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Airlines allegations

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon-airlines-airbus

Local pilots feel denied from joining SolAir international service, CEO Gebers dismisses claims

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

SOLOMON Islander pilots working in the Solomon Airlines are reportedly being intentionally blocked from taking up roles in the international service, an allegation CEO Brett Gebers has strongly denied.

Island Sun is told there is an ongoing practice, entrenched in SolAir for many years, which is designed to prevent local pilots from entering the international branch of the country’s carrier. Thus only expats have been recruited from outside.

And, it is observed this system is being continued by the current chief executive officer (CEO) Brett Gebers and his administration.

Sources familiar with the issue say this discriminatory practice has resulted in more than 20 years of zero Solomon Islander pilot upgraded to the international service although a few were experienced and qualified enough.

This is said to be the reason which had driven our local experienced pilots out of the Solomon Airlines, in search of green pastures.

“Solomon Islander pilots are domineered to work only in the Islander aircraft, Twin Otters and the Dash-8. They just can’t upgrade beyond dash-8 no matter how qualified or experienced you are.

“Over the years, despite many attempts by Solomon Islanders vying for a post as First Officer in the airbus [international service], none have been allowed to make it through.

“If a vacancy is advertised for a post as First Officer in the airbus, Solomon Islander applicants would either be disregarded in the first round of screening, or would be made to fail in the final flying tests by the international service’s check n training pilot,” sources say.

Solomon Airlines is a State Owned Enterprise (SOE), however, in light of these allegations, SolAir’s management just might be breaching the SOE Act which demands that employers must provide suitable selection of suitably qualified persons for appointment, equal opportunities employment programmes, opportunities for the enhancement of the abilities of individual employees, and good working conditions.

More so, SolAir’s own policy dictates that recruitment must first be sourced internally, and if no one is capable or qualified then the airline can look outside for recruitment.

SolAir’s management have always maintained that their reason for recruiting outside is that it is costly to upgrade national pilots than to recruit experienced [or type-rated] pilots from overseas.

However, Island Sun understands that early 2017 two expats were recruited whom were without rating and experience, Solomon Airlines had had to send them to New Zealand to be trained for six months before they could work in the A320 airbus. Solomon Airlines met the hefty extra costs.

It is also understood that a highly experienced Solomon Islander pilot had applied for the post at that time but was turned down.

In mid-November last year, a vacancy was advertised in the News Corps Australia for the airbus’s captain and first officer posts , and the criteria was set to disadvantage local pilots from applying. Island Sun is told that two expats have been recruited.

In the midst of all this seeming discrimination against local pilots, an expat had jumped from being a Twin Otter pilot straight to the A320 airbus in 2015.

Insiders say, “The recent upgrade of Captain Walding to the A320 in 2015 has raised questions among local pilots why some of them who have the necessary licences such as the ATPL are not considered to upgrade to the airbus. Captain Walding only holds a Solomon Island ATPL and not Australian as the recent criteria boldly highlighted.

“No matter how hard the management tries to defend its decision, local pilots and employees of other department feel that they are being discriminated against.”

Meanwhile, CEO for Solomon Airlines Mr Brett Gebers explains to Island Sun that the company is ensuring that ‘its activities are cost effective and structured to provide a cost neutral or positive return on investment’.

“Solomon Airlines whilst being 100 percent owned by the Government, unlike some SOEs, does not receive cash handouts and grants so it has to fund all its activities from cashflow. The Company has to therefore ensure that its activities are cost effective and structured to provide a cost neutral or positive return on investment.

“One of our pilots resigned from our A320 operation based in Brisbane and another one retires shortly. The only sensible cost effective fix was to employ two A320 type rated and current pilots. This action has minimised the cost to the Company for the following reasons.

“Firstly, we do not have sufficient local pilots with Airline Transport Pilot Licences (ATPL) to be able to release two of them to fly the A320. Taking pilots off our Domestic Service would have resulted in numerous cancelled flights.

“Secondly, the cost of training two non-type rated pilots is more than we can afford at present, particularly as we have a costly check due on the A320 in February and a large expensive check due on the Dash 8 at the end of the year.

“The A320 operation is currently based in Australia for many reasons. To have crew who do not have the right to work and live in Australia would make managing the operation very difficult at present. Furthermore … international airlines often fly through the night and on all 7 days of the week. Pilots wishing to join the small A320 fleet have to commit to being able to fly when rostered or when called upon to do so.”

Gebers attributes the problem facing local pilots to past administrations who had not considered the company’s future in their management of SolAir’s affairs, promising that under his watch plans are being rolled to ensure locals are eligible come next available opportunity for the airbus.

“The decision to employ the two pilots in early 2017 was done prior to me joining the airline however it was based on sound reasoning as there were not enough Solomon Island pilots with Airline Transport Pilot licences (ATPL) to allow anyone to be released without having a significant impact on the Domestic Network.

“The two pilots you referred to, have a significant amount of experience operating in high density airspace, did not spend 6 months to acquire experience in New Zealand as alleged, but more like the standard 6 weeks to obtain the A320 type rating. As soon as they had the type rating they were out productively flying our normal routes with a Training Captain.

“The shortage of suitably qualified pilots has several causes. The first is that the prior management was all but consumed in managing the day to day affairs of the airline and did not have enough time to focus on the future. The second issue is that in many instances the pilots have not made the effort to do the required studies to obtain the ATPL. Thirdly some of the pilots with the ATPL exams have not been able to acquire sufficient night flying hours to obtain the ATPL because of the shortage of suitable night flying facilities in the Solomon Islands. The fourth issue is that despite our best efforts to train some of the new pilots who graduated through a government sponsored plan, we were unable to get them to the required standard. The safety of our passengers and crew always comes first.

“Whilst there is still a large amount of work to do, we have put a plan in place to train sufficient local pilots so that when future opportunities on the A320 become available, we will be in a position to consider them. This plan includes flying between Munda and Honiara at night once the Munda lights have been installed in March 2018.”

Draws and Gate fees for Youth Cup set

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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One of team’s rep during the draw.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE draws for the 2018 Youth Solomon Cup have been finalized yesterday at the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Academy conference room.

The draws were conducted by SIFF Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boso and Henry Fa’arodo of SIFF Technical Department and attended and witnessed by participating member associations’ representatives and stakeholders.

The 2018 Youth Solomon Cup will feature under-19 and under-16 categories.

Six provinces are taking part in the under-16 component and they comprised Guadalcanal, Honiara, Central Islands, Rennell and Bellona, Western and Malaita.

A total of seven provinces will take part in the under-19 competition and they are Makira/Ulawa, Guadalcanal, Honiara, Central Islands, Rennell and Bellona, Western and Malaita.

Matches for the under-19 will be held at Lawson Tama while SIFF Academy pitch will host the under-16 matches.

Meanwhile, the gate fees for entry into Lawson Tama Stadium during the entire duration of the 2018 Youth Solomon Cup will be $10 for grandstand and $5 for standing at the hill side.

This applies to both adults and students.

According to Boso, they are only imposing gate fees on matches scheduled for Lawson Tama Stadium where will host the actions of the under-19 category.

“For the under-16 matches to be held at SIFF Academy, they will be no gate fees.

“Matches at SIFF Academy will be made free entry for members of the public,” Boso said.

Meanwhile, the under-19 category of the Youth Solomon Cup will kick off with the first three matches with Makira/Ulawa taking on Malaita Eagles starting at 1pm this afternoon at Lawson Tama.

The second match is between Central Islands and Western at 2.30pm while the final match for the day is between Honiara and Renbel. Guadalcanal will sit out today’s round of action on bye.

The under-16 matches will kick off tomorrow starting 12 noon at SIFF Academy with Western and Guadalcanal battling out the opener.

Futsal teams bounces back

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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FFA Futsal championship enters day 3 of competition

By Taromane Martin

THE Solomon Island national U-14 and U-17 futsal teams has bounced back after suffering defeats in day one of the Australian Futsal Champions yesterday.

After losing 4-2 to Victoria in their opening match on Monday, the national U-14s picked up their first three points in the competition, courtesy of an 8-2 win over West Australia Black Swans.

Raphael Reitasi scored five goals for the Solomon’s with Owen Bunaboe finding the net twice while David Buna grabbed the final goal in the 39th minute of the game.

The national U-17s who also lost their opening match 7-2 to Victoria State on Monday also bounced back to claim their second point in the competition.

After losing 6-4 to the NSW Thunders and drawing 4-4 with the NSW Lightning’s on Monday, the Junior Kurukurus were able to fight back for another draw, drawing 3-3 with Canberra yesterday.

Canberra led 2-0, thirty minutes into the game, Elie Darwich striking in the 27th and 30th minute before team mate Andre Aitchison made it three 36 minutes into the game.

Trailing three goals down, White River School player Leon Kofana pulled a goal back for Solomon Islands in the 39th minute before futsal sensation Raphael Le’ai leveled the scores 3-3, striking twice in the 39th and 40th minute of the game.

Day 2 of the competition was yet another successful day for the national U-12s who picked up another win in the competition yesterday.

They trashed Canberra U-12 team 14-0 yesterday to see them go top of their group with six points.

Paul Francis, Grayham Aneka each completed a hatrick. Paul Ruaewa scored four goals while team mate Tony Ainifiti found the back of the net once to secure the three points for the visitors.

Meanwhile, matches for the 2018 FFA Futsal Championship will continue today with the national U-12s taking on NSW Country before taking on the West Australia Gold Swans.

They will play the NSW Thunders in their final pool game on Thursday.

The national U-14s will play NSW Lightnings before taking on the Black Swans again in their final pool game on Thursday.

The Junior Kurukurus will play the Queensland Metros for their fourth match before playing Victoria in their final pool games on Thursday.

Hornets out to sting

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the Guadalcanal under-19 soccer team during yesterday’s training session at Panatina Soccer Field.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

GUADALCANAL Hornets youth coach says they will treat every game as final in the 2018 Youth Solomon Cup that will kick off in Honiara this afternoon.

FIFA-accredited assistant referee and school teacher, Jackson Akoeasi, who will now bear a new title as a head coach in this Youth Solomon Cup with Hornets said the competition will not be easy.

Therefore, they have to win all matches as they come if they are to finish on top of the ladder given the competition is being conducted in a round-robin format.

The Guadalcanal Hornets youth side comprised of students from schools on Guadalcanal and they are competing in both the under-16 and the under-19 categories.

The 2017 school champions Numbu, dominates majority of Hornets’ teams rosters, according to Akoeasi.

“Core of our team is from Numbu. They are the high school champions last year.

“We are humbled going into this year’s competition.

“It’s been only a week in our preparations and we’ll just have to be content with what we have we learned over the past seven days in training to try and win many matches as possible,” he said.

Guadalcanal under-19 will sit out today’s round of action on bye and their first match is scheduled for 2.30pm tomorrow against Honiara at Lawson Tama.

In the under-16 category, their match against Western Turtle is set as the opener at 12noon at SIFF Academy.

Chiefs are back for Youth Solomon Cup

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Renbel head coach Greezer Pongi

BY ROMULUS HUTA

DURING last year’s Our Telekom Solomon Cup they have finished pool play at the bottom spot but won hearts of many.

Going into this year’s Youth Solomon Cup, Rennell and Bellona Chiefs head Coach Greezer Pongi said they promised to go out and give a good competition to their opponents and take aim at finishing well on the ladder when they kick start their campaign in the youth soccer tournament this afternoon.

Rennell and Bellona or Renbel for short, will participate in both the under-19 and the under-16 categories of the Youth Solomon Cup that will get underway in Honiara this afternoon.

Their first match in the under-19 is against Honiara in the final schedule of the day at 4pm and Pongi said they are really looking forward to it.

“Our under-16 and under-19 teams were selected from the league competitions we held back home and comprised all home-based players.

“No Honiara-based player is included in our team this time. We have selected all players from our league back home,” Pongi, an experienced former goalkeeper for Renbel in the 90s said.

“We understand the competition will be very tough and we are taking on each game as they come.

“Our preparation started late but we hope to impress other teams in the competition,” he said

Youth Solomon Cup starts today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Gudalcanal U-16 players undergoing speed and agility training in 2019…Photos Taromane Martin

Real Kakamora meets Eagles in opener

By Taromane Martin

THE Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has confirmed the much awaited Youth Solomon Cup competition is set to kick off today at the Lawson Tama stadium.

The Youth Solomon Cup is being held in two divisions – the under-16 and the under-19.

SIFF yesterday conducted draws for the competitions which will see Malaita, Makira, Central Islands, Honiara, Rennell and Bellona and Western Province taking part in the two weeks event.

The draw was witnessed and attended by participating Member Associations (MAs) and stakeholders, held at the SIFF Academy.

Choiseul, Isabel and Temotu are the three provinces that will not take part in this edition’s Youth Solomon Cup.

SIFF CEO Mr Joseph Boso said the competition will be played in a round robin format, meaning the team with the most wins and points will be crowned the champions.

SIFF also confirmed two venues for the Youth Solomon Cup saying games will be played at the SIFF Academy and Lawson Tama stadium.

The Youth Solomon Cup tournaments are being purposely held to select the training squad for the national under-16 and the national under-19 toward this year’s Oceania championships.

The Oceania Under-19 championship will be held in Pape’ete, Tahiti from May 26 to June 1 while Honiara will play host to the Oceania Under-16 Championship from September 8 to 22.

Meanwhile, opening matches for the U-19s today will see Makira Ulawa Province taking on Malaita Province at 1pm followed by Central Islands taking on Western Province at 2:30pm.

Final match for the U-19 category today will see Rennell and Bellona taking on Honiara while Guadalcanal is on bye.

Matches for the U-16 category will kick off 12pm tomorrow at the SIFF Academy and will see Western Province taking on Guadalcanal Province.

Central Province will take on Malaita at 1:10pm followed by the final match for tomorrow as Rennell and Bellona takes on Honiara at 3pm.

Matches for the Youth Solomon Cup will continue throughout the week except on Sunday.

Jap volunteers complete assignment, return home

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Ms Yoshiko Teratani and Mr Hirofuni Masui outside the JICA office in Honiara on Tuesday

By Mike Puia

Ms Yoshiko Teratani and Mr Hirofuni Masui outside the JICA office in Honiara on Tuesday

TWO more Japanese volunteers will begin their journey home today after two memorable years in the country.

Ms Yoshiko Teratani and Mr Hirofuni Masui, who have completed their assignments this month, arrived in the country in 2016 under the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteer programme.

Teratani, a physical therapist, was posted to the Western Province to help in the Gizo hospital while Masui, who has a passion in supporting youth education, was posted to Buala in Isabel Province to help the Isabel Provincial Education Authority.

In their final meeting with members of the local media yesterday, both said their overall experience working and living in the country has been a great one.

Teratani said at first she was afraid of the people and was not comfortable getting to know people because of her inability to speak pijin.

But, she said as times goes on she started to get use to meeting and knowing people.

“The smile people gave me every time makes me don’t want to leave this country. People are so kind and full of smile,” Teratani said.

At Gizo hospital, she help provide therapy sessions to patients and also travel to communities in the province’s six zones, by powered canoe, rolling out the community base rehabilitation programme.

She conducted home exercise, teaches mothers on how to get their kids breath properly and many more.

For young Masui, he will miss Solomon Islands’ simple island life.

“This country is just beautiful, quiet and green with kind people,” Masui said.

He said former volunteers who visited this country encourages him to come to the Solomon Islands which he did.

Masui had visited most provinces as part of the work he’s doing here.

“I am so happy to have visited most part of this country. I love the people here. Sure, I’ll miss the people here a lot,” Masui said.

He added he count himself as “half Isabel” and he hopes to return to the country someday when there’s an opportunity.

Japanese volunteer received medal for her works

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Yoshiko Teratani showoff her medal

By Mike Puia

Yoshiko Teratani showoff her medal

YOSHIKO Teratani will return to her home country of Japan a satisfied woman.

Not only did she spend the last two years in Western Province, a spot in the country that is known for its beautiful scenes, but the work she did here received recognition in a big way.

Teratani is over 50 years of age and she comes from Osaka in Japan. She arrived in the country in 2016 as a volunteer under the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteer programme.

Teratani, who ended her assignment this month, is a physical therapist. She was posted to the Western Province where she helped in the Gizo hospital’s Therapy Division.

Her job included providing therapy to patients at the hospital.

She travelled to schools conducting awareness and workshops and visited communities by boat delivering therapy advice.

In 2016, she was the official trainer for the Western provincial team (Western Turtles) that participated in the Solomon Games.

She proudly wears her official jacket she usually puts on during the sporting event when she had a final meeting with members of the local media in Honiara yesterday.

Teratani, who can speak little pijin, said a member of the team presented her his medal.

“When a team member gave me this medal I was so touched that I could not hold back my tears. The team member insisted, the support I rendered to the team deserve a medal,” Teratani recalls.

She said the treatment and respect people accorded to her is something she will always remember.

Teratani said the medal will always remind her of the service she rendered in the Solomon Islands.

USP SI campus hosts roadshow

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BEN BILUA

THE University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Solomon Islands Campus is organising a three-day roadshow in Honiara to help students and school leavers who want to study at the university.

The roadshow kicked off yesterday beside the Honiara City Council Office and attracted lots of interested candidates who collected application forms and other important documents about the university.

Speaking to the media, Acting Director of USP Solomon Islands Campus Mrs Patricia Rodie said the roadshow is part of USP Solomon Islands Campus’s programme to provide information about the different courses and programmes the university is offering in the country.

She adds that the roadshow is aimed at providing greater opportunity for the general public to access the needed information before applying to study at the university.

Rodie said USP staffs are present at the roadshow to assist students who are not sure how to fill the forms.

“USP has hosted a similar road show on December last year and now we are hosting this programme again in preparation of our registration in the coming weeks.

“Our goal is to provide an opportunity for the public especially students to access the information and also can apply on the sport with the assistance of USP staffs.

“We want to bring our office closer to the people instead of sitting in our offices and rely on the internet or hand deliver applications,” she explained.

Rodie also said that the road show provides an avenue for the University to promote some of its new and also ongoing programmes.

SICCI applauds police and communities for peaceful festive season

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) has thanked the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) for taking lead in ensuring a peaceful festive season over the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

SICCI, on behalf of the Solomon Islands private sector acknowledged RSIPF’s high visibility and commitment to work during the festive season and the support and cooperation of communities.

RSIPF Supervising Commissioner Juanita Matanga last week pronounced this Christmas and New Year’s season being one of the quietest recorded by police with very good public behaviour.

SICCI Chair Jay Bartlett says it is evident that the good behaviour of the public is driven by RSIPF’s high visibility on the roads and communities over the past weeks.

“The business community is thankful for the commitment shown by our local police force. The Chamber maintains a high level of confidence in the RSIPF and will continue to support the role it plays in maintaining a peaceful society for Solomon Islanders,” said Mr Bartlett.

“This would not have been possible without the support of our community leaders and we would like to acknowledge and thank the cooperation shown by leaders in their respective communities.”

The Chair also extended SICCI’s acknowledgement to all public servants and essential service providers who continued to work throughout the festive season in ensuring that basic utilities and services are functioning, communities are kept safe by police and security firms, the sick are attended by doctors and nurses and the safe passage of travellers.

SICCI CEO Dennis Meone said the Chamber looks forward to another great year with the business community and the continued engagement with the national government and partnering stakeholders.

“Many milestones were achieved in 2017 and this year we look forward to working closely and collaborate with all our stakeholders in building a better Solomon Islands.”

–SICCI PRESS

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