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FIJI BOOSTING TEACHER NUMBERS

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
DEAR Editor,
“The Fiji government says it aims to increase the number of teachers by 150 each year under its 20-year National Development Plan.
 
“The Fiji Times reports the announcement was made by the Education Ministry’s senior education officer, Pene Aropio, during public consultation on Fiji’s first Draft National Employment Policy on Wednesday.

“Mr Aropio said the aim was to increase the number of teachers posted nation-wide each year.

“The school curriculum would also need to change so students would be taught skills to better prepare them for future careers, he said.”

Copyright:  Radio New Zealand International   (All Rights Reserved)
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Bad omen for 2018

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
MP for Small Malaita Hon. Rick Hou is being nominated to run for PM onbehalf of the DCC Group

Government uncovers move to topple Prime Minister Hou, masterminded by senior minister

BY ALFRED SASAKO

THE Government may have smashed an internal plot to topple the two-month-old government of Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela, insiders have revealed.

A senior government minister is linked to the plot, which officials uncovered about two weeks ago, insiders said.

They said the move might be linked to the non-payment of $50 million for the Hell’s Point waste land, east of Honiara.

Attorney General James Apaniai advised the Manasseh Sogavare government against making the payment ordered by the High Court, arguing the land could be repossessed under the 2014 amendment to the Land and Titles Act 2014 with minimal cost to taxpayers.

However, the previous government ignored the advice.

Instead, it unsuccessfully sought to borrow the money from one or two State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) including the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) last year.

It is understood Prime Minister Hou has put his foot down on the payment, a move which has reportedly angered the senior minister who allegedly was the mastermind of the plot.

“It is obvious some people are desperate. But because the various sources for easy money have been blocked they’ve decided to use politics,” one insider familiar with the plot told Island Sun.

In the plot, a senior government minister allegedly approached former deputy prime minister, now Opposition Leader Manasseh Maelanga to team up with his former DCC leader, Manasseh Sogavare, in the bid to oust Prime Minister Hou.

Mr Maelanga reportedly declined the overtures.

“The Opposition is aware of what is going on but it chooses to remain neutral for a number of reasons. Reason number one is the fact the next election is just around the corner. What would voters think if we jumped again,” an Opposition insider said.

“The second is that the time is far too short for anyone to do anything. The Opposition would simply continue to discharge its Constitutional responsibilities until the next election,” the Opposition insider said.

Solomon Islands is due to go to the poll in March next year.

The plot has placed Prime Minister Hou in a dilemma, given that he’s aware the master-mind of the plot is a senior minister.

Earlier, speculations were rife that Hou was receiving advice on whether to sack a senior minister for allegedly causing instability in the two-month-old Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change (SIDCC) government.

Hou became Prime Minister following a successful no-confidence motion sponsored by the Opposition last December.

A day later, Hou’s party, the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) stunned the nation by opting out of a new coalition. Instead, DAP joined what was left of the Democratic Alliance for Change (DCC) Government.

Sogavare subsequently demanded and received two portfolios – the Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Finance and Treasury – a move many had predicted could prove to be a headache for the new SIDCC partnership.

The SIDCC government coalition is made up of largely the Kadere Party, the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and other remnants of the DCC coalition which includes the People’s Alliance Party (PAP).

UNICEF KEEN TO ASSIST RURAL HEALTH IN PNG

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

Quoting RNZI on 12 January 2018

“The Head of UNICEF in Papua New Guinea says his agency will meet government officials to see how they can assist with rural communities that are struggling to access health care.

“Monjur Hossain’s comments come after a report that 24 children died in a remote part of Morobe province due to an unconfirmed illness.

“Mr Hossain said tests are being conducted to establish the causes of death but whooping cough and pneumonia were suspected.

“He said healthcare was in a dire state, particularly for remote areas like where the deaths occurred where it can take seven days to walk to the nearest city for medical attention.

“The situation had been made worse by a shortage of medicines and the departure of the local health worker.

“Over 60 percent of the aid force, the community health force, [is] closed because there is no health staff or the supplies. Recently because of the budget cuts and all this, the medical supplies are an issue here in PNG. Almost every is out of stock, particularly the essential drugs, antibiotics and things like this.”

“Monjur Hossain said he hoped to meet with Ministry of Health officials tomorrow and that UNICEF wanted to help.

“We need medical supplies, enough medical supplies and drugs and the money to transport support to go there. However we are trying to mobilise and that’s why I am actually calling on the National Department of Health about it and other partners.”

Copyright © 2018, Radio New Zealand  (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

NFC are Auki futsal kings

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
AUKI FUTSAL KINGS: The victorious NFC futsal team after the grandfinal last Friday at the Aligegeo futsal court. Photo: George Manford

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

NEW Settlers futsal club (NFC) were crowned the 2018 Auki futsal challenge champions after beating Kingston futsal club last Friday in front of a packed crowd at the Aligegeo futsal court.

The grand final match started off slowly with both teams carefully displaying a defensive type of strategy limiting their scoring opportunities.

It was NFC who broke the dead lock five minutes into play through Paul Kali who dribbled past two Kingston defenders before sending the ball past the Kingston goal keeper.

A minute later the boys in yellow (NFC) extended their lead to make it 2-0.

Towards the end of the first half, Kingston FC pulled one goal back to narrow the score margin to a goal difference through Captain Timothy Anilafa.

The score line stays 2-1at the half time break.

In the second half both teams fought hard to score more goals, but their chances were wasted due to the slippery surface of the court caused by rain during the half time break.

NFC extended their lead to make it 3-1 gaining more confidence in the last remaining minutes of the second stanza.

Again the game almost changed the other way round with more pressure from Kingston forwards to score another goal to make it 3-2.

Kingston fc almost equalized few minutes after their second goal from a rebound from the NFC goal keeper but the shot went far wide.

With only seconds remaining NFC scored another goal to comfortably seal their victory and claim the title for the first time.

Last year’s champion was Boarders FC and this round they were eliminated at the quarter final stages.

Eagles favourite

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Frank Kabui, right wearing armband, playing against Makira Ulawa during Wednesday’s match

We’re heading for gold: Malaita coach

 

MALAITA Eagles under-19 side are top of the table in the 2018 Youth Solomon Cup after three successive wins.

And their head coach, Robert Wanedala believes his boys, mostly from the northern region of Malaita, are now favourites to win the tournament.

As he so graciously puts it “we are heading for gold and glory”.

This was after the young Eagles’ cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Guadalcanal Hornets on Saturday at Lawson Tama stadium.

“This was a very important game, it was a decider for us and now I think we are heading towards gold,” Wanedala said.

The underperforming Guadalcanal Hornets never really threatened the Eagles during their weekend encounter apart from some half chances.

Eagles, on the other hand, were dominate taking the lead on the stroke of half time through their flamboyant captain and playmaker, Frank Kabui.

The Eagles went out in search for an early goal but were met with some stubborn defending from the Hornets in the early stages of the game.

“We expected an early goal in the game but it did not happen even though there were chances.

“But we did manage to score before half time. Generally, the boys played according to our game plan except for scoring an early goal which we expected.

“After that first goal, I think it boosted the confidence of my boys to keep searching for more goals,” coach Wanedala said.

Malaita Eagles takes on fellow favourites Western Turtles in the main match at Lawson Tama today in a top of the table clash.

This match can potentially decide the destination of the tournament trophy and coach Wanedala is expecting a tough game.

“From experience the game is not always the same, one day we have a good performance, the next day we don’t, so we are prepared for everything.

“Sometimes we have expectations but the results say otherwise. So we will treat each game as a final, whatever the result we are going for glory,” he said.

Malaita Eagles has nine points while Turtles sits second with seven points with the Eagles having the advantage of an extra game in hand.

BY PHILIP LILOMO

SI near neighbour, Nauru, getting NZ Aid for solar power and education

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

“New Zealand is to provide aid to Nauru for solar power generation and education.

“This was revealed by the new New Zealand high commissioner Nicola Simmonds when she met with the acting Nauru president David Adeang in mid-December 2017.

“New Zealand gives Nauru about $US1.6 million in aid each year, focussing on building greater self-reliance through improving educational achievement, protecting Pacific fisheries and increasing access to renewable energy.

“Nauru had plans to generate 50 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2025 and the New Zealand funded solar project will contribute about 10 percent of this.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

New city to be built in Vanuatu this year

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Quoting Radio New Zealand International – 8 January 2018

A private company in Vanuatu is embarking on an ambitious venture to build a new modern city on Efate this year.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported the project, dubbed “Rainbow International City” or “Little Singapore” is being driven by FPF Company Limited a self-described multi-profile company behind Vanuatu’s first English-Chinese newspaper the Vila Times.

“The company was also involved in construction, retail and immigration and business consulting in the Pacific.

“Its new city is to be built on around 87 hectares of land at Narpow Point on Efate about nine kilometres from Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila.

“According to the developers the city will be marketed to tourists and long term investors.

“It aims to offer potential customers accommodation, food, shopping and entertainment and provide education and health services as well as leisure and adventure attractions, including a six-star hotel, to boost Vanuatu’s tourism profile.

Copyright: Radio New Zealand International (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Samoa healthcare expected to improve under merger

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

Quoting RNZI on 11 January 2018.

“Samoa’s director general of health says he expects healthcare in Samoa to improve once the National Health Service and the Ministry of Health merge at the end of the month.

“The management of the two offices has been separate over the last ten years.

“The director general of health and head of the ministry, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, said many difficulties had been noted in the running of the health service as a result.

“His comments came after prime minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi met the two sides of the health service this week when he addressed several problems.

The minister of health is chairing an interim board of directors which includes the minister of finance, the attorney general and the minister of government enterprises to oversee the merger.

“Combining services would not affect jobs but could bring some health units under a single supervisory body.

Copyright : RNZI   (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

UNICEF keen to assist rural health in PNG

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

Quoting RNZI on 12 January 2018

“The Head of UNICEF in Papua New Guinea says his agency will meet government officials to see how they can assist with rural communities that are struggling to access health care.

“Monjur Hossain’s comments come after a report that 24 children died in a remote part of Morobe province due to an unconfirmed illness.

“Mr Hossain said tests are being conducted to establish the causes of death but whooping cough and pneumonia were suspected.

“He said healthcare was in a dire state, particularly for remote areas like where the deaths occurred where it can take seven days to walk to the nearest city for medical attention.

“The situation had been made worse by a shortage of medicines and the departure of the local health worker.

“Over 60 percent of the aid force, the community health force, [is] closed because there is no health staff or the supplies. Recently because of the budget cuts and all this, the medical supplies are an issue here in PNG. Almost every is out of stock, particularly the essential drugs, antibiotics and things like this.”

“Monjur Hossain said he hoped to meet with Ministry of Health officials tomorrow and that UNICEF wanted to help.

“We need medical supplies, enough medical supplies and drugs and the money to transport support to go there. However we are trying to mobilise and that’s why I am actually calling on the National Department of Health about it and other partners.”

Copyright © 2018, Radio New Zealand (All Rights Reserved)

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

HCC asked to do more to control betel chewing attitude

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
HCC Lord Mayor Andrew Mua

BY BEN BILUA

THE bad side of betel chewing has continued to downgrade the ambition to improve Honiara and now the Honiara City Council (HCC) is in the final stage to impose tougher laws to control betel nut selling in Honiara.

People’s attitude is one of the huge problem that continues to deny the beauty of Honiara.

Red betel nut stains are visible in most part of Honiara including the Central Business District with filth caused by betel nut husks and spits a sickening sight.

In an interview with this paper Mr Junior Tangi said HCC can do more not only in enforcing law but improving the walk paths within the Central Business District to address such bad attitude.

“One good example within Point Cruz in the pavement in front of ITA.

“The pavement was nicely built and from observation there is no betel nut stain because betel chewers respect the pavement,” he said.

“IT will be just useless for those who are arguing that the ban on betel nuts sell in Honiara will have serious effect.

Mr Tangi said ITA has set a very good example and that business houses along Point Cruz area must assist HCC with such development.

He believes that improving the pedestrian pavement will attract betel chewers not to spit everywhere.

Mr Tangi strongly emphasised that betel chewers must also have respect to keep Honiara Town clean.

He said cooperation between people and responsible authority is the only way forward to transform Honiara into a must see destination in the pacific.

“Sometimes I feel offended when I saw tourist walking on the street full of betel nut stain as well as rubbish.

“It is a challenge for the authorities to address this issue but it will be very helpful if the general public support work of responsible authorities in trying to keep our town clean,” Mr Tangi said.

On the same note he said the ideology that banning of betel nuts would financially affect the city dwellers who depend on the business as a means to provide food on their table is a weak argument with no proper foundation.

Mr Tangi said these people have far more better advantages than their urban retailers as there are many ways of earning enough to sustain their needs such as growing cash crops and raising livestock.

He strongly emphasised that this poor excuse must not be taken lightly but focus on how the strategy to achieve a clean and beautiful town for people who work and live.

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