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Welfare and security tops Malaita’s HR priorities

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The newly appointed Human Resource manager for Malaita Province Richard Misi.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

The newly appointed Human Resource manager for Malaita Province Richard Misi.

SECURITY and welfare are the two top priorities as Malaait province welcomes its new human resources manager.

He is Richard Misi, a long time tourism administration officer from the ministry of tourism under the Malaita provincial government.

He was successfully appointed the HR post after the former human resource manager retired.

During an interview with Island Sun news yesterday in Auki, Mr Misi said he will prioritise two areas – the welfare of labourers and security or employees and properties of the Malaitan provincial government.

“My office will deal with the welfare of labors as one priority as it was missing during the past governments.

“As Malaita province starts to expand in its development plans, security is one of the issues that will be prioritised.

“It is a concern especially in the province on the facilities and government owned properties must be safe and protected. Compared to the past years the government own properties and facilities were miss managed and miss handled. My office will try to re-visit the security issues in the province and to improve the welfare of its workers.”

Another issue is to set up the Auki town council authority and its workers to maintain the beautification of Auki town.

“According to our culture, safety and wellbeing is very important for foreigners and visitors that are coming to Malaita province. We will also try to improve the data base especially through linking the chain of communication within employees within the province.”

People in Haukona benefit from conservation talk

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PEOPLE in Haukona village in the central highlands of Are Are recently held a conservation awareness talk in their area.

The awareness talk was conducted by a team from Wai-Hau Conservation Foundation Inc upon invitation by the Raripaina Biodiversity Conservation Association.

In an interview with Island Sun Auki, Coordinator of Wai-Hau, Mr Flex Naitoro acknowledged members of Raripaina Conservation Association and community members for their participation in the programme.

He said the awareness talk covered four main areas include the importance of conservation, sharing of experience, climate change and carbon trading.

Members of Wai-Hau Conservation Foundation Inc and Raripaina Biodiversity Conservation Association posing for a photo infornt of a leaf-hut in Raripaina Tribal land.

Naitoro explained that the programme is purposely to let people in the area understand the importance of conservation.

“So through our experiences as a conservation organisation, we share with the people the experiences we have on conservation.

“There are other areas like climate change and carbon trading we talk about during the programme for people’s understanding on issues relating to conservation.”

Naitoro said there were lots of commentaries received from the people and they hope to work together and continue pursuing the conservation initiative for Raripaina tribal land.

He said Wai-Hau is always willing to render support on areas of conservation to any interested group, tribal landowner and organisation in Are Are or even the Kwaio region.

Adding that his team is looking forward to a similar kind of awareness with various interested tribal landowners in East Are Are soon.

Naitoro also urged conservation organisations in Are Are and interested groups pursuing conservation to affiliate to Mai-Masina Green Belt, an established organisation that advocates for conservation in Are Are and Kwaio.

He acknowledged Mr Chris Bone of Ocean Watch, MPA Hon Joe Hero’au for their support towards the programme.

He also thanked Raripaina Biodiversity Conservation Association and community members of Haukona for their support and participation in the programme.

Villagers of Haukona who are part of the recent conservation awareness program co-facilitated by Wai-Hau and Raripaina at Haukona village.

Kilu’ufi staff undergo database training

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants attending the training.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

Participants attending the training.

STAFF of Kilu’ufi hospital in Malaita province have undergone training on civil registration and vital statistic (CRVS) promadis database system decentralisation.

Information received from the civil registration vital statistic officer who facilitated the training says the training is basically on the births and deaths entry function.

Adding that the training also covers entry function for hands-on training and midwife registering a new born baby.

Ms Rose Palusi said nurses attended the training include two staffs from the health information system, four from Midwifes, one nursing instructor, a staff from hospital records and Director of Nursing.

She said that she was conducted training on behalf of the Civil Registration Office in Honiara with the support of Mr Ronnie Raraihuru, an officer from ICTSU.

Palusi said decentralization of the database already been done for NRH, Taro and Gizo Hospitals.

She said the CRVS promadis database system was introduced in the Civil Registry Department in 2013, with the support from UNICEF to better support birth and death registry functions in the country.

Today they will leave for Malu’u to do a similar training.

Fisheries Ministry prioritises excellence in the workplace

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants and facilitators at PMP workshop

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) for the first time is conducting a Public Service Performance Management (PMP) refresher course for its senior staff.

With the theme ‘Effective implementation of performance management: Our strategic goal”, the workshop is said to be an intensive one for the staff of MFMR.

PS MFMR, Dr Christian Ramofafia

Speaking at the official opening of the workshop, Permanent Secretary of the MFMR says a lot of things will be covered in the workshop and staff will be better able to understand how things work within the PMP process.

“We will start to understand how we link our corporate plan, our individual work plan, and our division work plan to the PMP process,” Dr Christian Ramofafia said.

Mr Ramofafia said that the PMP process is a process for recognition of the performance of staff in the division. He continued to say that the PMP process is all about excellence in the workplace.

“It is all about you driving the change inside your division, your unit and your workplace that will affect the country. It is not about others but about you being able to excel in everything you do,” Ramofafia said.

He encouraged his staff to remember what they learn in the two day workshop and also to share experiences during the workshop.

“Be ready to be challenged. At the end of the day, it is you and your team,” Ramofafia said.

At the same time, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Public Service (MPS) and officially opening the workshop, Jude Devesi, Supervising Under Secretary Governance encourages the participants to use this workshop to identify common challenges and shortfalls that hinder the delivery of PMP.

Supervising Under Secretary Governance (MPS) Jude Devesi

Mr Devesi says he hopes the workshop will help participants find better simple practical ways to address the problems encountered during implementation of PMP in MFMR.

“I am aware that one of the top priorities of MFMR is your organizational restructuring and increase capacity development. As one of the productive sector ministries with a key responsibility to generate income and offering fisheries services, there are on occasions the welfare and conditions of public servants perceived as second priority,” Devesi said.

However he said it is his hope that after completing the workshop, supervisors will be able recognise junior staff who have performed exceptionally well in leadership or delivering of assign projects and tasks inline to their respective job descriptions are recognised by MFMR and MPS.

“Hence these public officers are expecting promotion and increments at the beginning of a new year,” Devesi said.

“In order for this scenario to happen, both senior and junior officials must understand the process of developing and collectively implement PMP requirements.”

Island Sun understands that this refresher workshop is said to be in line with the Solomon Island Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) priorities targeting the public sector.

It is understood that this workshop supports the call to achieve one of SIDCCG major public service reform to deliver a workshop focusing on building confidence of public servants, capacity and leadership potential.

The workshop brought together senior staff from six divisions in the MFMR. The workshop concludes today.

PCDF projects discussed in Auki

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Some of the HOD's during the meeting on Monday

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

Some of the HOD’s during the meeting on Monday

A one-day meeting for all heads of department (HOD) in the Malaita provincial government was conducted at the Malaita provincial chamber on Monday.

The agenda is projects under the provincial capacity development fund (PCDF) and was conducted by the provincial planning development committee.

Rodney Fono from the Malaita province planning committee said the aim of the meeting is to aware the HODs on how the projects were carried out throughout the 2016 and 2017 budget.

“Malaita province is lucky to qualify after two consecutive years of suspension (2013 and 2014) for not meeting the criteria of the PCDF funds.

“We gain favour from the national government until today during the MART led government step in and took up the office in 2015.

Rodney Fono from the Malaita provincial development palnning committee

“Most projects under PCDF have been completed and some are yet to be completed due to the delaying and slowness of funds from the national government.

“34 projects planned under the PCDF budget are approved and 15 projects are already implemented.

“We will be looking at completing the remaining projects by this year 2018.”

Malaita province will be looking into its development plans this year and will try to address and implement all its projects under the PCDF fund.

8th Kokonut Cup a success

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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8th Kokonut Cup a success

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE eight edition of the Kokonut Cup saw a huge success last Sunday at the Kokonut café in Honiara.

The event was hosted by Japanese volunteers Yukie Miyano and Sho Yonahara

“Today’s programs were swimming lesson, swimming race and a water polo game.

“We had a swimming class for be able to swim four subjects which are freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly.

“We assessed the participants and we came out very satisfied.

“Sho and I are willing to enhance Solomon Islander’s health awareness and improve their fitness.

We hope to see more participants in the next edition.

“We appreciate your participation and cooperation,” the Japanese duo said.

Here are the results of the event.

Pikinini race

1st place Aldrine DRELLY

2nd Alfina MAELAGU

3rd Desmond MUAKI

4th Luke GEROGE

Open race

1st Ludovic DAVERDIN

2nd Patrick Junior

3rd Andrew PIPER

4th John TOSIA

 

NOCSI makes new policy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan.

By Taromane Martin

THE National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) is set to adopt a new policy in selecting athletes and team officials for Team Solomon’s contingent to future multi-sporting competitions.

Pacific Games Council (PGC) President Mr Vidayh Lakhan spent the weekend to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the NOCSI board members, good governance and the new policy frame work.

“We spent the Friday night with the NOCSI Executive board. It was an officer training session for the Executive Board members of NOCSI,” Mr Lakhan said.

“What we did was we took the opportunity to talk about the role of each individual in the executive board starting from the President down to the ordinary members and commission chair.

“So that everybody understands how the executive board should function, what authorities, power they have. What they can and cannot do.

“On Saturday I had a session on good governance. When we talk governance we talk about the power and manner in which the NOC is governed by those who are in power.

“I had been asked previously to look at the constitution of NOCSI. So what I did was I took the opportunity to go through what was planned.

“So I had a new draft and we went through the draft, reviewing what was planned and then I took the opportunity to focus on the governance side.

“Mainly on the authorities, power and the objectives of NOCSI; the roles of the President, Secretary and Treasurer as leaders of NOCSI,” he said.

“Then on Sunday we took the opportunity to look at a policy for NOCSI in selecting and sending teams to Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games and all multi-sport events.

“We talked about the policy and again with the input from national federations we think we have a policy paper for NOCSI to take on board, approve it and that will be the guide they will use for selection.

“I’m told that they did not have such comprehension policy until now. So if that happens then it will really help NOCSI in avoiding all these controversies they have been having.

“In that policy paper, there are a lot of things they have to do in a systematic manner, starting from the federations setting up selection criteria for selecting team officials, medical people, chef de mission and athletes who will represent NOCSI and Solomon Islands.

“In the policy there are strict rules you have to follow. If you don’t comply then you’re out. That has been accepted but it will go back to NOCSI for approval before it can be adopted as a policy.

“I’m confident and encouraged with the interest shown by the NFs and the NOCSI Executive board members in making effort to uplift the performance of the administration ability of NOCSI. I hope they adopt and all goes well.”

Lakhan arrived in the country last week on an important assignment pertaining to the hosting of the Pacific Games 2023 and so as assisting NOCSI to strengthen its affairs on governance and related matters.

NOCSI boss happy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Representatives from the National Federations who attended the two days workshop over the weekend.

By Taromane Martin

Representatives from the National Federations who attended the two days workshop over the weekend.

PRESIDENT of the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) Mr Martin Rara says they are ready to move forward.

He made the comments after attending the good governance and policy review workshop conducted by Pacific Games Council President Mr Vidayh Lakhan at the Town Ground Rugby Stadium over the weekend.

Mr Rara said the new policy framework will establish strict selection criteria for athletes and officials for Team Solomon in future regional competitions.

“This workshop where the President of the Pacific Games Council conducted covers the behaviour of governance within NOCSI,” he said.

“We looked at the constitution of NOCSI and established a team selection process for Team Solomon Islands. Those are the areas we covered during the two days’ workshop.

“This workshop is very, very important. It’s important because it helps us fully understand our roles and the constitution that is guiding us.

“We needed to go through the constitution because there are some parts of it National Federations don’t fully understand. We need to go through it to adjust it so it fits our situation here,” he said.

“Every year Solomon Islands send teams to compete overseas and a lot of times we see in the media complain about selections being bias and so on.

“So having this policy in place will act as a measuring stick for selectors to pick not only athletes but also officials for Team Solomon’s contingent based on the criteria’s in the policy.

“It’s an ongoing process and we are targeting 2023 as the deadline to finish these workshops as we get ready to host the games,” he adds.

Meanwhile the PGC President Lakhan said he was encouraged by the feedbacks he received from the participants during the workshops, saying he hopes NOCSI takes the policy on board to guide them in preparing athletes for regional games.

“From the interaction I had, it gave me the impression they understand what it was all about and they were curious to understand where they fit in and how things should be managed,” he said.

“For a lot of them it was an eye opener because they never knew how NOCSI was to be governed. And I’m told that they did not have such comprehension policy until now.

“In the policy there are strict rules you have to follow. If you don’t comply then you’re out.

“So that has been accepted and it will go back to NOCSI for approval before it can be adopted as a policy.

“Hopefully once that is accepted then it will guide NOCSI, National Federations in selecting athletes for multisport events.

“I’m confident and encouraged with the interest shown by the NFs and the NOCSI Executive board members in making effort to uplift the performance of the administration ability of NOCSI,” he said.

“I hope they adopt and it goes well. If that happens then it will really help NOCSI in avoiding all these controversies they have been having.”

Lahkan will continue with his assignment this week where he will hold a series of meetings with the Pacific Games 2023 taskforce and its stakeholders.

He is due back to Fiji on Friday.

“It’s good to be back”

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Michael Fifii wearing the armband for his Samoan club Lupe Ole Soaga. Lupe Ole Soaga will arrive in Honiara today.

Fifii returns to play at Lawson Tama after 13 years

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Michael Fifii wearing the armband for his Samoan club Lupe Ole Soaga. Lupe Ole Soaga will arrive in Honiara today.

WHEN Michael Fifii runs onto Lawson Tama turf at 1pm this Saturday in the opener of the Oceania Champions League Group D competition, this will be his first time in 13 years that the attacking midfielder will appear again in front of his home crowd.

Being one of the players that represented Solomon Islands in all age groups since the under-15 level in 2001, Fifii’s last appearance at Lawson Tama was during the Oceania Under-20 World Cup Qualifier semifinal against Vanuatu on 29th January 2005.

Fifii came onto the match as a halftime substitute and helped Solomon Islands posted a 3-1 win over their Ni-Vanuatu rivals in a match that was forced into the added extra-time.

In the Oceania Champions League Group D competition, the former dreadlocked poster boy for Team Wellington in the former New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) now called ISPS Handa Premiership will feature for Samoan club Lupe Ole Soaga.

This comes as he captained the Samoan outfit to qualify into the Oceania Champions League after finishing as runner up in the preliminary qualifiers held in American Samoa last month.

Here in Honiara, he is being given that honour again to lead Lupe Ole Soaga in the upcoming group meeting.

Speaking to SunSPORTS from Brisbane yesterday, Fifii said he is proud to come back and play infront of his home crowd in this competition.

“I’m looking forward to this great opportunity. It’s been 13 years since I last played at Lawson Tama. I want to score goals and most of all would like to do better with my team.”

Lupe Ole Soaga will participate in the competition as an underdog taking on opponents such as AS Magenta (New Caledonia), hosts Marist and Team Wellington (New Zealand).

The match between Lupe Ole Soaga and AS Magenta at 1pm this Saturday at Lawson Tama will open things up in the Group D round of actions.

Michael Fifii returns to play at Lawson Tama Stadium since he last played infront of his home crowd 13 years ago during the 2005 OFC Under-20 world cup qualifiers.

“The tournament is going to be tough for the team and for me personally. Already I’m having mixed feelings.

“Solomon Islands soccer fans always judge us players in different ways. But to be back playing here where I start my football career, it’s an amazing feeling.

“My people will always be my people and I will do my best to make sure they enjoy what they see,” Fifii, who was part of the Solomon Islands national soccer silver medal-winning team at the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caeldonia said.

After the first match this Saturday, Fifii and his boys will take on Team Wellington in their second fixture.

The match will be a reunion between Fifii and his former NZ club. Fifii spent three seasons with Team Wellington from 2009 to 2012 and capped 23 times.

“I had a very good season with Team Wellington years back and now I will play against them,” the 30 year old added.

Lupe Ole Soaga’s final match is against hosts Marist on March 2.

Fifii said he expects an exciting showdown with Marist.

“I think as a player I always have pressure with playing back home. Because we Solomon Islands people when comes to soccer always expect alot from players and for us players we always have that pressure to do well.

“But it is an amazing feeling to play in front of my people and in front of the country that loves this beautiful game.

Fifii will join his Samoan club in Honiara this afternoon as he is travelling on a separate route from New Zealand apart from his team mates via Brisbane while his teammates travel to Honiara this morning via Nadi.

Bear prowls SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS
  • 6 Russians arrive last night in dubious circumstances
  • Russians ‘interested’ in resurrecting our development bank
  • Reports of plot to oust Prime Minister Rick Hou

By Alfred Sasako & Other Reports

SIX Russians – two women and four men – arrived in Honiara last night with speculation that the visit was organised by a faction within the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change (SI DCC) government intent on dethroning Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela.

The Russians’ private jet touched down at Henderson International Airport around 7pm and discharged its passengers under cover of darkness. All traffic lights were turned on roughly half an hour after the jet landed.

Ministry of Civil Aviation and Communications Security at the airport said the electricians arrived late to turn on the lights.

Although the visitors were cleared by normal immigration procedures, the VIP lounge was also opened, reportedly in response to a request “from Canberra”. Two six-seater buses carrying the Russians left the Airport area around 7.45pm.

Island Sun was unable to get details of the aircraft as it left after it was cleared.

Government sources told Island Sun earlier yesterday that the visit by the Russians appeared to be “organised” during visits by two senior officials from the Office of the Prime Minister to Nadi, Fiji about two weeks ago.

“The two officials apparently met a Russian contact somewhere in Fiji during the visit. It was through their discussions that today’s [yesterday’s] visit was organised,” one insider told Island Sun.

According to the insider the Russians are businessmen interested in resurrecting the now-defunct Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI).

“Whether the Russians are aware that they were being used in a political power game, no one knows. What is known is that the Office of the Prime Minister is keeping the group under tight surveillance,” the insider said.

The visit by the Russians comes at a time when talks of a major shakeup within the Houenipwela’s Cabinet are imminent.

There are several versions including one which said the group intent on removing the Prime Minister continued to meet, having had at least two meetings in the past week. The meeting was attended by senior government officials and Opposition MPs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Manasseh Sogavare who is reportedly still holding personal resentments against his successor after his downfall last November has reportedly been reunited with the MPs who deserted him.

“The group is now intent in boycotting the 2018 Budget,” insiders said.

“The aim here is not to pass it. There are already indications that the current Finance Minister is playing delaying tactics. It is a good thing that the PM has called Parliament early so that it will put the minister on the spot,” the insider said.

Parliament is due to meet on February 28, instead of the second week of March.

Other reports suggest that the Group is backed up by a Russian financial investor who is interested in running the soon to be revived DBSI.

The reports say the arrangement is for the Russian investor to support the current move with a deal to allow the Russian investor to take over DBSI.

This same Russian investor applied through the CBSI back in 2013 but the application was denied by the current Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela who was the Finance Minister back then.

This issue allegedly resulted in the removal of the Permanent Secretary of Finance Shadrack Fanega by then Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

On Sunday last week, Kadere Party allegedly dispatched the Special Secretary to Prime Minister John Muria jnr and former chief of staff Robson Djokovic to Fiji where they met with the Russian contact.

“They flew out just before Prime Minister Houenipwela went to Port Moresby for the Melanesian Spearhead Group summit and flew back into the country on Tuesday just before the Prime Minister arrived back on Friday,” those familiar with the trip said.

“The reasons given by the two officers for their short leave were that the SSPM travelled to Fiji to accompany his younger sister. However, his younger sister flew out to Nadi on Friday, the same flight the PM arrived on which transited in Nadi.

“Mr Djokovic told OPMC officials that he was travelling to Australia to visit a sick relative but was also seen boarding the same flight with the SSPM on that day,” insiders said.

Prime Minister Houenipwela is well aware of the move and is closely monitoring the visits by the Russians.

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