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VANUATU LEADING THE WAY ON BANNING PLASTIC POLLUTANTS

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR,

“Single-use plastics are a human addiction that we must face head on. Plastic pollution is not only impacting our waters and marine life, but also the human food chain and our overall health.”

Plastic Oceans.org. 

 Recent Radio New Zealand news bulletins have reported how the government in Vanuatu is leading the way among the smaller Pacific Islands nations in banning plastic bags and some types of plastic packaging.

Quoting from a couple of those broadcast bulletins these are the measures already in place in Vanuatu and plans for the near future.

“Vanuatu’s Council of Ministers agreed last month to stop single-use bags being imported and manufactured in the country after a study around the main island of Efate showed up a large amount of plastic litter.

“The ban is among a number of steps being taken to manage the problem.

“The ban started on 31 January and also extends to polystyrene takeaway boxes which are commonly used for carrying food.

“The government says local plastic bag manufacturers will only be allowed to use biodegradable plastics from that date.

“It’s also planning to deal with plastic bottle waste and provide support for alternatives like traditional baskets.

“Companies are to be given a grace period of six months to use up their current stock of single-use plastics and polystyrene takeaway boxes.

“Vanuatu is also planning to ban more plastic packaging like plastic bottles in future.

“The governments announced, as a start, non-biodegradable plastic bags and polystyrene takeaway boxes are to be banned from the end of this month.

“The head of Maritime and Ocean Affairs in Vanuatu Toney Tevi said new laws would also be introduced for managing plastic waste.

“He said changes to the country’s Waste Management Act would be announced by the end of the month.

“We will also have a regulation in place, which will tell us how and when, and go about managing certain plastics, so we’re not going to do anything that might want to hurt somebody in such a way that it’s going to be bad for him and his business, but we want to do it in such a way that they too understand that plastic should not get into the sea.”

 Source:   Radio New Zealand International.

 Yours sincerely

 Frank Short

8 homes destroyed

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
People standing watch over what is left of their homes which were demolished by men working for the Samlimsan company. Photo by Barnabas Manebona

Samlimsan company demolishes houses belonging to locals living in SOMA land

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

EIGHT families are homeless after their houses were destroyed yesterday and Friday last week by members of the Samlimsan company.

Tensions have escalated to serious levels and police is being urged to step in and mediate between the two sides.

Island Sun visited the area yesterday, situated near the Lungga coast, and witnessed the destroyed homes and spoke to the victims.

They claim that the land on which they have settled belongs to SOMA, a now defunct company which had belonged to the Late Solomon Mamaloni.

It is alleged Samlimsan has laid claims to a strip of land along the boundary between SOMA and Samlimsan, on SOMA’s side of the line.

“Samlimsan has trespassed and broken the condition given by the High Court,” said locals.

“The other inner-shore half land with the parcel number 192-004-0379 next to SOMA’s is currently under Samlimsan. The name used in the land parcel for Samlimsan is HHD.

“A High court decision was in favour of local landowners (Patterson Natei) for the other sea side half of the land in which locals who had their homes destroyed were living at the corner within the peg boundary SS3 next in border with Mr Natei’s.”

It is understood Samlimsan has appealed the High Court’s decision favouring Natei and the outcome to the appeal is to be made known on April 15 this year.

In the meantime, both parties are said to have been ordered by court to cease any activity and wait for the outcome.

“Samlimsan should be waiting for the High Court decision to take place and the police should be doing their best to address this situation already being reported,” said locals.

There was nearly a huge clash between locals and Samlimsan’s workers yesterday as destroying of homes continued since last week Friday in which the police had attended the scene to check and control the locals, victims and Samlimsan workers.

RSIPF has not responded to inquiries sent them by this paper.

Attempt to contact Samlimsan’s lawyer yesterday for comment was also not successful.

Locals that have had their homes destroyed are currently waiting for the High Court decision to be made in April.

In the meantime, they are filing a case against Samlimsan.

They’ve all gone

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

Kabui makes a return to Lawson Tama

By Taromane Martin

FOR nineteen years old Frank Kabui returning to the Lawson Tama Stadium is not new having already won the Solomon Cup with the Malaita Eagles senior football team last year.

This time around Kabui is leading the Malaita Eagles U-19 team, having been named team captain, as they look to repeat the senior men’s team feat at the Youth Solomon Cup which kicked off yesterday.

The Lau-Mbaelelea lad told Sun SPORTS yesterday that the nerves of playing at Lawson Tama have all gone and is confident their team can go far and win this tournament.

“I wasn’t a hundred percent confident of playing during the Solomon Cup because it was my first time to play in front of the Lawson Tama crowd,” he said.

“But after last year’s experience with the senior squad, I’m now one hundred percent confident and ready to play at Lawson Tama this time around.

“The nerves have all gone. I no longer feel the buzz of playing in front of the crowd. And that was our problem in the first half.

“The first half I think the new one’s weren’t that confident but we improved in the second half,” he said following their win over Real Kakamora yesterday.

He said he was surprised when he was chosen team captain and believes the new ones confident will grow as the competition rolls on.

“I was surprised when they named me captain because I’m younger than some of the boys in the squad.

“I think the boys will improve as the competition goes on because for most of them this is their first time to play at Lawson Tama,” he said.

Kabui also praised the SIFF Executive for providing such youth tournaments’ saying it is such an honour to grow up in the time football is growing again.

“For this Eagles squad we’re pleased that SIFF has brought back such tournaments because it will help build our confidence to play,” he said.

Malaita Eagles picked up their first win after defeating Makira Ulawa Real Kakamoras 4-2 yesterday.

Malaita Eagles will have their rest today as they regroup to take on Honiara Warriors at 1pm tomorrow.

Winning start for Turtles

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Simon Stephen of Shields tries to stop the Turtles player

BY ROMULUS HUTA

WESTERN Turtles bagged its first three points in the under-19 category of the Youth Solomon Cup currently underway in Honiara.

This follows their narrow 3-2 win over Central Shields in the second encounter of day one competition yesterday at Lawson Tama Stadium.

A stunning display by the Westernese playmaker in the form of young Junior David saw him made three assists to set up Nashville Hite’s two goals coupled with the late winner by Andrew Tiazi.

Central Shields’ two goals came from Jordan Ekovern and Ben Suiga.

Shields dominated play from start and kept the Turtles holding them halfway at the center circle.

After several minutes defending the earlier continuous onslaught from Shields, Turtles finally found a way past the Shields defense to break free when Hite set up an unmarked Tiazi, who carelessly hit off target infront of an unguarded goal.

Then Turtles began to create hosts of chances but squandered them all with Tiazi, David and Hite firing off target in numerous occasions.

Toward the end of the first half, a pass from David found Hite who made no mistake putting the ball to the back of the net to get Turtles leading 1-0.

Quickly regrouped from the goal deficit, Shields equalized through Ekovern.

In the dying minutes of the first half, a smart drive through from the left side into the box by David proved handful for Shields defense to handle.

With no one putting pressure on him, David sends across a pass to an awaiting Hite, who was left unmarked in the six yard to slot home Turtles second goal and get his team back into the driver’s seat for the second time leading 2-1 at the break.

The second half resumed and Shields quickly equalized through Ben Suiga.

Toward the dying minutes, a superb lobbed pass into the box from David found Tiazi’s head who made no mistake this time to find the back of the net for his side’s winner after having squandered several goal scoring opportunities since the first half.

Shields attempted a late surge toward the breather but could not do much as Turtles held on to win 3-2 to claim vital maximum points.

Turtles coach Alick Collin said their victory was a hard fought one.

“I must congratulate my boys for the win.

“My boys are new to this playing surface at Lawson Tama and that took toll on them during the entire game.

“Now we are looking forward to the second match.”

Shields coach Samani Ramo said they have problems in the midfield during the entire game and that costed them.

“We will work on strengthening the weak areas before going into the next match.”

Turtles second match is against Renbel Chiefs at 1pm this afternoon while Shields will play Makira/Ulawa at 4pm in the final encounter of the day.

Honiara coach rues missed chances

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ROMULUS HUTA

HONIARA under-19 coach Sam Wa’aria regrets the number of the goal scoring chances his boys squandered during yesterday’s 2-1 loss to Renbel Chiefs during yesterday’s round one match of the 2018 Youth Solomon Cup at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Speaking to SunSPORTS in the post-match interview, Wa’aria said his boys really put up a strong fight but failed to score.

Wa’aria instead congratulated a determined Renbel side who capitalized well on its few chances in the game to get the two goals and claim maximum competition points.

“The match today was physically tough for us. But technically, our boys put on an outstanding performance. They played according to our game plan.

“Renbel made good use of their only chances and won the game.

“We also had our chances but failed to deliver and lost the game although we dominated most of the possession.

“Toward the end, we pressured them deep into their own half and they were left to defend until the whistle,” he said.

Honiara take on Guadalcanal in their second match today at 2.30pm and it’s a must-win encounter.

Wa’aria added that they must win the second match to remain in strong contention.

However, he explained that Guadalcanal had a bye on the first day and they are expected to come out strong in their first match to get them going well in the competition.

“We have to work hard and get a win in this one. I will go through the mistakes committed during the first match and strengthen the weak areas before going into the second match,” Wa’aria said.

Defensive woes cost us: Housanau

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Malaita Eagles scoops first points

By Taromane Martin

IMPROVING defensively will be the priority for the Makira Ulawa Real Kakamora Under-19 football team after losing 4-2 to Malaita Eagles in their opening match of the 2018 Youth Solomon Cup yesterday.

Head Coach Martin Housanau said their defensive blunders costed them the game yesterday but says improvement is coming with the arrival of their top defensive player yesterday from the province.

“Defensive that is the only area I see we need to improve on for our next match with Central Shields. I believe we’ll improve now that we have one of our main defenders who just arrived from the province,” he told Sun SPORTS yesterday.

Coach Housanau said winning the Youth Solomon Cup will be a bonus but the teams’ priority is giving their players exposure and experience playing at national competitions.

“Our performance was not that bad though we lost 4-2 to Malaita Eagles. It’s a good performance for us considering majority of the team are new to playing at Lawson Tama.

“Our goal as a team is for the boys to get exposure and experience and secondly if we can win the competition it will be a bonus for us.

“We still have six games left and I believe we can win the tournament however; our main objective is to gain exposure and experience,” he said.

Steve Siwa and Noel Donga were on target for Real Kakamora while Charles Mani found the back of the net twice for Eagles while Junior Formani and Alfred Kafu grabbed a goal each for the victory yesterday.

“I’m pleased with the win because as a team winning is what we want,” Malaita Eagles Head Coach Robert Wanedala said.

“As the coach I’m happy and I think our first game will help us fully identify which players can combine with whom.

“Because most of the players are home based and it was such a short time to find the combinations.

“However I’m pleased we’ve managed to win our first game and we’ll improve in the other matches because the jellying process is still going on,” he said.

Meanwhile Coach Housanau said such youth tournaments are important for the country’s football praising the SIFF Executive for reviving the initiative.

“Youth tournaments are important because if Solomon Islands want to develop good players for the national team this is where it should start.

“And it’s good to see after more than 15 years is organising such competitions in the country again and it should become a regular thing for us,” he said.

 

Real Kakamora will take on Central Shields 4pm today while Malaita Eagles are on bye.

Renbel upset Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Renbel Chiefs attacking midfielder Leon Na’amoana tries to evade a tackle from the Honiara Warriors defender yesterday. Renbel won 2-1. PICTURE: BENZ NEWMAN

BY ROMULUS HUTA

RENNELL and Bellona Chiefs caused an upset on day one of the 2018 Youth Solomon Cup Under-19 category as they cruised to a 2-1 win over Honiara Warriors in the third match yesterday at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Rennell and Bellona’s victory will go down as their first ever win over Honiara in any football competition held at the competitive level.

The win also enabled them to go third place on the table with three points behind leader Malaita Eagles and Western Turtles respectively.

Eagles and Turtles are on three points as well but their advantage in the goal differences propelled them to top.

During yesterday’s match, Honiara Warrriors got in front in the opening minutes leading 1-0 through a goal by Ali Mekawir.

However, Chiefs quickly responded with an equalizer a minute later through Steve Mane before another goal which would later turn out the actual winner came from Leon Na’amoana within the first 15 minutes.

Chiefs held on to the 2-1 scoreline until the final whistle to register vital maximum competition points.

Chiefs head coach Greezer Pongi was overwhelmed with the win.

“My boys stick to our game plan with a lot of composure in the first half and that’s when we got the two goals.

“Honiara scored first but we quickly responded with the equalizer and minutes later we came away with the winner.

“I’m really pleased with my boys’ performance today.

“Honiara is a tough team and one of the favourites in the competition.

“After we led in the first half, I told my boys to play defensive in the second half and we held on to win,” Pongi said.

Renbel Chiefs attacking midfielder Leon Na’amoana tries to evade a tackle
from the Honiara Warriors defender yesterday. Renbel won 2-1. PICTURE:
BENZ NEWMAN

Chiefs’ second match is against Western Turtles starting at 1pm this afternoon while Honiara will take on Guadalcanal Hornets at 2.30pm.

Renbel Chiefs:

Darwin Aomatangi, Casper Mamae, Casper Junior, Warren Moana, Danstan Meke, Colton Lui, Jerry Maitaki, Steve Mane, Stevenson Junior, Leon Na’amoana and Robert Mamata. SUBS: Wanders Puia, Baggio Tuimaka, Hatiah Taika, Patrick Tengemoana, Steve Makos, Steve Pai, Clive Pongi and Moses Suamoana

Honiara Warriors:

John Mata Junior, George Warren, Junior Aengari, Stanley Sua, Standford Clement, Clinton Otoi, Clayton Menapa, Don Keana, Osifelo Vincent, Junior Bako and Ali Mekawir. SUBS: Ashley Buto, Ian Tutu, Hubert Au, Junior Kaoni, Raymond Taloi, Zeipitu Vavira and Junior Maelasi.

Man dies after hit by tree branch

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

POLICE in Gizo are investigating the death of a 48-year-old male after he was hit by the branch of a tree at Maravari Village, Vella La Vella, Western Province, on January 8, 2018.

It was alleged that the deceased was chopping a tree when it fell down on another nearby tree down during which a branch fell and hit the head of the deceased.

Provincial Police Commander, Western Province, Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu says, “The deceased was assisted by his work mates to the Village but was pronounced dead by a nurse at the local clinic.”

“The deceased was employed by the Earthmovers Company at the Maravari Camp as a Chainsaw Operator.

“I would like to thank the relatives of the deceased for their cooperation and support in allowing police to carry out its investigation into the tragic incident. We extend our sympathies to the family and relatives of the deceased.”

Gizo police are appealing to people in the communities in and around Maravari Village on Vella La Vella to come forward with any information that might assist them with their investigations into the tragic incident. Gizo police can be contacted on phone 60999.

–POLICE MEDIA

SIPC strategised to improve postal industry

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

CHAIRMAN of SIPC (Solomon Islands Post Corporation) has unveiled it strategies to deal with the realities of postal industry in Solomon Islands.

The strategies framework has been factored in the SIPC 2017 – 2019 Statement of Cooperation Objectives (SCOs).

Chairman of Solomon Post Post-pay and Bibimoney Seminar chairman of SIPC (Solomon Islands Post Cooperation) Mr Robert Bokelema the SCOs spells out strategies which will deal with postal realities in Solomon Islands and also sets out Solomon Post’s policy, business objectives, strategies and activities over a 3 year period.

He said the objective to review the current business activities to achieve profitability is amongst the current business objective.

“In 2017 upgrading and improving of current money transfer system has been a priority for Solomon Host in order to meet a world class standard, simple and a system that will mitigate the needs of all citizens especially those living in the rural areas within the country.

“I has been noticed that access to financial institution has become a problem for government employees in the rural areas such as teachers, Health workers and Police officers who have long distances to pick up their salary at the provincial centres.

“But the establishment of the new programmes will again boost the Solomon Islands Postal industry in the future,” Bokelema said.

He said access to financial services in the country is difficult to achieve especially the low income people in communities hence a barrier to the government’s financial inclusion policy objectives.

SI Postal Corporation launches Postpay

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SOLOMON Islands Postal Corporation’s long struggle to change the way it has been delivering services to the country has been answered.

Yesterday, Chief Financial Officer of bibimoney, Ms Debbie Thomas and Chairman of Solomon Islands Postal Corporation, Mr Robert Bokelema took part in a signing ceremony at the Heritage Park Hotel to launch the local postal corporation’s new mobile wallet service, called “PostPay”.

The local postal corporation’s deputy CEO, Mr Alfred Ghemu in his address highlighted that they have been searching for a way to re-invent their role across the islands noting that the post office has found it difficult to adapt to change.

He added that mail delivery has been in decline and the onset of email and mobile phones have changed the way people stay connected.

Moreover, Ghemu stated that the cost of maintaining infrastructure and services to the country has also become very expensive.

“The post needs to offer new services to the people of Solomon Islands. We need to support women, youth and our rural population. We cannot just be focused on the major towns, we must try and include everyone.

“Our search came to an end last year when we contracted a UK FIN-TECH company to help us launch a fully interoperable Solomon Post mobile wallet service. It will be called PostPay,” he said.

Ghemu mentioned that although mobile money has been set on trial before in the Pacific with varying results, it was never tried at a national level with a product that is fully interoperable.

He explained that the PostPay wallet will be applicable on any phone and any network without affecting the consumer’s current mobile provider’s services.

Ghemu further stated that PostPay will give people access to a full range of financial services such as; withdrawing cash, transferring goods, buying goods, transferring money, international payments, bill payments and micro loans and savings.

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