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Toramo named player of the week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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King George Sixers Godfrey Toramo tries to go past a USP Islander player during their semi final match on Tuesday. Sixers won.

D-Fenders crowned 3×3 champs

By Taromane Martin

King George Sixers Godfrey Toramo tries to go past a USP Islander player during their semi final match on Tuesday. Sixers won.

KING George Sixer’s basketball team player Godfrey Toramo has been named the high school player of the week for the second time.

Toramo who was named the player of the week a fortnight ago picked up the award last Sunday after helping Sixers defeat Mbua Valley Warriors 32-7 in their Honiara Basketball League high school match at the Multipurpose Hall.

The win propels King George into first position on the competition table with 31 points positive over last week’s leaders Saint Nicholas College Sentinels who dropped to second place with 30 points following their 20-8 win over Woodford International School.

Meanwhile there was a general bye round for the Open Women’s and Men’s Division as HBL hosted a 3X3 tournament at the Multipurpose Hall last Sunday.

The HBL Executive in a statement said the 3×3 tournament saw some hard fought matches from the eight men’s teams who registered, across the two pools.

While the men’s competition was action packed the organisers were left disappointed with the women’s 3×3 competition which saw only two teams registered on the day.

“The semi-final cross-overs saw Marist 1 emerge undefeated from Pool A, only to be overrun by D Fenders (second in Pool A) in overtime by a score of 15-13 in their semi-final,” the statement said.

“In the other semi-final, Pool B first place Cannons defeated Pool A second place Crusaders 8-4 to advance to the grand final.

“In the grand final, despite missing their star player Godfrey Toramo to injury, D Fenders were able to gain the ascendancy late in the game with some sharp outside shooting to run away 16-12 winners over Cannons.

“Organisers were disappointed with only two women’s teams nominating for the event, meaning only exhibition games were held for the women’s division, but overall were pleased with the competitive play and good sportsmanship in the men’s tournament,” the statement adds.

HBL says the next 3X3 tournament is scheduled for Sunday 21 October and more details will follow in the coming weeks.

Regular HBL league games resume next Sunday the Multipurpose Hall for all three divisions, High School Boys, Open Women and Open Men.

‘Please step up’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Morris Maitaki of NOCSI delivering a presentation for national federation members during Tuesday's meeting.

Federations urged to pull up their socks for 2019 Pacific Games

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Morris Maitaki of NOCSI delivering a presentation for national federation members during Tuesday’s meeting.

SPORTING federations who have submitted entries to be included in ‘One Team Solomon’ for next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa have been urged to step up in their preparations.

Morris Maitaki, who is the Chef De Mission (CdM) of ‘One Team Solomon’ for Pacific Games 2019 made the call during a meeting yesterday.

The meeting which was held at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) conference room was organised by the National Selection and Justification Committee (NSJC) for national federations, purposely to convey to them important information relating to preparations for next year.

The NSJC is a committee established under the Events Commission of the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) and its main responsibility is to advise the local olympic committee’s executive board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities on matters relating to preparation of athletes and the ‘ONE TEAM SOLOMON’ in particular, for future regional and international competitions.

Mr. Maitaki said federations must step up in their preparations to attain good results during the games.

“We want to send a team that will go in to compete and not as tourists.

“It’s time that we set our targets higher to attain good results and surpass the ones produced in previous games.

“On this note, I call on all federations to step up in their training as we head toward next year,” Mr. Maitaki uttered.

Over the next few months, the NSJC will begin assessing the federations to ensure that they are ready to compete at the event due to run in Apia next July.

A total of 24 federations have submitted entries to join the Solomon Islands contingent for Samoa Games. They are Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Boxing, football, golf, Judo, Netball, Powerlifting, Rugby League 9s, Rugby 7s, Sailing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Touch Rugby, Triathlon, Va’a, Volleyball (Indoor & Beach) and Weightlifting.

Following the initial entries of athletes and officials submitted in July to the 2019 Pacific Games Organising Committee as part of the games registration requirement, the current number stands at 636 across all sports for the entire contingent and it doubles the total number of 362 sent to the 2015 Games in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Maitaki said further adjustments are yet to be carried out on the listing and the number is expected to reduce.

“The realistic figure should fall around 300 and 400 and we’ll be putting in all effort to make sure that the figure is reduced.”

Maitaki also called on federations to submit their team lists to the NSJC this week.

Meanwhile, the federation representatives who attended yesterday were also briefed on what to expect in Samoa next year and some of them include training venues, competition venues, accommodation and most importantly, the games schedules.

Young family bound for Canada

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Tracy, husband Stephen and son Traven sharing their happy moment together.
Tracy, husband Stephen and son Traven sharing their happy moment together.

A young family from Guadalcanal are living the dream of travelling and working abroad in Canada.

Guadalcanal Provincial Premier Anthony Veke officially handed over formal immigration and employment documents to Mrs Didivera Tracy at Guadalcanal Provincial Headquarters yesterday.

The small but significant handing over ceremony was witnessed by GP- Minister for Education Lazarus Rina, Minister for Women Patrick Koiolia, GP- Provincial Secretary Timothy Ngele and Education Division representatives in the presence of Mrs Didivera, her husband Stephen Didivera and their son Traven Savino Kokopu.

In congratulating Mrs Didivera on her fine accomplishment of being chosen to amongst other candidates, Premier Veke described her case as special and unique setting new milestone as far as GP-CITREC programme is concerned.

“Your case is special because not only your SINP confirmation (Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program) is contained herein this document, it also contains that of you husband and son. You all three are receiving your SINP confirmation today and thats something I’m proud of, so must you and your family and the province.” Veke announced.

Normally workers under GP-CITREC with SINP will have to apply for their spouse and children upon arrival in Canada, in Tracy’s case her husband and child are directly nominated under SINP, thus the documents handed over to the young family yesterday contains their ‘confirmation of SINP nomination’ and ‘SINP Work Permit Support letter’ for Mrs Tracy.

Veke continued that he expects the best from Mrs Didivera when she gets to work in Canada, be good ambassador of Guadalcanal province and the country.

“You husband will soon follow you to Canada and take up job there and your child will enjoy all privileges enjoyed by Canadian Children,” Veke expressed.

GP-Minister for Education encouraged Mrs Didivera to shine whilst in Canada as she is representing all women in Guadalcanal.

Holding back her tears, Tracy thanked Premier Veke for his continuous leadership with the GP-CITREC programme and thanked GP- Education division for their continuous work.

“Despite the length of time it has taken to finally get these documents, I understand the processes involved, the time and efforts by GP-CITREC officers and those in Canada is not easy, for that I want to thank you all,” Mrs Didivera expressed.

Tracy will soon leave for Canada and her husband and child will join her later. She was accepted to work as ‘Food Service Supervisor’ at global fastfood restaurant chain McDonalds.

–GP PRESS

Taiwan provides continuous support for National Referral Hospital

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Taiwan provides continuous support for National Referral Hospital

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Taiwan provides continuous support for National Referral Hospital

TAIWAN continues to support Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital’s (NRH) dengue laboratory.

According to the Taiwan Health Center (THC) in Honiara, through its partnership with Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH) in Taiwan, Dr. Ruby Tsai, Jih-Jin, who is the Director of the Tropical Medicine Center (TMC) at KMUH, led a dengue expert team to Solomon Islands in early September.

She held a conference regarding innovative strategies for mosquito borne diseases.

The team also carried out inspection in the dengue laboratory and provided practical improvement guideline and suggestions.

On top of that, a donation of new diagnostic tools worth SBD 130,000 was also made by the team to the hospital for the purpose of more rapid accurate identification of mosquito borne diseases.

One of their members, Bo-Yi Huang, a medical technician at KMUH’s Tropical Medicine Center spent the month working with staff at the lab where he taught them how to use the new tools.

Travelling to Solomon Islands for the first time, his work at NRH’s dengue lab included examining the lab and making sure that the quality and exact standard of operation procedure for testing including PCR and ELISA was carried out.

Taiwan Health Centre expressed that through the practice of traditional and updated methods, local medical technicians will be well equipped with skills to prepare for the future challenges of any possible dengue outbreak.

“The precise diagnosis could offer the proper clinical management and thus, reduce the severity and mortality of dengue fever”, said THC.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have recently dispatched another scale-up support for maintenance and renovation of the dengue laboratory with a total value of SBD 450,000.

“Both Taiwan government and KMUH paid efforts for strengthening the function of this dengue laboratory to maximize the practical help for the patients in Solomon Islands”, said THC.

The NRH dengue laboratory was established after the country’s first big dengue outbreak in 2013.

It was designed by KMUH’s Tropical Medicine Center under Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) grant support.

The dengue laboratory was donated to NRH in 2014 and has been supported technically by KMUH.

Since then, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, located in Southern Taiwan has persisted in providing maintenance, quality assurance and updated diagnostic techniques to NRH’s dengue laboratory.

Students urged to utilise scholarship opportunity

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE AND JOHN HOUANIHAU

STUDENTS who have applied for the government 2019 MPs scholarship awards are encouraged to make the best of the opportunity if accepted.

The call was made by the wife of one member of parliament who stressed that students should be mindful and accomplish what they are sent abroad to achieve.

Mrs Matilda Maneniaru, who is the spouse of Member of Parliament for West Are ‘Are constituency, Hon John Maneniaru says students who are to be awarded the scholarships under MPs privileges should set their minds on achieving academic goals.

She said that while the government is playing its part in sending students abroad under these opportunities on one end, the national government also expects the students to be positive and mindful about their studies.

Maneniaru expressed that those lucky students who will get the opportunity to travel to study at various universities should be vigilant about their opportunity, country, government, people and the future development of Solomon Islands.

She voiced that we are still in need of more educated and qualified people to move this nation forward hence students must exemplify what they have learned during their studies for the betterment of the country.

On another note, Maneniaru said that students returning to the country from tertiary institutions in past years stems from students’ failure in courses due to social influences and negligence of their duties as scholars.

“Students must put their concentrate on their studies, spend more time on what they are sent for, and should spend less on social activities that might disturb their studies”, said Maneniaru.

She emphasized that the purpose of the government’s support in this initiative is to improve and educate our human resources to the fullest to achieve future social and economic development of Solomon Islands.

PM highlights new investment opportunities at Concordia Summit

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet speaking

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela says Solomon Islands is opening its doors to increase investment opportunities.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela highlighted this during his discussions with other world leaders at the Concordia Annual Summit held in New York.

The 2018 Concordia Annual Summit is a high-level forum that attracts some of the most important world and business leaders, an event that runs alongside the United Nations General Assembly.

Prime Minister Houenipwela during the discussions has highlighted that more recently the Government is exploring innovative investment opportunities including the Citizenship Investment Programme (CIP) to increase foreign direct investment in Solomon Islands.

The leaders discussions were based on the theme “Transforming Vulnerable Small Islands toward greater economic Resilience through Innovative financing and strategic Partnership”.

St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet speaking

Amongst other investment opportunities, the Prime Minister said Solomon Islands had been introduced to the potential benefits for a well-organised and coordinated Citizenship Investment Programme recently.

“We believe that if such a programme meets our internal security requirements, it can result in attracting many high-net-worth and strategic investors to Solomon Islands,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that the Summit has enabled him to gain a much better understanding and valuable insights from other leaders of what their respective Citizenship Investment Programmes has done for their countries.

“My government is committed to working with our strategic partners in the international community to ensure that should Solomon Islands introduce a CIP, that will utilise the most robust and thorough due diligence process to ensure that only genuine investors with clean records will be considered for the programme,” he said

“One of the advantages of being a small nation is that well planned and executed policy interventions can make dramatic impacts in a relatively short period of time. A CIP is an example of such a targeted policy that has the potential to fundamentally shift our economic and social trajectory upward if done correctly,” he said.

The Prime Minister said these innovative investment programs could help further enhance the country’s resilience by injecting new sources of financing into the economy and open new revenue streams that could be channeled towards economic growth and other activities.

Therefore, he said the Government stands ready to explore these opportunities further.

The Concordia Summit venue

Prime Minister Houenipwela shared with other leaders that the Government is also contemplating various initiatives including a major new initiative that will transform the skyline of the country’s capital central business district.

He said this initiative which will involve the development of blocks of government offices, offices for commercial renting, a modern conferencing centre, hotels development and associated infrastructure development projects will provide tremendous public private partnership opportunities.

“We are also aiming to allocate prime real estate for hotel developments. We anticipate this initiative getting off the ground in the next 18-24 months,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said despite the fact that Solomon Islands is regarded as vulnerable in terms of Climate Change; his government is also aware of the inherent value Solomon Islands as a nation possesses.

“From the tangible abundant cultural and natural riches that we posses, to the more intangible, but equally important, strategic position that is attributed to our geographic location, we are more than a small Island Developing state,” the Prime Minister stated.

–OPMC PRESS

Western province health services run down

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants attending the hearing and open forum held at Gizo.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Participants attending the hearing and open forum held at Gizo.

WESTERN province health services is reportedly run down, which has brought about a more challenging task to bring medical activities to the people in the community level.

In a hearing and open forum held at Gizo recently, the Director for Provincial Health Services in Western province Mr Dickson Buara said Western province is running down.

He said now 14 health facilities are closed down as well as health activities are facing big challenges relating to health facilities, drug shortage and storage and service deliveries.

He shared the challenges with the Health and Medical Service Committee which Hon Charles Sigoto (Chairman), Hon Mathew Wale, Hon Alfred Ghiro, Hon Dickson Mua, Hon Lionel Alex and Hon Lanelle Tanangada.

He said out of 63 health facilities western province have, 14 have been closed down due to deterioration and land issues.

“Closure of health facilities is a huge problem. Currently we have 14 health services that are closed down with few are deteriorated very badly and some relate to land issue,” Mr Dickson said.

Beside that Mr Dickson said one main challenge they face is referral of patients to the National Referral Hospital for further management.

He said such has incurred health services huge money as in 2015 around 1.3 million, 2016 1.5 million and last year 1.1 million— despite it is going down there is no money, the need is still there.

With that he also adds water and sanitation is also one challenge for delivering health services at provincial level.

He said, “Common issue Gizo hospital facing is availability of clean water.”

“Gizo hospital and town don’t have reliable water supply—health services and people mostly catches or rely on rain water,” he said.

Meanwhile, the health services for Western province totalled with 63 health facilities with two hospitals, six area health centres, 22 rural area health centre and 33 posted nurses.

RCDF for Temotu Vatud questioned

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister for Women Youth Children and Family Affairs Freda Rotutafi Rangirei.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Hon Freda Tuki

A concerned voter from Vanikoro in the Temotu Vatud constituency called on its Member of Parliament to explain the distribution of the Rural Constituency Development Fund (RCDF).

He said over the past four years, there was no tangible development for the people of Tikopia live at Utupua and Vanikoro—a statement which the MP for Temotu/Vatud, refutes.

On that matter, the concerned voter from Vanikoro who requested anonymity called on MP Freda Tuki to explain how the funds were distributed during her four years in parliament.

He also urged Minister Tuki to explain why Tikopians of Vanikoro and Utupua have been left out from getting any assistance from RCDF.

Since general election is coming up, the concerned voter is calling on people of Temotu Vatud to vote wisely in 2019.

He said since they separated 20 years ago from Pele constituency nothing has been happening in terms of tangible development, and it is best to vote wisely.

With the concerns raised by the voter, MP for Temotu Vatud and Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Freda Tuki said there has been distribution of RCDF funds to schools, churches and houses.

Minister Tuki said those who have grudges against her did not receive any project because of their petition claims against her.

She said instead they chose not to work with her and continued to be enemies with her.

“Despite that people still receive developments”, Tuki said.

In terms of RCDF Tuki said funds is well distributed to none supporters and supporters who came back and work together with them.

“My office focuses much on human resources by sending more students to go out further study during my four years,” she said.

She also adds many people have received housing projects and about 90 percent of all the people received 50 watt solar light.

Minister also explained that some schools in Vatud received full complete school building, and most churches in those island mentioned also received complete building.

On the other hand, Minister encourages voters saying if they have frustration or any misunderstanding to call in at their constituency office.

Meanwhile, she acknowledged the fact that people raise their concern but the constituency has an office to seek for information.

Temotu Vatud constituency is made up of 12 Islands situated in the easternmost part of the Solomon Islands, and was formerly known as Santa Cruz Islands Province.

It consists essentially of two chains of islands which run parallel to each other from the northwest to the southeast with its area of 895 square kilometres (346 square miles).

Thanks media, shed light on omission period

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, I am perturbed by the amount of news on cross borders.

Firstly, I must applaud the media of the country for a job well done in an excellent coverage of the registration period.

So far, views of grass roots and politicians have been aired, printed and posted in the media, and we readers and listeners are well informed of the status quo of the biometric registrations.

Having said this, may I ask that the objection and omission period be covered on a similar scale as well, please.

Would not be a good thing to make a lot of noise during registration and then leave us in the dark during the objection and omission period.

I am sure that a lot of interesting news will be taken then.

I read from someone’s post on social media that the electoral act may just be a fantasy.

Well, let us wait and see.

If truly during the objection and omission period nothing is done to the cross borders and current MPs who are behind the many cross borders then I will say that Facebook post is 100 percent accurate.

John Poro

West Honiara

Need proper assessment on importance of teachers

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, as a parent, I often claimed that teachers supposed to earn higher salary than other government workers should in the nation.

I assumed that teachers has superior role in the nation than other government workers.

They are the educator who often facilitated educational services to our nation, particular to up bringing the academic performances and behaviour of our young populaces.

Just imagine how tough teachers taught you and I to be become a significant person in this nation.

I tell you the truth; any government cannot go without teachers, since teachers are the only source of modelling human resources within any government ministries.

But yet, Solomon Islands government certainly not realised these facts about the significance of teachers in this nation because of their foolishness and stagnant meditations.

Therefore, I appeal to the national government leaders to take these realities of teachers on board more seriously and must progress their condition right now.

I believe that, quality teaching and learning is rest in the heart of teachers not by having conducive learning environment as sated in the national education goals.

Last week a group of teachers met me and I as them the following question; “why were you teachers not performed up to the standard?” well in turn, they simply answer me by asking these questions. Firstly “do we teachers treated equally compare to other government ministries?

Secondly “do SIG recognise our contribution to this nation?” thirdly “are we [teachers] not public servants?” fourthly “ do you think the current teachers scheme of services could be motivated teachers to perform to the best as nation expected?” when they finished asking me those questions, I was paused for a few moments thinking what would happen to this nation.

After all, I was realised that quality of teaching and learning in this nation will not touched the national standard expected until teachers scheme of services is totally improved and reconsidered right now.

Again could be better for you national leaders to change the way in which you think. Rather than enjoying yourself in all corruption deals on the floor of the parliament.

On the same note may I appeal to the dormant teachers union ‘SINTA’ to come out clear in the media for current updates regarding teachers’ scheme of services.

Well the main issues here is “Teacher need a very affordable salary to meet their needs and wants now a days”. Since they [teachers] are human being just like you and others.

They also need better homes and living just like you and others.

They even have a lot of family commitments just like any others.

As of these facts I personally want to ask you these following questions; Firstly “ is there any differences between teachers and other government workers?” secondly “ are teachers not government workers?” thirdly “ why not teachers’ pay under public service scheme?” lastly “ is the current teachers scheme of services is attractive and motivated?”

Well I do not think so. It was obvious that Solomon Islands government regarded teachers as slaves of this nation.

Alternatively, even they never reflect how they become somebody in this nation. That is their leadership challenges and lack that national leaders need to be improved it now.

In that sense may, I appeal to you all registered teachers of Solomon Islands whether you come from private, churches, provincial or national schools the time has come to prove this nation how important you are.

In this situation may I appeal to you all teachers of various schools in around Solomon Islands to boycott the upcoming exams.

It is time to prove the nation. I know that this is the only approach that Solomon Islands government could reserve for you teachers

Most welcome to be part of this discussion

Fokiss Ramaramas

HONIARA

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