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Fans flooded Anslom show

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Anslom, a renowned reggae artist from Papua New Guinea. Photo supplied.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

DESPITE the rain, over a thousand Anslom fans showed up to watch his show last week.

Anslom, a renowned reggae artist from Papua New Guinea, performed at the Pacific Crown Hotel in Honiara, Solomon Islands last Friday.

The event was organized on short notice, but turned up successful with the support of Sol Brew and the cooperation of everyone involved.

Alex Waimora, a marketing staff member of the Pacific Crown Hotel, expressed his gratitude for the teamwork.

He salutes Anslom saying that he (Anslom) is an outstanding artist and with a humble character.

Anslom himself expressed his love for the Solomon Islands and the warm reception he received during his short stint in Honiara.

Anslom’s music draws inspiration from renowned reggae artists such as Lucky Dube, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots and the Maytals, and Inner Circle.

His songs touch on various social issues including motherly love, reforestation, politics, and health.

Anslom believes that his music can raise awareness and bring about positive change in Melanesian and Pacific communities.

Anslom has achieved notable recognition for his music.

He was named Artist of the Year on Galaxy 107 FM in New Zealand and received seven nominations for the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA) awards.

He is currently preparing for his US tour in August, with performances scheduled in Nevada, Phoenix, Arizona, Utah, Los Angeles, and Hawaii.

In October, he will be attending the Saxophone festival in Noumea, New Caledonia, and will then travel to Fiji to headline a reggae festival.

In November, he will embark on another US tour, this time focusing on the red rock venues.

Anslom, originally born Ronald Nakikus in Rabaul, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, was raised by a single mother.

Growing up in Rabaul, he was influenced by his uncles who played in the well-known local band, Barike Band.

He joined the band in 1993 and balanced his music career with his studies.

Anslom holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Papua New Guinea, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Language and Literature from the University of Goroka, Papua New Guinea.

The Pacific Crown Hotel expressed its gratitude to its director, Michael Leong, for believing in hosting Anslom at the hotel.

They also thanked the hotel staff, the stage crew, the video team of Niu Online, the lighting and sound system teams, and Stoney B.

Special mention was given to the amazing stage band, including the talented Rore daughters.

The hotel is now preparing for the BON FIRE FESTIVAL on May 27th.

Aqorau encourage youths to build personal brand

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau.Photo supplied.

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Vice Chancellor, Professor Transform Aqorau has encouraged youths in Solomon Islands to build personal brand that can help them stand out in a competitive job market, establish credibility and attract potential employers.

Aqorau made the encouragement in his address at the weeklong youth gathering this week held at Multipurpose Hall area in front of a sizeable crowd of volunteers, youth leaders and young leaders.

“I am humbled to be given the opportunity to address you as you celebrate volunteers, youth leaders and young leaders for their sterling effort to ensure that the issues facing youth are addressed in Honiara.

“The theme of this gathering to “embrace the past, inspire the future” is appropriate for we can only look to the past, and learn from it, but we must plan for the future, and help build and shape it by what we do now. Pope John Paul II said, “The future Starts today, not tomorrow”. As we gather here amongst our youth, I am reminded also of what Samuel Ulman said that “Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind.”, so in a sense we can are all youths.

“I have been asked to speak to you about creating a personal brand. I do not claim to know much about it, but I will try my best. In today’s world, personal branding has become an essential aspect of career development.

“It is the process of creating a unique image and reputation for oneself that sets them apart from others. Personal branding is especially important for youths in Solomon Islands who are just starting their careers. Building a personal brand can help them stand out in a competitive job market, establish credibility, and attract potential employers.

“Building a personal brand is essential for youths in Solomon Islands who are just starting their careers. It can help them stand out in a competitive job market, establish credibility, and attract potential employers.

“To create a personal brand, youths should define their personal brand, build their online presence, network, and collaborate, and be consistent.

“By following these steps, youths can develop a personal brand that reflects their personality and values, and that sets them apart from others.  Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”, while an unknown author said “Don’t be afraid to go after what you want in life. Remember, the greatest risk is not taking any risks.” Aqorau said.

Why delay the TRC report?

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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“Bishop Terry Brown wants TRC report tabled in parliament”

By EDDIE OSIFELO

ANGLICAN Bishop, Terry Brown has questioned the government as to when the Truth and Reconciliation Report will be tabled in Parliament.

During his presentation on the TRC report last week, he highlighted that, it is time for the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) report to be tabled in Parliament.

Brown said ten years have passed since the report was compiled and failing to present the report in parliament is questionable.

He acknowledged the report can’t be tabled in the past due to threats from former militants and potential liabilities that the government will face.

“I strongly believe that it is safe to table the TRC report so that the healing process can be done ones and for all,” Brown said.

Since part of the report was tabled in parliament by Gordon Darcy Lilo government in 2013, he suggested SINU should compile the first Volume of the report and put together a research books for its history students as the report covers the history of the conflict.

“This would allow students to learn about the historical context of the conflict by incorporating it into the curriculum or classrooms,” he said.

Brown suggests SINU Management to seek the government’s approval and possibilities for the university to contextualise the report into research material when the time is right.

Recalling the report, he said, Volume 2 of the report holds the most important part of the entire report as it reveals the painful stories of human rights abuses.

“Volume 4 and Volume 5 of the TRC report are not as significant, but Volume 2 holds its own importance,” Brown said.

Brown was one among others who edited the TRC report and according to his testimony, the report accommodates emotional testimonies of people who were caught during the dark years of Solomon Islands history.

Island Sun understand that, Bishop Brown was accused by the former Lilo government of releasing the TRC report ‘illegally’ on April 28th, 2013 to around 60 individuals and selected media outlets.

Lilo government managed to table the TRC report in the last sitting of Parliament in the final four years but no debate has occurred.

The current Sogavare-led government is currently planning to table a summarized version of the TRC report in Parliament this year, titled ‘Rising from the Ashes.’

However, Member of Parliament for East Are Are, Peter Kenilorea, argued that the government should not present a sensitized or sanitized report, but instead focus on the original five-volume TRC report that has already been tabled in Parliament.

The summarized version distributed by the government omitted the names of alleged perpetrators and other sensitive issues raised in the original report.

Kenilorea emphasized that a summarized or sensitized report would hinder the deeper understanding and exploration of the Truth and Reconciliation Reports.

He urged the government to treat the report with dignity and respect it deserves, considering that it arose from one of the darkest periods in the nation’s history.

Kenilorea’s concerns were also echoed by Opposition MP Claudio Teiifi, who emphasized the need to address the original TRC Report to hold the government accountable for its actions in implementing the recommendations.

SI economy to recover by 2.7 percent this year

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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By EDDIE OSIFELO

SOLOMON Islands economy is projected to recover by 2.7 percent this year, largely due to the spin-offs of the Pacific Games that took place in November.

Raynold Moveni, Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Solomon Islands, made this confirmation while appearing before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament recently, during their inquiry into the $371 million ‘2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill’.

Moveni explained that the spin-offs from the Pacific Games would benefit various sectors of the economy.

He said the accommodation sector, for example, is expected to experience increased occupancy in hotels and motels due to overseas visitors.

Furthermore, Moveni said the transportation sector will also see a rise in demand as visitors and people from the provinces travel to Honiara for the Games.

Further to that, he said agriculture will play a role in supplying food to the Games village and meeting the increased local demand resulting from the influx of people to the city.

Additionally, Moveni said there will be a demand for utilities such as electricity and communication services, as consumption in these areas is expected to increase.

Furthermore, he said road construction is anticipated to commence after the Pacific Games, contributing to economic growth.

Despite these positive projections, Moveni emphasized that there are significant uncertainties, particularly due to the ongoing Ukraine war.

He warned that the projected economic recovery is still fragile and subject to downside risks, depending on how the external and global economy unfolds, as well as recent financial turmoil.

Ahetaha Forest Enrichment training

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Group photo of Participants and facilitators taken during the training at Ahetaha Conservation Village. Photo credit – Felix Naitoro

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE Ahetaha Water Conservation Association has successfully strengthened the capacity of its local rangers in a three-day Forest Enrichment training atAhetaha of Manawai Harbour, East Are Are Malaita province from May 9 – 11.

Forest Enrichmentis about tree replanting approach for communitywhere they used ranger to ranger sharing experiences on community forestry.

Founder and advisor of AWCA, Mr Eddie Haikau Huitarau said its was a total new experience for the rangers to learned on key message to restore the forest, watershed and mangrove ecosystem for a greener future that required all rangers to plant one tree for the future.

The Forest Enrichment training was conducted by Wai-Hau Conservation Foundation in partnership with AWCA under a funding support from Global Green Grants fund.

Areas covered during the training were.

a. Nursery and Wilding Seedlings

b. Nursery Establishment and Management.

c. Tree Planting.

d. Maintenance

The training was attended by 17 rangers including five females from AWCA. This is part and parcel of the broader rollout of the local rangers and will support the preparedness efforts of AWCAs’ work and resourcing their respective ranger’s daily operations.

AWCA Homebased Chairman Mr Keith Hatamane said the forest Enrichment project is an innovative achievement for the people of Ahetaha.

“This training has been a dream for the people of Ahetaha and I am glad that it was through the vision of our Founder that this dream is realized and eventuated,” he said.

Also, during the training, AWCA rangers snatched the opportunity to do a hands-on job by identifying best mother trees and weed around the tree for wildings.

This is to prepare the site for seed collection or natural regeneration for collection of wildings and collecting and transplant in the nursery.

During the activity, rangers planted 160 mangrove seedlings, 10 bamboo stalks, 150 native species mainly Akwa (Pometia pinnata) and Ba’ula

A woman ranger, Ms Mirriam Haroka said: “We are so happy and so proud that this project has now come to reality and now we witness different methods of transplanting of wildings.

AWCA man ranger, Mr Tom Moukote explained the project was initiated because of the dire need to replant and restore pioneer ephemeral (or short-lived) nurse trees in the degraded sites.

“We are grateful indeed for the partnership with Wai-Hau and AWCA where we learn different methods of Production of planting materials including; Seed collection from readily available sources and seed collection from identified superior mother trees.

He further added that AWCA is not competing with anyone, but to complement the work that their rangers are already doing.

Eddie H Huitarau thanked Mr. Willie Atu In-Country Coordinator, and the Global Green Grants fund for the financial support.

GP’s stakeholders challenged to stand up for children

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Supervising Premier for Guadalcanal Provincial government Lazarus Rina.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

GUADALCANAL Provincial government has challenged all their stakeholders to continue standing up for children and speak for them.

Supervising Premier for Guadalcanal Provincial government Lazarus Rina made this call on behalf of the GPA during the launch of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) 2023 to 2026 earlier this week.

“As the provincial ECD action plan serves a guiding tool for multi-sectoral delivery of ECD programs and services, partnership, resources mobilization, and allocations, I challenged all our stakeholders to continue standing up for our young children, speak for them, and preserve their rights to ensure achieving their fullest potentials,” Rina said.

He said the commitment that the province together with its partners made for young children, now translated to an Action Plan, underscores the strategies central to the needs of communities and households with young children with key actions to improve access, equitable and quality delivery of ECD related programs and services responsive to the needs of young children, their families and communities.

PRICE RISE CONTINUES

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE people in the Solomon Islands are still expected to experience an increase in the prices of goods and fuels.

This is despite the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI’s) expectation of a 3 percent easing of inflation due to the softening of global prices.

Michael Kikiolo, Manager Advisor Policy for the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) stated the ongoing Russia/Ukraine war is cited as the reason for this expected increase.

Kikiolo mentioned that the fuel price is stabilizing around $11 to $12 at the moment, but going forward, the impact of the Ukraine war is expected to lead to a significant increase in fuel prices.

He also noted that there would be a pass-on effect on local components, indicating that the increase in fuel prices could affect the prices of other goods and services.

In addition, Raynold Moveni, Deputy Governor of the CBSI, provided some inflation figures.

Headline inflation increased to 9.2% in March, compared to -0.6% in 2022.

Moveni attributed this sharp increase to imported inflation affecting domestic pricing.

Domestic inflation increased to 9.1% from -3.1% in March, while imported inflation rose to 9.5% in March 2023 from 6% in the same quarter of the previous year.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile items, settled at 9.5% in the first quarter of this year compared to 2.8% in the same quarter last year.

To mitigate the negative effects of inflation, Moveni mentioned that the CBSI adopts a contractionary monetary policy.

Regarding the performance of the domestic economy in the first quarter, Moveni noted mixed indicators.

The CBSI production index rebounded by 8% due to growth in the forestry sector, specifically in logging and copra production, as well as coconut oil and mineral production.

However, commodities like palm oil and cocoa declined, continuing a downward trend observed since the second half of the previous year.

The utility sectors experienced some growth, but employment declined by 0.5% in the first quarter, based on available data.

PNG reggae artist ready to rock Honiara

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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0
PNG international sensational reggae artist, Anslom. Photo supplied.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Anslom, a renowned reggae artist from Papua New Guinea, will be performing at the Pacific Crown Hotel in Honiara on Friday.

Although he was on a vacation trip to visit a friend in the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Anslom decided to give his local fans a taste of his music, which is inspired by late Lucky Dube, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots and Metals, and Inner Cycle.

His music deals with social issues such as mother love, reforestation, politics, and health, as he believes that people in Melanesia and the Pacific need information to bring awareness to their communities.

Anslom emphasizes that his music is not just about women, but also about situations that people can relate to and help marriages.

Anslom has been named the Artist of the Year on Galaxy 107 FM in New Zealand, and was nominated for seven international Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) awards.

He is preparing for his US tour in August, where he will perform in Nevada, Phoenix, Arizona, Utah, Los Angeles, and Hawaii.

In October, he will attend the Saxophone festival in Noumea, New Caledonia, and travel to Fiji to attend the headline reggae festival.

In November, Anslom will make a red rock tour in the US again.

Baseline Management in PNG manages Anslom, providing him with entertainment, management, promotions, and organizing his international tour.

The event staff at Pacific Crown Hotel is confident that they can organize a great show for Anslom, who is a powerful artist and internationally renowned.

Limited tickets will be available for $50 general admission and $100 VIP admission.

Anslom was born as Ronald Nakikus in Rabaul, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, and grew up with his uncles who played for the famed local band, Barike Band.

Anslom started singing with the band in 1993 and found himself juggling music and school.

He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Papua New Guinea and a Post Graduate Diploma in Language and Literature from the University of Goroka, Papua New Guinea.

SBD30,000.00 worth of goods donated to Children Ward

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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0
PCYC members, sponsors and children’s ward Nurses posed for group photo during the gift presentation occasions at NRH.

BY MAVIS N PODKOLO

THE Point Cruz Youth Club committee and trustees through its sponsors have donated goods worth SBD30k to Children’s Ward, National Referral Hospital (NRH).

Commandore of Point Cruz Youth Club, Trent Allan said, they were happy to support the paediatric department or Children’s ward, NRH.

“On behalf of PCYC Committee and trustees we are happy to support the children’s ward. It is a pleasure to donate these goods to number 9. We are looking forward to supporting you in the near future as well,” he said.

On the same event, Tony Koraua vice Commandore Power for PCYC said, the club has fishing competition every year with many sponsors who support the initiative.

He said, part of the funds raised from the fishing competition was used for community service and charity of choice.

“So this year we made a choice to give back to children’s ward at the National Referral Hospital (NRH).We managed to do this together with our sponsors,” Koraua said.

“We have heart for our people too. They decided to support our kids because they are unfortunate and not capable to fetch for themselves .And of course we are registered as a non-profit organisation and we have a social obligation to assist with Charitable activities.” He added.

Head of Paediatric department at NRH Dr Titus Nasi acknowledges PCYC committee and its trustees and their sponsors for supporting the paediatric department mainly children’s ward.

“The small kids usually happy and smile when you come around with goods,” Nasi said. The donation was possible through the support of Solbrew and Telekom being PCYC’s platinum sponsors and South Pacific Oil (SPO) as gold sponsors including number of other sliver sponsors and minor sponsors.

Solair Airbus back in operation after fuel contamination issue

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0
Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gus Kraus.

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Airline’s only international aircraft Airbus A320 resumed normal operations this week on Monday after it was grounded for fuel contamination issue.

Solomon Airlines has recently apologised for inconvenience caused to its international passengers due to the grounding of the airline’s Airbus A320.

The aircraft has not been operational recently due to a fuel contamination issue.  

However, speaking during a media conference on Tuesday 9th this week, Solomon Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gus Kraus confirmed that the fuel issue has been resolved and the Airbus has now resumed international flights as of Monday 8th May 2023.

Mr Kraus adds that two weeks planned programme maintenance is scheduled to take place later this month commencing 22nd May, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.

Kraus assured international passengers that during the maintenance there will be no interruption on the flights because Nauru Airline will be brought in to support National Carrier during the maintenance period.

“The recent fuel contamination, I think we were greatly inconvenient by the grounding of the aircraft and I have seen the photos of the inner tanks that were contaminated. To me it’s an obvious matter that contamination is in the tank is being there for a while.

“So, I’m glad to say that it’s been cleaned up totally and vacuumed out, refueled with fuel, undergone checks again and checked for contamination again and we are all good to go.

“On that matter safety is paramount to our operations so we can advise that effective Monday 8th 2023 the Airbus has been back operational as normal.

“Added to that we have a planned maintenance commencing 22nd May 2023 for two weeks in Melbourne, Australia to do programme maintenance and checks. So, we’ve got plan B in place we may charter Nauru Airline again.” Solomon Airlines CEO Kraus said.

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