Home Blog Page 1242

Police investigate death of fisherman in North Malaita

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Timothy Apaesi.
Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Timothy Apaesi.

POLICE in Malaita province are investigating the death of a 58-year-old man while on a fishing trip at Goulu Village in North Malaita on August 17, 2018.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander, Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “The deceased fisherman went out in the early hours of 17 August 17 on a fishing trip by himself in a small dugout canoe.

“Towards mid-day of the same day, some other fishermen from the same village were returning home when they saw the deceased’s canoe floating outside of the reef.

“They brought the canoe back to the village and discovered that the owner of the canoe (the deceased) had gone out in the canoe that morning on a fishing trip.

“The community then went out to search for the deceased. His body was discovered at about 5pm on the same day near the reefs outside of Goulu Village.

“The police at Malu’u Police Station have opened a file for investigation into the death.

“I want to remind our good fishermen throughout the Province to try and go out fishing in pairs or go out in a group to ensure there is someone to assist should they encounter any unexpected difficulties or rough weather.

“On behalf of the police, I wish to extend our condolences and sympathy to the family and relatives of the deceased for the untimely loss of one of their members.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Australia to boost Ombudsman and LCC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Ombudsman Fred Fakarii.
Ombudsman Fred Fakarii.

A new partnership arrangement will see the Australian Government, through the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman (OCO), provide support to the Office of the Ombudsman Solomon Islands (OOSI) and the Leadership Code Commission of Solomon Islands (LCC).

The arrangement will support the OOSI and LCC, through tailored activities such as leadership mentoring in organisation reform and staff capability development, aimed at enhancing technical and corporate capability of both accountability Institutions.

Two officers from OCO (Bianca Martin and Andrew Pearce) were in Honiara last month to talk about what activities should be supported under the arrangement.

“This support will really help the LCC improve the way it performs its duties,” said Leadership Code Commission Chair, Solomon Kalu.

The Ombudsman of Solomon Islands, Fred Fakarii agreed, saying that the “tailored support would help OOSI better serve the people of Solomon Islands”.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, HE Roderick Brazier, recently met with the Australian Ombudsman in Canberra and reiterated Australia’s support to the partnership.

The role of the LCC is to ensure that leaders comply with the Leadership Code.

The key functions of LCC are to, investigate allegations of misconduct in office by government leaders, manage and maintain a Register of Leaders Interests, and promote good governance, accountability and transparency.

Leaders are: all members of national parliament, Provincial assemblies and all public servants at the national and provincial level.

The Ombudsman’s role is to make sure that the Solomon Islands Government acts fairly towards its citizens, to make sure that government decisions are proper and just, and to help improve government administration.

The partnership programME is supported by the Australian Government, through the Solomon Islands Governance Programme.

–AHC

MHMS questioned when NRH will have own budget

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
National Referral Hospital

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CAPACITY and compliance are to be satisfied first before the National Referral Hospital (NRH) can have its own budget or become independent according to the Ministry of Health.

This is according to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Permanent Secretary (PS) during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing into the 2018 Supplementary Appropriation Bill at Parliament last week.

However, Member of Parliament (MP) for Shortland Christopher Laore does not accept this statement, further questioning the ministry how much longer they will have to wait before capacity and compliance are satisfied.

“I feel that the NRH has been neglected for so long. If we think of after moving to the new National Hospital site before we make things progress then I believe the NRH will run down continuously until it will be not conducive for sick patients.

“The question is how long will the health planners see to it and consider NRH as it is important it provides tertiary hospital services. Primary health care does not work in this country.

“Donor funding only goes towards primary health care services. I do not know if it goes towards tertiary services which is what I want to ask donors too because health services in primary health care is very poor.

“Illness and diseases are rising because of poor performance on the primary health care. We can see that the trend is going up.

“And, I am asking how much of the funds from aid donors are geared towards NRH for its services.”

Laore questioned if MHMS is seriously looking at health services or just want funding to do purchase of vehicles and carry out awareness, training and other areas which in reality, health care in the country is still poor and lacking.

“So how long before you will seriously look to support the NRH to be autonomous that deals with its own services?”

Laore expressed that he usually visits the NRH from time to time which is unlike before.

“Now I see that it is deteriorating. I think most of the services there are not functioning.

“It is like a workshop, if you have a mechanic but you do not have the tool then it is useless. You know what to do but you do not have the tool to do it. It will be useless as the car will stay there for ages,” said the MP for Shortland.

According to the PS of MHMS, NRH having its own budget is a long term plan of the Ministry.

“Once we are satisfied in terms of the capacity and compliance of NRH as there are issues too with the ministry in capacity and compliance over which if we see that the ministry can run on its own then we will let it be that way because MHMS is in line with the idea to run on separate budgets to do own managements,” confirmed the MHMS PS.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for NRH Dr Steve Aumanu in supporting his PS, pointed out that he does not have any answer to the decision for NRH to be autonomous as perhaps it is subjected to many other factors too.

“One alluded to is capacity but I am glad to say that this year we have started to capacitate the Finance Department and Cooperate Department so we are working towards capacitating especially in the finance unit,” said NRH’s CEO.

“Secondly if the time comes, the Health Services Act will need to be amended, reviewed and legitimise autonomy for the hospital. At this point of time, its existing health services are.

“NRH because of the nature of the service has a potential to attract benefactors such as from NGOs and individuals and I really believe that is one good side of being autonomous because people who donate money to governments or hospitals would like it to be fairly transparent and accountable in which I am not saying that it is not happening.

“We can develop MOA’s and MOU’s contracts with benefactors that will help assist in their donations to the hospital. So the hospital has a potential to get assistance.”

There was a cabinet paper presented during under the leadership of one of the former PSs of MHMS in relation to their consultant incentives being passed and that was for NRH to have its own budget and run autonomous from the Ministry of Health.

Question by Laore was whether this has happened or are they yet still following the bureaucratic system meaning NRH does not have its own budget to look after its own services in deciding on maintenance, order of equipments, medicines and other areas.

Outstanding issues of ethnic tension soon to be addressed

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Director of Peace and Reconciliation under MNURP, Mr Reuben Lilo,

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Director of Peace and
Reconciliation under MNURP, Mr Reuben Lilo,

PEOPLE with outstanding claims and issues from the ethnic tension period may soon find the answers they seek.

Director of Peace and Reconciliation under MNURP, Mr Reuben Lilo, said they are now in the scoping process of the “Reparation Bill”, which looks at bearing the old issues and bring complete healing for the people.

He said the bill is based on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report.

Lilo said after TRC completed work from 2009-2012, there was a part of the recommendation to establish a reparation commission.

“However, in pursuance of that the MNURP established a reparation commission and formulated a legal instrument to work on the bill.”

Lilo said this is where the work on the bill has started and is now in the scoping process.

He announced that the reparation bill is purposely to fulfil the TRC report as recommended to address the people’s outstanding issues of the ethnic crisis.

“There are issues undone and unfinished and government is committed as its priority to settle the issue once and for all.

“It may take us quite a while to settle all these issues, but government has to start somewhere.

“So the bill look at addressing old unresolved issues on loss of properties, loss of lives, loss of business, loss of education, health, land issues and all complicated cross cutting issues being captured in the bill.

“The idea is we want to do a proper framework means a law has to establish to guide us through the establishment and addressing the outstanding issues in a more systematic way,” Lilo said.

He said this is the first time since the crisis that a ruling government is organising a policy to deal with old issues of the ethnic tension.

Lilo said there is no existing law to deal with the issue.

He said the government has properly organised a framework to follow so that “we don’t do things in a piecemeal”.

“So we have to put all these mishaps into a proper policy framework so that when it becomes a law, it guides us in addressing the issues,” he said.

He said the work is coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office and MNURP with support from other line ministries and organisations.

MAL red-marked

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
MAL’s Permanent Secretary Mrs Ethel Francis

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

MAL’s Permanent Secretary Mrs Ethel
Francis

MINISTRY of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) are red mark by the Solomon Islands Government due to less implementation of projects last year, it is reported.

The Ministry of Development, Planning and Aid Coordination carried out an assessment last year which lists MAL is one of the six government ministries red marked.

This means that they had not fully implemented their projects budgeted for last year.

MAL’s Director Extension/Project Sub Coordinator Mr Michael Ho’ota blames land issues which have hindered implementation of projects.

He adds that the government system of releasing funds is another contributing factor.

Despite that, Ho’ota said MAL continue to provide services to farmers particularly poultry farmers, food crops, trees and also supports in kava production of Varivao Holdings.

MAL’s Permanent Secretary Mrs Ethel Francis challenged MAL’s officers to step-up and set focus on implementing programmes set for 2018—2019.

She said labelling MAL as ‘red marked’ is a sign that agriculture programmes are not fully implemented and it is important to create partnership and friendship with donor partners and farmers in the country.

“It means agriculture sector did not implement well and if we did not step up and proves to them that money given is not use properly then we will lose as well in 2019 budget,” she said.

“The agriculture sector need to step-up—the challenge in that our economy has very weak base, when encountering small problem we fall.”

Solomon Island Gov’t urged to support new tourism branding programme

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Tourism Solomon

By Gary Hatigeva

THE government has been urged to give strong and adequate backup to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, especially on its programmes to develop the country’s Tourism Industry, which according to experts, if thoroughly supported, can become the next major economic drive, in a long run.

With hopes to boost the country’s Tourism essence in the global and regional market, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism through its Marketing Agency, the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) is pushing to give new directions and aspects to its brand name.

Formerly known as “So Solomons, So Different”, the Bureau together with the Ministry, after thorough consultations and audit, developed a new brand name, “Solomon Is (is)”, with intentions to incorporate all aspects of the country as part of its marketing strategy.

Giving more insights to this, SIVB’s Marketing Manager, Freda Unusi who was part of the Ministry’s delegation at the Public Accounts Committee last week, explained the whole process involved in the rebranding and its importance.

Mrs Unusi revealed that the rebranding is a marketing strategy, and if people can remember, seven years ago, the country had a brand called “So Solomons, So Different”.

“Then it came to last year, we did a marketing audit, which involved our partners, members, and stakeholders, both local and international where we look at it, this brand, for one, Solomon Islanders are not patriotic and not nationalistic about it even if they don’t know.

“The other thing is, when we go out to the overseas market, when we say we are from Solomon Islands people would ask, whether it was in the Caribbean or somewhere in Africa or elsewhere.

“And that to us was not on, and so we came back and look internally, externally, we saw the collaterals we have, the wholesalers and the overseas market, we saw the staff we have and what we can provide, and then we decided after the audit that we needed rebranding because of these issues,” the Marketing Manager explained.

She said from these experiences and issues highlighted, the Bureau together with its stakeholders thought there was need to rejuvenate, and the need to give more offerings, which on the outset, is the reason why it was important to host festivals and why events as such were also important for the country’s marketing and promotional programmes.

“On our part, what we will do is after people have come to see our cultures then they would say, how do we come back to see them, and in this case, the ones that were outstanding from the events hosted are the Choiseul culture, Guadalcanal culture and the Shell money making, and those are the very prominent ones thus far.

“For this to become part of our products, we’d have to go back to the people who do those things and then package them,” Unusi added.

She further added that those responsible as subjected cultures will decide on the costs that will have to be paid before they can showcase their cultures.

“Then we will take those packages and give them to our overseas wholesalers, who we will be expecting to sell on our behalf.

“The processes will include being featured on their website, it will go on social media, it will also be featured on the traditional advertising and those are what they will be doing for us.

“As for our part, through the new branding, we should have a new website, and we should have our social media platform ready, to receive the incoming demands from around the world.

“To be seen, I think that’s the theme.”

Unusi further explained that the brand is simply a promise about who Solomon Islands is as a people and as a nation, and what we are doing, and what we do have as a unique selling point.

“We wanted to give our customers what they are asking for, as to what they can do in the Solomon Islands,” the excited SIVB official added.

In addition, the Ministry’s Tourism Director, Barney Sivoro confidently suggested that Solomon Islands has very broad based tourism products that are ready to be offered.

The rebranding has so much to connect all aspects of the country’s tourism products and the Bloody Ridge also comes as part of other national culture and tourism projects, which are anticipated to play vital roles in the new branding.

“In terms of state driven ones, last year the ministry started with the Bloody Ridge Project, this is connected to the World War 2 attraction, and we are very grateful that this was initiated by the Prime Minister’s Office who assisted us to acquire a 25 hectares of the Bloody Ridge land and we are hoping to make it as an iconic tourism product for the country.

“And slowly, we are also looking into other areas in terms of environment; we have very important sites like the world heritage site in Rennell and a few others.

“Those are very important assets that we have and as far as the new branding is concerned, they need the state to help the ministry to drive them, so that we have these iconic products to promote to our visitors,” Mr Sivoro added.

The new brand, Solomon Is, was launched mid this year with so much hopes for it together with collaborative efforts, to see the local tourism industry revamped and pushed to newer heights.

The Ministry however needed an additional $3 Million in state funding to see that all its remaining implementation programmes are finalised and experts join members of the Public Accounts Committee to reiterate calls for the government to ensure this is realised.

Funding arrangement change will affect regional hockey federations: Claxton

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Bob Claxton, Oceania Hockey Secretary General.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

IN PORT VILA, VANUATU

Bob Claxton, Oceania Hockey Secretary General.

THE recent change of funding arrangements made by the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) will have a huge effect on affiliated members of the Oceania Hockey Federation in the Pacific Islands Region.

The change had it that funds which were used to be channelled through Oceania Hockey Federation for development purposes in its regional member associations are being handled by ONOC themselves and now channelled through various national Olympic committees such as the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) or the Vanuatu national Olympic committee (VASANOC).

On that note, General Secretary of Oceania Hockey Bob Claxton told SunSPORTS yesterday this change of funding arrangement will greatly affect their affiliated member associations from the region.

“It will affect us in a way where our affiliated members in the island region are not ready for this.

“In this regard, it affects the hockey federation that we haven’t got a hockey localised money that can be utilised for development in the various island hockey playing countries.

“The big change is going to come from each national hockey federations.

“They will have to be far more proactive if they are going to get funding from their national Olympic committees because we just don’t have it.

“But we know that different national Olympic committees get somewhere in the order of USD$18,000 yearly for equipment.

“The executives of Solomon Islands or Vanuatu need to understand and put in submissions.

“They cannot rely on Oceania Hockey Federation to do it because we’ve been removed from it and each national hockey federations are members of their various Olympic national bodies.

“It’s going to take a little bit of re-training I think. Largely, they have been spoon fed by the Oceania Hockey for the many past years and now they are taking away the spoon,” the Oceania Hockey General Secretary said.

Claxton added that the recent change was one of their main discussions during the Oceania Hockey Congress held in Port Vila on Sunday where Solomon Islands is being represented by the country’s hockey president Nihal Seneviratne, who also holds the post as the Oceania Vice-President.

He added that most of the hockey national federations in the region are not aware of these recent changes and it’s important that such matters are discussed openly during the congress so that some forward planning are made.

“Each of the hockey federations in each of the pacific islands countries must change from the way and how they are operating. One get to make sure that they submit application for funding, equipment and going to tournament because that’s where all the money is.

“One of the best way of tackling the changes is to have all member association trained on how to go about getting the money, because the money is there. So it’s a bit of change on how things are operating,” Claxton explained further

Rugby league training starts

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

Selected players called to attend

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

THE Solomon Islands Rugby League (SIRL) executive has confirmed training for the upcoming emerging nations world championship in October will start today.

An executive statement said the rugby league emerging world championship will take place on October 1st in Sydney Australia and are calling on all selected players for their training squad to attend training sessions today at the Panatina rugby oval.

“SIRL executive has finalised Solomon Island Rugby League training Squad for the upcoming emerging nations World championship on 1st of October in Sydney.

“Solomon Islands pool games for the upcoming ENWC is as follows: Monday 1 Oct, 2018 Pool C Windsor Game 1: Solomon Islands V Turkey 3.30pm.

“Sunday 7 October Pool C Cabramatta Game 2 Solomon Islands takes on Hong Kong at 3pm,” the statement said.

Meanwhile the following names are asked to attend trainings at Panatina ground on Tuesday 21st 4:30 pm.

Mostyn Maenu’u, Billy Toate’e, Philbert Manau, Fredrick Osifelo, Jnr David Diu, Dennis Sukona, Sosimo Kopeinao, John Fiumae, Darwin Tongaka, Clive Saueha, Gareth Kengalu, Wilson Ifunaoa, Rodney Sinugeva, Eugene Tekobi, Fred Tasini, Willie Utu Junior, Frazer Manau, Steve Momoa, Francis Ramo, Lesley Busuakalo, Sivina Rukia, Denise Sukona, Albert Maesulia, John Lima, Lavenster Puia, Roman Tongaka, Eddie Sanga, Jnr Aisa, Leslie Puia Ngiumoana, Tony Kaipua, Jimmy Maebata , Joe Kada, Damien Rex Horoi (australia), Carlwyn Tengemoana, Maito’o, Henry Angikimua, Timo Sanga, Bruce Baiabe, Daniel Sa’omatangi, Harris Giusanga Taimama’o, Vonzue KT Kingingangengange, Walex Saueha, Moses Singamoana, Mathew Samuel (Australia), Ezikel Manau ,Sa’atai Taupongi , Albert Maesulia Ala, Steve Uiga, Silas Mono, Leslie, Brandon Walasi, Hudson Ramo, Goldie, Manaseh Iro, Patterson Walasi, Bexter Wanebatha, Gregory Ofia, Clement Piaso, Bako Junior, Kensley Arefatu, Levi Forau, Atkin, Richard, Rodney Ata, Michael Ata, Edom Walasi and Jeff Baura

Ground work ongoing: Hatigeva

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Nick Hatigeva

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

Nick Hatigeva

VICE Chairman for the 2018 Renbel Solomon Games Mr Nick Hatigeva says ground preparation to host the national games in their province is in full swing.

Hatigeva was responding to an alleged text message shared between Prime Minister Rick Hounipwela and MP Dr Tautai Anigikmua Kaitu’u that stated the Solomon Games has now been cancelled for 2019.

However, Mr Hatigeva said at the moment he is in the province supervising work at various venues identified to host sporting events this November.

“I had not had any internet for the last week and only managed to access my FB account today, only to be welcomed by a very disturbing post by Derek Pongi in the Renbel Constituency group.

“I noted with dismay and suspicion the information, especially given that our MP had just returned from Rennell yesterday, and I find the news silly somehow.

“I’m here in Rennell at the moment, supervising work at Kagua that commenced yesterday and here at Tupuaki that commenced today and I must say these venue’s should be ready by the end of September and early October,” Mr Hatigeva said.

“I’m disappointed though that some of our wantoks had gone to the length of using all their energy to prevent our province from hosting the Solomon Game’s.

“What was shocking was the manner by which these guys had not even shown any courtesy to check on those of us who are working with those on the ground to find out about our timing’s for the final jobs at hand, but went ahead to push to have the games postponed and relocated to Honiara without establishing the facts.

“I had always assured our people that the venues will be ready and our LOC here in Rennell are confident about this.

“But I guess politics had blinded us so much that we can’t even help to push for this games to happen, but chose to deny our people’s desire to have the games on our shores.

“Fact is Lavagu is just about ready, Kagua will be ready next week, Tupuaki and Gongona should be completed by the end of September so as the pool at Kia Koe. “Let’s hope the national government rethink this because it’s not too late yet,” he said.

Solomon Games postponed?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
The accomodation and changing rooms at the proposed swimming facility still under construction..

Let the right process take course: Kiloko

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) for the 2018 Renbel Solomon Games, Mr Golden Kiloko has called on the Prime Minister to allow the proper process to take place before making decisions regarding the hosting of the games this November.

Mr Kiloko was responding to an alleged text message sent by Prime Minister Rick Hounipwela yesterday to Rennell and Bellona member for Parliament Dr Tautai Angikimua Kaitu’u regarding the hosting of the games in the province.

“Solomon Games postponed to next year because preparations for the hosting of the games are well behind schedule. The venue for the games will be here in Honiara,” the text message which was later posted on Facebook yesterday read.

However, Kiloko has called on the two national leaders to wait and let the proper process to be carried out before sending each other such text messages.

“I’m not questioning their decision but rather they should allow the proper process and NOCSI to do their follow up visit next month before releasing such news,” he told SunSPORTS yesterday.

“I mean NOCSI has already carried out their first assessment visit to the province in April and they are going to do a follow up visit next month.

“Already they have submitted their reports and recommendations from their first visit and will visit the province again next month.

“Once they return with their report and show us their assessment findings, write to the Ministry of Home Affairs so they can send an official letter instead of treating the games as just another game tournament.

“That is what they should do,”Kiloko said.

The text message has stirred mix feelings from the Renbel community with some questioning and calling the text messaging as unprofessional from the two leaders.

“Interesting how the public of Renbel was informed by the government about this national event through a SMS text,” one concerned person said.

“The question is why this important event is change by the PM then confirms it through SMS text? Where’re the proper body and the right channels to inform the public about this SG?

“Why the PM has to release such important information through his colleague (MP), without going through the right body that responsible for the SG?

“And why did our MP not call his colleagues, the provincial executives first to discuss this important event when the MP received this text?

“Aren’t they all our provinces’ political leaders, who responsible for anything affecting our community rather than posting it first to the FB?

“Umi duim oketa samting ia olsem people no save lo value blo oketa something ia (we do these things like people who do not know the value of these things). How this information is circulated was very unprofessional,” a concerned man said.

1...1,2411,2421,243...1,679Page 1,242 of 1,679