Part of the members of the PNG soccer team upon Wednesday's arrival.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Part of the members of the PNG soccer team upon Wednesday’s arrival.
THE PNG national under-16 soccer boys landed in Honiara on Wednesday afternoon with high hopes ahead of Sunday’s kick-off of the 2018 OFC Under-16 Championship at Lawson Tama Stadium.
Led by Anthony Pakatoka as head coach, the former PNG national representative has brought with him a total of 20 playing members plus other accompanying team officials.
“We are excited to be here and we look forward to participate in the tournament,” Mr. Pakatoka said, upon arrival at the Henderson Airport.
PNG is placed in Pool A and will go against host nation Solomon Islands, New Zealand and Vanuatu in the group stage competition.
“Solomon Islands I think, they have prepared well, so as Vanuatu and New Zealand, they are a very high quality side.
“We would expect very stiff challenges from them. I think it would be a big task for us to meet them as we head on,” Mr. Pakatoka added.
The PNG youngsters will have three days of training before kicking off their campaign opener against Solomon Islands at 3pm on Sunday.
“The first game will be tough because we are playing against the host nation.
“They are a very good side. We will do our best but Solomon Islands teams are always well prepared. We will try our best to challenge them.”
Following Sunday’s contest, Vanuatu awaits PNG for their second fixture set for Wednesday while their final pool match is against New Zealand next Saturday.
“Our aim is to get past the pool stage and qualify into the semi-finals, and maybe, who knows, get a shot for the finals to earn a place at the world cup,” Pakatoka said.
A view overlooking the swimming facility and lake Tegano.
By Taromane Martin
A view overlooking the swimming facility and lake Tegano.
FATE of the 2018 Solomon Games in Rennell and Bellona Province in November is still yet to be confirmed.
The hosting of the games came under question last month after it was announced via Facebook that Prime Minister Rick Hounipwela had told Member of Parliament for Rennell and Bellona Dr Tautai Anigikimua Kaituu via text messaging that the games were now postponed for 2019, with named Honiara as the new host.
Vice Chairman for the Renbel Solomon Games, Mr Nick Hatigeva said the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) had convened a joint meeting with members of the Renbel Solomon Games task force and the local organizing committee Thursday last week, to review NOCSI’s report regarding their first visit to the province in June.
Mr Hatigeva said last weeks’ meeting was good but hopes the leaders can have a change of heart and let Renbel host the games.
“NOCSI convened a joint meeting with members of the Renbel Solomon Games Task Force and LOC at the NOCSI conference center to review NOCSI’s report/presentation that will be submitted/presented to caucus today and presented to the cabinet early next week,” Mr Hatigeva said.
“It was a good meeting where good ideas were tossed around and agreed on and one that enabled participating stakeholders to be on the same page regarding the Solomon Games matters.
“Let’s wish the president of NOCSI and his team all the best as they prepare to present the Renbel Solomon Games case to the national government and let’s hope that our national leaders will be kind to us, by giving Renbel the green light to go ahead and host,” he said.
Hatigeva said at the moment they are still waiting official decisions from cabinet and hopes they have a change of heart and allow their province to host the games.
“To date the Renbel provincial government, the Renbel Task Force and the Solomon Games LOC have not received any official notice from the national government nor from NOCSI.
“So the Renbel Solomon Games Task Force had decided to strive to complete some of its tasks at hand and complete the report on the 2m funding that was received from the national government in June this year, whilst waiting and hoping for a change of heart by the national government,” Hatigeva earlier said.
A move which saw Renbel Province Premier Mr Collin Singamoana calling on both leaders to stop politicizing the games and not to interfere with their province’s preparation to host the national games.
NOCSI is planning to make a second visit to the province this month for their second assessment on ground preparations according to Chairman for national events commission Mr Morris Maitaki .
“Point is Renbel has learnt from these shortcomings and shortsightedness experienced during the past Solomon Games and we are prepared to offer a better tournament compared to previous ones,” Mr Hatigeva said.
Group photo of SIPPA Executive and HE Brazier and delegation
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Group photo of SIPPA Executive and HE Brazier and delegation
THE Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) will relocate in six days’ time temporarily as the old complex undergoes refurbishment funded by the Australian government.
Currently, SIPPA staff and volunteers are packing their belongings to relocate to a new building next door, a facility belonging to the Red Cross Solomon Islands.
Prior to the relocation, Australia High Commissioner His Excellency Roderick Brazier and wife Meta Brazier and other officers visited the SIPPA complex on Wednesday.
For the refurbishment, it costs SIPPA $1.4million, which in no time, Australian government through DFAT had stepped in to support alongside the partnership for health project.
SIPPA President Mr Charles Meke while hosting HE Brazier and team in a visit, said, “This building will undergo refurbishment, changing the roof structure and internal structure to provide more room and space to provide quality services for our clients.
“The duration for refurbishment is three-month and it cost SIPPA SBD$1.4M which made all made possible through Australia government through the partnership for health project.”
Mr Meke acknowledged the Australian government and people for such generous support as it will help women and youths through clinical services and SRHR programme.
Brazier said Australia remains firmly committed to promoting and defending sexual and reproductive health and rights globally.
In doing so, Brazier said IPPF and SIPPA are key partners in ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health, which particularly for women and girls is fundamental to national development.
He also adds that SIPPA’s combined approach surrounding service delivery, advocating to political and religious leaders and targeted educational campaigns has helped them achieve tangible results in a challenging environment.
With the great work done, Brazier said Australia also values SIPPA’s work with adolescents.
“SIPPA’s work in providing outreach services to otherwise unserved populations is critical and Australia hopes this work can continue to expand in future years,” he said.
Meanwhile, SIPPA’s current executive board members consist of four members, four ordinary board members and two youth representatives—board requirements have 50 percent female and 20 percent youths.
SIPPA aimed to bring its governance to highest helm and stronger Member Association with other developing countries.
They established in four provinces such as SIPPA Honiara, Auki, Gizo and Taro with 120 community based educators and distributors.
Currently, SIPPA is managing four project apart from IPPF—Partnership for Health, Humanitarian SPRINT project and Safe Abortion Action Funds.
This year SIPPA is looking forward to create new partnership with the SAFENET to support in addressing Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
Chairlady (Ms Angeline Tony) of Maleai Maliluana Talaiba Savings Group receiving funds for their loan from Assistant
Chief of Maleai, Mr Dominic Bakele.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
WOMEN in rural areas are participating more in economic activities then before.
In the rural areas of Shortland Islands, Savings Club are growing and gaining momentum with the latest being the inception of a loan component for Maleai Maliluana Talaiba Savings Club.
Coordinator of the Women’s Saving Club in Shortland Islands, Mrs Angellah Kingmele-Anisi says the financial scheme was established with the intention to help women save their money.
Anisi says these financial schemes are growing despite the challenges faced in remote areas like Shortland Islands.
“It is a bit difficult and we find it hard to send money via plane most times especially security wise. So what we’ve done is that the monies are left for the women to manage themselves. Mobile banking is an option but again poor network communication is an obstacle.”
From left, Ms Angeline Tony (Chairlady, MMTSG), Mr Dominic Bakele, Assistant Chief, Maleai village and Dr Alice Pollard (Faciliatator, WARA).
Anisi says for the women of Maleai, they have been saving their money for three years already. She said apart from the loan scheme which they have just launched last week, withdrawal of money saved is another component of the saving club.
She said nowadays, people in the rural areas rely heavily on cash to buy goods and services thus this financial scheme has been very
helpful.
“The West Areare Rokotanikeni Association (WARA) has assisted to establish the Savings group three years ago. Through our network with WARA, we managed to secure $10,000 funding from Strongim Bisnis. In addition to that $10K, we also received a funding of $10,000 from Chief Edward Kingmele from their own community funds of Chiefs. In total, the women have $20,000 in total towards their loan scheme.”
Anisi says 80 percent of members’ withdrawals from women in the savings club went towards school fees for their children.
Chairlady (Ms Angeline Tony) of Maleai Maliluana Talaiba Savings Group receiving funds for their loan from Assistant Chief of Maleai, Mr Dominic Bakele.
However she said the loan scheme is mainly for business activities.
“Because with the loan they have to pay back with a 10 percent interest so they need to have an income generating activity to repay their loan.”
She said school fees do not fall under the loan category but rather in the withdrawal category where women can withdraw up to 80 percent of their savings.
While Solomon Islands is reported to have a low literacy level, the inclusion and participation of women in Shortland Islands in these financial activities speaks highly of resilience.
With limited access to communication, technology and banking services, these more than 150 women continued to strive.
The financial trainings they receive are adequate for them to carry out their financial and economic activities.
“I saw that their level of understanding in financial terms has improved a lot. They can now place names to the activities that they normally do. Like interest, income, expense are words which they can now relate to the activities of ‘buying and selling’ they do every day.”
Members of MMTSG participating in a refresher Financial Literacy training conducted by Dr Alice Pollard, WARA.
She said women in rural areas once given the right training will be able to work hard for themselves.
Anisi said it is also encouraging to see these women participate in such activities.
“Most times we talk in policy level that we forget those in the rural areas that lack access to services. We feel encouraged that we have done something for the women and we feel that we have a purpose in life.”
The savings club scheme for women in Maleai Maliluan Talaiba was initiated by Chief Edward Kingmele. Most of the work done for the savings club comes mainly from his family in conjunction with WARA, through Dr Alice Pollard.
With the assistance of WARA, another Savings Club was established in Toumoa, also in Shortland Islands recently.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has called on Pacific Island leaders to take the lead in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region.
Prime Minister
PM Hou told the Pacific Islands Forum earlier this week that the NCD crises is happening under the watch of Pacific leaders.
“The trend of NCDs can be slowed. It can be reserved. The NCD Road map outlines the strategies to achieve reversal. Leaders need to own it. Countries that have adapted the NCD Roadmap and implemented it are making good progress,” he said.
He said pacific leaders need to direct active implementation of the NCD Roadmap in all countries.
Hou said Pacific Island Governments must take leadership and lead the fight against NCDs.
“Political leadership is key to the path to transformation. Leaders need to be personally involved in the fight against NCDs – our leadership should be directed towards framing NCDs as an obstacle to national economic and social development.”
PIF and dialogue partners.
Hou said leaders must take national responsibility in the battle against NCDs.
“Institutionalising and formalising mechanisms are also vital to ensure that NCDs do not fall off the political agenda.”
Going forward, the Prime Minister said Pacific island leaders must recognise the human, social and economic impact of NCDs in pacific countries and territories, calling on governments, the private sector, civil society, regional and international organisations and development partners to work together to address the rapidly unfolding NCDs crisis.
“If leaders do not take decisive action to have countries implement the NCD Roadmap, the future is bleak. NCDs, currently responsible for between 70 – 80 percent of all deaths is likely to increase even further,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said like other Pacific countries, Solomon Islands also faces the NCD crises.
The Prime Minister said NCD related costs constitute the highest proportion of health expenditure.
“Solomon Islands hopes to complete its whole of government and whole of society national NCD action plan to halt and reverse the trend of NCDs in the country this year,” he said.
PM Hou, Vanuatu PM, Samoa PM and Aust Foreign Minister at the labour mobility signing on Wednesday.
PM Hou, Vanuatu PM, Samoa PM and Aust Foreign Minister at the labour mobility signing on Wednesday.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has welcomed the new Australian Government’s assurance to progress with the Under Sea Cable Project.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Senator Marise Payne assured the Prime Minister during their bilateral meeting in Nauru earlier this week.
“We are keen to continue with the cable project and we are pleased that everything is in progress,” she said.
Prime Minister Hou said the cable project remains an important project for the Solomon Islands.
Hou has assured Senator Payne that all progressive work has been positive.
Foreign Minister Payne also raised issues concerning the cable landing sites, which the Prime Minister has assured her that his officials are positively working on it.
Foreign Minister Payne has also reassured the Prime Minister on Australia’s commitment to the Tina Hydro Project.
She also raised concerns regarding the timeline of the Tina Hydro project that should enable appropriate agreements to be signed.
Prime Minister Hou in response has acknowledged the concerns raised citing logistic issues as one of the main delaying factors.
“I have personally prioritised this important project to speed up the process,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Australian Foreign Minister has also conveyed greetings from Australia’s new Prime Minister Scott Morrison to Prime Minister Hou.
Hou in response has also reiterated his best wishes to Prime Minister Morrison and the new Foreign Minister.
“Australia is an important partner and my Government looks forward in continuing the important programs between our two countries,” he said.
Prime Minister Hou is likely to meet Prime Minister Morrison next week in Canberra.
IYF youths from Korea joined with local to do a special two song piece.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
YOUTHS from the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Korea are currently in Honiara for a three-day seminar on the spiritual mind, lectured by Pastor Seong Hun Kim.
The event was officially opened by Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs Freda Tuki Soriacomua on September 4, which convened young people and other church members.
The aim of the lectures is to let youths have different mindsets and values.
Since Tuesday this week, up to today, the event has been taking place at the National Auditorium starting from 6.30pm-8pm.
Minister Tuki said it is crucial youths in Honiara must attend the seminar and listen to important topics that will bring about change to individual’s life.
Minister Tuki and guest speakers group out for fellowship.
Following the event Minister Tuki said SIG has stepped up to address youth issues through its newly launched National Youth Policy which partly empowered spiritually as well.
“SIG and Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs are committed to work with faith base organisations as well as IYF to foster biblical principles, and spiritual teachings that should make them good citizen of this nation,” Tuki said.
“Youths least you forget put God first in your lives and all things will be added unto you.”
She said the Ministry is looking at establishing a network with IYF in Solomon Islands with support from them to build infrastructure and provide conducive environments for youths.
IYF youths from Korea joined with local to do a special two song piece.
IYF is a Christian Organisation that advocates on biblical principles—spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth of young people around the world.
In July this year, Minister Tuki and her Director for Women’s Division attended a similar event in Korea which coincided with the 8th Minister Youth Forum which convened Ministers and Permanent Secretaries of Youths and Education globally.
More than 4,000 youths around the world attended with aim to achieve;
True change of life that begins from the heart
Gain a true cohesive mind that transcends ethnicity, nationals, language and region
And face new challenge of overcoming one’s limitation and so experience endless opportunities.
THE ministry of provincial government institutional strengthening (MPGIS) is in full support of the community governance and grievance management project (CGGMP) especially for community liaison officers in Malaita.
Permanent secretary for MPGIS Mr Stanley Pirione said, “This is the first workshop of its kind for Malaita and am thankful for the support of the Malaita provincial government and the various provincial wards and communities representatives in making sure this program will be implemented smoothly in the province.
“What we learn during the course of this week are existing governing and management activities that has been on practice in our communities for so many years.
“This induction workshop will definitely enlighten us and bring us into perspective on the involvement of various community social structures that should enhanced and supported to maintain peace and harmony within our respective communities.”
He said bringing peace and harmony and to ensure citizens are governed well and having a sense of security to improve their livelihoods have been the cornerstone in every national government policy statement.
“One of SIDDCG’s major policy objectives is to ensure rural communities and stakeholders within these communities do participate and must help one another in ensuring there is peace, order, security and prosperity existence within our communities.
“I believe the same approach is also been a focus of malaita PG and I understand certain program are also underway to ensure communities must given the mandate and recognition to govern their own affairs.
Sometimes helping to facilitate such programmes to eventuate in our communities is not that easy given the limited financial resources and complexities confronting our socio- economic and governing structures.
“I reckon all of you are aware of the mandate of the SIG through the MPGIS is to support provinces to actively participate in the general development of this country and to help facilitate delivery of basic services to communities across the provinces.”
Pirione said with support from the World Bank, the MPGIS is working with provinces starting with Makira, Renbel and now Malaita and Central province to follow on establishing links between communities and the provinces with the view to strengthen service delivery and information flow, and to work with community leaders to address social order problems that have created instability in our communities and which hinders development.
Following the signing of the agreement in last August, Malaita province has taken the decision to implement the project in 15 wards across Malaita province covering all regions including Malaita outer islands (MOI).
Malaita province has also gone through the process of recruiting 15 community liaison officers to serve in the 15 selected wards.
“We hope that once the project is fully operational with support of both the province and the national government we may then expand into the other wards and communities of this province.
“This induction workshop is to bring key stakeholders to help define the scope of the role of and responsibilities of CLO’s that is appropriate for Malaita province.”
DEAR EDITOR, as we await an outcome from the meeting between the govt caucas and NOCSI, I thought I’d share some information re previous Solomon Games hosted in other provinces for our information.
To start with I’d say that none of those SGs were better prepared nor offered better support services to athletes, officials and guests compared to what Renbel has prepared to offer.
In previous SGs most play grounds/facilities earmarked for competitions were largely existing ones that were either upgraded, cleared or cleaned only weeks or even days before the kick off dates.
Some sports like volleyball, swimming, boxing, beach sports and other minor indoor sports had to scramble or improvised to find an area to host their competitions.
Food was not fitting for sports men and women as they were tea/milo with navy biscuits for breakfast, rice, noodle and taiyo for lunch and again for dinner. Sometimes lunch is navy biscuits and luncheon meat, or if we’re lucky cabbage, fish or chicken, but this were rarely offered.
Most of the time there were food shortages either daily or/and when contingents are waiting to return to Honiara or their provinces. Some teams bathe in empty 44-gallon petrol drums filled with water and some used the sea.
Mineral water was the main drinking water coz water supplies were either dirty or just unsafe to drink. Some lodging areas were without proper beddings, not even a mat on offer.
Some rest rooms were very unhygienic yet athletes/officials just have to use them because they have no choice. Transportation were disorganised and sometimes unreliable.
Security was left to the good behaviour of the public. Ceremonies were often late, disorganised and more than often flat. So the list can go on. Of course we acknowledge that there were also some good things that did occurred, but they weren’t much beyond the excitement of winning medals.
Point is Renbel has learnt from these shortcomings and shortsightedness and are prepared to offer a better tournament compared to previous ones.
MWYCFA youth development officer Mr. Methodio Iapara.
BY GEORGE MANFORD
AUKI
MWYCFA youth development officer Mr. Methodio Iapara.
THE national youth policy 2017-2030 has been launched in Auki during the Youth Peace Building Innovation Forum currently underway in Auki.
During the launching, Youth Development Officer for Malaita and Isabel provinces for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) Mr Methodio Iapara said that the national youth policy and its associated framework for youth development and empowerment was officially launched by Prime Minister Rick Hou and the Minister for MWYCFA in Honiara on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.
“The opportunity of this provincial launching also gives us a chance to reinforce the important messages that embraces the views and aspiration of our young people in this new national youth policy and redirect ourselves as individuals as leaders, as a province and as a country on how best we can rise above our challenges to advance youth development and empowerment forward and into the future.
Iapara added that in 2016, the MWYCFA commissioned a review of the 2010 -2015 national youth policy and commenced the process to develop a new 3 tier policy framework for youth development in Solomon Islands comprimising a national youth policy 2017 – 2030, a new strategic frame work for youth development in Solomon Islands and a national youth employment and entrepreneurship strategy.
“This national youth policy 2017-2030 and strategic frame work for youth development in Solomon Islands (SFYDSI) are the first two of the documents from the 3 tier policy frame work for youth development.
“The MWYCFA pursuit of a new three tier policy frame work for youth development in Solomon islands exemplifies the government’s commitment to transform the country’s youths and adolescents into effective and positive force for nation building that ensures every young person in Solomon islands is given the opportunity to contribute to the social, cultural, economic, political and spiritual development of the country.
“Ensuring effective mechanism to support youth empowerment, employment and entrepreneurship are key strategies in the new three tier policy frame work.
“The national government is committed to pursue appropriate measures to address youth development and empowerment throughout the country.
“This policy has been guided by the country’s long term vision and mission espoused in its 2016-2035 national development strategy by improving social and economic livelihoods of all Solomon Islanders, help creating a peaceful, harmonious and progressive Solomon islands led by ethical accountable, respect and credible leadership that enhances and protects people’s culture, social & economic and spiritual wellbeing.”
Iapara also stated that the national youth policy also provides guide for the development and empowerment of youths in the country over the next 14 years.
The new policy frame work acknowledges that strong effective, genuine and durable collaboration between government, churches, NGOs, civil societies, the private sectors, communities, families, and individuals is crucial to ensuring opportunities are created to empower young people to deal with the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
