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Big interest to work in overseas farms

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Mike Puia

AN information session about working in Australia horticulture farms held in Honiara yesterday shows the huge interest among locals to work overseas.

AgricSolutions, a licensed recruiter for the Australian Seasonal Worker Programme (ASWP), conducted an information session at the National Museum compound and was surprised with the turn out.

Jobs Australia representatives were also present at the session.

AgricSolutions’ Managing Director, based in Honiara, Simon Mannie, confirmed that the interest among locals is overwhelmed.

“Representatives of Jobs Australia doubted people would be interested. But, as you can see, the turnout is just huge,” Mr Mannie said.

About 30 males were selected during yesterday’s session out of the huge crowd that turned up. Those selected will attend an interview at the Labour Mobility Unit at Rove today and tomorrow.

Those recruited in this round will work in banana and citrus fruit farms in Australia.

Mannie said since working in banana and citrus farms requires physical strength, they only recruit males in this round.

A lot of females also attended yesterday’s session.

Mannie said once overseas employers asked to recruit locals for lighter work, then they will recruit women.

Those who are interested in working under this programme must have clear record with the police, certified by doctors to be healthy and fit, over 21 years, have a passport and has an intention to enter Australia for work and return to the country after his or her employment ends.

Workers traveling to Australia under this programme will work for 30 hours per week.

AgricSolutions confirmed it will increase its recruitment as time goes on.

Gov’t money drain

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Customs’ decision continues to cost the government millions in lost revenue

By Alfred Sasako

A decision by Customs officials in allowing a private concern to operate Leroy Jetty along the Ranadi Coastline is costing the Government “millions” in lost revenue, shipping industry sources have revealed.

“Unless the Ministry of Finance intervenes, the government will continue to lose millions more because of similar operations into Renbel,” they warned yesterday.

Others have hinted that the decision by Customs in allowing a private concern to operate another wharf in Honiara could be illegal.

Industry sources said it is not only in Honiara that the national government is losing revenue from import and export taxes.

“Operations of foreign ships into Renbel Province are also costing the government millions more because no one knows what the overseas ships are bringing in or taking out of the country.

“The only government agents there are Customs Officials. So the government loses millions of dollars in both in-coming and outgoing cargoes from both Honiara and Renbel,” the sources said.

Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), told Island Sun two weeks ago that since Leroy Jetty opened for businesses around November 2016, SIPA had lost millions of dollars in businesses from pilotage, stevedoring and berthing charges which overseas ships avoid paying when they use Leroy Jetty.

“In 2017 alone, SIPA lost more than $10 million in revenue from overseas ships using Leroy Jetty along the Ranadi coast,” senior SIPA officials told Island Sun in an exclusive interview.

“SIPA loses more than $600, 000 in charges each time an overseas vessel uses Leroy Jetty. It is a huge drain on SIPA revenue, which we will continue to lose until the government steps in,” one official said.

Leroy Jetty has since applied to the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare to consider granting it a suffrage wharf status.

Officials from the Ministry’s Economic Reform Unit (ERU) held talks with SIPA management two weeks ago.

“We have made our views known to the ERU officials. In our view it is not healthy financially for SIPA and the government and also in terms of safety and security. It is our hope that the government stands by us in this matter,” one official told Island Sun.

SIPA is planning to brief the Prime Minister, Ricky Houenipwela and his Deputy Mr Sogavare who is responsible for SIPA as a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE).

Apart from the revenue losses, there are several issues that are critical to the SIPA Management. These include international ship and port security (ISPS), safety and the need to comply with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements.

“These are international requirements which must be upheld or Solomon Islands risks losing its licence as declared ports. What is happening since November 2016 is that we simply do not know what sort of cargo has come in and what is going out,” one SIPA Management official said.

Others have pointed out that legally Customs does not have the authority to allow a private concern to operate another wharf which is not a declared port.

Solomon Islands has only two declared ports – Honiara and Noro in Western Province – which are recognised internationally.

“When it comes to the legality of the operations, the SIPA Act overrides any other Act in terms of declared ports,” a former senior SIPA staffer said.

Stalemate

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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RED ALERT….Marist FC’s Abraham Iniga comes in hard on AS Magenta’s Jean-Christ Wajoka. Iniga was red carded for this challenge as Marist held on with 10 men for a 1-1 draw…Photo OFC.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Marist 1, AS Magenta 1

MARIST’S hopes of progression into the last eight of the Oceania Champions League hinges on the results of the final pool play this Friday.

This follows their one-all draw against AS Magenta of New Caledonia yesterday afternoon at Lawson Tama Stadium.

The draw makes it two in a row for the Oceania Champions League Group D hosts.

In their campaign opener on Saturday against Team Wellington they also drew 1-1.

Marist currently sits third on the table with two points behind Team Wellington and AS Magenta who are occupying the first and the second places respectively with four points each.

RED ALERT….Marist FC’s Abraham Iniga comes in hard on AS Magenta’s Jean-Christ Wajoka. Iniga was red carded for this challenge
as Marist held on with 10 men for a 1-1 draw…Photo OFC.

Like the Saturday’s contest, Marist took up early lead in the first five minutes through a header from towering defender Michael Boso.

A free kick unleashed from the right by Atkin Kaua found an awaiting Boso on the far post who nodded home past the Magenta shot-stopper Mikael Ulile, sending the home crowd into frenzy.

Marist’s Koriak Upaiga and Henry Faarodo tries to stop a Magenta player during their Group D clash on Tuesday

Six minutes later, a stunning volley by Joseph Athale from outside the box silenced the home crowd and brought the scoreline to one-all.

Athale capitalized on a loose ball headed out by Marist defender Joachim Waroi via a corner where he made no mistake in hammering the ball past keeper Anthony Talo for a spectacular equalizer.

The goal livened Magenta’s fighting spirit and they began to create more chances through Richard Sele’s sneaky runs onto the Marist defense causing trouble for Koriak Upaiga, Boso and Waroi.

Talo stood out well for the homeside between the two sticks pulling out some fine saves against Magenta’s continued onslaught.

Marist also had attempts which could have changed the scoreline for a victory for the hosts but Magenta’s defense proved to be on their best yesterday as they stopped the threats mounted upon them.

Henry Fa’arodo was a tireless worker on the pitch for Marist providing well-needed support to his defenders and so as instrumental in orchestrating upfield attacking moves.

In the second spell, Marist was forced to play with 10 men following Abraham Iniga’s dismissal through a second bookable offence in the 66th minute.

Marist’s one-man down on the pitch did not cause too much disadvantage for them as Magenta’s defense had to make two goal line saves and denied Marist the chance for a winner via a perfect combination from Mathias Ian, Kaua and Davidson Tome.

Toward stoppage time, Magenta’s Maraima Tchao had a point blank range opportunity inside the six yard box which if converted could have been the goal of the day but squandered the chance with a bad touch and let the ball flew out wide.

Marist won a corner in the final act of the match but their goal opportunity was denied by Magenta leaving the scoreline to remain at 1-1 till the final whistle.

Marist’s final match is against Samoan outfit Lupe Ole Soaga at 4pm this Friday while Magenta takes on Team Wellington in the 1pm fixture.

A big win for Marist against Lupe Ole Soaga will see them earning a place in the quarterfinals but that has to depend on the result of the earlier encounter between Magenta and Team Wellington where the hosts will be hoping very much for a victory for either side.

A draw between the two sides and win for Marist will see all three finishing pool play with five points each and qualifications into the quarterfinal will have to be determined through goal difference calculations.

The winner of the Group D competition gets the advantage of playing its quarterfinal at home.

Choiseul 2nd appointed day marked in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Lauru people and their families living in and around Honiara for the first time marked their province’s Second Appointed day in Honiara.

Last night, in a boisterous occasion, the people of Choiseul in Honiara marked and acknowledged their day of independence by reflecting on their many achievements since breaking away from the Western province in 1992.

While the main celebration was held in Choiseul, the incumbent Lauru Peoples Association (LPA) initiated the idea to have the important day marked in Honiara to allow fellow Choiseul citizens in the nation’s capital join in the celebrations.

The programme included a flag-raising segment, speeches and a fellowship feast.

Important people from government as well as senior Lauru leaders in and around Honiara graced the event last night, which was held at the Rove RSIPF Police Club.

Process to access SIWIBA revolving fund clarified

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

PROCESS to access the newly launched Solomon Islands Women in Business Association (SIWIBA) revolving fund has been briefly clarified.

The fund is purposely for SIWIBA registered members who cannot access financial institution for support and it did come from monies from the women’s trade fair activities as well as monies from the SIWIBA awards night.

The clarification statement was explained by the SIWIBA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mrs Jennifer Pascal in an exclusive interview yesterday.

She explained, to access the fund first one has to be a financial member of SIWIBA and must be a registered member under the SIWIBA savings club.

After the completion of the first process individual members need to build up their saving account because its (saving account) acts like as security pledged collateral.

Pascal clearly stated that the borrowed amount will depend entirely on the amount recorded in each account registered members have.

She said according to SIWIBA strategic plan the initiative is expected to be rolled out in the month of June.

However both informal and formal financial members are eligible to access the fund.

$100,000 is being used as the starting base for the resolving fund.

Arnon Atomea School acknowledges Japan

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

HEAD Teacher of the Arnon Atomea Primary in Malaita province acknowledges and commends Japan’s continuous support to Solomon Islands.

As a recipient of the Japanese Grassroots and Human Security grant scheme, Arnon Atomea Head Teacher Mr Lensley Kwaimani said the school administration and community at large are grateful for such an enormous support.

He said to receive such as amount of $695,362 is a great offer and timely, and will boost the learning capacity and environment of children who will access the facility in the present and near future.

“I bring my community’s thankful heart to you the Japanese Government for seeing us eligible and fortunate amongst many unfortunate applicants to be recipient of the Japanese Grassroots and Human Security project,” Kwaimani said.

He also adds dedicates the achievement to their fallen comrades in the history of Arnon Atomea School.

Kwaimani said their tireless effort in the upbringing of children of north Malaita in education from one generation to another will be upheld in the present and future generations.

In response, Japan’s Ambassador HE Kenichi Kimiya congratulated the school for their milestone achievement.

“On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to take this opportunity to say we are very pleased to contribute to the development for the people of Solomon Islands,” Mr Kimiya said.

SIVB kicks off 2018 with major thrust into key AU-NZ markets

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Airlines’ marketing officer, David Keru and SIVB marketing officer, Stella Lucas, on the Solomon Islands stand at the World Travel EXPO in Sydney. Photo from SIVB Media
Solomon Airlines’ marketing officer, David Keru and SIVB marketing officer, Stella Lucas, on the Solomon Islands stand at the World Travel EXPO in Sydney. Photo from SIVB Media

HOT on the heels of the Solomon Islands recording its best annual international visitation intake, the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) has kicked off 2018 with strong intent conducting a five-city ‘tourism mission’ in the key Australian and New Zealand markets.

Spread across three weeks of non-stop activity, the national tourist office accompanied by Solomon Airlines flew the flag at major consumer travel events in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne attended, collectively, by close on 90,000 dedicated travel intending consumers.

In New Zealand CEO Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto and his team met with many of the country’s senior travel media and travel industry management in both Auckland and Wellington.

Mr Tuamoto said Australian numbers continued to dominate the Solomon Islands’ international visitation statistics – close on 40 per cent of all visitation – but he was delighted with an ever-growing New Zealand performance which saw Kiwi arrivals increase by 12 per cent in 2017 – three (3) per cent above original projections.

“We are keenly aware that we need to grow our visitation in all markets, especially USA, Asia and Europe where we have made major inroads in recent years and this year will be no different as we continue our push into those markets,” Tuamoto said.

“But we must never lose sight of the fact we have two very economically sound sources of potential visitation on our very doorstep.

“And this is exactly why we go to the efforts we do to maintain our profile in both countries where make no bones about it, we face stiff competition in an environment literally flooded with other destinations’ promotional messaging.

“It is critical we do all possible to ensure we maintain and grow our share from both these countries if we are to achieve our 2018 visitation target now set at nine (9) per cent growth for 2018.

“Hence the effort we are going to in order to keep the Solomon Islands’ profile as high as possible on behalf of our entire industry.”

–SIVB PRESS

TAWARO clinic receives building material

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
From (left – right) Mr Timothy Williams Technical Coordinator of the project and Mr Lonsdale Abana Chairman of the project posed for a photo shot with the newly donated building materials on Monday in Honiara.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

TAWARO clinic in East of Small Malaita, Malaita province for the first time received building material purposely for clinic renovation.

Materials were donated yesterday under the project identified as the rainwater harvesting under the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and was funded by World Bank in Solomon Islands.

Speaking with Mr Timothy Williams Sanau Technical coordinator of the project said having this materials shipped to Small Malaita for Tawaro clinic renovation has been a milestone for communities who have benefited from Tawaro services health deliveries.

“The clinic was built in 1969 since then there were only minor renovations took place which has put the health center in a status of rundown building, however these newly delivered materials has been a fine achievement towards its improvement.

“Hence on behalf of communities within Tawaro village we are so grateful for this donation it indicates that we’ll soon have a newly renovated health centre,” he said.

The building materials delivered are 78 sheets of copper, 90 bags of cement, seven Rota tanks and some hardware materials.

They (building materials) will be shipped to Tawaro today.

Deposing of rubbish in public places become common

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Photo of the observed flower bed in front of the commonwealth street entrance has becoming a rubbish sight. Photo by LYNTON AARON FILIA

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

CARELESSNESS and irresponsible attitude of deposing rubbish in public places has become common amongst almost citizens from kids to adult.

Despite responsible authorities carrying out awareness’s against littering in the city general public’s attitude of litter certainly hasn’t change.

And hence rubbish has been seen everywhere in public places within the capital.

Yesterday Island Sun team observed a flower bed in front of the common wealth street entrance has becoming a rubbish sight.

General public have been using the location as a resting place and at the same time the action of rubbish disposing took place.

At the moment the object disposed there has portrait a message of careless and irresponsible attitude towards rubbish disposing.

Rubbish dominating that place includes aluminum cans, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, cigarette butts, paper, rocks, human feces and other object that hasn’t have any value when or after being used.

The place was originally meant to be a resting place for public and also for beatification purposes.

Photo of the observed flower bed in front of the commonwealth street entrance has becoming a rubbish sight. Photo by LYNTON AARON FILIA

Original documents are best evidence for court: CM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Magistrate Emma Garo says that original copies of documents is the best evidence for the court.

She made the statement in court when the prosecution’s evidence tendered in court were not original documents as they were unable to provide original documents but photo-copies or scanned copies.

This is the case in relation to the suspended permanent secretary Henry Murray and his wife.

Yesterday the prosecution has tendered certain documents that figures are not clearly shown on it in which prosecution are requested to contact the banks to get cleared copies.

Henry Aife Murray is facing counts of official corruption contrary to section 91 (a) of the Penal Code and Rose Murray is facing 19 counts of false pretence contrary tosection 308 (a) of the Penal Code.

They were charged in relation to an allegation relate to a series of offences alleged between 2014 to 2017 in relation to multiple payments of motor vehicle hire charges to a company that police alleged was registered to the PS and his wife.

The value of those payments is estimated to the excess of 1.1 million dollars and as a result of that they both face a range of serious charges.

The couple appeared at the Honiara Magistrate Court and apart from the cash bail other strict conditions also applied on both the accused.

That they must surrender all passports (official and personal), Surrender any or all keys, access cards, identification cards to the offices of Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) including telecommunication devices, cellular phones laptop computers, motor vehicles, passwords and pass codes and uniform items provided to him by virtue of his contract of employment as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development;

Not to approach or enter Office buildings belonging to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development or Ministry of Finance & Treasury;

To reside at their current residential address situated at East Kola Ridge, Honiara;

Not to interfere with Police witnesses;

Not to contact any person directly or indirectly employed by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development or the Ministry of Finance & Treasury;

Not to leave or travel out of Honiara or Guadalcanal Province without the consent of the court and to report to Naha Police Station every Mondays and Fridays between 8:00am – 4:00pm.

Leslie Kwaiga from L & L law firm represents the couple while Florence Joel from the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.

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