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Locals don’t meet criteria

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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MFMR explains four beche-de-mer exporters

BY JARED KOLI

THE Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) says locals applying for beche-de-mer export licence do not meet criteria ‘one’ and ‘three’ issued by the ministry for this harvest season.

MFMR Permanent Secretary (Acting), Mr Ferral Lasi explained in an interview yesterday that out of the 19 applicants, most of them fall out of these criteria.

Unlike previous years, MFMR has stated that individuals or companies applying to obtain a license must demonstrate to the Ministry that they have met the following requirements:

  • Companies holding valid license or permit to export Marine Product in 2017, and evidence of doing business in the fisheries sector in the last 3 years.
  • Companies with valid Inland Revenue Division TIN
  • Companies with documentary evidence of export returns from Central Bank of Solomon Islands
  • Companies with good standing records of compliance with fisheries regulations in the last 3 years

Responding to public outcry over the matter, Mr Lasi said most of the other 15 applicants have never held valid license or permit to export Marine Product in 2017, and evidence of doing business in the fisheries sector in the last 3 years.

“They have no current valid licence on marine resources trading, this means that these companies do not have current valid licence to export marine products – such as shark fins, trochus, reef fish, coral or other marine products.

“Those that were approved have this licence, they have been exporting marine products for the past three years,” Mr Lasi said while referring to the first criteria.

He said locals have also fallen off the third criteria which states companies must poses documentary evidence of export returns from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

“All of the other applicants have eliminated because all of them do not meet this criteria as well.

“This is because most of the locals applying are never in that kind of business, they are opportunist traders,” the Acting PS said.

Mr Lasi said some of the locals are agents or front man of foreign business people.

“This is the main reason we do not approve or consider the others, not only Solomon Islanders but other business people applying for the export licence. They have no track record in the trade of marine products,” he said.

Mr Lasi said MFMR is concerned about the threat of export returns from Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

“We do not want earnings from sea cucumber to make money for outside people, they do not have track record and could use the export permit to make money for that limited period of time.

“If they have track record one can tell that the company will invest back into the country and grow the economy.”

He said the bulk of money earned will be invested back into the country and can contribute in economic growth.

Mr Lasi said the four have been decided by the cabinet.

“The issue is that,” Mr Lasi adds, “there are two part ways, one is through cabinet and one is through the Fisheries Act which can make ultimate decisions on the case.”

He said Cabinet should not make such decisions – leave it to the Fisheries but the constitution gives cabinet the upper hand, which the current harvest period is decided on.

“These key points can be hidden when emotions run high and people can only think of the perception that MFMR only awards Asian exporters, but not only on fisheries do we need that but on all the other local resources,” he said.

Volcanic ash covers Temotu province

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Image of Tinakula, Solomon Islands, taken in 2012 Photo courtesy NASA Earth Observatory.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

TEMOTU province is continuing to experience heavy downfall of volcanic ash believed to be from the Tinakula volcano, according to the Met office in Honiara.

The Met services described the downfall as like rain which has filled the sky.

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Services in Honiara revealed that the information received from a correspondent that the ash are from the Tinakula volcanic.

This are based on the wind movement coming from Tinakula region and covered whole Temotu province although it might suspected to be from the Vanuatu volcanic eruption.

As of yesterday, Information Island Sun received from Met said, Tinakula volcano’s situation gives no sign for eruption, or any serious outlook for eruption.

Met said, only serious situation is Temotu continues to experienced downfall fall of volcanic ash, and people are worry as it would affects their daily livelihood on days ahead if it still continues.

Since the situation has no sign of eruption, Met said, at the moment people surrounding Tinakula remains as there is no possibility of eruption has received from the Met office Lata to Honiara.

Outlook for the next 24 hours, MET are still not sure, but advices are people encourage staying indoors and preventing themselves as they continue to monitor the situation.

Currently, there is no assessment carryout yet from the NDMO due to transport difficulties.

According to Solomon Airlines, with result from eruption and subsequent as cloud, on Saturday, flight to Santa Cruz was cancel due to unpredictable situation of nature.

We cannot advice when the flights will be reinstated, Airlines said.

 “As always, the safety of our staff and passengers will be our first priority when considering options,” Airlines said.

Tinakula volcano is located north of Santa Cruz which is approximately 35km from Lata, Temotu Province.

Met services in Honiara and Lata will continue to monitor the situation.

Solomon Warriors extend lead

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Marist FC players questioning match referee George Time during their 1-1 draw with Henderson Eels FC yesterday at the Lawson Tama Staduim…Photo Taromane Martin.

KOSSA stays in second place

By Taromane Martin

SOLOMON Warriors FC extended their lead the 2017 Telekom Soccer League season to 24 point after claiming their eight win in the competition.

The Moses Toata coached side defeated a determined Real Kakamora FC 4-2 yesterday after leading 2-0 at the break.

R/Kakamora had chances but wasted them as they remain at the bottom of the table with four points after one win and a draw so far.

KOSSA FC cemented their spot in second place after beating FC Guadalcanal 3-1 on Saturday. The Eddie Marahare side looked dangerous with the combination of James Naka and Kennedy Watemae leading their attack as they secured three more points on Saturday.

The win sees them with 20 points; four points shy of the table leaders Solomon Warriors.

Henderson Eels FC and Marist FC remain in third and fourth position respectfully after a 1-1 draw yesterday.

Marist took the lead through their forward Suarez but saw Joses Nawo equalizing for Eels to spoil Marist’s parade. The draw leaves both teams with seventeen points on the table.

Malaita Kingz FC remains with 10 points following their surprising 3-2 defeat to Western United FC on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the race for the top two positions is heating up with the level of competition at the Lawson Tama improving.

While the level is of the game is slightly improving fans and some clubs are disgusted with some of the officials officiating in the matches calling on the Solomon Islands Football Federation Referees Association to train their referees more to be able to officiate the games.

A number of poor calls and reckless tackles that have went unnoticed have costed some of the big clubs who are already feeling the effects from the injuries suffered by their top players.

Meanwhile competition matches for the TSL will continue this week and on Wednesday with the mid-week clash at the Lawson Tama stadium.

SIRL stands with West Papua

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Rugby league players and officials posing for a team photo after the international rugby league test match in Honiara over the weekend…Photo Taromane Martin.

By Taromane Martin

THE Solomon Islands Sollies and Vanuatu national rugby league teams have shown team solidarity with the plight of Melanesian brothers from West Papua.

Both national teams showed their support after their international rugby league test match held here in Honiara over the weekend.

“We know West Papua has a rugby league team and SIRL is making an open invitation that we want to host them here in Honiara

“We want to bring out the West Papua flag here since the governments of both countries stand in solidarity with our Melanesian brothers,” Sollies Team Captain Rex Horoi said.

Vanuatu Team Captain James Wood also shared the same sentiments saying West Papua shares a common bond with Vanuatu and Solomon Islands being, Melanesians adding it would be great to also see them joining in this test matches.

Soccer named squad for mini games

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Kennedy Watemae, right, evades a tackle from Henderson Eels’ midfielder David Muta while James Naka runs, left, runs in to support.

By Taromane Martin

A 21 man squad for the upcoming South Pacific Mini-Games was released yesterday by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF).

Named in the 21 man squad are veterans Henry Fa’arodo, Clifton Aumae, James Naka and Benjamin Totori who are joined by a bunch of young talented players like Kennedy Watemae and John Aeta.

SIFF Technical Director and Head Coach Spaniard Felipe Vega Arongo said the mini-games will be the last chance for gaining players to win international silverware for the country.

“I’m going to give at least another chance for few experience players in the national team for the mini games in Vanuatu.

“We have talked about this and those players are happy to represent their country one last time. It would be nice for them to finish their career winning a medal for the country,” Arongo said.

“Naka at the moment is the best striker in the country and he is getting back in shape. He is taking things more seriously but most likely it is going to be his last international tournament for him.

“Totori, he has to come because he does not have much competition to go,” the Spaniard said.

Meanwhile the 21 man squad to represent the country in football at the Mini-Games in December are as follows:

National team named for mini games

  1. Anthony Talo
  2. Philip Mango
  3. Desmond Tutu
  4. Richard Hiromana
  5. Hadis Aegari
  6. Robert Laua
  7. Fred Kini
  8. John Aeta
  9. Michael Boso
  10. Henry Faarodo
  11. Clifton Aumae
  12. Atkin Kaua
  13. Thomas Amasia
  14. Tigi Molea
  15. Boni Pride
  16. Tutuzama Tanito
  17. Gagame Feni
  18. Jerry Donga
  19. Benjiman Totori
  20. James Naka
  21. Kennedy Watemae

Maelanga new rugby league patron

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A Vanuatu rugby league player tries to break free from two Solomon Islands players during their test match on Saturday. Vanuatu won the match 40-20…Photo Taromane Martin

Vanuatu victorious

 

By Taromane Martin

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs and Sports Honorable Manasseh Maelanga is the new patron for the Solomon Islands Rugby League (SIRL).

This was revealed during the first ever international rugby league test match between Solomon Islands and Vanuatu on Saturday at the Panatina rugby oval.

“As the minister responsible for sports I’m honored and happy to be here to witness this historic match,” Honorable Maelanga said.

“On behalf of the government we are happy to see rugby league coming up as one of the sports in the Solomon Islands.

“I would like to thank SIRL executive for the successful hosting of this match between the two Melanesian neighbors.

“I think this is the way forward for us Melanesian brothers to continue developing the growth of rugby league and also strengthening ties in both countries.

“On this note I would also like to thank the Vanuatu governments, the team management and players for ensuring rugby league are played in your country as well.

“And I’m pleased to announce that the Solomon Islands government will continue to support rugby league in the country,” the Deputy Prime Minister who was the guest of honor on Saturday said.

SIRL President Mr Jerry Tengemoana thanked the Deputy Prime Minister and their sponsors for helping them promote the rugby league code in the country.

Saturday’s friendly match was won Vanuatu scoring six converted tries and one unconverted try to finish the match 34-20.

The Solomon Islands Sollies managed to grab three tries with Eugene Tekobi successful on the conversions.

“I hope this will become an annual event between the two Melanesian neighbors since the relationship started back in 2013,” Sollies Team Captain Rex Horoi said.

PM’s letter insulting: Landowner

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

By Alfred Sasako

A West Rennell landowner has described as “very insulting” Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s letter to controversial mining concern, Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd.

“The letter is written by a man who chose to ignore the plight of the West Rennell landowners and its provincial government,” Jonathan Tohaika told Island Sun on the weekend.

In his letter dated 8th May this year, Mr Sogavare described Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd in glowing terms.

“I have been watching with keen interest the challenges that your operations in the country had to go through in the formative years of your operations and might I add continue to face in Rennell.

“I can only admire the cool and understanding manner in which you conducted yourself in dealing with these challenges within the bounds of our laws. You have demonstrated good corporate citizenship in this matter,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.

“For this, I thank you very much and would encourage you to keep up this responsible attitude which is worthy of emulation (copying) by other mining operations in this country.”

“I must also commend your commitment to implement an extensive community service engagement, fully acknowledging your social responsibility to the indigenous landowning group and provision of employment to Solomon Islanders. This is admirable given the high risks associated with mining operations which requires a careful balance between social responsibility and profit making.

‘You have managed this very well, which is a credit to the effective management and administration of the company,” Mr Sogavare said.

But Mr Tohaika said the Prime Minister’s letter is odd.

“He knew and knows today that Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd has never fulfilled its social and legal obligations in terms of the payment of royalties to landowners. Of the 40-plus landowners on whose land the company has been carrying out work since 2008, only two (2) received $50, 000 each, the rest received varying amounts from $1, 500.

“As well, you can’t even see a local landowner riding a bicycle in West Rennell today. There are no clinics or schools, nor are there any water supplies. For the Prime Minister to write admiring the company as he had done, is very insulting to the people of West Rennell,” he said.

Mr Tohaika said the Prime Minister must explain why he wrote such a letter to Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd in the first place.

“He did not write one to Sumitomo, the Japanese mining giant which has ploughed into the economy more than USD100 million into its social responsibility program, which included providing annual scholarships for Solomon Islands’ students.

“When you add what the Japanese government is doing in Solomon Islands in terms of infrastructure development to what Sumitomo has done, it runs into hundreds of millions more,” Mr Tohaika said.

“So what has Bintang Mining (SI) done for this country to deserve a letter from the Prime Minister? It is absolutely nothing when it is compared with Sumitomo’s and yet when Sumitomo left this country, the government and indeed this Prime Minister said nothing.

“It is a shame,” he said.

In closing his letter to Bintang Mining (SI) Ltd, Mr Sogavare said:

“On behalf of the government and people of Solomon Islands, I commend the good work you are doing in this country and assure you of our closer working relationship with you.”

Youth leaders reflect on Statim Faia project

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Young people roundtable for discussion during the Statim Faia Reflection Annual workshop held at the Ginger beach

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

 

ABOUT twenty youth leaders from community-based youth groups of Honiara City are in a three-day workshop on the Statim Faia annual reflection conference at the Ginger beach retreat, west Guadalcanal.

The workshop started yesterday with opening remarks from the Oxfam Solomon Islands representative, Honiara City Council Youth Development Officer and Honiara Youth Council president.

The workshop is part of Oxfam’s Statim Faia project and convenes youth leaders to reflect on key achievements, challenges and plan future activities.

Furthermore, to find effective strategies to improve the programme quality, impact and overcome challenges which might be helpful to the project’s phase-three.

The workshop is organised by HCC-Youth Division in collaboration with HYC with support from the Oxfam Solomon Islands as the major funder for the Statim Faia project.

The HCC-Youth Development Officer Mrs Mary Tuhaika appreciates partner establishes with Oxfam and HYC.

Honiara City Council Youth Development Officer, Mrs Mary Tuhaika in her remarks appreciated the partnership created with Oxfam for the past three years which has impacted youth groups within Honiara City on its small projects.

She encourages youth leaders to make good use and participate fully on the three-day workshop to reflect and share recommendations that will pave the way forward for partners and community youth groups.

“Our time here together, it is an opportunity for you to share with us so that we as partners to know your stands as next year the Statim Faia project will move to another level,” Tuhaika said.

Tuhaika acknowledged Oxfam Solomon Islands for visualising youth issues to be addressed within Honiara City through its project and to choose HCC-Youth Division and HYC as their partners.

Honiara Youth Council President, Mr Harry James Olikwailafa welcomed the participants and introduced the first-day session focused on the theme, ‘To enhance and build understanding of youth stakeholders’ services and ways of working with young people’.

Mr Alfred Kiva from the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs talked about the status of the new National Youth Policy along with HCC-YD, HYC and Oxfam Solomon Islands.

Stakeholders christen 7-yr dream for Noro port

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SIPA CEO Eranda Kotelawala, Captain Thue Barford and the Tri-Marine representative showing the copies of the MOU.

By Alfred Sasako

THE dream of turning Noro into a regional hub for transhipment of thousands of tonnes of frozen tuna to several international destinations around the world has been christened.

For one man it was a dream that took him seven long years to finally convince the various players both outside and in Solomon Islands to get the “right mix” to make it happened.

Yesterday the dream burst into reality when documents in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the development plan for Noro were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in a three-hour ceremony in Honiara.

The MOU binds Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), MAERSK, the world’s largest shipping line and Tri Marine in a tripartite partnership to develop the port of Noro.

Mr Sogavare described the tripartite arrangement “a strategic alliance”.

“Through this, Solomon Islands is telling the international community that although we are small, we are ready to contribute to the global market,” he said.

Hong Kong-based MAERSK representative, Captain Thue Barford the man who carried the dream silently for the last seven years, was on hand to witness the “christening” so to speak of the Noro port plan.

Capt Barford thanked everyone including the Chairman, Board Members and the Management of SIPA, Tri Marine and its ground agent, National Fisheries Development (NFD) for their support.

In a brief presentation yesterday, he recalled, “selling” Noro as a potential port to his bosses in Singapore seven years ago.

“They all turned to me and said, and where is that? I looked at them and said, as a matter of fact, I don’t know.”

That was seven years ago. Yesterday’s “christening” the beginning of the expansion phase, which would see Noro wharf extended to a 150-metre long berth. It is now 60metres long.

“It’s not going to happen overnight, but the potential to convert Noro into a transhipment hub for the region began with the exchanges of the documents today [yesterday]. It is now up to us to make it happen, adding he doubts anyone in the region would undermine the project because it is going to make other countries in the region want the same thing.

“The problem is that not every country in the region has the natural harbours such as what we have in Noro and in Honiara. And having their cargo transhipped from here is going to save costs for them,” Capt Barford said.

SIPA Chief Executive Officer, Eranda Kotelawala, told the gathering at The Heritage Park Hotel that Solomon Islands has a huge potential waiting to be realised.

“Solomon Islands’ potential is like oil sitting under the seabed. Unless the oil is pumped to the surface it is useless. The development of Noro is the beginning of realising this hidden potential.”

A Tri Marine representative said the challenge to make the project work rests with all the stakeholders, adding government agencies such as Customs and Fisheries in particular, have an important role to play.

Spokesmen for Customs and Fisheries gave their assurance in support of the project.

Representatives of MAERSK and TRI MARINE will travel west today to inspect the Noro facilities in preparation for the redevelopment.

Noro port to increase production

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SIPA staff explaining the technical features for the Noro wharf

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the tripartite MoU signed between SIPA, Tri-Marine and Maersk for the redevelopment of Noro Port will increase production at the port.

Sogavare said during the launching of the blueprint for the multi-million dollar redevelopment of Noro port yesterday, “I understand that the main objective of this tripartite MoU is to increase the volume of reefer containers originating from Port of Noro with the assistance of Maersk and TriMarine.

“I also note that under this arrangement MAERSK will be providing two fish off-loaders and training as part of their obligation under this MoU.”

Sogavare said under the MoU, Tri-Marine will carry out business development to bring more fishing vessels to off-load their fish in Noro which will be converted to reefer cargo for export.

“Not only will this increase economic activity but I am sure that it will create employment opportunities and provide for livelihood development in Noro.

“It will also let exporters get competitive shipping rates to export their products to the rest of the world,” he said.

Sogavare said as part of contributing to the environment, the MoU would also be looking at investing in solar energy to power reefer containers and gradually transform into a Green Port in the future.

He said the signing also represents renewed confidence in SIPA and he has no doubt that this will act as a catalyst for prospective partners to come forward and partner with SIPA.

“I am also certain that this partnership will only grow in strength as we venture into the future.

“To the Board and Management of SIPA, I would also like to congratulate you in your vision and hard work which culminated in today’s [yesterday] ceremony.

“I am confident that this project would pave a path to achieve our long-term ambition of developing the Noro port as a geo-strategic transhipment port linking the rest of the world,” he said.

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