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Lautoka arrives in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Lautoka players boarding the team bus after arriving at the Henderson Airport on Tuesday

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Lautoka players boarding the team bus after arriving at the Henderson Airport on Tuesday

FIJIAN soccer champions Lautoka has arrived in Honiara on Tuesday afternoon.

Lautoka is here to play Marist in the return leg of the Oceania Champions League semi-final.

The second leg is scheduled for this Sunday 3pm at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Lautoka hosted Marist for the first leg last Sunday at Churchill Park and both sides drew one-all.

Davidson Tome scored in the first half to put Marist infront before a header from veteran Fijian striker Osea Vakatalesau four minutes into second half levelled the scoreline to one-all.

The second leg this Sunday is a crucial one for both teams. However, Marist now holds a slight advantage as they only need a scoreless draw to qualify for the final.

Lautoka has promised to work on improving their finishing before this weekend’s contest.

Lautoka coach Kamal Swamy said they would beef up their attack with the likes of Rory Chettleburgh, Benjamin Totori and Osea Vakatalesau.

“We will try to contain Marist FC as they are good in building up from the middle,” he said.

“Of course it will be an uphill battle as it is their home ground. Anything can happen, home advantage is not an issue if we play football we can beat them. We will have to change the line-up and see how it goes.”

The Blues will be without striker Samuela Drudru who copped a red card and is now serving a one- match suspension.

Marist FC head coach Jerry Allen said, losing first choice goalkeeper Anthony Talo is also not an issue with them in the second leg.

Talo landed heavily on his right foot in trying to tap away a cross after four minutes of play.

“We will work on a lot of things. We are not too worried but will get the right man for the spot,” he added.

Gizo market project ground-breaking today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

AUSTRALIA Aid and Western provincial government will host a ground-breaking ceremony today to commemorate the beginning of a major re-development market house project.

The ceremony will begin at 10am at the Gizo market project site.

This project is supported by the Australian government, and is expected to complete by end of December.

Western provincial secretary (PS) Jeffery Wickham said the project is an answer to the long-time cries of the people.

“We are looking forward for this major project to improve the standard of market in the province.

“Western province premier Wayne Maepioh and Austrian High Commission will deliver their speeches at the ceremony.”

Uncertainty over June international flights to Munda

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Munda Internationa airstrip runway

By Mike Puia

Gizo

THE Ministry of Communications and Aviation (MCA) looks forward to the first international flight landing in Munda in the Western Province this June.

In light of that, there are uncertainties as to whether this will eventuate.

“I don’t think this [international flights to Munda] will happen in June,

“There are a lot of things to sort out, requirements to fulfill before any international flight service Munda,” the Western provincial secretary, Jeffery Wickham, said.

Mr Wickham was asked to offer his view on the Munda international flight given the fact he was a permanent secretary of the MCA.

“To receive an international flight, the airport needs to have all necessary technical requirements,” Wickham said.

He said currently Munda has no proper terminal, fire and communication system.

Wickham said Munda airport has to meet all international civil aviation safety standards and comply with all civil aviation rules.

He said the airport must be certified as well before a plane lands on, things he doubted to have been fulfilled.

Calibrating to the airport is yet to be conducted. This is where distances that are vital to landing and takeoff are recorded. This is done by New Zealand.

Munda airport is the only airport in the country that was upgraded to become an alternative airport to Honiara.

Earlier, the MCA confirmed preparation work for Munda to qualify for international flight has been progressing well.

The Ministry confirmed it will deliver a new fire truck and navigational equipment and other necessary equipment for the Munda terminal before the first flight from Brisbane landed.

There are two fire truck funded by New Zealand government which are expected to arrive next month (May). One of them will be delivered to Munda.

Medical blunder calls for government to prioritize nursing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE gross medical error against a five week old baby has raised condemnation from the public.

The isolated incident was when a nurse at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) accidently chopped off the finger of the 5 week old infant.

Our sympathy goes out to the infant’s parents and for the little one, who innocently lost her thumb.

One couldn’t imagine how bad it might have been for her and/or the nurse.

On top of that, this medical blunder is a serious one and it amounts to lawsuit.

While we sympathise with the family including the nurse who must have been feeling guilty, this should be a wakeup call for all health care workers including the government.

Our nurses work long hours under stressful conditions but this shouldn’t be an excuse for the mistake.

That aside, we know, a big portion of the government’s money is being spent on scholarship and tertiary education.

Sad to say, upon graduation, not every one of the scholars will be able to get a job.

So why are we spending more money on scholarships when there is not enough jobs?

Is government providing jobs for them?

The government should think of spending more money in sectors that matters.

Nursing or healthcare should be a priority for government. We need more nurses.

Currently our hospitals and clinics are understaffed.

The shifts are too long and nurses work under stressful conditions.

We cannot expect them to work long hours and be attentive at the same time.

Dealing with human beings is different and complex and should be treated as such.

The money spent on scholarship should have been used to increase the budget for healthcare staff and increase scholarship for nurses.

Though we might not have the desired technology in place as yet, increased capacity of human resources in that area will definitely cutback on medical errors or lessen complaints against healthcare workers.

Sometimes all that a patient needs is a loving, caring nurse to make them feel better. Thus it is very important government prioritise health.

After all health is everybody’s business.

New deal before Parasi reopens

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, I wish to make clarifications and respond to the statement made over the Solomon Star yesterday by Mr John Iroi of Apunemwali Tribe in Small Malaita.

First of all I wish to make clarifications on the point that John Iroi himself proclaiming that he is the paramount chief of Apunemwali Tribe.

According to chiefly system of Small Malaita, a single tribe does not have a paramount chief, the paramount chief’s position can only be decided by the Chief’s Council of Small Malaita and not for a single chief or any Tom Dick and Harry along the streets of Afio or Honiara for that matter to claim this position.

As far as the Hoasitaimwane Council of chiefs is concerned, there is not at any time the council has appointed Mr John Iroi as a Paramount chief or a tribal chief of Apunemwali Tribe.

We only recognise Mr David Roroi as the Head Chief of Apunemwali tribe which John Iroi has a connection through a female line genealogy.

As the Chairman to the Hoasitaimwane Council of Chiefs in Asimae of Small Malaita wish to advise John Iroi not to mislead our good people with his con strategies for recognitions. Our Council of Chiefs do not recognise you as a tribal leader nor a paramount chief as claimed.

Secondly, as Chairman of the Hoasitaimwane council of chiefs of Small Malaita, I also wish to make clarifications on the matter that Mr John Iroi is also claiming his connections to Parasi Airport Land ownership.

I want to inform our people at home and in Honiara and elsewhere, and the country as a whole that Mr Iroi has no connections with the Parasi Airport.

Parasi Airport has now opened and is ready for the Solomon Airlines to have its first flights in a month time.

Mr Iroi and his brothers as alluded in the media do not own a single inch in Parasi Land, none.

If Mr Iroi has been propelled by someone to make delay tactics to the government projects such as Parasi, then it’s more wise and better for them to refrain from doing such moves as we the Council of chiefs have no room for such childish game.

We want development to reach our lands and to build economic viability to our children’s future in Small Malaita.

Should Mr Iroi wish to claim such land ownership, he should come home and make appointments to see our council of Chiefs of Hoasitaimwane so that we can place him in his rightful place.

I am now asking Mr John Iroi to stop misleading people and the government on such very important projects as Parasi Airport.

I am asking the Ministry of Aviation and the Task Force not to listen to him but continue to pursue Parasi Airport to its official opening this year.

 

Edmond Maumeu

Chairman to Hoasitaimwane Council of Chiefs.

Matangasi Village

Afio

Route of the public buses from central market to KG6

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, as a Solomon Islanders who lived in the capital city of Honiara, I urge the City Council to change the route of the public bushes from central market to KG 6, because it made the students and the public difficulty to catch the public bushes in time.

The route of the bushes from central market to KG 6 was very distance, compared to the route started from the central market to white river and because of that distance route, the bushes always took the route from the central market to white river, in which made the route from the central market to KG 6 had limited bushes to travel.

As I already experience the difficulty of catching the bushes from the central market to KG 6, the City Council should seriously looking into this matter and re-schedule the route, starting from the central market to SDA then SDA to KG 6, thus this would allow the people easy to catch the bushes from the central market to KG 6.

Therefore I urge the Solomon islander’s citizen to work hand in hand with the city council to re-schedule the route of the bushes and the people should follow the regulation and rules that the City Council tell them to follow, thus this would treat everyone fairly and equally to make our beloved country Solomon Islands lived in harmony in years to come.

Zephaniah Tukumana

USP, Laucala Campus

SIG partners with UNDP for environment mainstreaming

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Officers of the Government Ministries and UNDP staff in group phot who attended the Environmental Mainstreaming pilot training held at the Star Event conference room, Tongs building

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Officers of the Government Ministries and UNDP staff in group photo who attended the Environmental Mainstreaming pilot training held at the Star Event conference room, Tongs building.

ENVIRONMENT officers for Government ministries underwent pilot training on environmental mainstreaming under the United Nation Development Programme in Solomon Islands yesterday.

UNDP in Solomon Islands is piloting environmental mainstreaming training with officers from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and Ministry of Development, Planning and Aid Coordination.

The training is organised purposely to enhance SIG mainstreaming capacity to mainstream Multi-lateral Environment Agreement (MESs) obligations into local plans and policies.

Yesterday, discussions revolved around case for environmental mainstreaming, link between development and environmental mainstreaming; examine approaches and tools for environmental mainstreaming at all levels in Solomon Islands.

Under Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDMM) Mr Chanel Iroi hopes that after the training government officials would be able to understand environmental mainstreaming practices.

“I hope after this training Government official will be able to understand good mainstream practices to integrate global environment priorities particularly ones under MEAs into selected national and provincial development plans,” Mr Iroi said.

He explained the training material contains narrative for facilitators and drivers of environmental mainstreaming to integrate environment into planning and deliberation on priorities for development plans at the country’s national and provincial levels.

It also intended to inform environmental mainstreaming in planning and budget process, corporate plans of government ministries and monitoring processes, he adds.

UNDP stresses such training materials were developed to guide key stakeholders on good mainstreaming practices to integrate global environment priorities into selected national and provincial development plans.

The Environmental Mainstreaming pilot training is funded by UNDP under its project; Integrating Global Environmental Commitment in Investment and Development Decision-Making (IGECIDDM/CB2 project).

SIG integrate actions to battle climate changes

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Under Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDMM) Mr Chanel Iroi.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Under Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDMM) Mr Chanel Iroi.

CLIMATE Change, forest and land degradation and loss of local biodiversity affect people’s economic and social welfare globally and the Solomon Islands is not an exception.

Solomon Islands is facing negative impacts of climate change which in turn affects people’s economic, health, education and social welfare, and addressing these global environmental issues is everyone’s business.

Recently, Solomon Islands joined the gathering of world leaders to sign the Paris Agreement which demonstrates the world’s collective commitment to address climate change.

Under Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDMM) Mr Chanel Iroi said in this beautiful nation of Solomon Islands, concerns have been expressed over unsustainable practices in logging and mining.

With this he said SIG demonstrated commitment to addressing these issues in the international front as well as through local initiatives, given their impacts on people’s economic and social welfare.

Iroi said at the international front, SIG has ratified and acceded to several Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNCCD).

To ensure domestic application, SIG is required to mainstream the MEAs obligation into local plans and policies, and it already done, he explained.

“Like other countries, we have Climate Change National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA), the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP), and more recently the development and endorsement of the National REDD+ Roadmap which being support by the UN-REDD Programme and UNDP,” Iroi said.

Amongst other, the Integrating Global Environment Communities in Investment and Development Decision Making (IGECIDDM)/CB2 Project co-funded by GEF, UNDP and SIG has been providing support to SIG (MECDM, MoFR and MAL) to implement these plans especially the National REDD+ Roadmap for the past three and half years.

Outcome of the project, Iroi said a REDD + Training Manual (focus on GIS), an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for logging and palm oil development and a National REDD+ website has been developed for the SIG.

“Currently, the project has also assist the Government by providing legal options on the review of the Environment Act and the Forest Resource and Timber Utilisation Act,” he said.

At the moment, Iroi said they developed a book and teacher resource material for high schools and SINU purposely to boost awareness on good Environment practices to safeguard the environment.

SI YWCA marks round the world breakfast

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Mrs Georgina Ariki President of the Young Women Christian Association in Solomon Islands.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Mrs Georgina Ariki President of the Young Women Christian Association in Solomon Islands.

THE Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Solomon Islands yesterday celebrated the “Round the World breakfast” which coincides with the World YWCA day on April 24.

It is an event commemorated annually around the world to highlight the history and achievements of the YWCA global movement.

Speaking in the official commemoration ceremony President of SI YWCA Georgina Ariki said the event has provided an avenue for YWCAs to gather and honour the contributions of women leaders both young and old in their communities.

“It is a day where we can all recognise together, building on our strengthened, learning lessons and moving forward for the betterment of women and young girls across Solomon Islands,” she said.

Mrs Ariki said this casual breakfast get together is an annual tradition and a way forward to connect all agencies like government ministries, civil society organisations, women organisations , development partners and media to share accomplishment and to continue the reflection on the movement for women and girls In Solomon Islands.

On this same regard she said YWCA Solomon Islands will welcome any pledge from anyone and any organisation who would like to support the work of SI YWCA.

In addition as part of the celebration they also officially launched the global manual of the Rise up journey booklet and also the activity of displaying and skills demonstration on jewellery making, lavalava dying, recycling plastic bags, door mat, floral paper making, wedding bouquet and broom decorations.

Not APID or BMSI, but a new investor: Singamoana

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Premier Collin Singamoana

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PREMIER Collin Singamoana of Rennell and Bellona province clarifies speculations that the companies APID and BMSI, which are involved in mining and logging, are now into fisheries harvesting in the province.

Responding to Island Sun queries, Premier Singamoana says the new company in the Renbel scene is a new investor of the province which is interested in fisheries, especially in the Indispensable Reef and both islands.

The People’s Fisheries Solomon Islands (PFSI) is a Chinese-based company, which Singamoana says is registered locally and is interested in the province’s fisheries – reef fish and lobster (live catch).

Premier Singamoana says PFSI first approached the province towards the end of 2016 with a request to survey the Indispensable Reef and the two islands.

However, the province did not get back to them with a response, and the company returned before the end of 2017 following up on their request.

Premier Singamoana said earlier this year he granted the PFSI a one-day trip to the Indispensable Reef for the purpose of surveying.

However, recent posts on Facebook forums have misled public with the claims that APID and BMSI were moving onto harvesting the province’s fisheries resources.

Singamoana refutes these social media speculations, reminding the public of Renbel to seek facts first before posting up misleading information.

“APID and BMSI are innocently being condemned on social media because someone decided to post up few pictures with false statements.

“The company in question is the People’s Fisheries Solomon Islands, which is Renbel’s newest investor. And it is interested in catching reef fish and live lobsters.

“This investment is projected to help both islands, since the company will employ locals as divers or fishermen, and will also purchase catches by people.”

Renbel province government is awaiting the PFSI’s report from its one-day trip to the reef, which is expected next week.

After this, the company would then put forth its application for fishing and business licence to the provincial government.

This year is a regarded by pundits as a ‘tough year’ for the country’s provinces, and Rennell and Bellona being the smallest province in Solomon Islands stands and with a low economic drive, stands to be worst hit.

This is because the national government has slashed its assistance to the provinces which is usually channelled through the provincial capacity development fund (PCDF).

A new investor for the Renbel province could provide a much needed boost to the tiny economy.

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