Mr Comeau has saluted the Solomon Noni Corporation Ltd for making a breakthrough to the US markets.
Chargé d’affaires of the US Embassy in Solomon Islands Russell Comeau has saluted the Solomon Noni Corporation Ltd for making a breakthrough into the US markets.
Mr Comeau visited the Solomon Noni Corporation Ltd factory recently and was excited to note that Solomon Islands noni products is now in high demand in the US markets.
The founder and owner of Solomon Noni Corporation Ltd Bodo Dettke met the US government representative on arrival and escorted him around the factory.
Comeau said he was pleased that the Wild Noni drink is now being sold directly to US consumers in hundreds of stores across the west coast, a number that continues to grow everyday.
“This is no small accomplishment given how competitive the fruit drinks space is in the US market place, and serves as a testament to the persistence and inventiveness of Wild Noni’s leadership.
“This also stands as an example to others looking to enter the US market place,” he said.
Comeau said it was a tremendous pleasure to visit Wild Noni’s processing facility in Honiara and learn more about the enterprising work being undertaken there.
He said under the leadership of Bodo Dettke, the company continues to grow exponentially, most recently with the exportation or nearly ten tons of processed noni juice bound for further processing and bottling in the United States.
“This represents jobs for Solomon Islanders, jobs for Americans, and brings the wonderful flavours of Solomon Islands to the people of the United States,” he said.
The US Chargé d’Affaires said the United States remains committed to working with Solomon Islands to increase export opportunities as such.
He said most recently they had the pleasure to send a delegation consisting of six Solomon Islands business representatives and the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) on travel to the United States from October 21-27, 2023, for a market linkages and business networking study tour.
-Choiseul gov’t and landowning tribe decry operations by company without provincial business licence
-Company says its actions based on ‘verbal agreement’
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
A logging company has landed and is operating in South Choiseul without any business licence from the province’s government.
A tribe in Choiseul Province is making an urgent call on responsible authorities to probe and halt this “illegal logging operation” on its land.
And, the Choiseul province government has condemned the company for what it says is a clear breach of its ordinance and laws.
The company, Sonic Phase, has denied any wrong-doing claiming that it was given the “verbal” greenlight by the Choiseul provincial government to land and start operations despite not having a business licence.
On October 5, 2023, Sonic Phase landed its machinery at the Magara beach in South Choiseul. Five days later, its makeshift logging pond at Magara beach was filled with logs.
Kibi Sopere (Roqepota) tribesmen of Kakaza village in South Choiseul, close to Magara beach, and Pangoe village in North Choiseul have rallied to oppose this logging operation.
This tribe lays claim on lands in which the company is operating, including Magara beach.
A Kibi Sopere spokesperson, who requests anonymity, says they are calling on the government through its responsible ministries including the ministry of forestry (MOFR) and the police (RSIPF) to step in and help settle the matter.
The land on which Sonic Phase is operating is under dispute and the locals who have led the company there do not have any right to do so, the Kibi Sopere spokesperson said.
“The tribe is appealing to the Commissioner of Forests, the Commissioner of Lands and the Registrar of Titles to look into their case with urgency.”
Clearance work at the Magara log pond. Photo supplied.
Operations first, licence later – a ‘reverse order’
The company landed on October 5 without any provincial business licence, and without having carried out any survey nor submitted any plans according to the country’s forestry laws, the spokesperson adds.
“These licences and plans are requirements under the country’s forestry laws and provincial ordinances.
“The logging company should have completed all these plans and obtained the relevant provincial licence before it even landed its operation within Choiseul Province’s jurisdiction,” the spokesperson added.
Reports received by Island Sun say workers of the company began carrying out an inventory survey three days after their machinery were landed at Magara beach.
Sonic Phase is trying to fulfil requirements for a provincial business licence in reverse order, the Kibi Sopere spokesperson said.
“It landed and began operations before it began seeking out how to meet requirements for a provincial business licence,” the spokesperson said.
Reports claim that the sequence of the company’s actions are as follows:
-The company landed on October 5.
-It carried out a survey on October 8.
-It began felling on October 10. (The company has denied this, saying they started harvesting on October 24)
-Following this, it began pursuing the Annual Harvesting Plan (AHP).
-It received its Coupe Plans on October 26 from MOFR.
-It is still without a provincial business (operational) licence and is reportedly trying to get one.
The AHP and Coupe Plans are meant to guide harvesting within concession areas so that taboo sites, environmental concerns, gardens, etc are avoided.
The AHP and Coupe Plan are granted after a physical survey is carried out, and is basically the approval to begin harvesting.
Clearance work at the Magara log pond. Photo supplied.
Illegal operation, says Choiseul government
The Choiseul provincial government has also condemned the company’s action in landing its machinery and starting operations without a provincial business licence.
Speaking to Island Sun last week, Deputy Premier Harrison Pitakaka said the company does not have a business licence to operate in Choiseul province.
Therefore, it should not land its machinery, clear any log pond or harvest trees for logs, he said.
“The company is operating without having acquired any business licence from the Choiseul provincial government, therefore this company’s operation here is illegal. This is the stand of the Choiseul provincial government.
“The Choiseul provincial government had reached out to the company to satisfy the process of getting a business licence but the company has not responded.”
Some of the felled logs at Magara log pond. Photo supplied.
Deputy premier Pitakaka says the Choiseul executive is aware that the company is using documents endorsed by MOFR which involved a statement of approval from the province’s Treasurer, which is not the correct channel of process, therefore is deemed illegal by the provincial government.
“The correct channel is that this approval must come from the provincial executive after it has deliberated on any application by the company. But, to just simply say that it had received approval from the provincial treasurer, we totally reject that and therefore any document from the MOFR stemming from it are null and void.
Not doing anything wrong – normal practice
Island Sun interviewed Sonic Phase management and locals who are supporting it at the Glen Grow Solomon Islands office compound in Ranadi this week.
The company rejects the idea that it is acting illegally.
It admits however that it does not have a provincial business licence. It also admits that it is currently harvesting trees and stockpiling logs at its Magara log pond despite not having a licence. And, it admits that it is pursuing a business licence via reverse order.
Logs at the company’s log pond. Photo taken on October 26, 2023. Photo supplied.
The company justifies its actions saying it had received “verbal approval” from the provincial finance minister of the Choiseul government allowing it to land its machinery at the site and start operations before pursuing a business licence.
The finance minister for Choiseul province could not be reached for comments before this article went to print.
The company explains that it had sought permission to land first before obtaining a business licence because it was wary of the risks involved.
“This particular area in the past has experienced strong disputes to logging operations,” says a Malaysian company official who preferred to be called ‘Jimmy’.
“So, in the company’s interest, it would be less risky to land first and observe the reactions by landowners before we proceed with formalities. We don’t want to pay fees and land our machinery then face opposition which could force us out, then we end up losing money.”
The company adds that it has all the legal documents from the Ministry of Forestry.
It also alleges that the Choiseul provincial government is not communicating with it.
“After we land and operate we expect the Choiseul province government to reach out to us and tell us where to pay our fees, provide us information such as the bank account to pay to, the amount of money that we should pay, etc,” says another Malaysian company official who requested anonymity.
“But it has not,” he said. This has not been verified by the Choiseul provincial government.
Representatives of landowners who support the company said as far as they are concerned, there is nothing wrong with the company’s operations.
Some of the piled logs at the Magara beach company log pond. Photo taken on October 26, 2023. Photo supplied.
“It is normal practice in all logging operations for logging companies to land their machinery, start operating then pay the provincial business licence fee later,” the landowners said.
“Apart from that, Sonic Phase has all the required legal documents from the authorities to operate.
“Lastly, the tribe disputing the company is from North Choiseul, and we are in South Choiseul. We do not recognise them.”
According to Company Haus records, Sonic Phase was registered in September 2008, and re-registered in March 2011. Its directors are Malaysians Yien King Shou and Yien Chin Sing.
Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands contest on the line out during their final Pool D Match in the Rugby Union 7s competition at the National Stadium yesterday.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
The journey of Solomon Islands’ men’s rugby 7s team at the XVII Pacific Games came to a halt in the quarterfinals, as they faced a crushing defeat against flying Fiji with a score of 74-0 at the National Stadium last night.
Reflecting on the emphatic triumph, Fiji Rugby Union 7s team manager, Rokolua Lala, highlighted the team’s extensive preparation over the past six weeks. “We prepare really well. We don’t underestimate any team, that’s why we are so hungry and the result speaks for itself,” Lala expressed.
Lala further mentioned that the development team aims to perform at their best and make their way into the senior national team.
While acknowledging the respect Fiji holds for Solomon Islands, he likened the match to playing against their own brothers, indicating the fierce competition on the field.
Facing disappointment in the quarterfinals, Solomon Islands coach, Australian Chris Nay, noted the team’s struggle in scoring. Nay emphasized the need for improvement in defense and stressed the significance of being able to score against a full team of seven players.
Moving forward in the tournament, the teams that have secured places in the semifinals are Tahiti, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Fiji.
Tahiti emerged victorious with a 12-0 win against Kiribati, while Tuvalu defeated Nauru 15-10.
Samoa dominated Cook Islands with a convincing 36-0 victory, and Tonga outplayed Vanuatu with a scoreline of 43-5.
PNG showcased their prowess by overwhelming American Samoa with a 34-5 win.
In the meantime, the Solomon Islands female Rugby Union 7s team faced a narrow loss of 10-7 against Wallis and Futuna in their last Pool A match, thus failing to secure a spot in the semifinals.
SUPERVISING Director of Malaita provincial health, Dr David Danitofea recently advised for close synergy with health authority when building health facilities.
The call was made following positive development where donors and communities continue to build health facilities or clinics in the province.
He said the provincial health and Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) understand the need to build more health facilities in the province.
“Our growing population is an indicator for that and the MHMS is grateful to donors and communities for taking up the initiative,” Danitofea said.
However, he explained that the MHMS has its own indicators to which clinics should be built depending on areas such as; given population requesting clinic, distance from clinic to clinic and etc…
The doctor commented on Tatali mini-hospital in East Malaita as an example on when health facilities are built without the consent of health authority.
He said work on the so-called mini hospital has started under a funding arrangement from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Danitofea furthered that the first thing to know was there is no term under the language used by MHMS as; mini hospital.
He said the MHMS only uses Area Health Center 1 and 2, provincial and national referral hospitals.
Danitofea said although these terms might not just mean anything it needs to put right according to the language used by the MHMS.
However, he said it was fortunate that the MHMS has took on board the health facility.
Danitofea added that apart from building health facilities, there are areas like registration and posting of health workers to the facility will only be done by the authority.
He said this is the very reason that although health authority doesn’t have budget to build new health facilities, the operation of the facility depends on them.
The supervising Director however thanked donors, the PCDF program and communities for supporting the MHMS to build clinics in the province.
Solomon Islands makes historic weightlifting achievement in XVII Pacific Games
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Islands has achieved a historic milestone in weightlifting as its lifters secured an impressive haul of 5 gold medals in the XVII Pacific Games held in Honiara.
Jenly Tegu Wini, popularly known as the “Solomon Islands Iron Lady,” dominated the 55-kilogram category and emerged victorious with three gold medals. Brown Chester Ramohaka also put up a commendable performance, winning two gold medals in the 61-kilogram category.
Overall, the Solomon Islands lifters secured a total of 17 medals, including 5 gold, 7 silver, and 5 bronze.
This remarkable achievement marks a significant improvement compared to the previous Pacific Games in Samoa in 2019, where the lifters secured 16 medals but no gold.
Wendy Hale, the coach and a former national lifter, expressed her satisfaction at the team’s performance on home soil.
Hale also praised the younger and first-time lifters who displayed exceptional talent and determination amidst strong competition from other participating countries.
“The lifters’ personal best performances in this competition were truly impressive,” commented Hale.
Hale highlighted the tough nature of the 59-kilogram category, which serves as a qualifier for the Olympic Games scheduled in Paris, France next year. Despite the participation of Australian lifters, Mary Kini Lifu and the young Shirmara Wini held their ground, securing the fifth and sixth positions, respectively, in this category.
However, on the concluding day of the competition at Maranatha Hall, Solomon Islands’ national lifters failed to maintain their early momentum. Eunice Kaute Mua settled for eighth position in the 87-kilogram category, while John Milton Garomo secured the fourth position in the 102-kilogram male category. Oscar Taramae concluded the competition by settling for seventh place in the 109-kilogram category.
Hale expressed optimism about the future of weightlifting in the country, citing the availability of new training facilities post the Pacific Games 2023.
This remarkable feat by the Solomon Islands weightlifting team showcases their dedication and talent, further solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the Pacific region.
MALAITA provincial government revealed an appropriation co-funding of $302,748 to its Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF) capital projects for 2023/2024.
The appropriation represents around 14 percent of the total PCDF revenue and an important area on the performance measures of the PCDF.
MPG’s Minister for Finance, Hon Randol Sifoni recently said that this contribution of $302,748 is important towards MPG’s development projects for 2023/2024.
He explained that the reason for the appropriation was because MPG had missed lots of marks in this area in the recent PCDF assessments.
Sifoni added that meeting the appropriation will not allow Malaita provincial government to foregone this performance measure in the future.
The PCDF assessment for 2022/2023 has shown another disqualification for Malaita province with a consequence of no SIG funding for its approved projects for 2023/2024.
This is the second time MPG has disqualified for the PCDF under the current assembly after its first disqualification in the 2021/2022 financial year.
The PCDF assessment for 2023/2024 will be next month and information within MPG had it that Malaita province will again disqualify for the third time.
Maxwell , Kalita and Alex of Solomon Islands Men's basket ball team. Photo credit - MAVIS PODOKOLO
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
DESPITE the loss in in their final game against Tonga, Alex Masaea, a thirty-year-old player representing the Solomon Islands in men’s basketball at the Pacific Games, remains proud of his team’s efforts.
In an interview with Island Sun, he expressed confidence about the future, emphasizing the young potential players on the team.
“Our tournament may have ended, but this is not the end for us.
“The future of basketball in the Solomon Islands is still promising, and we believe we can make a positive impact in future tournaments,” Masaea said.
Masaea’s teammates, Max and Kalita, shared similar sentiments, expressing happiness with the team’s performance. They see the loss as a challenge that will motivate them to push forward rather than setback.
“While we had hoped for a victory, the loss serves as a stepping stone for us,” Max explained. “It’s a part of our journey, and we are determined to learn from it and grow. There’s more to come in the future, and we’re ready for the challenge.”
Despite ending their campaign at the 2023 Pacific Games in the 8th position, the Solomon Islands 5×5 Basketball men’s team remains focused on the positive aspects of their experience.
The 83-59 loss to Tonga in the 7/8 position classification match at the friendship hall today is viewed as a valuable lesson and an opportunity for growth.
THE Development Bank of Solomon Islands (DBSI) has donated fifty four (54) wheelie bins to Honiara City Council (HCC) last Friday.
This donated bins which cost around $54,000 is DBSI’s contribution towards the Safe and Green Games Campaign for the Pacific Games that is currently underway in Honiara.
Upon receiving the bins, HCC Deputy City Clerk, Jefferson Patovaki told DBSI CEO that HCC is grateful for the donation.
“Thank you CEO for your commitment to donate the wheelie bins” he said. On behalf of the city mayor and city clerk, I would like to thank you very much for the commitment that DBSI has shown towards maintaining waste management” Pituvaka said.
Since the hand over last week, HCC‘s waste management division has stationed the bins in strategic location around the city so that they are accessible to the public.
Pituvaka also called on the public to dispose rubbish probably in the bins.
I appeal to the good citizens please use the wheelie bins, take care of the wheelie bins, they are ours and they are kindly donation from DBSI” Pituvaka said.
DBSI’s CEO, Nafitalai Cakacaka said they are honoured to be a part of the ceremony and thanked HCC for the partnership.
“There will more type of this partnership in the future just to work together for our city to keep it clean” Cakacaka said.
Females hospitalized after attempt to narrow their reproductive organs by herbal medicine failed
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
FOUR females have recently been hospitalized at Kilu’ufi provincial hospital in Auki after an attempt to narrow or tighten their private part by herbal medicine had gone wrong.
Supervising PPC Malaita, superintendent Lesley Kili told this paper yesterday following information his office received from Kilu’ufi hospital on the incident.
He said his office was aware of the incident, but no formal complaint was raised to police to put matter under investigation.
Kili said the incident recently happened when 4 females applied a mixed substance of Alite leaf and lime-stone to their reproductive organs.
He said the intention was to narrow or tighten their private part, but instead it turned catastrophic by burning their private parts and got hospitalized for it.
Kili said further details on who advised the victims for the medication, where and when they applied it will not reveal due to the sensitivity of the matter.
He said that the females are recovering at the hospital.
According to PPC Kili, a similar incident reported in Auki last month when a number of males hospitalized after attempt to enlarge their private part had gone wrong.
He said it alleged that the males used silicon and other substances by injecting it into their private part to enlarge.
Kili said Auki police is aware of the incident and they are treating it only as information.
He warned that if formal complaint is raised to police, they will team-up with parents and Kilu’ufi to launch full investigation into the matter.
Kili appealed to those who behind the injection to stop the activity now. He said if investigation is call, they will arrest those involved for the activity.
He called upon parents and health workers to report to the police if encounter similar problems in their communities and families
Kili called on both male and female to refrain from and such activity, which will only jeopardize their health as experienced in the two incidents.
He also appealed to parents and other community stakeholders in the province to discourage young people from such activity.
