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September Youth Market this weekend                          

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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More informations about the Youth@Work Program will be desiminated dutring the day and the staff will be there to help_photo_Y@W_Ruth Amos.
Food stalls serving a variety of delicacies prepared by Young people.

YOUTH@Work (Y@W) will host its September Youth Market this weekend, 15th-16th September at the Art Gallery grounds, Honiara.

The event aimed at   creating a space where youth who have started their small businesses after successfully undergoing Y@W’s young entrepreneurs component (YEC) to have the opportunity to showcase, sell their products and services, and connect with customers.

The objective of YEC is to set up youths with basic business training and provided them with start-up capital and later support them though mentorship, technical trainings and Youth Market. All this to assist in improving the economic prospects of these young people.

Y@W also extends invitations to young entrepreneurs outside of the programme to come and be part of the two days event.

Wallex Rilifia, Youth market Team Leader, highlights that “this avenue is free therefore encourages youth with businesses to come and take advantage and make use of the opportunity to learn from other young entrepreneurs and create network and meet customers.”

Memebers of the Rotact club are one of the faithful participants of
Youth Marke.
A member of the ONE IMPACT, a group of young entrepreneurs who
designs esp, T-shirts.

“It will be a good time for the general public to come and show support to our young entrepreneurs”, Wallex explained.

On stage entertainment during the event will include performances by The Island Wizard. Youth Market will also host performing arts through freestyle dance and B-boy competition for talented crews with prizes to be won.

On Saturday, representatives from the body builders federation will put on a show at the event and do promotion on the sport. President of the Body Building Federation, Mr Pius Maemae, when speaking to Y@W Comms said; “it is a chance for youths to become aware of the sport and learn of the health benefits they can gain from.”

More informations about the Youth@Work Program will be desiminated dutring the day and the staff will be there to help_photo_Y@W_Ruth Amos.

—Youth@work Media release

HCC forces school closure

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Perch School fencing

…..Perch school forced to shut doors on students

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

PERCH Christian School will close down tomorrow following a directive from the Honiara City Council which has angered parents and teachers of the school.

Demolition and removal of the school’s library building structure and its fencing at the school compound extension is to take place according to Honiara City Council’s (HCC) Building Ordinance.

This comes after the school received a seven (7) days notice on the 7th of September by the HCC Senior Building Inspector Mr Japhet Tuhanuku.

Within the notice, it stated that from observation, the school has not complied with an earlier notice requiring them to remove the building.

Whatever the real reason behind this motive of removal by HCC is not clarified as attempts to contact their Physical Planning, Education and Administration Divisions was unsuccessful.

However, Island Sun understands that the schools issue is in a mix up situation under the laws and development plans of Honiara by responsible authorities from the Ministries of Infrastructure and Development, Lands and Education including HCC.

According to Perch Christian School Director Ms Lydia Yeo, it is now more than two years they have been pestered by HCC over this issue which includes the school’s front gate.

She said seeking the Ministry of Education, police and even MID for their positive assistance into the issue is only ineffective.

“The same Building Inspector who gave us the approval for the school’s fencing is the one now giving the seven days demolition notice. But we had already paid for the inspection license,” said the Director.

“We have not built illegally over this land. We have paid for the land title from the Ministry of Lands and we are registered under the Ministry of Education.

“When we want to develop our school, HCC then steps in with the reason that MID is to widen the road with a four lane plan.”

“What about other buildings built near the main road, why it is that only Perch Christian School is being disturbed with this four lane road plan said to be developed in years to come?”

“Since establishing this school, all I ever want is to help our children through education but this dream and aim seems to be going nowhere from continuous pestering.”

School parents of Perch School attending the school meeting over the issue yesterday expressed that they want the school to continue operating for the sake of their children’s education to not be disturbed.

They questioned the School Administration that if the school is on the right side, then why responsible authorities do continue to bother the school.

“We are only hearing the schools side of story but if what they say is true then we must sign a protest letter now to stop the school from closing,” said the concerned parents.

The school’s parents after the meeting signed a letter of protest for the Perch Administration to present tomHCC.

According to the schools Director, Perch School will be closed until the school’s closed gate is re-open, work on its library structure continues and its fence remains.

Wini, Kini to join weightlifters in Ashbagat

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Jenlyn Wini will join the team in Ashgabat

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Jenlyn Wini will join the team in Ashgabat

SOLOMON Islands female weightlifters Jenlyn Wini and Mary Lifu Kini are part of the Solomon Islands Contingent travelling to participate in next week’s Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan.

The duo is based at the Oceania Weightlifting Training Institute in Noumea, New Caledonia.

And they are meeting up with the team in the Turkmenistani capital city of Ashbagat, where the Games will run from September 17 to 27.

Last week, the dup participated in the Commonwealth and the Oceania Weightlifting Championship held in Gold Coast, Australia.

Wini was fortunate to snatch double gold medals, claiming both the Commonwealth and the Oceania titles in the 58kg women’s category.

Kini won bronze in the Oceania’s 53kg category.

The addition of Wini and Kini into the weightlifting team to the Asian Games will bring the number to four.

The other two are home-based male lifters David Gorosi and Leslie Mae.

Gorosi and Mae jetted out of the country yesterday with the rest of the Solomon Islands Contingent, which also include athletics and the national men’s futsal team, Kurukuru.

 

 

Kurukuru depart for Turks with high hopes

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Kurukuru prior to departure for Turkmenistan on Monday

Futsal team second best ranked in Pool A behind Vietnam

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Kurukuru prior to departure for Turkmenistan on Monday

THE national futsal side had left the country for Turkmenistan yesterday to attend the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games with a lot of confidence.

The Games, which will take place in the Turkmenistan’s capital city of Ashbagat, will run from September 17 to 27. But the futsal competition will kick off early, a day prior to the official opening on September 16 and stretches to August 26.

The national futsal team, known as Kurukuru, is participating in the Games along with two other sports namely athletics and weightlifting.

Kurukuru was drawn into the futsal competition’s Group A alongside Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Chinese Hong Kong and the host nation, Turkmenistan.

According to the world futsal ranking, Solomon Islands is the second top ranked nation in Pool A sitting on the 46th position behind Vietnam (39) as from the latest table released on Sunday.

Chinese Taipei follows on 75th while Turkmenistan and Chinese Hong Kong are sitting on the 80th and the 100th position respectively.

Coach Sam Jerry they are confident to do better during the Games.

“I’m taking in a young team but I hope we will do better and come out with a better result,” he said.

Jerry had strongly indicated using the tournament as a preparation toward the 2019 Oceania Futsal Qualifiers for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

And that was the reason why he decided to take onboard all young players so that he can be able to groom them ahead of the qualifiers.

“The young players are the future of futsal in this country and it is important we get them ready in time so that we remain competitive at all time and attempt to qualify to play in the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

“Exposing them at such competition will enhance their mentality toward competing at the top level.

“It’s a privilege working with a team who have a lot of talents and I’m confident we can deliver what is expected from us in the Asian Games,” the Kurukuru coach said.

The Kurukurus will open up their campaign in the competition this Saturday taking on Chinese Hong Kong before facing Chinese Taipei on Monday.

On Tuesday next week, they play hosts Turkmenistan while their final pool match is against Vietnam on Wednesday.

Meet the final team.

  1. Anthony Talo (GK
  2. Paul Lake (GK)
  3. George Stevenson
  4. Coleman Makau
  5. Samuel Osifelo
  6. Alwin Hou
  7. Albert Witney
  8. Atana Junior Fa’arodo
  9. Marlon Sia
  10. Alwin Ray
  11. Junior Kasute’e

Newly Registered Nurses from Atoifi awarded

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Newly registered nurses during the ceremony at the Maratha hall

Newly Registered Nurses from Atoifi awarded

Newly registered nurses during the ceremony at the Maratha hall

TWENTY six nurses from the Atoifi School of nursing have been awarded with their part two registered license at the Seventh Day Adventist’s Maranatha Hall on September 8.

Speaking during the occasion on behalf of the newly registered nurses, senior rep Mr Joe Adifaka said, that it is a day in which every one of us is waiting for.

“Some of us are brighten up with smiles of great joy because we are no longer probationers, we are now called registered nurses”

“Nurses are those who open the eyes of a new born and gently close the eye of a dying, it is indeed a great blessing to be the first and last to witness the begin and ending of human life”

Mr Adifaka said that despite the challenges and hardships they have faced during their studying at Atoifi school of Nursing in south Malaita region.

“We are all satisfied with because it is part of our striving to be the success that no matter what, we finally accomplished what is our aim.”

Mr Adifaka in his remarks also thanked the hardworking lectures, and the health team as a whole, for their kind assistance in terms of skills, knowledge and confidentiality in the result they will perform as a professional registered Nurses in various Medical field.

“Our thanks also goes out to our parents, guardians and supporting friends for helping us during our time of study and for their well preparation to make these moment a successful ceremony”.

Mr Adifaka also urged the newly registered nurses as they move on and face challenges of their profession, it is important to be centered on three main mission, the mission of caring, advocating and leadership.

“The nursing knowledge proficient caring skills and professional caring attitude that we have learned from the past years of our study are the basic important rules we should remember, in order we can achieve each of our nursing goal”.

Meanwhile, Mr Adifaka also pointed out that however they will face some unbearable situation and people will always put the blame on them.

“Remember that our task is not an easy task so we have to be serious about it and regardless of hardship let us save the lives of our people,” he said.

BY BRALLY MA’ARA

Seven Honiara City Council youth groups awarded grants under Oxfam’s ‘Statim Faia’ Project.

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SEVEN community youth groups successfully signed a grant agreement with Oxfam’s “Statim Faia” project today as part of a series of capacity building and mentoring project designed to enhance youth-led solutions.

The “Staim Faia” initiative which is driven by Oxfam Solomon Islands, Honiara Youth Council (HYC) and the Honiara City Council (HCC) Youth Division, aims to empower young people and their representative organizations to engage effectively in decision making across all levels.

The successful recipients are; Music Gateway, Bethlehem Chapel Youth Group, Has Uria Dianala Youth Group, Holy Cross Youth Group, Full of Hope Youth Group, Ketolo Boys Youth Group and SSEC Central Church (CY Ministry)

The signed agreement includes small grants that went through a participatory approach from community researches through action planning and proposal development.

The youth clubs’ proposal encompasses around Environment, Gender Based Violence and Civic Education. Particularly, projects around bio-gas that aims to reduce environmental impact using waste management and turning it into gas.

These include setting up of street lights for safer streets for young girls and women, photography exhibition on issues and solutions, and recycling and reuse of plastic bottles and cans and theatre for development.

The clubs also designed initiatives to eliminate violence against women and girls, awareness on civic education and rights for inclusive youth development.

Oxfam acknowledged the contribution of partners in youth development initiatives.

Oxfam encourages and invites more youth clubs to register with HYC/HCC to get access to the resources and opportunities that can enhance their leadership skills. Oxfam will continue to work with HCC, HYC and community youth clubs in addressing the issues of young people.

Further, Oxfam extend its gratitude to comic relief for their funding support.

HCC’s Head of Division for Women, Youth & Sports, Roland Pauku acknowledged the support of Oxfam through the process of capacity building in proposal development and writing.

Mr Pauku applauded the funding support from Comic Relief and encouraged community youth clubs to make use of the small grants initiative to boost youth development programs in the Solomon Islands.

“Young people in Honiara will continue to utilize the type of support and opportunities. I would like to encourage more youth clubs in Honiara to come and register at HCC-Youth Division,” states Harry James, President of the Honiara Youth Council.

Enthusiastically commenting on the grant signing, Oxfam Solomon Islands Interim Country Director, Doreen Fernando said: “These grants exemplifies the commitment and support of Oxfam towards youth inclusive development and giving these youth especially young women the opportunity to raise their voices on issues affecting them”.

“Oxfam is really proud to have been working closely with the youth groups and would like to thank all for all their efforts to bring positive changes in young people’s life.”

Ketolo Boys Leader, Pelly Safue stressed that more young people in Honiara should come forward and access opportunities through HCC- Youth Division and Honiara Youth Council.

The grant program is funded by Comic Relief fund and Royal Common Wealth Society, under The Queen‘s Young Leaders Programme in honor of Her Majesty The Queen’s 60 years of service to the Common Wealth.

Community Youth Groups in Honiara are encouraged to join the Honiara Youth Council by registering at the HCC Youth Division at Multipurpose Hall.

–OXFAM PRESS RELEASE

Ocean Governance still an issue: Pacific Ocean Commissioner

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Milton Ragaruma
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Pacific Oceans Commissioner Dame Meg Taylor

BY BEN BILUA

Pacific Oceans Commissioner Dame Meg Taylor

THE Commissioner of Pacific Ocean says Regional Ocean Governance is still an issue though mechanism are put in place for pacific island leaders for better management of ocean territories.

Pacific Oceans Commissioner Dame Meg Taylor stressed that strategic divergence and institutional fragmentation in dealing with regional issues, a lack of durable and sustainable partnerships to facilitate implementation and up-scaling, and an inadequate scientific and technical evidence-base and limited capacity to use this for optimal decision making are some of the challenges.

She highlights that there is a need for the region to strengthen and further harmonise its ocean governance mandates for sustainable ocean development, as well as for more incisive ownership by member countries of the Pacific.

Dame Taylor said coordinating the regional approach to ensure integrated ocean management is a major task, but necessary to ensure cost-effectiveness and dissemination of good practise.

She emphasised CROP agencies and other partners in the region to harmonise, mobilise and strategies in an increasingly more integrated and coherent manner moving forward.

She said the establishment of The Blue Pacific aims to rejuvenate ocean governance in light of these contemporary pressures and to move away from some weak areas of implementation of the past.

She said regional instruments and initiatives have advanced implementation of a world-leading, shared approaches to ocean management with a focus on coordination, collaboration and integration – the ideals of which are embedded in the Framework for Pacific Oceanscape.

“In summary – we have the instruments, we have the institutions, now we have to put the effort into innovative implementation that requires resources and genuine partnerships.

In meantime she said detailed efforts aimed at strengthening and coordinating regional positions in a manner that advances and promotes collective priorities under mandate were achieved.

PM criticizes same sex marriage

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Sogavare said, Marriage is between man and woman that’s what the bible says

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

PM Sogavare said, Marriage is between man and woman that’s what the bible says

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has criticized the notion of approving same sex marriage especially from a religious country like Solomon Islands.

The statement was made while giving his keynote address to officially open the Assembly of God (AOG) National General Council conference currently underway in Honiara.

The Prime Minister said he has just returned from an interesting forum where they were addressed by organizations trying to influence leaders to approve same sex marriage.

He said the idea is not acceptable in our society, given that Solomon Islands is a country that accepts freedom of religion and other fundamental rights but not same sex marriage.

 

“Fundamental rights, is not an easy thing as we are dealing with human beings in a country that allows freedom of religion and other fundamental rights, but when it comes to same sex marriage it’s over my dead body,” PM Sogavare reiterated.

He adds that same sex marriage is against biblical principles that every religion in Solomon Islands built their fundamental believes upon, despite same sex marriage being human rights as many countries across the globe advocated for.

“Marriage is between a man and woman that’s what the bible says.

Prime Minister Sogavare assured church leaders and members that Solomon Islands is a country that upholds freedom of religion and other fundamental rights.

He acknowledged AOG’s gathering and urged them to work collaborate with other denominations as it is crucial for addressing the spiritual growth of Solomon Islands.

Photo caption- PM Sogavare says Marriage is between a man and woman as what the bible states.

All SIPA workers get $5, 000 in bonuses this week: WUSI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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CEO of SIPA Mr Eranda Kotelawala.

By Alfred Sasako

ALL employees of Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) will get $5, 000 in special bonuses each, the President of the Workers’ Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI), David Tuhanuku confirmed yesterday.

This will cost SIPA an estimated $2.3 million. The payment would be made this week, Mr Tuhanuku who held talks with the SIPA Management last week told Island Sun.

“Yes, that was agreed. All SIPA employees, except those in the Finance Division, would receive $5, 000 each in special bonuses. Those in the Finance Division would not be getting anything because they have already collected their payments,” Mr Tuhanuku said.

The other group is a selected number of employees from the Stevedoring Section. They received $2, 000 two weeks ago in recognition of their work in improving the efficiency of overseas vessels turn-around time at the Point Cruz wharf.

With an estimated workforce of 457 employees, the special bonus this year would cost SIPA an estimated $2, 285, 000.

“Stevedoring employees who had already received $2, 000 each would get a top-up of $3, 000 each so that everyone is on par in terms of the amount already paid to other employees,” Mr Tuhanuku said.

Mr Tuhanuku also revealed that WUSI and the SIPA Management are negotiating a collective agreement on behalf of SIPA Staff In-House Union to ensure special clauses are incorporated in workers’ contracts.

“These clauses would ensure that incentives and special bonuses paid to staff apply to all staff rather than just a handful of selected ones,” Mr Tuhanuku said.

Insiders told Island Sun last week that the special bonus which was paid in secret to staff of the Finance Division and selected staff of the Stevedoring department triggered a threatened walk out by staff. About 157 staff benefitted from the initial payment, which the Human Resources division was not even aware of.

On learning about the payment, staff downed tools and held impromptu negotiations with management, resulting in half a day delays of overseas vessels leaving and coming in last Friday.

A written undertaking by Management to make the payment that day defused the situation. But the payment was never made, making the situation rather volatile.

SIPA Chief Executive Officer, Eranda Kotelawala, said yesterday the situation was now under control.

WUSI President Tuhanuku said he believed the special bonuses would be disbursed this week, given the assurance by CEO Kotelawala.

SI pushes West Papua issue a step further

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Milton Ragaruma
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Minister Milner Tozaka standing second from left before the leaders went for the retreat

BY BEN BILUA

Minister Milner Tozaka standing second from left before the leaders went for the retreat.

SOLOMON Islands has successfully moved a new agenda and that is to include human rights on any agreement Pacific Island Countries signed with Indonesia during the recent Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Hon Milner Tozaka moved the agenda and was supported by Vanuatu and Tonga during the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Samoa.

Previously, the Bilateral agreement between Indonesia and Pacific Island countries only recognise trade relation but now human rights will be included to any relationship any countries in the pacific has with Indonesia.

In the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting communique, Leaders recognised the constructive engagement by the Forum countries with Indonesia with respect to elections and human rights in West Papua and Papua and to continue a dialogue in an open and constructive manner.

In an interview with Island Sun after the Leader Retreat at Taumeasina Island Resort in Apia, Samoa Hon Tozaka said Solomon Islands is happy that the West Papuan issue has been included in the communique.

He said Solomon Islands position on West Papua is still atop and will continue to seek further dialogue to present West Papua on top level discussion.

Minister Tozaka said Solomon Islands is pleased to have the support of Tonga and Vanuatu among others in pushing the West Papua issue to the floor for further discussion during the meeting.

While acknowledging that the West Papua issue is in the Communique he said the issue is still a long way to achieve and that there needs more support.

Minister Tozaka explained that there are growing number of Free-West Papua movements in many countries in the pacific region but the road to United Nation for presentation of ideas for West Papua depends on respective countries.

He said the present pacific island countries who supported West Papua have no chance to go as a group to the UN.

“We try to push for a collective effort for this West Papua issue, but what we get was that, individual countries can hold dialogue with UN,” Minister Tozaka said.

He said the West Papua issue is getting momentum given that leaders have put their vote to West Papua issue in the communique.

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