awareness activities are able to be rolled out.
“We would like to do more to reach out to the most remote citizens but we can only go as far as where money takes us.”
Saitala said voter education and awareness will continue throughout the BVR phases and ahead of the National General Election in 2019.
“A well-informed electorate is essential to any electoral process; it enhances the quality of the election as well as the elected body and as such, it’s an essential building-block of a meaningful democracy.”
He encourages electorates to listen out and keep an eye on the mediums engaged by SIEO to disseminate voter information, in order to stay informed.
Prime Minister Hou speaking at the Malaria Summit in NY on Wednesday.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has told a high-level roundtable meeting at the UNGA that Solomon Islands has reduced the number of malaria cases over the last 24 years.
The Prime Minister said Malaria cases in Solomon Islands have decreased from a hardly believable peak of 450 per thousand in 1993, to 80 per thousand in 2017.
Houenipwela said Solomon Islands is proud of her progress which was enabled from support from the donor community.
“With this success on the ground we can now begin to dream of a different future. A dream of a future that is free of malaria.
“A dream that countries such as China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have achieved with zero malaria indigenous cases.
“A dream that the Tafea province of Vanuatu, which was declared malaria-free the first time in human history is now enjoying.
“A dream that shows what is possible. A dream showing that Solomon Islands can eliminate malaria,” he said.
The Prime Minister told the high-level summit that the Solomon Islands government has increased the level of its domestic resources to combat malaria to 12 percent of the total health sector budget.
However, he said while this is high by any standards, it is still not enough.
That said, the Prime Minister said Solomon Islands are grateful for the continued support from the Global Fund, and from Australia.
Prime Minister Houenipwela said in November this year Solomon Islands would convene a high-level meeting for its key partners and stakeholders both domestically and internationally.
He said this would also include the private sector to discuss and agree on a ‘malaria elimination roadmap’ for Solomon Islands that will achieve a ‘malaria free’ Solomon Islands by 2030.
“This malaria elimination roadmap will inform our new strategy; the level of resources and breadth of partnership that will be needed to eradicate malaria from our shores forever,” he said.
Prime Minister Houenipwela said his government considers the resources applied to help eliminate malaria from its domestic budget as well as from our development partners as an investment and not a cost.
“It is an investment in the future prosperity of my nation’s children and people. In eradicating malaria, we will save millions of dollars in health care costs that can be redirected to address other important priorities of government including in health to benefit the country’s young population.
“Investment to eliminate malaria has the potential to potential to transform our economic development aspirations,” he said.
The Pacific Games which Solomon Islands is hosting in 2023 will cost us up to $2 billion (about USD250 million).
Officials were told last Friday that facilities including the Games Village would cost between $1.5 billion to $2 billion (about USD250 million), Island Sun was told earlier this week.
The funding proposal will be presented initially to Government Caucus and later to Cabinet for its final blessing.
“Once Caucus decision is endorsed by Cabinet, the final go-ahead will be given for design work to begin,” one official told Island Sun.
This will be followed by the project being put on public tender.
The fact that Honiara has fallen behind in payments to foreign firms undertaking projects in Solomon Islands is already troubling enough for the government.
Sources said the Government owes China’s two State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) firms – China Harbour and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) – more than $30 million in combined contract debts.
Such a dilemma has the potential to frighten off international companies bidding for the Games Village Project, given its size and cost.
The all-encompassing plan is to convert the entire lower Panatina land owned by the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) into the Games Village. Facilities for all field events including running tracks for the sporting bonanza are being shared by Panatina Campus and Kukum Campus nearby.
Thousands of sports men and women from all over the Pacific are expected in Honiara for the Games.
The plan also includes conversion of the King George VI soccer pitch into a National Stadium in a joint development with the National Sports Academy training field nearby.
Taiwan has indicated funding the National Stadium although it has not indicated how much Taipei is investing in the development.
Officials say the Stadium will have up to 20,000 seating capacity at any one time. It is understood the Government has received the design for the National Stadium from Taiwan.
“The government will be studying the design plan before the project, expected to cost around SBD270 million, is put on tender in Taiwan,” one official told Island Sun.
At least two Taiwanese companies are vying for the contract to build what is being billed to be an all-weather Stadium, built to international sporting standards.
It is not clear whether the cost of the National Stadium is included in the SBD2 billion price tag for the Games.
Kukum Campus land will also be converted, including the seafront of the Marine School at Ranadi for a number of water sports events during the course of the Games.
It is understood that all the SINU land has been secured by the 2023 Games Committee, chaired by the Member of Parliament for East Fataleka, Steve Abana.
The deal, according to some, is that SINU and KG VI will take possession of all the facilities including buildings on their land once the Games are over.
“The idea is to kill two birds with one stone,” one government official said.
