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DONORS MISLED ON TINA HYDRO

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Government is sitting on a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] designed to speed up work on the nation’s multi-million dollar Tina River Hydro scheme, it was revealed yesterday.

“Both the last and this government have been sitting on the MOU for the last five years,” Paramount Chief Walton Naeson told Island Sun.

Island Sun has obtained a copy of the unsigned MOU.

Mr Naeson said lawyers who prepared the MOU in consultation with the stakeholders in 2012 were paid by Dr Derek Sikua’s government. It was to be signed between the Solomon Islands Government and Tina River Hydropower Landowners Council.

“The then government even picked up the costs on behalf of the landowners because it was serious about the project and its implications for the nation’s economic development.

“It was a fair MOU and Agreement for everyone. But instead of getting the MOU and Agreement signed by the parties, the government chose to waste money in paying costs which are totally unnecessary,” Mr Naeson said.

He believed both the last and the current DCC Government have been feeding donors including the World Bank misleading information to support the case for compulsory acquisition of the site for the hydro scheme.

“Well, I have news for the government. The Tina River Hydro scheme won’t go anywhere without the issue of landownership being determined. That issue is adequately covered in the MOU to the satisfaction of landowners. Unfortunately, this government has consistently ignored us,” Mr Naeson said.

“I wish to reiterate the fact that no landowners oppose the Project. This nullifies the need for compulsory acquisition of the land for the hydro scheme, unless the government simply wants to use the project for fundraising purposes,” the former Mines and Energy Minister said.

According to news articles which appeared on the World Bank website, Tina River Hydro is planned as Solomon Islands’ first large-scale sustainable energy project, and will lead national efforts to diversify electricity generation in favor of clean, renewable sources such as hydro and solar power.

“The project has the potential to more than double the country’s annual greenhouse gas reduction target, and has the largest greenhouse gas reduction potential of any planned energy project in Solomon Islands,” the article published earlier this year said.”

Retail electricity cost in Solomon Islands is one of the highest in the world. It retails at USD0.81 per kWh.

Funding support continues to come through for the Project, situated in east Guadalcanal. The Green Climate Fund is the latest contributor, pledging USD86 million (about SBD671 million). It is now the second donor to announce its funding approval for Tina River Hydro, following a US$15 million [about SBD117 million] commitment from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in early January this year.

Other institutions and governments that have reportedly indicated funding support for Tina River Hydro include the Australian Government, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank Group, and the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Government of Korea.

All funding support for the project is expected to be finalized by next month.

VEKE SUPPORTS FEDERAL SYSTEM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PREMIER for Guadalcanal Province Anthony Veke expressed that Guadalcanal’s main aspirations towards achieving lasting peace and stability is by adopting the Federal System of Governance and the introduction of legislations to avail customary land for development.

Veke made the statement when presenting his remarks on the outcome of the Guadalcanal Leaders’ Summit in November last year in yesterday’s National Dialogue to discuss solutions to sustain peace and stability.

Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke told those present yesterday that during the Summit last year under the theme, Unlocking Development Challenges and Investing in Future Aspirations, the Guadalcanal leaders came up with 23 resolutions.

“The 23 resolutions we came up with were both specific and general and the document is inclusive and is the voice of the people of Guadalcanal,” Veke said.

The Guadalcanal Assembly has adopted the 23 Resolutions and is pushing to have them implemented with the help of the National Government.

Veke added that whilst there will be many challenges ahead to achieving the resolutions, the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly will be doing its very best to make sure it achieves its proposed resolutions.

The Guadalcanal Premier also informed those present yesterday that the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly has summoned registered logging companies around Guadalcanal on its aims to improve roads around Guadalcanal to enhance better transportation and accessibility to understanding and working together to achieve peace through fair development.

He also announced that they will also be hosting a Land Summit next month.

Under the theme ‘ONE PEOPLE, ONE COUNTRY, ONE FUTURE’, the two-day national dialogue is jointly organised by the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace and the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs.

The Government is getting support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Project to hold the national dialogue to discuss ways and means to sustain peace and stability in Solomon Islands.

GUADALCANAL CITREC GRADUATES GRANTED IMMIGRATION NOMINATION TO CANADA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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GUADALCANAL CITREC graduates Amelia Muse and Careka Volly are on their way to Canada both as food supervisors for an international fast-food restaurant chain.

This time their employment in Canada is not seasonal but for a complete 24-month period within which time frame they will apply to become Permanent Residence (PR) of Canada while working and staying within Canada.

This is after they have been nominated under the Immigrant Nominee programme of the Saskatchewan government.

Both Volly and Ms Muse have created history for the Solomon Islands becoming the first Solomon Islanders to be nominated under the Immigrant nominee programme.

Also approved to travel with Mr Volly is his spouse and two dependent children who will soon all call Canada their home. In total 4 persons in Mr Volly’s family will be travelling to Canada while Ms Muse will be travelling as the only principle applicant.

Mr Volly’s children will soon be entitled to go to school in Canada while Volly’s spouse upon arrival into Canada will be eligible to seek a temporary work permit while their PR application for Canada is being finalised within Canada.

Canadian Immigration Officials made a decision on both the files of Mr Volly and Ms Muse on Friday afternoon and Immigration Counsel communicated the decision to CITREC Chairman His Excellency Ashwant Dwivedi the same day.

“At 3.30pm Friday afternoon I was informed that Immigration counsel wished to speak with me on matter relating to two Solomon Islands nationals. I took the phone call and was told that both Ms Muse and Mr Volly had been accepted and nominated for immigration to Canada. I said to the counsel this is the best news and gift I can offer to the Province of Guadalcanal on its 33rd Second Appointment day and Solomon Islands as a whole,” Chairman Dwivedi said.

Both Volly and Ms Muse personally received called from Chairman Dwivedi over the weekend and were informed of the decision.

“They sounded very optimistic and excited and said they can’t wait to return to Canada to work and earn and then help support their family back home in the Solomon’s.

This is great achievement for both of the graduates,” Chairman Dwivedi said.

Chairman Dwivedi added that within hours immigration documents were transmitted and Immigration letters for both the applicants were clearly visible on his table.

Without breaching privacy details Chairman Dwivedi provided the following information.

I can confirm that Immigration authorities have clearly stated in their letter to both Mr Volly and Ms Muse the following: “You have been nominated under the Immigration programme and a certificate of nomination from the province where you will be residing has been issued in your name and has been shared with Canada’s Citizenship & Immigration Branch.

“It has been determined that you are urgently required to begin your employment with the employer. This means that both have to be packing their bags and getting on a plane as soon as some of the remaining formalities are completed,” Chairman Dwivedi said.

Guadalcanal Premier Honourable Anthony Veke has welcomed the news calling it a great achievement for the people of Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands.

“It is indeed history in the making for the Guadalcanal Province to have two of their residents be nominated under this government program and being able to secure employment along with migration to Canada.

I thank the office of the Chairman and CITREC Management along with Canadian government officials for their commitment behind this success story,” Guadalcanal Premier Veke said.

Chairman Dwivedi said that before nomination of both the applicants were confirmed under immigration rules the Canadian employer had to enter into an written contract with Canadian authorities which clearly stated the terms of their employment which is not limited to their position with the restaurant chain, salary and other benefits.

“To ensure that the process is transparent and protects the employer-employee relationship Immigration officials very carefully examines each employer before a letter of support to bring in the International Skilled Worker is provided following which the employer submits an application for nomination to Immigration.

“ Both Ms Muse and Mr Volly will be employed as International Skilled Workers have met the education qualification of CITREC and their work experience and necessary training in area of Food and Hospitality Sector,” Chairman Dwivedi said.

He further added that both are confirmed to be receiving a salary at rate of Canadian $14 an hour which in today’s conversion works around Solomon $86 an hour per worker.

“Apart from this both workers will be entitled to other benefits including 4 percent vacation pay and uniform,” Chairman Dwivedi said.

Chairman Dwivedi added that the biggest benefit to both workers is that they will be obtaining their Canadian Permanent Residency and then becoming Canadian Citizens in the years to come.

“What the CITREC partnership has done is that we are not only educating but we work with our graduates to help them select and build their careers in the area of their study. You can produce many graduates but the most important aspect of education is when you are able to apply what you have learned in a classroom setting to help support your family and economy.

This process may have taken some time but we are providing to our graduates a lifelong solution,” Chairman Dwivedi said.

It was last year when Two Guadalcanal Canadian International Training and Education Corp (CITREC) graduates had successfully arrived in Canada as part of a foreign worker partnership between Guadalcanal Province and CITREC Canada.

Canadian officials have continuously praised the partnership calling it a success and a right step in the area of Human Resource Development that will grow in months and years to come and help boost foreign remittances into Solomon Islands economy.

The Canadian Governments Immigration Division granted the two successful GP Workers with work permits allowing them to be employed in Canada for a 4-month period under Canada’s seasonal worker programme.

Saskatchewan Governments Minister for Economy Honourable Jeremy Harrison had praised his provinces partnership with Guadalcanal Province saying it has helped local Saskatchewan employers fill needs that the province had experienced last summer.

“This partnership has helped local employers fill needs that they had this past summer and will assist the Guadalcanal students build their careers back home in Solomon’s,” Minister of the Economy Harrison said.

“Saskatchewan is known all over the world for our brand of hospitality and we take pride in the fact that students from around the world, including the Solomon Islands, come to our province to gain valuable experience in our tourism industry,” Minister Harrison said.

Guadalcanal Premier Anthony Veke has praised the People and Government of Saskatchewan saying the Province and its citizens are playing an important role in building Guadalcanal’s economy.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has praised Solomon Islands growing relations with Canada, saying he looks forward to further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries and also fully utilising the labour mobility opportunities which Canada presents.

The Prime Minister said the recent success of two Guadalcanal– CITREC graduates in Canada as seasonal workers further present opportunities for the Solomon Islands Government to consider Canada as a labour mobility partner in areas of tourism and hospitality.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sogavare also praised the Premier of Guadalcanal Hon Anthony Veke and his provincial government for their commitment to aggressively pursue labour mobility opportunities with Canada.

“I must congratulate Guadalcanal Provincial government and Premier Veke for this labour mobility arrangement with Canada. This partnership has surely started to yield results and I feel that there are many others who can take advantage of this opportunity at the national level.

“I am indeed very encouraged by the earnings of the two workers from Guadalcanal Province during their seasonal employment in Canada,” Prime Minister Sogavare added.

 

The Prime Minister said should the earnings be consistent, Solomon Islands like other countries in the world can place itself as an exporter of seasonal workers to Canada.

Solomon Islands sends its workers to Australia and New Zealand as part of its seasonal employment arrangements with these two countries.

Last year Canada became the third country to provide seasonal employment for Solomon Islanders when Guadalcanal Province sent two of its people for seasonal jobs in Canada.

Both Amelia Muse and Careka Volly who are now preparing for their long- term employment were selected as successful candidates of the Canadian employment partnership between the Canadian Tourism Sector Council and Guadalcanal Province last year.

CITREC Canada said that apart from both the selected graduates they have active 3 more application for process under same criteria and are hoping for a response with 6-8 weeks.

Chairman Dwivedi said that his office is in consultation with the Education division of Guadalcanal Education ministry on an opportunity that is proposed under pilot project by the Canadian government that will involve Guadalcanal residents as well.

LACK OF CONSULTATION RESULTS IN WPG PS SAGA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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IT is revealed that lack of consultations between the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), the newly appointed PS for Western Province and its WPG Executive Government is the cause of a collision between two Provincial Secretary’s for the province.

The Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) did not brief the newly appointed Provincial Secretary, Jeffery Wickham on his appointment which resulted in the Ministry not informing the WPG Executive in the first place, a reliable source from the MPGIS through the Permanent Secretary has revealed.

“On receiving his appointment letter, Mr Wickham went straight to his newly appointed Office in the WPG Executive Government without waiting for MPGIS to call him first.

This is so that he would have a briefing with the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary before he would travel to his newly appointed Office to meet the Premier as the head of the WPG Executive who will already be informed by then,” said the source.

According to the source, this is why there has been this mix-up as the Western Province Executive Government currently has its politically appointed PS Christian Salini’s contract still valid until November this year.

Western Province Premier Hon Wayne Maepioh slammed this issue in the Island Sun yesterday saying that it is the legality process that matters, of who is really appointed by the Ministry of Public Service Commission and MPGIS.

“The WPG Executive already has a politically appointed Provincial Secretary while waiting for the process of a new PS for the province by MPGIS,” said the Premier.

“It is this process that we are still waiting for and which we had never discussed causing the collision we are facing.

MPGIS had never informed us of the whole process that they have appointed a new PS for us so that we will sort out the timely exit of the Mr Salini,” he said.

“We should have been informed earlier of the new appointment so that we have time to sort out the politically appointed PS in informing and discussing with him on the date to leave before the newly appointed PS arrives.

“It will be inhuman and unofficial from my perspective just too automatically terminate Mr Salini’s contract just because we were suddened by the arrival of a newly appointed PS by the Ministry.

So we cannot drag the issue here to the legality process which will cause us to go out of the main context here,” added the Premier.

In elaborating, the Premier said as the host province, they should have been informed first that Mr Wickham is the new PS for Western Province. This is where his disappointment is.

“This is so that I would have been aware and if I was not present, I will tell the Deputy Premier to preside the new PS in briefing him also on what is the updates of the Executive Government,” said the Premier.

“So I want people to capture this clearly that this issue is not about legality as no one amongst us is arguing about the legality process.

“I am not trying to go against, question or nullify the powers of the Ministry of the Public Service Commission or even undermining what MPGIS are doing,” he said.

“What the situation currently is trying to build is a “nonsense insight political view” which is not good. It will cause hatred and embarrassment amongst us.

“I am concerned on the lapses of the consultation as the Head of the WPG. From non consultations is why these highly respected Officers (Mr Salini and Mr Wickham) have been victims of this issue,” added the Premier.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service yesterday said he will not give any comments as the situation is really for MPGIS to explain.

An attempt to get through to the current PS of Western Province Mr Wickham to get his side of the story and confirmations was not successful yesterday afternoon via phone.

According to Mr Christian Salini, the current PS in a recent interview with Island Sun Gizo over the issue said he is neutral and only humbly waiting for decision makings to be done.

It is understood that from the reasons causing this issue, the Premier of Western Province and his Executive government will now try to solve it as soon as possible in the best way for the WPG to move on forward positively with its development goals and targets for the province.

TUTU VILLAGE A FORGOTTEN RESCUE SPOT

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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TUTU Village, Northwest Choiseul is one of the forgotten spots in Solomon Islands where an American war air pilot was found and rescued during World War II.

He was rescued by the local men of the area after his plane was shot down by the Japanese causing it to crash into the sea outside Tutu Harbour.

According to Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru Northwest Choiseul, the soldier swam ashore onto the reef and sat on a rock to dry himself with the heat of the sun when locals on the lookout arrived at the scene and rescued him on which they cared for him until he was taken back to the Americans.

“The US army who went to Choiseul Province a few months back to do a check on their war relics visited the rescue spot and collected brief information of the crash,” said Mr Ulemiki.

“After collecting brief information, they had promised to return and dive for the missing plane,” he said.

“The landowners and descendants of the rescuers are still waiting for an update on the next US army visit to the spot in order for them to unveil all the information of the rescue mission then during World War II,” he said.

PREMIER MAEPIOH WANTS EVIDENCE FROM SOCIAL MEDIA GROUP

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

WESTERN Province Premier Hon Wayne Maepioh has demanded critics on facebook, particularly the Gizo Forum to present facts to back claims he facilitated the sale of Rendova Harbour for $500,000.

He warned that if no facts are provided soon by the forum, his next move will be to sue the forum and its administrators in court.

The Premier in an interview yesterday with Island Sun Gizo denied the post on Gizo Forum stating that “he needs to tell the People of Western Province on what is happening with the Provincial Land at Rendova Harbour”.

It is claimed that the land was sold to a local business man for $500,000.00 dollars, with claims the Premier facilitated for the sale.

The Premier strongly condemns the accusation, stating that his reputation has been tarnished over such misleading and untrue information being continuously debated on the Forum.

“Facts must now be provided, if not we will be going to court as these are the only two things that will now take place,” said the Premier.

“I will not tolerate people who wish to continue tarnishing my name with no facts to prove what they are talking about. They can do that to someone else but not me.

“There is no trying nor have I been using Western Province resources for my own benefit. I am not working purposely to fill my own pocket with money.

Everything we carry out here in the Executive Government of Western Province is of public interest, meaning if we do anything wrong, it won’t be hidden. I myself am very surprised how such stories and information are formed by people. I am confused and do not know the dates of when such events took place,” he said.

I have been so humble over such issues during the past, but now I see that there is a need to clarify such misleading and untrue stories once and for all for people to stop barking up the wrong tree,” he added.

According to the Premier, the Rendova Harbour Issue is only caused by a few people who are trying to continuously tarnish his name by misleading the public.

“There will be an investigation on the bosses of the Social Media Gizo Forum purposely for them to provide their facts over the Rendova Harbour issue,” said Hon Maepioh.

The Premier is now strongly warning and urging all Western Province Social Media Forums to get facts and information right before postings issues that are of serious concern.

NEW STAFF HOUSES FOR PIRUPIRU CHS

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PIRUPIRU Community High School (CHS) in Ulawa Island, Makira Ulawa province has two new staff houses thanks to the government of Japan for the support.

Embassy of Japan in Honiara on Friday handed over the keys of the two new permanent buildings to the school in a ceremony attended by the school leaders, students and people from the area.

The Project for the construction of the two staff houses was funded under the Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects worth $SBD362,720.

Pirupiru Community representative James Eleawao said the community is thankful to see at last their school has completed two new staff houses.

“This would not be possible if it were not for the generouse assistance given to us by your government and people under the Japan Grassroot Project,” he told representative from the Japanese Embassy.

Mr Eleawao said the successful completion of the two new staff houses meant taking them a mile closer to their goals.

“My school and community are now proud owners of the staff houses that will cater for additional staff required for the school’s plan for Form Six expansion next year, 2018.

“Our working together in this particular project to reach completion and handing over prove that much development can take place when donor assistance are placed in good safe hands and are managed well,” he said.

Mr Eleawao also thanked the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development for endorsing the school’s application.

The school’s representative and former Principal, John Lada also thank the Government of Japan, and highlighted that today Pirupiru is placing forms six, some have proceed on and reached form seven in some of the higher secondary institution in the country.

The school provides Early Childhood Education (ECE), Primary and secondary education up to form five, although it has plans to move on to form six soon.

PAWA F6 STUDENTS SENT HOME

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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FORM Six science students at Pawa Provincial Secondary School on Ugi in Makira Ulawa Province have been sent home due to shortage of teachers at the school.

45 students were sent home last week because there was no science teacher to take up the position which has been vacant since January.

Concerned parents and supporters in Kirakira and Honiara took to social media to raise their dissatisfaction with the provincial education authority, while at the same time calling for change to happen.

“I just talk with the teacher coordinating the form six at Pawa and she said that it was a very sad situation,” a concerned Mrs Edith Kaoho said via her Facebook account.

“She said she faced this problem since the beginning of the year. She even went over to Honiara to look for a science teacher. She managed to get one but while on the process of arranging his coming over to Pawa, Honiara High School got hold of this guy and he is now teaching at Honiara High school. “She said searching for a good teacher was not her job. It’s the job of the Chief Education Officer in Kirakira,” Mrs Kaoho said. “She was trying to do her best to help the children. It was a very unfortunate situation. Forty five students of Form six in Pawa were sent back.

“The teacher told me, some of these students were in tears because they do not accept the situation and don’t want to be sent back home. “I appeal to the Education Authority in Kirakira who are responsible in the affairs of Pawa PSS, since the school is under the care of the Education office in Kirakira and the Province of Makira to have more concern over this.

“We do not want our children to be victims just because of our ignorance. So sad. Please get down and do something for our children and this Province,” Kaoho appealed.

“I don’t think we Makira had ran out of human resource especially teachers. I can remember clearly when I was working at the school of education at SINU, a lot of students from Makira were complaining that the education authority in Kirakira have been slack in nurturing young teachers and following up on them in terms of posting them to schools.

“I also remembered that most graduates from SINU did not want to teach under Makira education authority because the process to getting them set up in payroll takes ages. We are losing a lot of young teachers and this is one of the outcomes, teacher shortage,” another concerned man said.

Pawa PSS is not the only school in the province that was having problem with shortage of teachers this year. Waimapura National

Secondary School also faced the same problem which was only resolved at the second week of March this year.

“Education Authority in Makira needs marching orders in this case.

Performance Management system must be enforced right away.

There is no excuse for this. The highest number of graduates from USP and other institutions are those from Education. Common easy, easy type, means poor outcome from our Provincial Secondary school in general,” one parent said.

Attempts to get responses from the Makira Chief Education officer and the Education authority in Kirakira yesterday were all unsuccessful.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ARSON

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

A man from Makira-Ulawa Province has been arrested over the burning down of a home in Makira Province.

The 29-year-old was arrested by Makira police after the incident happened on May 31.

Police Commissioner reported yesterday that it is alleged the incident rose because of a family dispute.

He said as a result the man set fire to a house at Kaonasugu village in central Makira.

Mr Varley said the man has been charged with one count of arson.

However, he said police investigation into the incident is still going on and commends the good support rendered by the community.

Commissioner Varley warned that arson is a very serious case and holds serious penalty for the offense.

Currently the man remains in custody at Kirakira Correctional Centre.

ISABEL YOUTH CONSTITUENCY TOURNAMENT OPEN IN STYLE

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

ISABEL Youth constituency tournament has kicked off on last Sunday after a colourful parade at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority Soccer Field.

Guest of Honour, Leader of Opposition Parliamentary group Hon Jeremiah Manele took time off his busy schedule to be part of the official opening of the Isable Provincial Youth Forum Constituency games.

Youths around Isabel province in Honiara turned up in numbers to witness the grand opening ceremony as well as took part in the games.

Four soccer games have been played yesterday coupled with netball games and also volleyball for both and girls.

The competitions were played according to three constituencies of Isabel Province and are fairly distributed into three pools.

First match was in Pool A and the game was between Hograno/Kia/Havulei B and Gao/Bugotu A, in which Hograno/Kia/Havulei won the game by one goal to nil.

Volleyball game in action

Soccer in action

In Pool B, Gao/Bugotu B won their game against Maringe/Kokota A by one goal to nil in the second match of the day.

In Pool C, Maringe/Kokota B won their first game against Hograno/Kia/Havulei by similar goal margin (a goal to nil).

Second game for Pool A was between was between Gao/Bugotu A and Maringe/Kokota, Gao/Bugotu won the game by a goal to nil.

Chairperson of Isabel Youth Sports Committee Pual Avoso said the games will continue for the next two Sundays.

He said winners of the competition will be presented with prizes during the Isabel Second Appointed Day.

Mr Avoso applauds the teams who have participated yesterday and at the same time calls on teams to be at the Port Field early next Sunday so that games can kick off early.

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