By Taromane Martin

THE Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) says they will be hosting a national 7s tournament in Fiji in March for Solomon Island descendants.

A statement from SIRUF CEO Mr Gerald Oiaka said this will be the first time for the federation to host a national 7s event outside of the country.

Mr Oiaka said the purpose of hosting this tournament is more on building relationships with Solomon descendants in Fiji through playing the game of rugby.

The CEO also confirmed that the country’s national 7s team will be attending this one day competition as they prepare to also attend the Marist 7s competition in Fiji which will also kick off in March.

He adds that as part of their vision in building ties in Fiji, SIRUF will be inviting a team over for the Solomon SPO 7s which will be made an international tournament this year.

“The National Senior squad will be going to Fiji on March 12 to participate in the SOLTUNA 7s which will be hosted in Fiji for the Solomon decedents,” Mr Oiaka said.

“This will be the first time for SIRUF to host a National Tournament outside of the Country. The tournament will be sponsored by SOLTUNA Company and is a one day tournament set for 17th of March, 2018.

“The purpose of the tournament is more on building our relationships with our Solomon descendants through playing rugby.

“Last year, friends of Malaita help to bring over five Solomon descendants who are connected to Kwaio. Rugby helps them connect to their tribe’s men and women who they have never seen before.

“They were able to visit their families in Kwaá village in West Kwaio. From the Soltuna 7s, they will be able to select their team to come over for the Solomon SPO 7s in July.

“The Solomon SPO 7s will be an Intentional 7s tournament that we will expect teams from overseas to come and compete with our teams,” he said.

“SIRUF expect 12 teams to participate in the SPO 7s tournament. After the Soltuna 7s, the National 7s team will remain to participate in the annual Marist 7s tournament on the 23rd and 24th of March, 2018.

“The team will return on the 27th March for the National 7s Tournament on the 31st March and 2nd of April, 2018.

“The Marist 7s Tournament usually have a total of 64 teams from Fiji and interested clubs outside of Fiji participate,” he adds.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday on the island of Ugi in-light of a proposed wharf project for the island.

Premier of Makira Ulawa Province (MUP), Hon Standley Siapu said the MOU was signed between staff of MID, representatives from the provincial government and landowners in Ugi.

He said morning yesterday, staffs from MID and two of his senior ministers left Kirakira to Ugi for the signing.

Mr Siapu therefore expressed his gratitude on behalf of the government to landowners and the national government for the achievement.

He see this as a milestone for his people on the island as it will contribute to the development of the province.

Mr Siapu stressed that as the province is striving for improvement, taking stride in various areas of development in the province is what people and the provincial government should have applauded.

He urged the people in Ugi or those who will benefit from the project to take great care of the facility soon to be constructed.

Mr Siapu also appealed to those on the island to work hand-in-hand with both national and provincial governments for any future development of the island.

He pointed out that his government is in full support of any form of development in the province, and they will continue to work together with people to ensure tangible development is achieved.

The premier also urged the people in the province to open up their resources as it is the only way one can allow development to the province.

Mr Siapu reiterated that partnership in development is very important and they must work together to achieve development.

Explaining the status of the project, he said MID already issued the tender for the wharf construction and soon the tender will be awarded to the contractor.

Mr Siapu said as long as the project is awarded, construction on the wharf will then start.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

FOR 80 percent of the Solomon Islands population which are people living in rural areas, coconut is grown for a variety of uses and many depend on the crop for their source of income and livelihood.

This was expressed by the Government and Palm Industries CRB Taskforce report which highlights that although we are aware that crop is regarded as the most important crop in the country, most people don’t know the level of importance this one crop poses.

“Solomon Islands has about 40,000 families or 80 percent of the population, living in the rural areas. Most of these families grow coconuts for many different uses”

“Most Solomon Islands families, in villages and in towns, use coconuts for cooking, eating and drinking every day. This is estimated at nearly 200,000 nuts every day for food”, the report said.

In relation, the taskforce mention that about 400,000 to 600,000 nuts are used every day to produce copra.

On top of that, also stated is the value of copra exports at SI$300-400m per year comprising of raw copra, copra and virgin oil and copra byproducts.

Moreover, the CRB taskforce stresses that while most of the above income goes directly to the villages equivalent to a figure of SI$10,000 per household on a yearly basis from copra alone, the true value of the crop is much higher because it also provides income from domestic sales or through local use of coconut products.

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

The Managing Director of One Life FM radio Ministry Derald Michael is happy with the new establishment of an FM radio station for East Kwaio in Malaita province.

The new FM radio station was officially dedicated and handed over on December 23, 2017, by Mr Michael.

Michael told Island Sun Gizo yesterday that it took three days to set up, dedicate and hand over the station to Minister Gary Manele, Harry Sovo and the Atoifi media team to run the radio station.

He said the programmes to be broadcasted will be strictly on religious and health awareness and the Atoifi media team will be responsible for the contents.

He explained that One Life Radio Ministry will only be responsible for the technical issues.

“Many people from the bush, surrounding villages and along the coast attended and witnessed the dedication and the opening.

“The program was also live broadcasted on One Life’s Designated Frequency 95.3 and many people down the coast were also part of the opening by listening through their mobile phones.

“Work is currently under way to set up two new ones at Auki and Takwa before middle of this year, 2018. The family of One Life Radio Ministry is excited to be part of this ministry,” said Michael.

Michael thanks those who have been involved, especially, the Solomon Islands Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Malaita Sub Region of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

He also thanks the Atoifi Adventist Hospital Administration as co-hosts for the FM station and members of the local Adventist churches around Atoifi for letting them in and for all the support they have rendered towards this work. He said without them, all these would not have eventuated.

Different vibes of gospel music will be played during late night hours.

The general public in East Kwaio are encouraged to listen.