Michael Aquila (Left), MPA for ward 26 and Jane Tozaka, MPA for ward 10.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
Former Premier Robert Kuve and Lester Saomasi, MPA for ward 24 and provincial minister for finance and treasury
FOUR long serving provincial members of assembly in the Western province have announced their decision not to contest in the coming provincial elections.
Lester Saomasi (MPA for ward 24 and provincial minister for finance & treasury), Jane Tozaka (MPA for ward 10 and health minister), Michael Aquila (MPA for ward 26) and former premier Robert Pye Kuve (MPA for ward 9).
Mrs Tozaka declared her withdrawal from the political race during the assembly’s last sitting while Mr Kuve had not been in official discharge of duties due to medical reasons.
Meanwhile, four intending candidates will contest next week for Ward 9 Dovele; Mr Jenning Movobule, Western province chief tourism officer Mr Jefferson Junior Patovaki, Mr Douglas Babu and senior Western provincial government Officer Mr William Zorivo.
Ten intending candidates will contest for ward 24, North Vangunu; Mr Jerrydill Rusa, Mr Organ Kito, Ms.Vaelaty Viola Silas, Mr Samuel Sive, Mr George Mettison Whitney, Mr Bannie Ronnie, Mr John Ngini, Mr Bongi Hynick Darlingi, Mr Sakevu Shasar Victor and Mr Alrick Dyson Jimuru.
Michael Aquila (Left), MPA for ward 26 and Jane Tozaka, MPA for ward 10.
Six intending candidates will contest for ward 26 North Kolombangara; Mr Bilos Haron, Mr Ralphbel Bulehite, Mr John Masa, Mr Sutcliffe Heke George, Mr John Liloand, Mr Fred Naphtali.
Four intending candidates will contest for Ward 10; Mr Rex Sebela, Mr Lepese Paul, Mrs Loisi Ziru and Mr Alista Porebangara
The government has set June 13, 2018 as the date of provincial elections for both Choiseul and Western provinces.
THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Tulagi, in the Central province have warned boat skippers travelling at sea to be careful to avoid accidents following an incident involving two boats in the province.
Supervising Provincial Police Commander for Central Province, Inspector Hugo Maelasi says, “My officers are investigating an accident involving two out board motor (OBM) boats alleged to have collided at sea between Bangai Island and Double Island, south of Tulagi Island in Central Province on the night of June 1, 2018.
“The incident was reported to Tulagi Police Station the same day and my officers attended to it and managed to tow one of the boats which sustained damaged.
“It is lucky no passengers in the boats involved in the alleged collision were injured.
“I appeal to boat owners and skippers to take extra caution when navigating boats at sea to avoid accidents of similar nature.
“Boat skippers should not be under the influence of alcohol or any drug when in control of a boat.”
“The skipper of the second boat is being questioned by police and expected to be served with a summon to attend court on allegation of being under the influence of any intoxicating substance or drugs.
“It is alleged that prior to the incident the first boat with six people on board was on a fishing trip between the two islands mentioned earlier on; and the second boat with few passengers was alleged to have travelled from Honiara to Tulagi.
“It is further alleged the skipper of the second boat was under the influence of alcohol and the boat was travelling at high speed; and took no notice of flash torch lights from the first boat.”
HONIARA-based Cultural groups from the country’s nine provinces will represent Solomon Islands at the upcoming Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) this July.
The MACFEST National Organising Committee has made this decision as a result of significant cuts to the hosting budget.
“We regret to take this option but we cannot be able to bring in groups from our nine provinces due to funding issues,” said National Organising Committee Chairman, Andrew Nihopara.
Bringing in groups from the provinces is an expensive exercise in view of transportation, accommodation and meal expenses during and after events such as the festival.
Mr Nihopara further explained that his committee initially planned to bring groups and artists from the provinces but significant cuts to the hosting budget has prevented this intention.
Meanwhile, Chair of the Solomon Islands National Contingent and Deputy Director of the Culture Division, Andrew Houlia said the decision to pick Honiara-based groups doesn’t mean that all provinces cannot be represented.
He said the Honiara-based groups are representing their province’s ethnic diversity in performing arts, dance and music during the festival.
“Honiara is the melting pot of our diverse and ethnic cultures so the groups that were selected have equally represented each of our nine provinces,” Mr Houlia said.
He further explained that a few exceptions will be granted to individual artists or performing groups that are unique and that have exemplary features never highlighted in Honiara before.
“The Committee has identified very few individuals or groups that are based in some Provinces and we will invite them to be part of the Solomon Islands MACFest contingent,” Houlia explained.
The Solomon Islands contingent will include cultural and contemporary performers, musicians, visual artists, carvers, weavers, traditional currency makers, potters, florists and many others.
The Festival will kick off on July 1 with a grand opening ceremony at Lawson Tama stadium. It will end on July 10.
All MSG countries, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia have already confirmed their participation at this year’s festival.
The detailed programme for the 10 days long festival can be viewed or downloaded from the following link http://macfest2018.com/dates/ .
DEVELOPMENTS of new extension buildings and other areas are under plans for Tulaghi’s Clinic at Ngella but concern has it that its land size is small having limited space for such.
Because of facing such situation, it has raised concern suggesting that it is time to replan the clinics structure or relocate it to another land site area.
“Further developments will not be possible because residential houses are also now built all around the clinic,” said concern wishing for anonymity.
“The clinic area needs to be expanded so the provincial government and the medical team here in Tulaghi need to work together in addressing this issue.”
With this issue raised, concerns are hoping for the best solution to come up with concerning Tulaghi clinic’s land size area.
Again, one of the many issues the clinic is currently facing has been called on to for serious consideration.
THE court has again adjourned the case against a former Constituency Development Officer (CDO) and his co-accused to June 19 to allow the presiding magistrate to return from overseas before a ruling can be made on the case.
The case was mentioned in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday for ruling on the application submitted by Prosecution to amend the particulars of the charge against former CDO for Gao-Bugotu.
This case has gone through a trial in which the prosecution called their witnesses and gave evidence however, after closing their case prosecution made an application to amend the particulars of the second charge against the defendant.
They are alleged of having stolen sheets of roofing iron from the Gao-Bugotu Constituency.
Jimmy Dikamana and Lonsdale Tana was charged in relation to incidents which occurred in 2015.
Prosecution alleged that the two stole roofing iron from the constituency and sold them to other people.
The Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.
THE case against three Chinese Beche-de-mer exporters will be mentioned again in court on June 12.
The matter was mentioned in court yesterday and was adjourned to June 12 for mention and possible setting of date for plea.
This is in relation to the trio Zhangs Tongzhi, Xu Qiang and Sheng Song Frank, who were charged under the Fisheries Management Act.
Their case will be mentioned before Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea in the Honiara Magistrate Court.
The trio were facing four charges; count one, Artisanal Fishing in indirect association with a registered company without valid and applicable licence contrary to section 43(1)(a) (c) Fisheries Management Act 2015; Count two, Buy or otherwise trade in Fish taken in contravention of the Act contrary to section 27(1) Fisheries Management Act 2015; Count three, Engage in activities relating to fish processing for the purposes of export without valid and applicable license contrary to section 44(1)(a) as read with section 44(1)(b) and (c) Fisheries Management Act 2015; and Count four, cause or permit a person acting on his behalf to engage in activities of such a kind or type, at a time for which a valid license or authorisation is required contrary to section 56 (1) (a) as read with (b) Fisheries Management Act 2015.
The trio were charged in relation to the illegal harvesting of the sea cucumber species at Ontong Java atoll when the ban was still effective last year.
The defendants on the matter were the beche-de-mer licence export holders which government had issued them with licence when the beche-de-mer ban was lifted last year.
The office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the crown.
Skipper Elliot Ragomo talks to his team mates at half time during their match with Kooline FC on Tuesday. Ragomo’s second half goal saw Marist’s unbeaten run in the SIPA Futsal League still intact after eight games played...Photo Taromane
Martin
Kooline denies Marist pole position
By Taromane Martin
Skipper Elliot Ragomo talks to his team mates at half time during their match with Kooline FC on Tuesday. Ragomo’s second half goal saw Marist’s unbeaten run in the SIPA Futsal League still intact after eight games played…Photo Taromane Martin
MARIST futsal team is aiming to win the 2018 Solomon Islands Port Authority (SIPA) National Futsal League title, according to team captain Elliot Ragomo.
Marist who is still undefeated in the competition was held to a 1-1 draw by title contenders Kooline FC at the Multipurpose Hall yesterday.
The draw sees Marist with 22 points on the competition table behind Futsal Solympics who they will meet Thursday next week at the Multipurpose Hall.
Ragomo said the team has been working very hard towards achieving their aim of winning the futsal league and is happy with the direction futsal in the country is heading.
“Our aim is simple and that is to win the league. We’ve been working hard every single day for every single game and opponents,” he said.
“We do this so when the time comes we know what to do in order to counter attack whoever we play.
“I’m really happy with the boys, they are improving every single day and game by game, and I think to be still unbeaten is very impressive for us and is a good result for our boys.
“I think this national futsal league really shows where the standard of futsal is in Solomon Islands and even in the Pacific.
“I’m really, really happy about it because it shows futsal in the country is heading in the right direction and this is good for the growth of the sport here.
“This year we have a very young team combined with a lot of experience players.
“Through our experiences we always try to show in all of our games good sportsmanship, what kind and type of futsal we all should be playing in the country.
“But again for us, we always try to train and work hard towards achieving our aims and goals as a club and team,” he adds.
Marist had to wait until the second half to find the equaliser after Atana Fa’arodo Jnr gave Kooline the lead in the first half.
A wasteful first half saw Marist trailing a goal down at the break but saw Ragomo levelling the scores in the second half with a thunderous right foot shot to keep Marist unbeaten run in the competition alive.
Meanwhile, other results from the 2018 SIPA futsal league yesterday saw Indo-Solo defeating Henderson Eels FC 6-2 while Vania FC suffered a humiliating 16-0 defeat at the hands of Guntimac FC.
SIDCCG disapproves Rumbiak’s attempts to meddle in SI’s national affairs
THE Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) strongly disapproves the blatant attempts by a foreigner, Mr Jacob Rumbiak, to interfere and meddle in the country’s national affairs.
An official statement from the Government on Tuesday disrepute the allegations, opinions, and interference by Rumbiak in the national affairs, politics and foreign policies of Solomon Islands, a sovereign State, through the media.
Rumbiak’s comments were purposely made to incite division in the leadership of the SIDCCG that is based on the issue of West Papua.
“This misguided intent by a foreigner to attempt to divide and undermine the standing and solidarity of a legitimate government through the media will not succeed,” the statement said.
“Mr Rumbiak has no right to tell the people of Solomon Islands who should be their Prime Minister, nor does he has the right to determine who the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands should be.”
The statement said Solomon Islands is a sovereign nation and only Solomon Islanders can determine who should be their Prime Minister and that can only happen through the democratic election process.
“If he thinks that he can come secretly into Solomon Islands when the Prime Minister is out of the country, purposely to create division and disharmony in the Government and amongst Solomon Islanders, then he better think again,” it said.
The statement adds, Solomon Islands has diplomatic relations with the Republic of Indonesia which was formalised in July 1983.
A Solomon Islands Diplomatic Mission was established in Jakarta on August 5, 2014.
This Mission was operational during the previous DCCG government, continuing on with the present SIDCCG government.
It added that as an upstanding member of the United Nations, Solomon Islands upholds the tenets of international relations enshrined in the United Nations Charter, including those on respect of sovereignty and non-interference.
“Solomon Islands has always acknowledged that West Papua is an integral part of Indonesia. Solomon Islands also acknowledges that West Papua is one of five Melanesian regions in Indonesia. Solomon Islands will continue to pursue issues concerning West Papua through both the relevant national mechanisms in Indonesia as well as at the relevant international institutions and forums, as and when appropriate,” he said.
The statement said SIDCCG’s foreign policies will continue to be guided and determined by Solomon Islands’ own national interest and those of its peoples.
“As a sovereign nation, Solomon Islands will continue to vigorously protect these interests. The Solomon Islands Government will not allow these interests to be usurped and dictated by foreign individuals like Jacob Rumbiak,” it said.
Saint Nicholas College netball team in training for the 4th acomsic games this month.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Saint Nicholas College netball team in training for the 4th acomsic games this month.
KGVI School has been named as the ‘official games village’ for the 2018 Association of the Church of Melanesia Schools and Institutions and Communities (ACOMSIC) Games this month.
The ACOMSIC Games head of the organising committee Desmond Waita announced the location of the games village via social media on the event’s facebook page last week.
The ACOMSIC Games will see all students of the Anglican Church of Melanesia schools and institutions converging in Honiara to take part in a weeklong festival of sports, entertainment and educational awareness from Saturday 23rd June to Saturday 30th June.
Waita said the games village will open on Saturday June 23.
Waita stated the event will open with a church service at the Saint Barnabas Cathedral on Sunday June 24 while the grand official opening ceremony will be held on Monday June 25.
Waita thanked the management of KGVI School for allowing the use of their facilities during the course of the event.
“Thank you KGVI school management for allowing your wonderful venue to be used to host the games.”
Registration for interested schools is still open and will close on Monday June 18.
A total of 17 Anglican Church of Melanesia Schools and Institutions are vying to take part.
Waita urged schools that are yet to pay up their registration fees to come forward and commit to this important requirement.
The theme for this month’s ACOMSIC Games is ‘Oneness through Sports’.
A total of five main sports are expected to be featured. They are soccer, futsal, netball, volleyball, rugby and athletics.
According to Waita, apart from playing sports, other activities will also be organized and they include night activities for students such as educational and health talks, speech contest, choir competition, cultural dancing and a beauty pageant show.
As the calendar pages unfold closer to the opening date, hosts of sponsors have already raised their hands to support through sponsoring of prizes and other items pertaining to the running of the event.
The latest to have come on board last week are the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.
Other sponsors are the Ministry of Home Affairs, Coral Sea Resort, Solomon Airlines, Provincial Press, King-George Sixth school and the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM).
“I want to appeal to the general public, business organizations, sporting federations and other sports stakeholders to come and support the students in their sporting activities as sports create a healthy and discipline society.
“It is expected that about one thousand students and teachers are expected to take part in the week long sports event,” Waita said.
The ACOMSIC Games was used to an annual event in the past with the known last edition to be held was in 2006.
After nine years of absence, it saw revival in 2015 and Selwyn College came out on top as the overall winner while second and the third placing went to Saint Stephen Pamua and C E Fox Sa’a, respectively.
Meanwhile, schools vying to participate are said to be in full swing with their preparations for the upcoming event.
Solomon Islands Football Federation Referee RDO, Justin Mutukera welcomes the participants.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Solomon Islands Football Federation Referee RDO, Justin Mutukera welcomes the participants.
A basic referees’ course is underway following its official opening in Honiara yesterday afternoon.
The one week workshop is being organized by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Referees department and is held at the SIFF Academy conference room.
More than 50 participants are taking part.
The course was intended for aspiring referees in Honiara, according to SIFF Referee Development Officer Justin Mutukera.
The brief opening ceremony yesterday was graced by the presence of Honiara Football Association (HFA) President Baddley Alaha.
Alaha was pleased to see many young people both male and female taking up the course.
“I am so happy to see young people both male and female have shown interest in taking up this basic refereeing course.
“Referees are very important just like players because without referees there will be no football match.
“I hope most of you will become top refs in the future because we need more refs as we move forward in our football development aspirations.
“Our past and current refs have taken us to the World Cup and I want to encourage all of you to one day follow their footsteps.
“I want to officially open the HFA basic refereeing course and wish you all the best during the week long programme,” Alaha said.
Speaking on behalf of the SIFF Technical department during the opening was Youth Development officer, Henry Fa’arodo.
“It’s an honour to welcome you to this very informative training on behalf of the technical team.
“Remember referees have very important role in football so I want to encourage all of you to make the most of this opportunity.
“Refs are part of the technical department and I would like to wish you all the best as you undertake the basic refereeing course.
“Please don’t stop here but have the passion to learn more about the laws of the game,” Fa’arodo said.
The workshop will conclude at the end of the week.
