An action in last Saturday’s contest between Solomon Warriors and
Marist. Warriors won 3-0 to extend their lead on the top of the table.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
An action in last Saturday’s contest between Solomon Warriors and Marist. Warriors won 3-0 to extend their lead on the top of the table.
SOLOMON Warriors continue to extend its lead on the Telekom S-League (TSL) table following another win last Saturday at Lawson Tama Stadium.
The defending champions dominates the top with 22 points after coming away with a 3-0 thrashing of Marist in the 2pm fixture on Saturday – thanks to goals from Kensi Tangis, Jerry Donga and Alwin Hou.
Vanuatu international Tangis scored his 16 goal for this season in the opening five minutes for Warriors.
Donga doubled the lead with a clever finish at the 38 minute before Hou scored the third at the break with a smart finish.
Marist FC with mostly youth players, and probably without young Raphael Le’ai, regrouped in the second period but tither sides couldn’t find back of the net in the second half as Warriors extended their lead to 22 points and five matches to spare.
Meanwhile, Henderson Eels maintains its second place position on the tally with 20 points.
This follows the 3-1 win posted over Western United yesterday afternoon.
Eels got their goals through Joses Nawo and Tuti Zama while United’s consolation was scored by Moffat Kilifa.
In the other match yesterday, Real Kakamora climbed onto the fourth spot with 14 points after coming away with a 4-2 victory over FC Guadalcanal. In the other match on Saturday, KOSSA and Malaita Kingz completed the match with a one-all draw.
See table below.
TELEKOM S-LEAGUE TABLE AS AT SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2018
DPM Manasseh Sogavare conggratulating the new AG as SPM Dr Rodgers
looks on
By Alfred Sasako
DPM Manasseh Sogavare conggratulating the new AG as SPM Dr Rodgers looks on
SOLOMON Islands has a new Attorney General but Gilbert John Osmond Muria Jnr’s appointment, announced by the Government yesterday, has attracted harsh criticisms by a member of the social media.
Mr Muria Jnr, the seventh Solomon Islands national to hold the job, was sworn in at Government House yesterday.
Many congratulated Mr Muria Jnr on his appointment on the social media, Yumi Toktok Forum yesterday. One, Makili Lawrence Kepangi dissented.
“While everybody congratulated, I have second thoughts of the new appointed Attorney General by the current Government,” he said.
When asked to elaborate, Mr Makili said:
“During Sogavare’s reign as PM, he set up a committee to gauge into the Beche de mer saga and I believe the appointed AG was a member. Mifala lo Ontong Java still wait to see the outcome, till then nothing. There are puzzles related to other issues are yet to be solved,” Makili said.
“How independent and impartial is that AG chamber’s office when the position is politically appointed. It is very difficult to understand how this country will move progressively forward as we turn a blind eye on issues that destroy the fabrics of our society,” he said.
“The devil enjoys the momentum, while the silent hand clapping noticed from the current regime.”
When others pointed out that it was not an easy job, Makili said, “there are a lot more deep down to be uncovered. Hence the new AG is going to be a blocker.”
Still others said Muria Jnr was just a member of a committee. “He is not to be blamed here for the decision made.”
“Yes I know, before that, he knew well the issue of beche de mer. At the starting he was with the AG Chamber. I now see the difficulty of our pursuance in the future, since he is now sitting in the chair,” Makili said.
His appointment has left a Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM) vacancy, where the young lawyer occupied under Manasseh Sogavare’s reign as Prime Minister.
Muria Jnr remained on the job under the changing of the guard when Rick Houenipwela became Prime Minister last December.
His appointment was seen by others as Sogavare preparing his own team to take over government after next year’s national general election.
Some doubted it was the motive for the appointment of the Guadalcanal lawyer.
Newly appointed AG John Muria Jnr takes his oath of allegiance before the GG this morning.
SOLOMON Islands has a new Attorney General and he is Gilbert John Osmond Muria (Jnr).
The former Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM) was officially sworn in on Friday morning at the Government House.
The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by the Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, senior government officials and family members.
He replaces former Attorney General James Apaniai whose contract officially lapsed on October 31, 2018.
Muria Jnr was appointed by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission Minister in accordance with the advice from the Prime Minister pursuant to section 42(2) of the Constitution.
Muria Jnr said he is honoured and privileged to be appointed as the Attorney-General of Solomon Islands.
“I know it is a challenging role, but I will discharge my Constitutional duties to the best of my ability. I thank the Prime Minister and His Cabinet and Government Caucus for having the confidence in my ability to perform the role and functions of the Attorney-General.
“I also wish thank my family, friends, mentors and all those that have supported and guided me. It is my hope address long-neglected matters and, in particular bring closure to disputes that have remained unresolved,” he said.
The newly appointed Attorney General’s appointment comes into effect as of November 1, 2018.
Muria Jnr is the son of Sir John Baptist Muria the first indigenous to be Chief Justice of the Solomon Islands.
He is also a lawyer by profession.
Muria Jnr has also worked at the AG Chambers as a former Chief Crown Counsel before he was appointed SSPM in March 2017.
DPM Manasseh Sogavare conggratulating the new AG as SPM Dr Rodgers looks on.Muria Jnr and his family members that came to witness the swearing in.Newly appointed AG John Muria Jnr takes his oath of allegiance before the GG this morning.
CONSTITUENCY properties and Office assets will be returned if they do not make it to the next Parliament term according to Ngella Constituency’s Office.
Ngella’s Constituency Office responds to queries by Constituents questioning what will be next of the Constituency’s vessel and other properties seeing that the country’s current Parliament term is now heading to an end.
“All Constituency properties will be returned to the Constituency Office as we will be handing them over for the next Constituency Officers to take on responsibility for the Constituency from there. This is how such process usually works.
“The same goes for the government vehicles being used as well. They will be returned to the government,” replied Ngella Constituency’s Office.
Meanwhile, Solomon Islands National General Election (NGE) is now nearing to take place during March next year 2019.
THE case of a man facing an intimidation charge will appear again in court on Monday.
This is the case against Nick Pitamama who police alleged had intimidated a 12-year-old girl at the Central Market area.
The allegation said that the accused at that time was drunk.
Police said the victim and her sister were on their way home from church when they met the defendant, and the defendant called out to the victim to go to him.
Allegations said that Pitamama used intimidating words at the 12-year-old victim, frightening her, and she burst into tears when she saw her sister.
The case then was reported to the police in which they arrested the defendant for the charge of intimidation and molestation.
The defendant denied the charge and a trial was conducted on his case.
In his closing submission the defendant submitted to the court that all evidence said in court against him was not true.
Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea was supposed to have delivered the judgment yesterday but since he needed to look through the defendant’s submission, the case was adjourned for November 5 for judgment.
Police Prosecution Service prosecutes the case in court.
Constituents complain over unavailability of provisional list with concerns over time limitation
By Gary Hatigeva
ISLANSUN Sun has over the past few days been receiving a good number of concerns and complaints from constituents, claiming they have not received or seen any activity for the providence of the Provisional List.
Constituents in East Kwaio of Malaita, including a few from the Western province, have reported that they were aware of the timeframe indicated by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) for the availability of the list, which was expected to start on October 29.
But concerns revealed that “to date [yesterday], there has not been any official around to execute the pinning up program of the Commission of the provisional list”.
This was something the Commission was also made aware of, and a follow up on Friday revealed that they too have been informed of these concerns, and are working closely with officers that were sent out to pin up these lists.
When contacted on this, Philothea Paul of the Commission confirmed that they have also received the similar complaints, but explained that the provisional voter lists have been dispatched to all provinces and should be pinned up in every polling station within the constituencies.
She outlined that the timeframe for pinning up the voter list is from Oct 29 up until Nov 4, and anyone who has not seen the list is advised to keep looking out when the officers will come around and pin up the list.
She said registration officers are there in the field with the list and with two more days still remaining, they are expecting to have the entire list up for viewing by November 4 and assured that people will still have the chance to view the list before the other phase as SIEC is still on schedule.
“The list will remain in all the constituencies for viewing from November 4 up until November 20 and everyone to take their time to check the list and awaits Omission and Objection period which starts on Nov 7 to start lodging in their complaints with Registration Officers for their respective constituencies.”
Meanwhile when questioned, the SIEC official clarified that the only factors that could hamper SIEC processes is logistic, finances and bad weather, “otherwise as said earlier, the list are out there and should be pinned up before November 4”.
“There is no reason seen to be of benefit for intending candidates to have interest in inferring in this processes.
“The list is intended for the public to inspect as part of the legal procedure that must be fulfilled before a final voter list can be compiled.
“And voters, candidates and political parties should help scrutinise and allow the process to ensue,” the SIEC Head of Media and Communications Awareness explained when questioned on the possibilities for the lists to be tempered with or manipulated.
However, people are concerned that there is a chances those who have strong influences particularly, intending candidates or their agents, in the system or over officers, can interfere for the sake of keeping names that might have higher chances of being objected.
“Especially, with regards to the mass cross-border registration that was done under the registration centres in Honiara, most of which registered for constituencies in the provinces,” one of the concerned constituents in Malaita shared when contacting this paper on Friday.
Men from Pacific Islands cutting leafy green vegetables in a paddock in Queensland.
BY GEORGINA KEKEA
WORKERS in Solomon Islands receive one of the lowest wages in the world. Since 2008, the minimum wage in Solomon Islands has remained the same.
The current rate is SBD$4 per hour for all workers except those working in the fishing and agricultural sector. They receive SBD$3.20 per hour.
In comparison to other countries, the yearly minimum wage for Solomon Islands is USD$1,005 in International Currency.
International currency is a measure of currency based on the value of the United States dollar in 2009.
With this comparison, Solomon Islands sits in the bottom percent of all countries based on the yearly minimum wage rate.
“There are 99 countries with a higher minimum wage then in Solomon Islands,” Minimum-Wage.org reports.
While workers in Solomon Islands are struggling to cope with the high cost of living, government on the other hand is prioritizing labour mobility as a way to send Solomon Islanders overseas to earn so called, lucrative money.
In Australia, the minimum wage rate is AUD$17.70 per hour, an estimated SBD$100 per hour. This is 25 times greater than the wages earned in Solomon Islands.
In recent interviews with seasonal workers, most alluded that money earned in labour mobility is way better than what they earn working in Solomon Islands.
Men from Pacific Islands cutting leafy green vegetables in a paddock in Queensland.
While the focus for labour mobility scheme is on unemployed youths, in some cases, skilled workers including professionals also left their job to sign up for the seasonal workers scheme.
“I go to school, I spent years in education to attain a diploma or degree in my profession, I come back to serve my country, earning less than SBD$2000 a fortnight, who wouldn’t want to go to Australia or New Zealand to earn more in their minimum wage than what we are earning in ours,” a professional employee in Solomon Islands say.
Even the Prime Minister attributed the fact that seasonal workers are being paid more than him and there is nothing much the government can do about this scenario.
He said this is not in government’s best interest yet as they are currently focusing on the labour mobility schemes.
“Let’s do one thing at a time. You can’t try and do everything at a time. Otherwise you’ll clog it out,” Hou said in response to a question raised by Island Sun during a Press Conference on the Labour Mobility scheme.
Prime Minister Rick Hou in the recent Pacific Labour Mobility Meeting revealed that he wants government to send at least 10,000 youths overseas within the next 10 years.
He said population in Solomon Islands is at a 2.6 percent growth rate and the economy is not producing job opportunities for the unemployed thus it is important government address this issue now by sending workers overseas as labourers.
Meanwhile, the employed and professionals in Solomon Islands are said to be the ones left behind in the labour market.
While the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) speaks of leaving no-one behind, with SDG 8 promoting productive employment and decent work for all, the future seems brighter for those toiling the fields in foreign countries, than educated professionals in their own country.
Contrary to what the PM said, Commerce Minister, William Marau says, his Ministry is aware of the need for the increase in wages and salary and decent employment for workers in Solomon Islands.
He said since the beginning of 2018, consultations are being carried out with major industries to get feedback from the organizations because it will impact greatly on their businesses.
“Slowly and surely, we are getting there,” he said.
At the same time, Unionist, David Tuhanuku says it is a bad reflection of the government to forgo the minimum wage increase for 10 years now.
He said the issue of legal minimum wage should be addressed by government through the Labour department with relevant institutions like trade union movements involved in the process.
He said in the course of 10 years, cost of living has changed and government through the labour department should have addressed this issue already.
“All I can say, if the labour department embark on this now, the trade union movements will then be able to participate in this process,” Tuhanuku said.
He said legal minimum wage is important as it set the basis for worker’s wages.
He said it is very important government reviews this, particularly for the low paid workers.
Tuhanuku is the President of Solomon Islands Council of Trade Union (SICTU) as well as President of the Workers Union of Solomon Islands (WUSI). His Associations had been vocal in labour rights issues for many years including admonition of the tax free awards for MPs in 2016.
For likeminded workers in Solomon Islands, Minimum Wage is the lowest amount a worker can be legally paid for his or her work.
No worker in Solomon Islands can be paid less then this mandatory minimum rate of pay. Employers in Solomon Islands who fail to pay the Minimum Wage may be subject to punishment by Solomon Islands’ government.
Currently it is understood that a proposed Minimum wage policy is said to be in the making.
The minimum wage policy will set the framework for minimum wage in Solomon Islands.
Furthermore SBD$8 is said to be the proposed minimum wage under review.
IT has been revealed that inappropriate feeding leads to early development of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) in babies.
Chief Nutrition Officer from the health ministry (MHMS), Ms Salome Diatalau raised the concern appealing to breast feeding mothers to be cautious with the practice.
She said NCD can develop in babies from inappropriate feeding or less breast feeding practice of babies.
Diatalau pointed out to mothers that infant formula feeding of babies pose very high risk to babies as it can lead to development of diseases.
She explained that infant formula is milk prepared from cow and can be given to babies on formula feeding.
“One very important thing mothers must aware is the nutrient in the cow’s milk is different from the content of human (mother) milk.
“High amount of fats, sugar and other substance contain in cow’s milk than in mother’s milk.
“And one obvious feature you can see with babies feed with infant formula is they usually big in size (fat), and that can be the early development of NCDs,” Diatalau said.
She added that how food can be prepare for babies was one area mothers must consider only to prepare right food for them.
“Because at the moment NCDs are prevalent mean they not only restricted to certain age group like what experience in the past.
“The only best I can say is to properly breast feed your babies and if babies start to test food, prepare them with right food,” Diatalau said.
PRICES for rice and sweet beverages can expect an upsurge early next year.
This is the brainchild of a dialogue currently being held between the health and finance ministries – to impose tax on these food products in a move to control their use as they are rated as potential risks to health.
Chief Nutrition Officer from the health ministry (MHMS), Ms Salome Diatalau recently made the statement in an interview with this paper.
She said work is progressing on the matter as they are looking at possible ways to impose the tax considering impacts it may carry on the public.
Diatalau explained that although the two ministries are working together on the matter, they have diverse working priorities at the beginning.
She said the MHMS is only targeting beverages and other high risk healthy food like those high in fats and salt.
Adding that the initiative to impose tax on rice which at the moment is zero tax is initiated by the finance ministry (MoFT), but both ministries seem to combine it into one programme.
Diatalau said after the MHMS initiated the programme they partnered with FAO and outsourced a study task that conducted assessment on sweet sugary beverages in the country.
She said the purpose of the study was to find out the health effects of beverage use with directive to consider imposing tax on it.
Adding that the report on the study is currently with MHMS and it is the pillar on which this proposed exercise will be taken.
Diatalau said according to their schedule they should hold a meeting either on Monday or Tuesday this week to discuss areas around the proposed tax programme.
She said this meeting will however give direction on what the tax will be like under the programme.
“So for the programme, yes, we expect tax on rice and beverages as of 2019, but there will be no ban on rice as recently alerted,” Diatalau said.
She said for the MHMS side on the programme, they looked at piloting the programme with beverage than to other health risky food.
Diatalua said the MHMS is looking at possible way to tax beverage and areas under consideration are whether tax will impose on volumes or sugar ingredient of the products.
“For now, we’ll only look at both import and locally made beverages including things like coffee mix, pop drinks etc.
“Products like lolly, chocolate and other food products high in fats and salty will be at the later stage as the programme rolls,” she said.
Diatalau said for this programme the risk is for everyone as almost everyone in the country drink beverage, but the target is for children.
Diatalau said children often choose to consume sweet and sugary foods, and food high and fats and salts that give high risk to NCDs.
“So we want to prepare the products now so that in future we won’t caught up with problem with them as currently face,” she said.
Diatalau also said another idea behind the programme was to discourage people from processed food and encourage them to eat more local food.
She said it will be difficult to change people’s behaviour, but understanding the programme and by looking at facts of increase of food related disease in the country, people will change.
A total of 14 churches within West Honiara have yesterday received the Constituency’s tithe contribution of $200,000, allocated through all constituencies from both the Ministry of Home Affairs and Member of Parliament, Namson Tran.
They are the White River, Mbokona, Tuvakaoni and Wind Valley SDA churches, the St Alban and St Francis Parishes of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, St Michael and St Anthony churches of the Roman Catholics, the Namuruka, Wind Valley and Forest Valley SSEC churches, the Tasahe Cell Group, Christian Life Centre, and the Apostolic church.
Churches were represented by church leaders to receive their respective donations in a low key handover ceremony.
Presenting the donations on behalf of the MP, Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Brian Taupiri explained that the actual allocation from the Ministry was $100,000, a huge reduction from the usual amounts, which was always around $200,000 to $300,000, while the other $100,000 came from the MP’s personal funds.
The reduction was due to a major slash in the 2018 government budget allocations, an exercise that was heavily felt right across almost all government ministries.
However, this challenge has not stopped churches within West Honiara to receive almost the same allocations they have been receiving in the past three years, thanks to the MP who saw the importance of ensuring all church programs are not affected due to government constrains.
MP Tran also used the opportunity through his CDO, to express his continuous appreciation towards the work of churches in communities within the constituency, a matter that continues to go unnoticed.
Taupiri further explained that the MP remains grateful to churches for their crucial role in maintaining peace and unity amongst communities, and citizens within the constituency, and stressed that by having a reduction to this allocation will also have a huge impact on these good works.
The CDO added that the a lot of these churches particularly, the smaller ones, have over the years, been factoring the church allocations into their budgetary programs, many of which have been to serve the sick, the hungry, and the old people, including those that have been victims of domestic violence.
“And the MP therefore thought that with the Ministry’s allocation alone is not enough, as a lot of important programs under these churches will be affected, so he decided to put in the other $100,000 to bring the allocation status to just around normal for all,” Taupiri explained.
Speaking on behalf of the church leaders and elders present at the ceremony, Reverend Charles Soto of the Apostolic Church thank the government, particularly the MP, for continuously recognising the work of churches in his constituency, a matter that is always constrained by finance.
“But thanks to Honourable Namson Tran, we the churches in the West Honiara Constituency have consistently been receiving this allocation to, since he came in to office in 2010.
“And obviously, these donations will continue to enable the work of all churches to help the people of God not in just West Honiara, but so as in other places that need help from churches,” Reverend Soto shared.
The Church Tithe is a government allocation given to churches through constituencies annually, and the $200,000 comes as part of this year’s allocation.
