One of the forgotten roads which has just about 5 percent or less in its value as a road and if no work is done on it soon, could lose its status completely. This
is the same to many other roads around Honiara.
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
THE Honiara City roads are the Ministry of Infrastructure Development’s (MID) area of concern to take care of, said Honiara City Council’s (HCC) Mayor Andrew Mua recently.
Mr Mua made this clarification in response to continuous complaints pointing fingers to HCC to improve the roads conditions in the capital City.
“People always complain about the roads conditions calling on HCC to improve them, but I want to make it clear for the general public that it is not our responsibility,” clarified the HCC Mayor.
He said HCC is responsible for licensee in giving authorisation to businesses wishing to operate in Honiara but the responsibility for maintenance along the roads is the National Government’s through MID to take care of.
FORM 6 students and staff of Mbokona Community High School took part in a Mandarin awareness activity conducted by SINU’s Mandarin teacher from Taiwan, Ms Kuei-Mi Li, on April 20.
They were treated to a lesson of Mandarin tones and basic phrases and a presentation on different traditions, cultures and how languages interact in different countries.
A session where students answered questions correctly and awarded with gifts was also part of the activity.
According to Ms Li, students really enjoyed the activity and students on the other hand expressed the same with one student suggesting that the Mandarin language be included in the Solomon Islands syllabus so that every child in school can have the opportunity to learn it.
Li who has a linguistic and teaching background explained that she wanted to share her passion for learning new languages and discovering different cultures with the students through the activity and noted that by learning a language students can go beyond their borders.
“Learning a new language means discovering a new culture, it will widen our horizons and enrich our life. I want to open these young Solomon Islanders’ eyes and minds and let them know that their world doesn’t necessarily have to be limited in where they live because they can have more options in life,” she said.
Li also spoke of how impressed she was seeing one of her students, Drumond Theomae teaching the students Mandarin tones and basic phrases since he only began learning the language two months ago.
She said that the awareness activity also made her realize that people do not come to her Mandarin classes not because they are not interested but because they don’t know what it is, how interesting it can be and that it is offered in the country.
Li furthered that she is considering carrying out the activity in other schools and provinces.
“I think it’s important for me to continue the touring, even to the provinces so that people will gain awareness of this opportunity to learn a new language and culture,” she said.
A packed cathedral in yesterday’s requiem mass for Chris.
By Gary Hatigeva
Two of Christopher Utia Nemaia’s sisters, leading the mass to the Mataniko River site where flowers were laid and put into the water for him.
HUNDREDS turned out yesterday to join the family of Christopher Utia Nemaia in a Requiem Mass held at the Holy Cross Cathedral in honour of his memory. Chris went missing while on duty on April 19.
The programme’s theme “We will not stop looking out for you” reflects the determination in every family member and friend serviceman and woman involved in the ongoing search operation.
The family was joined by his Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) colleagues including his CEO and his family, officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism including Minister Bartholomew Parapolo and his Permanent Secretary, Andrew Nihopara, and friends.
Christopher, known to many of his friends and family as Chris Uto, was the Marketing Officer responsible for the Asian region and the Fishing Niche Market in Solomon Islands in the SIVB until the time of his disappearance in April 19, 2018.
According to his family and friends, Chris was a very faithful gentleman, with a huge dream and motivated by a very captivated vision to make the Asian region the main market for his country Solomon Islands, which they say he loves so dear.
His determination and zeal to present first-hand information about Solomon Islands as a genuine nirvana drove him until he went missing.
The congregation was told that he was not to go on the trip that ended in disaster, but because he wanted to have a feel of the environment, which was to be part of his new tourism products to market, he asked to go.
Christopher’s fervent duty and tenacity to see Solomon Islands emerge to be well developed in the Tourism arena would him say, “don’t forget the call to action”.
According to both his family and colleagues, Chris had devoted his life for the country’s tourism industry with his patience to invest long hours to develop products alongside tourism operators and the mass is a way of acknowledging his inspiration.
Following the tragic incident that happened on Thursday over a week ago, Christopher went missing and joint searches conducted were unsuccessful in locating him or any evidence of his remains (body).
Following the requiem mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, the procession laid flowers on the Mataniko river.
SIG students at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Fiji are reportedly impoverished after only receiving FJ$240 each for allowance.
Concerned students speaking to Island Sun said the $240 has been used up for their rentals and other areas such as debts, leaving them with nothing.
They are now calling for May’s allowance to be sent quickly within the first week of the month (next week) before their situation worsens.
Last week, the students were only paid FJD$240. This has shocked the students leaving them confused because earlier the NTU director, Clement Tito had assured them that their allowance would not be affected by the government’s austerity budget measures.
News of the cut in student’s allowances had been made known by the Education Attaché at the Solomon Islands High Commission in Fiji.
The SIG students both in Fiji and Vanuatu are now calling on the national government to consider their situation saying it is ‘no joke the problem they are facing’.
“We want our May allowances to be sent in quickly as we are facing a serious problem,” said the students.
It is understood that allowances are usually paid in to the sponsored students’ accounts every 5th of each month.
Principal of Choiseul Bay Provincial Secondary School (PSS) has been commended by communities of Northwest Choiseul for improving standard of teaching in the school.
Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru said Mr Collin Ruqebatu (school Principal) and his hardworking Staff have helped upgrade the education level of teaching in the premier school of the province, being a bonus for students learning.
“Their effort is a bonus in uplifting the quality of education in Choiseul Province,” said Mr Ulemiki.
According to Ulemiki, Choiseul Bay PSS currently has 11 Degree and Diploma qualified teachers serving at the school.
“The infrastructure development of the school from report is also added bonus to provide a good learning environment for the students,” said Ulemiki.
Group Leader for Intern Affairs Mrs. Glennis K Masaea, elaborating on the process of Y@W internship program works_Photo by Ruth.
Youth@Work (Y@W) hosted an Employer’s Event on Thursday this week at the Skyboard Conference Room, Honiara Hotel.
This event is held twice every year with the aim to inform and involve both the public and private sectors to holistically address growing unemployment among youth in Honiara.
Glennis Kuper Masaea from Y@W Internship stressed this event provides a platform for employers to know more about how they can add value and impact youth in Honiara through the Y@W internship Programme.
“Youth unemployment is an issue in every country in the region and we all can address it from whereever we stand whether it be the private or public sectors,” Mrs Masaea said.
This event will also feature short testimonials from successful employer and intern followed by our famous employer’s frequently-asked-questions session.
To top it all off, the Employer’s Event will end with a social touch providing opportunity for networking over fingerfood and tea.
–YOUTH@WORK PRESS
Group Leader for Intern Affairs Mrs. Glennis K Masaea, elaborating on the process of Y@W internship program works. Photo by Ruth.Some of the employers at Y@W employers event.Employers at Y@W employers event.A participant during the event sharing her view about the program. Photo by Ruth Amos.
HEADS to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) has welcomed global, regional and national efforts to combat malaria and other mosquito borne diseases.
Also the leaders have made a commitment to halve malaria across the Commonwealth by 2023. On top of that, they are making a commitment to reduce malaria globally by 90 percent come 2030.
All these were part of the outcomes of a Global Malaria Summit held concurrently with the CHOGM held in London recently. Solomon Islands being a member of the Commonwealth is also committing itself to fight malaria as revealed by Prime Minister Rick Hou.
Speaking to the media upon his arrival, PM Hou Solomon Islands had joined other commonwealth countries to make a renewed pledge to fight against malaria.
“One of the highlights after the summit was the signing of the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance Elimination Roadmap. For us in the region three Prime Ministers signed the roadmap. PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu signed the roadmap.”
World leaders and global experts that gathered at the recent London Malaria Summit expressed a clear sense of urgency for more action. The leaders say it is urgent because malaria is still one of the deadliest diseases for people around the world.
“The signing opens funding opportunities for countries that have signed from the Commonwealth Secretariat in our fight against malaria in our respective countries,” Hou told the local media.
At the Malaria Summit Prime Minister Hou spoke before 14 heads of State and Government, Bill Gates, scientists and private sector representatives and international organisations including His Royal Highness, Prince Charles.
PM Hou in his remark says there is no doubt malaria can be eliminated from Melanesia.
“I am delighted to be joined here by my two Melanesian brothers. As leaders of some of the ‘blue continent’s’ most populous nations, we have come here together to signal our unwavering commitment to malaria elimination. And to endorse the Asia Pacific Leader’s Malaria Alliance Roadmap,” PM Hou told the summit.
The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) is an affiliation of Asian and Pacific heads of government, formed to accelerate progress against malaria and to eliminate the disease in the region by 2030.
APLMA Roadmap was endorsed by 18 heads of government in November 2015. It highlights six key priorities that governments must pursue to achieve malaria elimination in the region by 2030 .
The six priority areas are, uniting national efforts into regional action, map, prevent, test and treat the disease everywhere, ensure high quality malaria service, tests, medicines, nets and insecticides, improve targeting and efficiency to maximise impact, mobilise domestic financing and leverage external support and innovate for elimination.
For Solomon Islands, over the past decade, Government has allocated 12 percent of their budget to the health sector. For 2018, a total of SBD$23million is invested on malaria.
THE outgoing Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) will soon be taking up his new position as Solomon Islands High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland. However at this time, it is not yet known who the new Chairman will be.
Speaking to the media on his arrival, Prime Minister Rick Hou says at this point in time there is no replacement for the position left vacant by Eliam Tangirongo. PM Hou says proper procedures and processes will be adhered to at this time.
However Island Sun understands that upon Tangirongo’s new appointment, three commissioners of the PSC will also cease to work when their contracts lapse this week.
Allan Billy Arafoa, Nanette Tutua and Tione Bugotu were sworn in as commissioners in May 2015 on a three year contract.
The Public Service Commission is responsible for the recruitment of public officers and plays an important role in the governance system of the country.
In the country’s constitution (Section 116) it stated that only PSC has the power to make appointments to public offices (including power to confirm appointments) and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices is vested in the Public Service Commission amongst other roles and responsibilities.
According to the country’s constitution, whenever the office of the Chairman of Public Service Commission is vacant, one of the other members of the PSC as the Governor General shall appoint may act in the office of the Chairman.
However since the contract of these three commissioners is also coming to an end, Island Sun presumes the Governor General will be waiting for the Prime Minister to advise him on the circumstances surrounding the Public Service Commission.
Foreign Minister Milner Tozaka (right) and High Commissioner designate Eliam Tangirongo.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
THE outgoing Chairman of the Public Service Commission was bade farewell last week. In a function hosted by the Ministry of Public Service, Mr Eliam Tangirongo was bade farewell by commissioners of the PSC, Minister and staff of the PSC including Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Connelly Sadakabatu says he is very impressed by some of the key reforms achieved under the leadership and chairmanship of Tangirongo.
Sadakabatu says Tangirongo is an exceptional worker and he will no doubt bring the interest of Solomon Islands to the United Kingdom (UK).
He says there are two important factors that make Tangirongo have good public standing in the workplace and in the community. One is his constant connection to the Almighty God whose hands guides the establishment of this nation.
“And the second factor is that he is a keen learner and a good one. These are very good attitudes that are commonly found in any successful leader.”
He says Tangirongo is leaving the public service on a very high note.
Tangirongo in response thanked the government for their support for the Public Service Commission.
He thanked the cabinet for the support and assistance rendered for the reforms under his leadership.
He said without the government’s support, the reforms would not be able to see the light of day.
Tangirongo was highly commended by a number of public service workers for his leadership style and his support for gender mainstreaming in the public service.
He is vacating the Public Service Commission Chairman’s position to take up duties in the United Kingdom as Solomon Islands High Commissioner.
On this occasion, he also took the time to pledge his support for the government and people of Solomon Islands.
“I am on assignment to the United Kingdom and the Northern Ireland, to represent Solomon Islands, I will do my best to serve the people of Solomon Islands, to the government and to him be the glory and praise.”
Tangirongo says he looks forward to build a stronger relationship between Solomon Islands and its former colonial power.
The country’s High Commissioner designate to the UK and his wife were presented with gifts and kind words from staff and commissioners of PSC.
Lautoka FC goal keeper Beniamino Mateinaqara gets to the ball first from Marist’s Michael Boso during their second leg semifinal clash at the Lawson Tama Stadium on Sunday. Lautoka won 1-0 (2-1 on aggregate) to set a grand final meeting with Team Wellington FC….Photo Taromane Martin.
Marist out, Lautoka through
By Taromane Martin
Lautoka FC goal keeper Beniamino Mateinaqara gets to the ball first from Marist’s Michael Boso during their second leg semifinal clash at the Lawson Tama Stadium on Sunday. Lautoka won 1-0 (2-1 on aggregate) to set a grand final meeting with Team Wellington FC….Photo Taromane Martin.
MARIST FC’s fairy tale run at the 2018 Oceania Champions League football competition has ended at the Lawson Tama Stadium on Sunday.
They crashed out of the competition after losing 1-0 to Lautoka FC (2-1 on aggregate) in their second leg semi-final match at a packed Lawson Tama Stadium.
Marist had numerous chances to put the game to sleep in the first half but saw their attacks crumbling thanks to the strong defensive presence of Brian Kaltack, Kolinio Sivoki and Beniamino Mateinaqara manning the posts.
The scores were tied 0-0 at half time but changed midway in the second half, 23 year old Praneel Naidu, beating Marist’s goal keeper Anthony Talo to see the visitors leading.
Array of chances went begging for Marist in the second half, Timothy Bakale, Abraham Iniga and Atkin Kaua, who had the best chance to level the scores, all unable to convert.
Marist Head Coach Jerry Allen was disappointed with the result but praised his players for taking the club this far in the competition.
“For me I think our frontline is still and has been a problem for us in this campaign,” Allen said.
“Everyone knew and has seen this but then again I had to stick with the players because they are the only resources I had at my disposal,” Allen said.
“But then we also had a lot of injuries to some of the senior boys in the squad so left me very little choice but to send in the young boys.
“Koriak is out with a hamstring injury, even Talo (Anthony) was not supposed to play today due to injury.
But he is a strong boy and his experience really helped us today (Sunday 28th April).
“They (Lautoka) had only one clear opportunity and they converted it. Should we have converted our chances in the first half it could have been a victory or draw.
“I’m very proud and happy with the boys. Everybody has seen our squad. We have a lot of inexperience players but I’m very pleased they had taken us this far which is a new history for the club.
“For me this will be very helpful for the club’s future especially for the young players in the team. This is a good experience for the boys and I believe will be a bonus for the TSL and should we make it back again,” he said.
But for Lautoka FC the fairy tale will continue.
Head Coach Kamal Swamy was pleased with the win saying Marist made it tough for his side and admitted they were just lucky to win.
“This is the second time we qualified to this competition but is a first time for us to be in the final of this competition.
“I’m pleased. The boys gave a hundred percent. They knew they were a goal down coming here and really stuck to our game plan.
“No doubt Marist is a great team and made it tough for us but we’re lucky to win here,” he said.
Lautoka FC will play Team Wellington FC in the home and- away final of the OFC Champions League 2018 with the first challenge a trip to New Zealand’s capital on the weekend of 12 and 13 May before welcoming their opponent to Churchill Park for the return leg a week later.
