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Voter registration in Choiseul goes well

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

VOTER’S registration in Choiseul Province has gone well without any complain since the starting on the 3rd this month, September.

According to the Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Ward 12 at Varisi Lavata Hon Nerio Ulemiki reporting, the turn up was high with a lot of people visiting the voter registration centres to update their voter registration details.

“Many of those who were not eligible to vote in the last election because they were not registered and a lot of young youths who have just turned 18 years old recently were happy to go forward and register their names to vote in the upcoming National General Election (NGE) for 2019,” said Hon Ulemiki.

First win defines good start: Waita

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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National under-16 coach, Stanley Waita.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Islands national under-16 head coach Stanley Waita says the first win snatched yesterday signifies a good start for them in their OFC Under-16 Championship campaign.

This follows the 5-0 drubbing of Melanesian neighbours PNG, thanks to four goals from Raphael Le’ai and a goal from Chris Satu.

Speaking to the media in the post-match conference, Waita said they started a bit late in the first half, but as soon as they scored the first goal, things appeared to favour them.

“My boys started a bit late where we supposed to go with a high intensity game plan but it didn’t work out.

“But we managed to put things together quickly and scored the first goal which gave us confidence to go further in the contest.

“Before going into the match, we’re confident of winning it. We just need to be patient and do the right thing.

“Playing under this type of weather is also a new thing for my boys. But I’m happy that they came out with the first win,” Waita outlined.

The win puts Solomon Islands equal with New Zealand on three points but had to move down to occupy the second spot on the Group A table due to the advantage the young All Whites have following the 8-0 thrashing of Vanuatu in the earlier fixture of the day.

“After New Zealand secured a big win in their first game, we feel that we too must step up in our game to take us closer to them.

“In pool game situations, I need to calculate well how we’re going to go taking into considerations the makeup of the other pool. I would like to finish the pool at the top. Therefore, we need to come out with a win in Wednesday’s game against New Zealand, which would be a good thing for us.”

Solomon Islands created many scoring opportunities in the first half but could only find the net five times due to fine defending from their opponent.

Waita admits to have regretted missing the other goal scoring chances which could have increased the winning margin.

“In football a lot of things happen and one of them includes missed chances. We missed out on a couple of chances where we’d like to score more goals. In football, when you miss chances, you miss chances. When you score goals, you score goals.”

Waita gave credit to a good defensive-playing PNG side that held them out physically in a couple of occasions on the pitch.

“PNG played very well. They are more physical than us. We didn’t expect them to come out as strong like that. I give credit to a very good PNG side for putting up a good defensive play against us.”

Waita added that the victory is certain to ease things down a bit on him especially when faced up with the pressure of playing a competition on home soil.

“There is a lot of pressure playing a competition on home soil and trying to deliver the title to home fans. In Solomon Islands, supporters always expect positive results.

“It’s a very tough thing to handle but I’m putting up my hand to deliver a good result in this competition.”

Solomon Islands will play New Zealand in their second match Wednesday afternoon and explains that he needs full backing from the home crowd.

“I want all home supporters to go behind the team.

“I urge all supporters to come out in numbers when we take on New Zealand on Wednesday.

“I’m a Liverpool fan and when you go to Anfield, there’s always a 12-man Liverpool. The 12th are the supporters. So supporters, please come out and let’s play with 12-man on Wednesday against New Zealand,” Waita appealed.

Meanwhile, the championship will continue today at Lawson Tama with Pool B teams squaring off for their first matches.

Scheduled for 10am today will be Fiji going against Samoa while at 3pm sees New Caledonia taking on Tahiti.

The two finalists of this championship will qualify to represent Oceania at the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru.

Young All Whites hit eight past Vanuatu

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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New Zealand Midfielder Oskar Van Hattum controls the ball past the sliding Ni-Vanuatu player in yesterday’s Group A match of the OFC U-16 championship at Lawson Tama. New Zealand won 8-0. PICTURE: BENZ NEWMAN

BY ROMULUS HUTA

New Zealand Midfielder Oskar Van Hattum controls the ball past the sliding Ni-Vanuatu player in yesterday’s Group A match of the OFC U-16 championship at Lawson Tama. New Zealand won 8-0. PICTURE: BENZ NEWMAN

NEW Zealand thrashed Vanuatu 8-0 on Sunday morning’s opener of the OFC Under-16 Championship at Lawson Tama Stadium.

The big win puts them on top of the Group A table ahead of Solomon Islands, PNG and Vanuatu, respectively.

Oskar Van Hattum was instrumental for the young All Whites side throughout the entire contest having played assist to two goals and also finding back of the net twice.

Played on a wet and a slippery turf, the Jose Figuiera-coached side put up a fine first half performance to find the back of the net five times in the first half through a double each coming from Ryan Verney and Henry Hamilton, respectively while the other was scored by Bradley Wilson.

Eleven minutes into the second Van Hattum added the sixth from the spot to register his name on the score sheet for the first time.

In the 77th minute, he added his second to increase the scoreline to 7-0 before setting up Joseph Lee for the final goal three minutes into injury time.

“I’m really happy.

“It’s a great start. You know, you’d always want to start this tournament with a win. But I think it’s not just the three points but the way we played.

“The wet pitch really suited us where we can be able to play our passing game, positioning game and control the game. So for an opening game, it’s a good start.

““There will be a big crowd and a big support like my experiences before and there will be a different challenge for us in the second game,” a delighted Figuiera said.

The Englishman added that his team’s next match is against Solomon Islands and that poses a big challenge for them.

“We are in a nice position now and we can go back and recover to play against Solomon Islands.

“We’ll take in a lot of confidence from this game (against Vanuatu) and get back and do our recovery now and tomorrow we’ll begin focussing on the next challenge.”

Vanuatu coach Joel Rarua appeared disappointed with the result of their first match and blamed slow movement with the ball for the loss.

“Our strategy could not work in the first game.

“Our boys are a bit slow in their movement and that affected our performance. Defensive mistakes also cost us in the first half.

“But in the second half, we pushed things up a bit and improved our performance with some good defending.

“Having taken into account the performance from the first game, we have identified the weaknesses and there is room for improvement in the second game.

“We have enough time to recover and our boys should be ready to take on PNG in the second match,” Rarua added.

New Zealand will take on Solomon Islands in their second match on Wednesday 3pm while Vanuatu will play PNG in the earlier fixture of the day.

Solomon Islands bit too clinical: PNG coach

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Solomon Islands striker Raphael Le’ai gets a touch to the ball ahead of the PNG player in yesterday’s encounter at Lawson Tama

PNG under-16 head coach admits that his boys went down to a better side following the 5-0 loss conceded against Solomon Islands in their Pool A campaign opener of the OFC Under-16 Championship yesterday at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Speaking to the media in the post-match conference, coach Anthony Pakatota said Solomon Islands were a bit too clinical for them with their fast-paced plays and that contributes to their loss.

“The first game is always an important game in this kind of tournament. It’s always good to get a good start. We did not start well.

“Solomon was a bit too clinical with their fast pace so therefore, they caught us a lot out wide and also in the inside,” he said.

Pakatota explained that Solomon Islands made good use of the home ground turf to their best advantage and rules out on Sunday’s slippery and wet conditions as a contributing factor.

“Lawson Tama is always a slippery and a fast pitch on weather like this.

“Blaming the weather for the loss, I don’t really think so. It goes down to experience, especially when it’s not your home ground, you don’t know the pitch but we can only hope for the best.

“But that’s the advantage they have, you know Solomon Islands used their home ground to their best use.

“We’re a bit slow in recovery in defence; we tightened it up a bit in the second half and the idea worked out to be more competitive,” he added.

PNG will play Vanuatu in their second match set for Wednesday 10am.

Parents worried by social media effects on kids

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY Ezekiel Talatau

INFLUENCE of social media on students is becoming an increasing worry for parents in the country.

Speaking to Island Sun, a concerned parent who wises anonymity, said she has witnessed her daughter’s academic grades drop as interest in social media grew and she spent most of her time on social media.

Another parent comments that social media affects students’ traditional lifestyle, along with their academic performances.

It is estimated about 20 percent of students using social media are connected with their school and activities, 25 percent show a sign of depression and status updates; 96 percent of students giving up of using Social media have a high grade.

Facebook platform creates a significant connection for students to share ideas and do research and to connect people and family all over the world.

“Currently, there is no assessment been done on students using social media in Solomon Islands, but monitoring them through their activities is one way to investigate,” said a concerned parent.

Community officers ready for important roles in Malaita

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MPGIS permanent secretary Stanley Pirione.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

MPGIS permanent secretary Stanley Pirione.

FIFTEEN community liaison officers (CLOs) from the wards in Malaita have concluded their induction workshop last Friday in Auki.

The one-week workshop began last Monday with chiefs and church leaders around Malaita province joining the programme for the first three days.

During the official closing programme last Friday, permanent secretary from the ministry of the provincial government and institutional strengthening (MPGIS) Mr Stanley Pirione thanked the CLOs for their commitment during the training.

He voiced his optimism that the officers are now well equipped with knowledge on their roles and what is expected of them.

“This programme must be carried out in our communities in Malaita making sure that you are representing your provincial government, the police and also the national government to address issues raise in our communities.

“By attending this weeklong training I believe the CLOs have fully equipped with knowledge and understanding regarding their duties as community liaison officers.”

PPC of Malaita province Timothy Apaesi.

Also speaking during the programme, Provincial Police Commander (PPC) of Malaita province Timothy Apaesi said the Auki police will be working closely with the CLOs in the communities in Malaita.

“I believe from time to time we will put our hands together working with our communities trying to address issues and also to reduce other unti-social behaviours in our communities.

“The set up that the Malaita provincial government has set is a way forward for the people in Malaita for addressing lasting peace and also to pave a way forward for development.

“Wishing the CLO’s a good and effective programme in our communities where we all work together for a better Malaita.”

Community Liason Officers in a group photo.

Ministry asked to help Malaita tackle logging problem

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Logging impacts in Solomon Islands IMAGE story.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Ministry of Forest and Research has been asked to work together with the Malaita provincial government to address issues in the growing logging industry in the province.

The call follows worrying observations that logging companies head straight into operations in the province without paying the provincial business fee.

Revenue Officer under Malaita Provincial Government (MPG) who responsible for logging licence fees, Mr Eddro Misite’e made the statement saying this undermines the provincial government.

He said in Malaita province logging companies, upon receiving permits from the national ministry of forestry, go straight into operations and do not bother to pay the provincial business licence fee.

He said sometimes they fail to consult the Malaita province government to pay their business or licence fees before embarking on the business in the province.

Misite’e said they experienced that some logging companies turned up to pay their business fees when they are doing their felling or even shipment of logs.

He said this is non-compliance to MPG ordinance as all businesses to operate in the province must pay their fees first before operating.

Misite’e said this is an area of concern and MFR must work together with MPG on it to ensure this area to be ironed.

He said MPG respect all investors wish to engage in business in the province, hence they must also respect the province as well.

Funds run out, 60 SIG students terminated

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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USP Laucala Campus

By Alfred Sasako

SOME 60 Solomon Islands students, sponsored by the government have had their University of the South Pacific (USP) scholarships terminated or suspended because funding for their awards has run out.

But the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) kept the students in the dark about this until the USP Honiara Campus had terminated students’ accounts, denying them access to facilities such as the internet, one student told Island Sun on the weekend.

“Each time we asked about what was going on, the usual excuse was the National Training Committee (NTC) was yet to meet on our awards. This went on for more than a month, before the National Training Unit (NTU) Director gave us the bombshell, the student said.

“All this time MEHRD has been told by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to cut back on the scholarship awards because funds have run out,” the student said.

The student said the Ministry only told them about the problem when they inquired about why the USP Solomon Islands Campus had de-registered their school accounts.

“They told us that half the 60 students have had their scholarships terminated on account of failing their courses. The other half were given suspension letters but were told to appeal.

“The majority of us have succeeded in our appeals but instead of reinstating all of us, only one student was reinstated. We don’t know why. It is quite possible this was due to the wantok system,” the student.

“In fact the Director of the National Training Unit (NTU) told us we had a choice to remain in Honiara or to go home. There is no money to continue your award. There will be money in next year’s Budget for your awards,” the students were told.

The student said she was one of those who had chosen to return home as there was nothing to do in Honiara.

“Sometimes one wonders whether the Ministry has done its sums before making scholarship awards,” the student said.

Malaita leads country in logging scale

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Logging in Solomon Islands. Photo supplied

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA province currently has the highest number of logging companies working in it, it is reported.

And, it is projected that the number of logging companies in Malaita will increase in the years to come.

Chief Forestry Officer of Malaita province, Mr Francis Kiriau in a recent interview said there are 20 active logging licences in Malaita province.

He adds that there are more licences in queue to be approved for operation in Malaita.

Kiriau said that in the coming months, Malaita will see more logging companies operating in the province as these pending licences get approved.

He said according to their record, the southern region of Malaita hosts most of the logging operations.

Kiriau said there were about two logging operations in the area of West Kwara’ae and West Fataleka and about one in East Malaita.

He said the areas with more logging activities started from West Kwaio toward Are Are (both East and West) and Small Malaita.

Kiriau said all the operations are Asian owned contractors and locally own licensees who incorporated the activities.

He said all these logging operations are on primary forests where natural forests continue to reap under these operations.

Kiriau said according to their data a total of 40 shipments were recorded of logs taking out from the province since January to June 2018. The number expects to double-up by this time.

He said that nationally, more logging activities pick-ups in Malaita, Guadalcanal and Choiseul provinces.

He said other provinces do existed with logging operation but not really to that much of the mentioned three provinces.

He said at the moment logging scoped the highest revenue government can collect in the country.

However, he said government’s proposal to scale down on logging by 2020 will be a blow for the country if they’re not considering major investments to take the place of logging.

Luaniua community without health centre for 2 years

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Luaniua incomplete health centre.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Luaniua incomplete health centre.

LUANIUA one of the main villages in Lord Howe has been without a health centre for almost two years, it is reported.

This has been one of the reasons for the many deaths which have occurred during that period.

In an exclusive interview with a former chairman of Luaniua’s health committee, David Kepangi, he said the lack of a health centre was caused by funds being misused by their leaders.

Kepangi said throughout the past two years, they have had to rely on whatever little help they could get from neighbouring Pelau.

But, even this help from their sister community is not sufficient to meet the health and medical demands for the whole of Luaniua.

Kepangi adds that to this day, this problem remains unsolved by their leaders.

“Hence I hereby call on the responsible authorities, the Malaita provincial government health centre and our leaders to consider the importance of health services for our case as rural and remote settlers and provide us with proper health centre with medical drugs and facilities, real doctors and qualified health workers.

“As this lack of healthcare access is so bad in our community that people die from simple disease that can be cured with ordinary pills,” said Kepangi.

He asks how much longer will the people of Luaniua have to wait to have a proper health centre established in their community.

It is understood that Luaniua community is being serviced by an incomplete health centre which was constructed two years ago.

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