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West Pacific qualifiers team depart for Fiji Saturday

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Zorika Morgan is one of the Fiji-based netters named in the squad.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Zorika Morgan is one of the Fiji-based netters named in the squad.

MEMBERS of the Solomon Islands tennis team for the upcoming West Pacific Regional Championship (WPRC) in Fiji will depart Honiara for Nadi this Saturday.

Head coach Doreen Ningalo confirmed to SunSPORTS yesterday.

A total of 12 Honiara-based players will team up with other four players based in Fiji making a total of 16 players.

The Fiji-based quartet includes Zorika Morgan, Prudence Bird, Lachlan Guba and Jermain Kari.

Morgan, Bird and Guba are training at the regional tennis training center in Fiji under International Tennis Federation (ITF) scholarships while Kari is privately sponsored.

Solomon Islands participated with 14 players last year.

Looking at this year’s team, there is an increase of two players.

The West Pacific Regional Championship will run from April 30 to May 5 and it is a competition sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and organized by the Oceania Tennis Federation (OTF).

Countries attending the event alongside Solomon Islands include Kiribati, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Norfolk Islands and host nation Fiji.

The competition features round robin play to determine entry into the main draw and play-offs for places in each of the under 12, 14 and 16 age categories.

Top players emerging from the championship will be chosen to represent the West Pacific team, who will compete at the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships (POJC).

The POJC is the region’s flagship elite junior tennis event and will be held from July 23 to August 1 in Fiji, with teams from the West, East and North Pacific regions competing against each other.

The Solomon Islands tennis team will return to Honiara on May 5.

Solomon Islands squad for West Pacific Tennis Championship:

12 and Under Category

Boys: Tristan Gregory Kelesi, Jefter David Beck, Lachlan Guba (Regional Training Centre)

Girls: Kerry Phillia Waita, Hilda Kafeta Agi and Jasnet Matafu

14 and Under Category

Boys: Habson Habu and Clivert Vakola

Girls: Zorika Dalice Morgan (Regional Training Centre), Prudence Bird (Regional Training Centre), Lorraine Gaote’e, Shirley Mani

16 and Under Category

Boys: Joel Riju, Junior Miki, Jermain Kari (Regional Training Centre

Girls: Marion Gaote’e

Team Officials

Dorrine Numa Ningalo (Coach), Selwyn Lam (Team Manager)

We have a chance: Allen

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Marist captain Henry Fa’arodo driving past a Lautoka player during the first leg of the OCL semifinal on Sunday.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

MARIST coach says they have a high chance of reaching the grand final of the Oceania Champions League (OCL) following the one-all draw attained against Lautoka in the semi-final first leg away encounter at Churchill Park on Sunday.

Speaking during the post-match conference, Marist head coach Jerry Allen said the away draw gives them advantage over their opponent heading into the second leg where its outcome will decide on the fate of the two teams in the region’s premier club competition.

During the away encounter, Davidson Tome scored to put Marist infront within 36 minutes of the first half when he perfectly met a cross in the six-yard box after coming in behind Kavaia Rawaqa to blast the shot past the Lautoka custodian Beniamino Mateinaqara who could do nothing to stop it.

Marist held on to the one goal lead until halftime break.

The match resumed for the second half and veteran Fijian striker Osea Vakatalesau was quick to equalise with a glancing header in the 49th minute.

The goal emerged via a corner whipped in from the left by attacking midfielder Cory Chettleburgh where Vakatalesau made no mistake leaping higher above the crowd to send it into the back of the net.

The equaliser appeared to have frustrated Allen, especially after previously warning them about the talent of Lautoka’s players.

Allen told the boys to avoid conceding any goal when they were leading 1-0 by halftime break.

“I think we played well in the first half and okay in the second, but we conceded. I knew it would happen there, from a set piece,” Allen said.

“I know Osea (Vakatalesau) well, Brian (Kaltack) some of the other boys, I used to coach them before with Hekari and so I reminded my players what they can do.

“Osea has good height, and he used it in the corner even though I warned them.”

Allen stressed that the plan now is to go out and win the final leg at home where he expects their performance to be buoyed by the support they will receive from fans at Lawson Tama.

“The plan now is to go home, work on some things and prepare once more – we have a big chance to do something great at home next week.”

Atkin Kaua will make a return onto starters’ list this Sunday. The young midfield maestro sat out the first leg through injury.

Marist’s goal scorer on Sunday Tome will miss the second leg on suspension after picking up his second yellow card at Churchill Park.

Goalkeeper Anthony Talo is also in doubt for the return leg as he is currently nursing an injury following a collision with Vakatalesau earlier on in the game infront of the goalmouth.

The collision left first-choice Talo to be replaced by second choice Harold Nauina.

The second leg at Lawson Tama this Sunday will kick off at 3pm.

END///

 

With an action pic of Fa’arodo in action

SIVB staff laid to rest

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Late Stella Lucas.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE body of the late Stella Lucas Laugasau was laid to rest yesterday. Ms Laugasau was one of the victims in a tragic incident at the Mataniko Falls last week.

Yesterday friends, colleagues, relatives, members from the tourism industry and those who have come to know Stella attended her burial service at Henderson.

At the time of her death, Late Stella was SIVB’s Marketing Officer, responsible for Australia and New Zealand region and looks after the Romance Market in the country.

She was described by many as a woman who is passionate about what she does, and one that has demonstrated unwavering commitment to her job in the tourism industry.

Apart from her life in the Tourism Industry, Stella was also a netball player. In the past, she had represented the country in a number of netball games and was an avid supporter of netball in the country.

On her Facebook page, SIVB’s Marketing Manager, Freda Unusi wrote that Stella is driven by a very passionate, selflessness with dreams of presenting Solomon Islands as an authentic paradise.

“She has demonstrated unwavering commitment, endurance and her love for Destination Solomon Islands is what drives her until she was called to rest.”

Mrs Unusi described Stella as someone who had touched the lives of many people through her love for the country in the International and Local Markets.

She says Late Stella Lucas has invested her life for the Solomon Islands and the people that she was acquainted with. She has affected the lives of many tourism operators and made so many friends and today is a testimony to some of her influence.

“With your famous line ‘for the love of the Solomon Islands’, Stella from a country lost without your soul, who’ll miss the wings of your passion more than you’ll ever know. Now you belong to heaven.”

Stella Lucas tragically died while assessing a new hiking programme in the Mataniko region. Her colleague, Chris Nemaia is still reportedly missing.

78k students drop out 2017

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Asset Manager for MEHRD Mr Henson Makoani.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Asset Manager for MEHRD Mr Henson Makoani.

NEARLY 80,000 primary school students dropped out last year, and lack of secondary schools is being blamed as a major factor, it is reported.

Asset Manager for the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) Mr Henson Makoani said 77,969 primary school students out of 130,000 were affected according to a 2017 report.

“It is very obvious that 77,969 students are leaving school after primary level.

“Looking at the data the key factor would be limited access to secondary schools, and we need more secondary schools for year seven to nine.”

With the huge number of school dropout in both primary and secondary level, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) also revealed there is a high rate of youth unemployment.

MWYCFA reports stated each year 18,000 people, 14,000 of whom are youths, compete for only 4,000 jobs available in the country.

With the figure, Director for Youth Development, MWYCFA, Mr Andrew Tipoki said such report gives serious concern to Solomon Islands Government particularly the Youth Development Division.

The MWYCFA is partnering with the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) in finding ways to deal with high rate of youth unemployment in Solomon Islands.

According to the education ministry’s 2017 report data, Solomon Islands has 1,300 schools, 600 of which are primary schools. Last year there were 130,000 primary school students enrolled.

In the secondary division, Makoani said there were 240 secondary institutions with a student enrolment of 52,031; principal and teachers account to over 9,580.

With the United Nations charter, Solomon Islands has its mission under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation.

The government is encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation with effective measures to eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking.

With these targets in mind, the goal is to achieve full and productive employment, and decent work, for all women and men by 2030 which includes young people.

RSIPF questioned

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Search will continue to the missing person along the river of Mataniko

Search for missing man continues with no help from police

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SEARCH for the missing person at Mataniko River is continuing with support from Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau and volunteers from the Tuvaruhu community.

The missing person, Chris Nemaia is a staff of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) and had been reported missing since Thursday last week. Chris and his colleagues were on a work trip when they tragically met their fate.

On Sunday Island Sun visited the site where the group convened for the search party and noted that the local police were not part of the search party.

It had been three-days of intense searching since the staff from SIVB went missing during their trekking expedition.

Currently, the search operation is only coordinated by SIVB in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) with support from numerous volunteers of the Tuvaruhu community.

Since the search was conducted, there had been not much involvement or support from the local police which is a huge disappointment for the parties involved in the search.

Immediate family of the missing person and teams from SIVB and MCT throughout the weekend were camped at the church hall of Tuvaruhu Anglican Church while search operation is being carried out by villagers of Mataniko and volunteers from families in Tuvaruhu.

From random interviews with staffs, families of the missing person and community members in Tuvaruhu by Island Sun, it was found that police had not assisted the parties in their search operation, contrary to what was announced in their press statement last week.

Immediate family members and community members of Tuvarahu are bewildered and question why police has not provided assistance though they had sent a statement in the media saying they are conducting a search party for the missing person.

Despite lack of support from RSIPF, SIVB and MCT will continue with their support for the family.

As the search continues, the Anglican church of Tuvaruhu pledged their support for the family and search group for as long as they wish and called on people in the community to assist in whatever way they can.

Immediate family of the missing person are appreciative of the support drawn from SIVB, MCT, Tuvaruhu Anglican Church and community for conducting the search operation.

Island Sun understands SIVB and MCT will have dialogue with Solomon Islands Police Force today regarding the situation.

Police meanwhile has refuted these claims, telling Island Sun that RSIPF has deployed more than 50 officers into the search operation, which includes the maritime division and members of several units and stations around Honiara.

Police is expected to release a statement soon regarding the matter.

Keku enthroned as Tandai paramount chief

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The new Paramount Chief Charles Nunu is presented with shell money.

BY ELLISON.T.VAHI

Tandai paramount chief Charles Chilivi commonly known as Keku was enthroned on Saturday, April 21, 2018.

In his maiden speech to the hundreds gathered before him, Mr Chilivi announced that Tandai ward is ‘ready to move’.

He said, “Today, representing the five clans of Tandai, we are taking a new course of journey – a journey that will take us into the future.

The new Paramount Chief Charles Chilivi is presented with shell money.

“Your navigator in this journey is ready to lead.

“It is a milestone, and as the new paramount chief, I’m proud and humbled but honoured to have had the confidence of the chiefs representing the five clans of Tandai who have generously voted me into this office of paramount chief.

“I promise to do my best to serve as outlined by the official duties of the post and be a mouth piece for our people in airing our views and staking our claims to right of the way within our traditional habitat or otherwise to foster justifiable compensation claims for the loss of those rights.

The new paramount chief receiving his certificate.

“Once we have been spectators looking in from the sideline. We have been forced to the fringes of the national capital, Honiara but further, to add insult to injury, we have been diluted as a people and are fast losing our status and dignity.

“Successive generations of this assault are taking their toll on the loss of land, culture and pride of identity for our people.

“By our people, I‘m specifically referring to the people of Tandai; those claiming the land mass between Tamboko and Betikama as their traditional home. The people with the dialects Di, Nginia and Qaria as their mother tongue.”

In assurance, Chilivi however said everything is not yet lost. He said that they are now experiencing a rude awakening which he termed as ‘a wake-up call’.

Paramount chief Charles Chilivi being adorned with shell money.

He further addressed to his people (Tandai ward) that it is now their duty to arrest the decline and re-establish themselves with dignity and pride of position.

“The establishment of the Tandai house of chief is our rescue vehicle. We are now to re-group and to re-discover ourselves. The house of chiefs comprises chiefs of the five main clans occupying land within the confine of Tandai. These are The Gaubata Clan, the Laukili Clan, the Kakau Clan, the Kidipale Clan and the Simbo Clan.

The new paramount chief, ready to receive a gift.

“Together we have forged relationships, together we have forged family units and together we have been sharing and cohabitating in this land from time immemorial. This is our chance to consolidate and to assert our right of position. The House of Chiefs will make available these endeavours.”

He urges all members of the five clans and tribes represented to work together to seek full benefits and productive outcomes from the workings of the House of Chiefs.

He also appeals to all members of the five clans to ‘come on board the rescue vehicle’ and ensure that it sails them in ‘safety and security’ for them in the present and for future generations.

Chupu to be presented to all tribes of Tandai.

Marist held

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Davidson Tome celebrates his goal against Lautoka yesterday at the Churchill Park.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

MARIST was held to a one-all draw by 10-man Lautoka in the first leg encounter of the Oceania Champions League semi-final at Churchill Park yesterday afternoon.

The draw gave an away goal advantage to the Solomon Islands representatives heading into the return leg this Sunday at Lawson Tama.

Davidson Tome put the Jerry Allen-coached side infront six minutes after the half hour mark when he perfectly met a cross in the six-yard box after coming in behind Kavaia Rawaqa to blast the shot past the Lautoka custodian Beniamino Mateinaqara who could do nothing to stop it.

Marist held on to the one goal lead until halftime break.

The match resumed for the second half and veteran striker Osea Vakatalesau was quick to equalise with a glancing header in the 49th minute.

The goal emerged via a corner whipped in from the left by attacking midfielder Cory Chettleburgh where Vakatalesau made no mistake leaping higher above the crowd to send it into the back of the net.

Marist’s hero Tome was shown a yellow card and is certain to sit out the return leg in Honiara through suspension for a second bookable offense.

In the 68th minute, one of Lautoka’s attacking key members Samuela Drudru was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.

While the match was ended in a share of spoils, the fate of the two teams will be decided in the return leg at Lawson Tama this Sunday.

Marist midfielder Atkin Kaua who sat out the first leg through injury is expected to be available for the Honiara leg.

The winner will progress to another two-legged home and away tie in the grand final scheduled for May 12 and May 19, respectively.

The semi-final contest between Marist and Lautoka is set as match one while the other last-four contest between Team Wellington and Auckland City was drawn as match two.

The winner of the Marist-Lautoka encounter will play an away fixture against the winner of the second semi between Auckland City and Team Wellington in the first leg of the grandfinal set for May 12.

Mbokonavera School with new admin blocks

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The newly launched admin block for Mbokonavera school primary division

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE two new admin blocks for Mbokonavera School launched on Friday is a way forward to ensure all resources of the school are available for function and well managed by a set of people like teachers.

The construction of the two admin space is the replacement of the first office block of the school which was burnt down into ash on Tuesday May 3, 2016.

These two buildings are purposely for the two division’s primary and secondary division office space.

On an officially opening ceremony held yesterday guest of honour Clement Aetorea interim Chief Education Officer, Honiara City Council Education Authority said it’s wonderful to see how much things have changed over those decades both for primary and secondary division of the school and the surrounding area with regards to positive developments.

“I want to say work hard as you can to take advantage of the benefits this school is giving you-better teaching both here and when you go to other schools.

“Show the good stewardship and team work that have been doing and finally achieve what as we witnessed today,” he said.

On the same event principle responsible of the school Agnes Te’e says the presence of all gathered to witness the gracing of the building has indicated commitment and support.

“Your presence has indicated to our school you strong commitment and support demonstrated through joint efforts such occasion and events, thus a manifestation of our collaboration and cooperation in the quest to deliver better and improved education services to our students.

“Now the school has space to ensure all resources are well function and managed by school staff,” she said.

The building witnessed yesterday was successfully through the support Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), school administration 2017 – 2018 and through parents’ contribution.

Gold Ridge set to reopen

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the new GRML Partnership set up, including Directors, Board members, Managers and initial establishment employees, pausing for a group photo with a delegate from the government who visited the site on Thursday to witness the preparations for the resumption of gold mining

LOs get 10 percent share in new GRML set up

By Gary Hatigeva

NEW life is being breathed into the Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML).

As the gold price shows evidence of a recovery, GRML has announced set plans to restart operations at the old site that was used formerly by the last two operators, Rose Mining Limited and the St Barbara Mining Limited.

The component has been sitting idle in care and maintenance since it was abandoned by the last operator over two years ago, but the new partnership under the GRML name has revealed intentions to recommence production and is very confident it will happen this year.

The adjacent site was separately acquired by the Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL) who went on to sell 90 percent of its shares to foreign investor, the AXF Resources Company of Australia.

The new partnership extended and got a third partner, one of the global Chinese company, Wanguo International Mining who became the major shareholder in the GRML having been sold 60 percent by the Australian partner.

Following numerous meetings and consultations between the three partnering companies, the group settled for a structure that gives the Wanguo International Mining major shares of 60 percent, while 30 percent was given to the Australian partner and 10 percent to the landowners through the GCIL.

Prior to the forged partnership, the GCIL had the site valued and based on the valuation for its contribution through the remaining infrastructures on site, was how it came down to the 10 percent share, which was welcomed by the landowners after the structure was revealed.

Members of the new GRML Partnership set up, including Directors, Board members, Managers and initial establishment employees, pausing for a group photo with a delegate from the government who visited the site on Thursday to witness the preparations for the resumption of gold mining

According to the GCIL/GRML Director, Benjamin Afuga when interviewed revealed that the GCIL being the original owner, acquired both the company and the company name (GRML), which the partnership chose to continue using as the merging company name.

“So we will continue to use the Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) name, which it sort of portrays or reflects our partnership in this company,” he said.

He however stressed that unlike some other similar set ups, the striking thing about the Gold Ridge partnership deal is, landowners through GCIL do have representatives as board members in the GRML Board of Directors.

“And they will still get the royalties and other waving benefits that are set aside for the landowners as agreed to by the new partnership,” Afuga added.

This is something a lot of business analysts interviewed, both local and international, felt was a worthwhile agreement, knowing that the landowners will have influences and contributing say in the decisions to made regarding the operation of GRML.

Meanwhile, in another interview, AXF representative and GRML General Manager under the new partnership, Dr Fiona Martin explained that the setup is an advantaged position because the infrastructures and some of the needed facilities already in place to commence extraction.

“The Gold Ridge mine has the existing sites with facilities that are involved to complete the cycle of operation, are already in place, providing an opportunity to begin mining with minimal delays but will need small additional investments for little adjustments,” she said.

Island Sun was unable to get the exact figures before this story was put in for publication, but earlier estimation highlighted that the operation is tipped to employ over 1000 workers when it formally starts.

Currently, the company (GRML) has workers representing the three partnering investors on site, putting together resources and doing final touch ups on various facilities and related components to ensure administrations of the operation starts.

Follow Island Sun as we continue to cover the progress in preparations and further announcements for both the breakeven timeframe and other developments of the operation.

PS clarifies budget

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs, Dr Cedric Alependava.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs, has come out to reassure women that there is enough money in the budget to cater for their activities in 2018.

Dr Cedric Alependava wishes to clarify the issue of development budget on behalf of MWYCFA and the Minister and the government.

Alependava says there are two budgets – development and recurrent.

He says though the development budget has been cut, it is enough for their activities and they can always go back to the recurrent budget should the need arises.

“I wish to clarify to the public that there is no such thing as zero budget and there is a good amount of money for investing in women activities.”

Island Sun understands MWYCFA is not the only Ministry faced with budget cuts. All SIG line ministries are faced with the same dilemma.

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