MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for North East Guadalcanal Hon Dr. Derek Sikua believe the cross border registration for voting reported occurring is a direct result of the amendment recently passed, broadening the definition of ‘ordinary residence’.
When Island Sun asked Hon Dr Sikua yesterday in an interview over whether he was aware of current reports circulating that cross border registration in Constituencies has been going on which included reports from within his own Constituency, the MP for North East Guadalcanal did not deny such reports.
“Yes I have heard of the cross border registration for voting and indeed it is happening too in my Constituency at Northeast Guadalcanal as a lot of people have been going as well to register at East Honiara, Central Guadalcanal, North Guadalcanal and some Constituencies outside of Guadalcanal Province,” said Sikua.
“I think that is a direct result of the amendment that we had just passed that broadens the definition of ‘ordinary residence’.
“During the past, the definition of ‘ordinary residence’ had it that one must reside in a particular Constituency for six months or more.
“Now that we have broadened the definition to also include where one has a genealogical connection relating to families or tribes, or if one works or owns a property in a particular Constituency as such, this opens up people coming under resulting in this cross border registration and of cause cross border voting.
“It does concern me but I guess it is our democratic right. And, the thing is that people must register and people must vote and who one vote’s for is their own choice of democratic right as only those things are important.”
SOLOMON Islands under-16 head coach Stanley Waita was impressed with Wednesday’s 5-0 win over New Zealand but insists that their campaign in the OFC Under-16 Championship is still halfway.
Speaking to the local media in the post-match conference at Lawson Tama Stadium, Waita said they are taking one game a time and the focus now will be on their next match which is Vanuatu set for this Saturday.
“This is a big winning margin for the team.
“I’m very impressed with the team’s performance.
“Like I said, we take one game at a time. The match against New Zealand is done and I’m excited,” Waita said.
The former national rep admitted that the advantage they have with the home turf gave them chance to come out with a positive result.
“We have all the advantage. When we come up against New Zealand we have the advantage with the conditions at Lawson Tama which is the heat and our game plan is to go all the way forward.”
Waita explained that they have made good use of their speed during the encounter it paid off.
“We try to play positive football and rely much on our counter attacks which is our main weapon. We made good use of our speed and that paid off today.
“The match against New Zealand is over and we aim for the semi-final. We have to forget this match and prepare forward for the remaining matches where Vanuatu is our next opponent.”
Waita stressed that they cannot rely on the result of the New Zealand game to give them what the likely outcome at the end of the tournament will be like.
“We cannot rely on the result of this match to bring us the likely outcome after the end of the tournament.
“We have to take one game at a time and have to play Vanuatu next, and then the semi-finals. At the moment, we have to forget about the semifinal and the game against Vanuatu.
“Our focus now will be on Vanuatu which is an important game itself in this campaign,” Waita said.
The head coach expressed great appreciation for the good cheering shown by the home supporters.
“I’m impressed with the good turnout of supporters for this match. I’ve called for supporters to come out and they did. Supporters are the 12th man in our match today and I wish to thank them all for supporting.
“Final call is for supporters to come and keep on supporting. Your support really boosts the morale of the boys to keep on playing harder by giving them extra energy to go extra mile in their performance. There are times where our home crowd sometimes turn the other way. But today, it’s different and I’m pleased that they turned our way by cheering behind us until the final whistle,” Waita uttered.
Solomon Islands players Chris Satu, Raphael Le’ai and Maxwell Keana celebrating their second goal yesterday in the
5-0 win against New Zealand. PICTURE: BENZ NEWMAN
Two goals and three assists for magical Rafa as Solomon Islands thrash New Zealand 5-0 in second pool match
BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE last thing members of the national under-16 side would have expected was to walk off the Lawson Tama Stadium pitch on Wednesday afternoon coming away 5-0 victors.
The stunning victory by the Solomon Islands youth side against the young All Whites on home soil in their second match of the Pool A competition of the OFC Under-16 Championship aided the youngsters put one foot in next week’s semi-final.
The victory fast-tracks the recap of a piece of history attained some 25 years ago when the Solomon Islands national under-17 side defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the 1993 Oceania Under-17 World Cup qualifiers in Honiara. But this time they did it in a more swelling style unlike the outcome two decades ago by surpassing the previous margin with another three goals ontop of it.
Young football prodigy Raphael Le’ai ‘Rafa’ was the toast for the home side having scored twice and assisted with the other three goals registered by Javin Wae, Leon Kofana and Maxwell Keana, respectively, in the ensuing rout.
Playing infront of a capacity crowd, the Stanley Waita-coached side employed a high intensity game strategy from the start and their constant mounting pressure resulted in a corner kick being awarded on the right side of the western end of the pitch.
Le’ai stepped up and delivered in a well-taken ball which met Wae’s head in perfect precision who stirred it past New Zealand goalkeeper Luca Taylor for the first goal in the 18th minute, bringing the home crowd supporters into frenzy.
Solomon Islands players Chris Satu, Raphael Le’ai and Maxwell Keana celebrating their second goal yesterday in the 5-0 win against New Zealand. PICTURE: BENZ NEWMAN
Solomon Islands maintained composure and held off possible threats coming from New Zealand as they surged upfront in search of a quick equaliser.
In the 27th minute, Le’ai made a solo run into the box after beating his marker and puts a cross in at the back post for Charles Mani to finish off where he did exactly as they would have wanted – however, the flag went up and the goal was ruled out for an offside.
Le’ai continued to combine well with Steward Qwanafia, Mani and Chris Satu upfront and hosts of chances came begging causing more trouble for the New Zealand defense.
Le’ai picked up a ball outside the area and raced in past New Zealand defender Ryan Verney who fell short in attempts to stop him. The speedster found space and whipped the ball in past Taylor from a tight angle for the second goal.
The 2-0 lead remained until halftime break.
The match resumed for the second half and the visitors made two early replacements with Verney and Bradly Wilson coming off for Matt Garbet and Joseph Lee, respectively.
The substitutions took to a good effect for New Zealand which saw three scoring chances created and only to be kept out by fine defending and goalkeeping from Solomon Islands.
Solomon Island striker Raphael Le’ai slides with the ball as New Zealand defender chases him
Solomon Islands introduced its first substitution of the day in the 54th minute when key towering defender Wae came off for Benbate Lamupio to seek medical treatment for a minor wrist injury.
A minute later, Solomon Islands wins a free-kick and Le’ai was on hand to deliver in a fine low drive which met captain Kofana who made no mistake with an easy tap past Taylor for the third goal.
The opened floodgates infront of the New Zealand goalmouth appeared to be an unbelievable scene inside the roaring jam-packed stadium.
Solomon Islands dominated with more upfield attacks as Le’ai and Qwanafia tormented the New Zealand defense.
The hosts brought in two more fresh legs which saw Qwanafia and Mani coming off as Densely Gesini and Philip Ropa were introduced onto the fray.
The duo bursts onto the scene with a sudden impact and Ropa was able to work a hard way from the left to deliver a laying cross for Le’ai to finish off for the fourth goal in the 85th minute and extended his tournament tally to six goals.
A minute later, Keana slotted in the fifth goal after a shot from Le’ai rebounded off the underside of the crossbar onto the six yard box.
The match was forced into another four minutes of injury time before the whistle was blown for full time.
Quite satisfying for the home crowd, they remained in the stadium to cheer for the local heroes whilst an atmosphere filled with mist of dejection hovers over the young All Whites players.
The victory takes Solomon Islands to six points to the top of Group A ahead of New Zealand, PNG and Vanuatu.
In the other match played yesterday morning, PNG thrashed Vanuatu 5-0.
The competition continues today with two more matches featuring teams from Pool B starting at 10am.
A google map of the area where the UXO is located. (INSERT) The UXO discovered in the Point Cruz area of Honiara. Photos from Police Media
Public in Honiara urged to stay clear of bomb disposal operation in Point Cruz area
A google map of the area where the UXO is located. (INSERT) The UXO discovered in the Point Cruz area of Honiara. Photos from Police Media
THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has strongly advised the general public, vehicle drivers and business owners and road users in Honiara that road blocks will be enforced from the main market underpass to South Pacific Oil Refilling Station road junction and also from the Provincial Press road to the Rock Haven upper road from 2pm until 3pm, today.
This is to allow the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team of the RSIPF to conduct a Render Safe Procedure on an unexploded bomb discovered at Point Cruz behind the Advanced Technology Building.
The EOD Team isolated and secured the unexploded explosive shell on September 11, 2018 after receiving a report from a construction group working there.
This type of World War II shell is uncommon and has not been found in the Honiara central business district (CBD) before.
Because of the type of explosive, it cannot be moved before it is rendered safe by the highly trained professionals of EOD.
This major police operation will involve RSIPF EOD, Traffic, and Central Police Station conducting high visibility patrols and cordoning of the exclusion zone.
The Operational Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mostyn Mangau, says, “The EOD team will be conducting a Render Safe Procedure (RSP) task behind the Advanced Technology office building, Point Cruz.
“The Render Safe Procedure operation will commence between 8am and 3pm on Thursday, September 13, 2018, which will require an evacuation of surrounding premises and an exclusion zone in place, including road blocks.
“Whilst police regret any inconvenience, these necessary measures are being put in place to keep the community safe.
“The general public and those living within the area of the road block points to the coastal side along with the areas of Advanced Technology, ITA Hardware, Rock Haven Inn, United Church Rest House, and the line of shops on the western end of ITA hardware are kindly warned to keep out while the operation is in progress.”
A staged evacuation of affected buildings, including commercial premises, will be coordinated by police.
This will commence with notification of affected buildings, including commercial premises from 8am, closure of commercial premises by 12pm.
The operation will be completed by 3pm.
Roads will be re-opened and the exclusion zone lifted once the operation is complete and the area safe.
Members of the community that do not need to be in the CBD are encouraged to avoid the area.
RSIPF apologies to affected residents, road users and business owners for any inconvenience caused.
However, this unavoidable operation is being initiated to keep the community safe.
THE man who led the national under-17 side to create a history that went down into the country’s football books two decades ago by defeating the New Zealand under-17 side for the first time, has urge members of the national under-16 team to repeat similar feat.
Joel Moffat Konofilia, who is an outspoken football critic, is rallying full support behind the national under-16 side.
Konofilia called on the youngsters to play to their best and go for three points when the home side takes on New Zealand in the crucial Pool A match of the OFC Championship 3pm this afternoon at Lawson Tama Stadium.
Konofilia captained the Solomon Islands under-17 team when they defeated New Zealand 2-1 on May 1, 1993 during the Oceania Under-17 World Cup Qualifiers hosted in Honiara, thanks to goals by former reps Paul Kakai Junior and John Mark Ofu, respectively.
Paul Kakai Junior, infront, John Mark Ofu, left, and captain Joel Moffat Konofilia, right, celebrating their winning goal against New Zealand in the 2-1 victory on May 1, 1993 at Lawson Tama.
Recollecting how the match unfolded 25 years ago infront of a capacity crowd at the old Lawson Tama Stadium, the scoreline was locked at nil-all by halftime before Kakai Junior found the opener in the 55th minute to put the Patrick Miniti-coached side infront leading by 1-0.
Thirteen minutes later, Mark Ofu scored the winner when he dribbled one on one against the New Zealand goalkeeper before slotting the ball past him into the back of the net.
New Zealand, which was coached by former All White Glen Turner that time, attempted a strong come-back following the two-goal deficit. However they could only manage to score one goal before the referee blew the whistle for fulltime. That historic victory earned Solomon Islands a spot in the grand final for the first time where they went up against Australia but lost 3-0.
The second place position attained in the 1993 qualifiers becomes the best and the highest result ever for Solomon Islands at the under-17 level and it remains unrivalled until today.
Other players who featured alongside Konofilia, Mark Ofu and Kakai Junior during that moment back then were Frank Fono, Robert Seni, Freddie Fa’arodo, Leslie Leo, Nick Lamani, Gideon Omokirio, John Solodia, Wilfred Suruau, Peter Taka, Henry Berry, Petaia Delaiverata Junior, Eddie Rifasia, Cliff Sasau and John Noni to name a few.
“Well, it happened 25 years ago and that time Oceania only has one qualification spot for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. There was Australia and one team qualifying.
“We played with our hearts back then to beat New Zealand and get a place in the final. I would like the boys to do the same again in this tournament and qualify into the Under-17 world cup. This is our chance.
“I’m wishing that we would take this opportunity, especially with our home crowd to make it through,” Konofilia expressed.
The former national midfielder said that Solomon Islands have a very balanced team going into this competition.
“We have a very balanced team now.
“It all comes down to our coaches’ abilities to build momentum and hit climax during the matches.
“All the best to head coach Stanley Waita. With young coach Jerry Sam on the sideline, I’m more confident that we will get there. All the best to the players as well. Make us proud as the nation is right behind the team.
“I’m a bit disappointed that the boys didn’t have any international friendlies but the time to dwell on that is over. It’s now time to stand behind our boys and help them pull out the best that is stored in them,” Konofilia uttered.
The members of the 1993 Under-17 team that beat New Zealand 2-1 at Lawson Tama
Konofilia’s former head coach back then Patrick Miniti posted on the Marist club’s social network page by sharing similar sentiments.
“History was made 25 years ago when SI beat NZ in the semi-final of the under-17 OFC tournament and played Australia in the final and was beaten 3-0.
“If we were following the new system of qualification, SI would have qualified already for the FIFA World under-17 football tournament!
“We believe the history can be repeated this time for the SI and they can qualify for the upcoming FIFA Under17 tournament.
“Cheers everyone, please come in numbers to support our team during this OFC qualifying tournament.
“We wish our national under 16 team good luck and all the best for their matches, GO SOLO GO! A special tribute goes to our national under 17 of 1993!” Miniti stated.
Meanwhile, the first match for today will begin at 10am between PNG and Vanuatu.
Gate fee for the grandstand at Lawson Tama is $50.00 while the hillside fee is $20.00
Caucus wants financial report update on Solomon Games
BY TAROMANE MARTIN
Nick Hatigeva
THE Renbel Solomon Games taskforce and the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) is under heavy pressure this week to deliver financial reports regarding the $2 Million Dollars given by the government to help the provinces’ preparation to host the national games in November.
Vice Chairman for the Renbel Games task force Mr Nick Hatigeva said their task force had already met with NOCSI and NOCSI with the government Caucus on August 29 to deliver their presentation regarding the first assessment visit to the province back in June.
Mr Hatigeva said NOCSI had met with their task force committee last Saturday to update them about the situation after Caucus questioned Renbels’ preparation to host the games.
He said the presentation to caucus was well received saying amongst some of the major concerns raised during their presentation last week was Caucus’s call for the task force to deliver their financial reports on the $2m funding for the games from the government
“The concerns uttered by the caucus members especially the caucus president among others were, one although the report may look good on paper there appears to be little progress made after the funding of 2 million dollars was paid out to the task force in June,” Hatigeva said.
“Two, the task force was required to submit a report on progress at the end of July, but this has not happened yet.
“There were concerns and questions raised over water issues and also some concerns over transportation and on various matters and issues relating to the preparedness of playing venues and facilities,” he adds.
The vice chairman said while there were concerns, there were also some positive signs shown from the presentation.
Some of the positive feedback that came out from the meeting was that the government wants an urgent report from NOCSI and the Renbel Task Force to justify that they will be able to complete work on all venues and can still host.
“Second is for NOCSI to make an urgent visit to Renbel Province to ascertain progress made so far and report back to the government on their findings, before government can make a final decision,” he said.
Hatigeva confirmed their task force has been informed about the situation by NOCSI last Saturday and will work on finalizing the report so the games can kick off in November.
“So on Saturday, NOCSI had convened a meeting with Renbel Task Force to convey the information and urged the Task Force to show cause by helping NOCSI to come up with the required report and move quickly to complete remaining work.
“The Task Force will submit its report this week regarding progress of preparation work, expenditures relating to the 2million and to prove and justify to the government that there has been progress made since June, and that all venues will be ready before November,” he said.
The Vice Chairman meanwhile thanked NOCSI President Martin Rara, their Member of Parliament Dr Tautai Angikimua Kaituu for taking up the cause to plead Renbel’s case to host the national games in their province.
“Thank you to NOCSI President and also to our Honorable MP, Dr. Tautai, for the great support that he demonstrated when he plead with his colleagues and members of the caucus to support the call for Renbel to still host the Solomon Games,” he said.
“The presentation by NOCSI to the national government caucus last Wednesday was well received, thanks to the NOCSI president and his team for the good job.”
A group photo after the opening programme at the Women Resource Center on Monday.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
A group photo after the opening programme at the Women Resource Center on Monday.
THE Orientation and Training programme for Western Provincial Government and Heads of Division workshop was begins in Gizo, Western Province.
This orientation is for the Members of the Provincial Assembly and Heads of Divisions serving the provincial government of the Western Province on the Financial Management Ordinance and the Financial Instructions.
The two week workshop started on Monday 10th September 2018 at the Women Resource Center and will wide-up on Friday 21st September 2018.
The newly elected Premier of Western Province David Gina has honored to be part of the very important orientation and training program for the MPAs and HODs.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday Gina said that his newly formed government are so privilege to have the expert from the Ministry of MPGIS and his team to assist and support in this very important orientation and training.
“Executive members, MPAs, HODs and other participants, the training and orientation that we have been waiting for is here, and the getting together that we anticipate and longed for is at hand.”
“I therefore appeal to all of us for our cooperation, participation and more interaction so that our togetherness here in this workshop will be long remembered and will be part of our histories as we are being reminded of our sole roles, duties and responsibilities,” said Gina.
He said that the fact we all here is not by mistake, but by blessing. Explore and discover the revised FMO and the PG FI look at public expenditure systems, fully understand the roles, duties and responsibilities of the Public Accounts Committee, Introducing the newly elected MPAs to the PCDF processes and procedures including assessment issues.
Gina said look at the revenue mobilization issues and strategies, internal controls and audits issues and communication issues and strategies.
He said the orientation and training will for sure give us the courage, the determination and understanding of things that were not aware off in the past. We heard that they were there many years ago, but we didn’t see and understand them as it is in this training.
Gina said that this orientation and training is so timely and really an eye opener for us, especially those who have just join in the provincial government system and processes.
He added that this again a tool to enhance our service delivery to our people.
The official opening was held at the Women Resource Center on Monday with introduction of the programme.
The Orientation and training programme for MPAs, WPG Assembly and HODs was facilitated by the Programme Management Expert of the PGSI Mr Momudou Samaneh and his colleagues from the Ministry.
Mayor Cr. Andrew Mua trying out one of the new trucks, the Skip Bin.
Mayor Cr. Andrew Mua trying out one of the new trucks, the Skip Bin.
THE Honiara City Council Executive and Governance have handed over two new solid waste management Trucks to the Works Division.
This is part of the 2018 Capital Budget as a commitment to a cleaner environment and smart solid waste management in the City.
Mayor Cr Andrew Mua during the handing over said the new trucks will improve the demand of the services provided by the Council.
“These new machines will help to keep up with the demand from our communities to provide better services in waste management.
“Financially we have to work within our means to afford the trucks,” Mua added.
“I would like to urge the public to respect the trucks and work together with the Council for the betterment of the City.
“On the same note I would like to thank the Friends of the City for the continuous good work in cleaning the City,” he added.
Mayor Mua also acknowledged the office of the City Clerk, Treasurer and Director of Works to agree with the Governance to procure the new trucks.
Speaking on behalf of the Works Division, Chairman Robert Oge thanked the Mayor, Governance and Management for the commitment.
“These new trucks will help to provide and improve quality services to the public, and I thank everyone involved for the support in the process of procuring it,” he said.
“Also I want to call on the public to work together with the Council to properly dispose wastes at proper locations allocated for collections,” he added
The new specialised Compactor and Skip Bin trucks are part of the larger efforts and plans to keep Honiara City environmentally clean.
The two new trucks now bring a total of five waste collection vehicles in the fleet of the Works Division.
Mayor Cr. Andrew Mua handing over the Keys to Chairman of Works Cr. Robert Oge, witnessed by the Governance and Management team.
POLICE at Tulagi in the Central Province (CP) conducted an awareness talk at the Belaga Community High School on Small Gela on Monday, September 10, 2018.
Provincial Police Commander(PPC) Central Province, Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “The messages delivered during the awareness talk included law and order, anti-social behaviour covering marijuana, kwaso, and alcohol involving youth, sexual offences, family violence and the Crime Prevention Strategy.
“The presentation also covered the three sources of law in our country.
“This is part of the ongoing roll out of the Crime Prevention Strategy to prevent crime in order to build stronger and safer communities.
“At the end of the presentation Inspector John Sara donated one sport kit comprising of a soccer ball, a volley ball, a volley ball net and a pump to the Deputy Principal of Belaga Community High School, Miriam Ratu.
“Deputy Principal Miriam Ratu thanked Inspector Sara for the awareness talk given to her students and staff and the gifts which will help her students sport activities.
“Such awareness talks at schools are one of our priorities to educate our youth to become law abiding citizens in future.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Solomon Island Police Development Programme (SIPDP) for availing the sport kits which we have been donating to schools during the talks.”
Western Provincial Government staffs and Premier Hon David Gina meets with the MPs and members of the Health and Medical Service Committee (HMSC)
at the Premiers Office on Monday
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
Western Provincial Government staffs and Premier Hon David Gina meets with the MPs and members of the Health and Medical Service Committee (HMSC) at the Premiers Office on Monday
MEMBERS of the Health and Medical Service Committee (HMSC) have paid their first courtesy call on the office of the newly elected premier of Western province David Gina on Monday.
The Health and Medical Service Committee is mandated by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands to examine and make observations and recommendations on matters relating to health and medical services as it may consider appropriate or as referred to it by Parliament or the Government.
The team includes Chairman Charles Sigoto MP, Alfred Ghiro MP, Matthew Wale MP, Dickson Mua MP, Alex Lionel Gora MP and Hon Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada MP.
Premier Gina received the committee at the Premiers Office in Gizo where the committee renewed their friendship and discussed key priority issues and challenges concerning health.
Sigoto, MP for Ranogga/ Simbo, briefed Gina on key health issues and challenges facing health service delivery in the country and possible ways in which these issues can be addressed.
He also briefed the Premier that the committee has successfully completed several public inquiries.
In 2016 the committee conducted public inquiry in Malaita (Kilufi and Maluu hospitals), later followed by one in Temotu in the eastern region in 2017.
“This current inquiry into the status and quality of Medical Services provided in Hospitals and Mini-Hospitals in the country is part of the above inquiry for the Western region,” said Sigoto.
Sigoto said by the end of their inquiry, it is expected that the committee will be in a position to report to Parliament on all matters relevant to the issue.
Gina and other provincial staffs and MPAs discussed health issues and challenges currently affecting the province.
Sigoto said that the government, through its responsible Ministry will ensure medical health services reaches the rural populace.
Today the committee will visit Maravari Clinic in South Vella la Vella Island.
