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Last day of voter registration

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) reminds electorates that today, Thursday, September 27 is the final day of voter registration.

SIEO said the BVR update period which commenced on September 3, 2018, targeted new registrants who turned 18 after the 2014 Voter Registration and those who have already registered but wish to update their registration details to reflect their current place of residence.

“We hope the given period really captured new eligible voters and gave time for people to update their details.”

The electoral office said there will be no time extension, therefore those who are yet to register must visit registration teams in their constituencies before close of business today to register or update their registration details.

SIEO said the BVR update exercise have been rolled out smoothly throughout the country over the past three weeks, thus wish to thank electorates for their cooperation and patience.

“We’ve encountered few issues but that did not deter efforts to execute the exercise smoothly.

“There were concerns over transfer and the cross border issue but we have laws to punish anyone found and we’ve provided an opportunity for people to correct their registration details before close of business on Thursday [today].

“Otherwise, there is another registration phase called the Omission and Objection phase, where corrections can be made to the provisional list.

“After this BVR exercise, all the data will be retrieved and compiled after which, the provisional list will be produced.”

The provisional voter list is then pinned up at all polling stations throughout the 50 constituencies for people to check and make corrections either through omission or objection.

Any registered person on the list can challenge the provisional list or any person on the list on the following grounds; not a SI citizen, not 18 years old, not an ordinary resident in the area, not of sound mind, not the person he/she claims to be, registered more than once.

A registered person can also apply to correct his/her name if appeared to be mis-spelt or placed in a wrong polling station.

A public enquiry will follow after which the final voter list is compiled.

Below is the timeline of the subsequent registration phases that electorates need to take note of.

–SIEC PRESS

 

 

BVR Activity Date Number of Days Legal Framework
Voter Registration Update

 

 Sept 3 – Sept 27 25 Sec.16 (3) (B) & Sec 17 (1)
Retrieval of Data
Compilation

 

 Oct 3 – Oct 23 21 Sec 18 (1) (B), Sec 19A (1)(2)
Distribution of Provisional lists
Publication of Provisional Lists

 

 Oct 29 – Nov 4 7 Sec 18 (3) (B)
Deployment of staff to Omission/Objection sites
Omission & Objection period

 

 Nov 7 – Nov 20 14 Sec 19 (3) (B), Sec 19 A (3)
Retrieval of Omission/Objection forms, preparation of list for public enquiry
Publication of list of claims

 

 Nov 21 – Dec 1 7 Sec 20 (2), Sec 20 (3)
Confirmation of revising sites
Public enquiry and Revision of List Dec 4 – Dec 23 20 Sec 20 A (1)
Retrieval of revision list to Honiara
Settlement of Final Voters List

 

 Dec 29 – Jan 11 14 Sec 21

 

 

SIEC voter awareness, info dissemination targets all

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
A pamphlet containing information about the various BVR phases (circled) on a sack of rice destined to reach the most remote eastern part of Malaita when passengers boarded a passenger boat travelling to East Malaita. Photo by Philothea Paul

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) has been actively using various media platforms to communicate educational and awareness messages to electorates.

Chief Electoral Officer Moses Saitala said awareness is an important aspect to electoral activities as it enhances knowledge and understanding of electorates on electoral matters.

Mr Saitala said there were recommendations from past elections on the need for a substantially more robust voter education and awareness efforts in preparation for the 2019 National General Election.

“The Solomon Islands Electoral Office prior to the current BVR update had worked really hard and engage all effective media platforms available to get electoral messages across to electorates,” he said.

He said some of the effective awareness platforms used to disseminate electoral information included, radio advertisements, radio programs, radio service messages, TV, short videos, website, social media, text messages, distribution of posters, pamphlets and stickers, awareness talks, using religious gatherings, using the mainstream media and engaging Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to do face-to-face awareness in constituencies.

A pamphlet containing information about the various BVR phases (circled) on a sack of rice destined to reach the most remote eastern part of Malaita when passengers boarded a passenger boat travelling to East Malaita. Photo by Philothea Paul

“For radio, SIEO uses advertisements that are replaced to reflect the different BVR phases. SIEO also have a weekly radio program on SIBC every Friday 5.45pm.

“Awareness talks have also been conducted during gatherings and after Sunday Church services.

“Text messages have been programmed according to the BVR timeline inorder to blast out information in line with a particular registration phase and activities.

“The Electoral Commission also has a newly launched informative website that has all information that will answer most questions, even checking for voter registration details.

“Electorates should also look out for CSOs that are conducting voter awareness in some remote constituencies throughout the country.

“Voter information and messages will continue to be disseminated through these mediums therefore electorates should listen out.”

The Chief Electoral Officer said awareness is an expensive exercise but with the support the Australian Government, European Union and UNDP through the Strengthening the Electoral Cycle of Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP), voter education and awareness activities are able to be rolled out.

“We would like to do more to reach out to the most remote citizens but we can only go as far as where money takes us.”

Saitala said voter education and awareness will continue throughout the BVR phases and ahead of the National General Election in 2019.

“A well-informed electorate is essential to any electoral process; it enhances the quality of the election as well as the elected body and as such, it’s an essential building-block of a meaningful democracy.”

He encourages electorates to listen out and keep an eye on the mediums engaged by SIEO to disseminate voter information, in order to stay informed.

–SIEC PRESS

PM addresses high-level malaria summit

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
MP, Rick Hou
Prime Minister Hou speaking at the Malaria Summit in NY on Wednesday.

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has told a high-level roundtable meeting at the UNGA that Solomon Islands has reduced the number of malaria cases over the last 24 years.

The Prime Minister said Malaria cases in Solomon Islands have decreased from a hardly believable peak of 450 per thousand in 1993, to 80 per thousand in 2017.

Houenipwela said Solomon Islands is proud of her progress which was enabled from support from the donor community.

“With this success on the ground we can now begin to dream of a different future. A dream of a future that is free of malaria.

“A dream that countries such as China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have achieved with zero malaria indigenous cases.

“A dream that the Tafea province of Vanuatu, which was declared malaria-free the first time in human history is now enjoying.

“A dream that shows what is possible. A dream showing that Solomon Islands can eliminate malaria,” he said.

The Prime Minister told the high-level summit that the Solomon Islands government has increased the level of its domestic resources to combat malaria to 12 percent of the total health sector budget.

However, he said while this is high by any standards, it is still not enough.

That said, the Prime Minister said Solomon Islands are grateful for the continued support from the Global Fund, and from Australia.

Prime Minister Houenipwela said in November this year Solomon Islands would convene a high-level meeting for its key partners and stakeholders both domestically and internationally.

He said this would also include the private sector to discuss and agree on a ‘malaria elimination roadmap’ for Solomon Islands that will achieve a ‘malaria free’ Solomon Islands by 2030.

“This malaria elimination roadmap will inform our new strategy; the level of resources and breadth of partnership that will be needed to eradicate malaria from our shores forever,” he said.

Prime Minister Houenipwela said his government considers the resources applied to help eliminate malaria from its domestic budget as well as from our development partners as an investment and not a cost.

“It is an investment in the future prosperity of my nation’s children and people. In eradicating malaria, we will save millions of dollars in health care costs that can be redirected to address other important priorities of government including in health to benefit the country’s young population.

“Investment to eliminate malaria has the potential to potential to transform our economic development aspirations,” he said.

–OPMC PRESS

$2 billion for 2023 games

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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1

By Alfred Sasako

IT’S official.

The Pacific Games which Solomon Islands is hosting in 2023 will cost us up to $2 billion (about USD250 million).

Officials were told last Friday that facilities including the Games Village would cost between $1.5 billion to $2 billion (about USD250 million), Island Sun was told earlier this week.

The funding proposal will be presented initially to Government Caucus and later to Cabinet for its final blessing.

“Once Caucus decision is endorsed by Cabinet, the final go-ahead will be given for design work to begin,” one official told Island Sun.

This will be followed by the project being put on public tender.

The fact that Honiara has fallen behind in payments to foreign firms undertaking projects in Solomon Islands is already troubling enough for the government.

Sources said the Government owes China’s two State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) firms – China Harbour and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) – more than $30 million in combined contract debts.

Such a dilemma has the potential to frighten off international companies bidding for the Games Village Project, given its size and cost.

The all-encompassing plan is to convert the entire lower Panatina land owned by the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) into the Games Village. Facilities for all field events including running tracks for the sporting bonanza are being shared by Panatina Campus and Kukum Campus nearby.

Thousands of sports men and women from all over the Pacific are expected in Honiara for the Games.

The plan also includes conversion of the King George VI soccer pitch into a National Stadium in a joint development with the National Sports Academy training field nearby.

Taiwan has indicated funding the National Stadium although it has not indicated how much Taipei is investing in the development.

Officials say the Stadium will have up to 20,000 seating capacity at any one time. It is understood the Government has received the design for the National Stadium from Taiwan.

“The government will be studying the design plan before the project, expected to cost around SBD270 million, is put on tender in Taiwan,” one official told Island Sun.

At least two Taiwanese companies are vying for the contract to build what is being billed to be an all-weather Stadium, built to international sporting standards.

It is not clear whether the cost of the National Stadium is included in the SBD2 billion price tag for the Games.

Kukum Campus land will also be converted, including the seafront of the Marine School at Ranadi for a number of water sports events during the course of the Games.

It is understood that all the SINU land has been secured by the 2023 Games Committee, chaired by the Member of Parliament for East Fataleka, Steve Abana.

The deal, according to some, is that SINU and KG VI will take possession of all the facilities including buildings on their land once the Games are over.

“The idea is to kill two birds with one stone,” one government official said.

Toramo named player of the week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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King George Sixers Godfrey Toramo tries to go past a USP Islander player during their semi final match on Tuesday. Sixers won.

D-Fenders crowned 3×3 champs

By Taromane Martin

King George Sixers Godfrey Toramo tries to go past a USP Islander player during their semi final match on Tuesday. Sixers won.

KING George Sixer’s basketball team player Godfrey Toramo has been named the high school player of the week for the second time.

Toramo who was named the player of the week a fortnight ago picked up the award last Sunday after helping Sixers defeat Mbua Valley Warriors 32-7 in their Honiara Basketball League high school match at the Multipurpose Hall.

The win propels King George into first position on the competition table with 31 points positive over last week’s leaders Saint Nicholas College Sentinels who dropped to second place with 30 points following their 20-8 win over Woodford International School.

Meanwhile there was a general bye round for the Open Women’s and Men’s Division as HBL hosted a 3X3 tournament at the Multipurpose Hall last Sunday.

The HBL Executive in a statement said the 3×3 tournament saw some hard fought matches from the eight men’s teams who registered, across the two pools.

While the men’s competition was action packed the organisers were left disappointed with the women’s 3×3 competition which saw only two teams registered on the day.

“The semi-final cross-overs saw Marist 1 emerge undefeated from Pool A, only to be overrun by D Fenders (second in Pool A) in overtime by a score of 15-13 in their semi-final,” the statement said.

“In the other semi-final, Pool B first place Cannons defeated Pool A second place Crusaders 8-4 to advance to the grand final.

“In the grand final, despite missing their star player Godfrey Toramo to injury, D Fenders were able to gain the ascendancy late in the game with some sharp outside shooting to run away 16-12 winners over Cannons.

“Organisers were disappointed with only two women’s teams nominating for the event, meaning only exhibition games were held for the women’s division, but overall were pleased with the competitive play and good sportsmanship in the men’s tournament,” the statement adds.

HBL says the next 3X3 tournament is scheduled for Sunday 21 October and more details will follow in the coming weeks.

Regular HBL league games resume next Sunday the Multipurpose Hall for all three divisions, High School Boys, Open Women and Open Men.

‘Please step up’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Morris Maitaki of NOCSI delivering a presentation for national federation members during Tuesday's meeting.

Federations urged to pull up their socks for 2019 Pacific Games

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Morris Maitaki of NOCSI delivering a presentation for national federation members during Tuesday’s meeting.

SPORTING federations who have submitted entries to be included in ‘One Team Solomon’ for next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa have been urged to step up in their preparations.

Morris Maitaki, who is the Chef De Mission (CdM) of ‘One Team Solomon’ for Pacific Games 2019 made the call during a meeting yesterday.

The meeting which was held at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) conference room was organised by the National Selection and Justification Committee (NSJC) for national federations, purposely to convey to them important information relating to preparations for next year.

The NSJC is a committee established under the Events Commission of the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) and its main responsibility is to advise the local olympic committee’s executive board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities on matters relating to preparation of athletes and the ‘ONE TEAM SOLOMON’ in particular, for future regional and international competitions.

Mr. Maitaki said federations must step up in their preparations to attain good results during the games.

“We want to send a team that will go in to compete and not as tourists.

“It’s time that we set our targets higher to attain good results and surpass the ones produced in previous games.

“On this note, I call on all federations to step up in their training as we head toward next year,” Mr. Maitaki uttered.

Over the next few months, the NSJC will begin assessing the federations to ensure that they are ready to compete at the event due to run in Apia next July.

A total of 24 federations have submitted entries to join the Solomon Islands contingent for Samoa Games. They are Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Boxing, football, golf, Judo, Netball, Powerlifting, Rugby League 9s, Rugby 7s, Sailing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Touch Rugby, Triathlon, Va’a, Volleyball (Indoor & Beach) and Weightlifting.

Following the initial entries of athletes and officials submitted in July to the 2019 Pacific Games Organising Committee as part of the games registration requirement, the current number stands at 636 across all sports for the entire contingent and it doubles the total number of 362 sent to the 2015 Games in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Maitaki said further adjustments are yet to be carried out on the listing and the number is expected to reduce.

“The realistic figure should fall around 300 and 400 and we’ll be putting in all effort to make sure that the figure is reduced.”

Maitaki also called on federations to submit their team lists to the NSJC this week.

Meanwhile, the federation representatives who attended yesterday were also briefed on what to expect in Samoa next year and some of them include training venues, competition venues, accommodation and most importantly, the games schedules.

Young family bound for Canada

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Tracy, husband Stephen and son Traven sharing their happy moment together.
Tracy, husband Stephen and son Traven sharing their happy moment together.

A young family from Guadalcanal are living the dream of travelling and working abroad in Canada.

Guadalcanal Provincial Premier Anthony Veke officially handed over formal immigration and employment documents to Mrs Didivera Tracy at Guadalcanal Provincial Headquarters yesterday.

The small but significant handing over ceremony was witnessed by GP- Minister for Education Lazarus Rina, Minister for Women Patrick Koiolia, GP- Provincial Secretary Timothy Ngele and Education Division representatives in the presence of Mrs Didivera, her husband Stephen Didivera and their son Traven Savino Kokopu.

In congratulating Mrs Didivera on her fine accomplishment of being chosen to amongst other candidates, Premier Veke described her case as special and unique setting new milestone as far as GP-CITREC programme is concerned.

“Your case is special because not only your SINP confirmation (Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program) is contained herein this document, it also contains that of you husband and son. You all three are receiving your SINP confirmation today and thats something I’m proud of, so must you and your family and the province.” Veke announced.

Normally workers under GP-CITREC with SINP will have to apply for their spouse and children upon arrival in Canada, in Tracy’s case her husband and child are directly nominated under SINP, thus the documents handed over to the young family yesterday contains their ‘confirmation of SINP nomination’ and ‘SINP Work Permit Support letter’ for Mrs Tracy.

Veke continued that he expects the best from Mrs Didivera when she gets to work in Canada, be good ambassador of Guadalcanal province and the country.

“You husband will soon follow you to Canada and take up job there and your child will enjoy all privileges enjoyed by Canadian Children,” Veke expressed.

GP-Minister for Education encouraged Mrs Didivera to shine whilst in Canada as she is representing all women in Guadalcanal.

Holding back her tears, Tracy thanked Premier Veke for his continuous leadership with the GP-CITREC programme and thanked GP- Education division for their continuous work.

“Despite the length of time it has taken to finally get these documents, I understand the processes involved, the time and efforts by GP-CITREC officers and those in Canada is not easy, for that I want to thank you all,” Mrs Didivera expressed.

Tracy will soon leave for Canada and her husband and child will join her later. She was accepted to work as ‘Food Service Supervisor’ at global fastfood restaurant chain McDonalds.

–GP PRESS

Taiwan provides continuous support for National Referral Hospital

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Taiwan provides continuous support for National Referral Hospital

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Taiwan provides continuous support for National Referral Hospital

TAIWAN continues to support Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital’s (NRH) dengue laboratory.

According to the Taiwan Health Center (THC) in Honiara, through its partnership with Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH) in Taiwan, Dr. Ruby Tsai, Jih-Jin, who is the Director of the Tropical Medicine Center (TMC) at KMUH, led a dengue expert team to Solomon Islands in early September.

She held a conference regarding innovative strategies for mosquito borne diseases.

The team also carried out inspection in the dengue laboratory and provided practical improvement guideline and suggestions.

On top of that, a donation of new diagnostic tools worth SBD 130,000 was also made by the team to the hospital for the purpose of more rapid accurate identification of mosquito borne diseases.

One of their members, Bo-Yi Huang, a medical technician at KMUH’s Tropical Medicine Center spent the month working with staff at the lab where he taught them how to use the new tools.

Travelling to Solomon Islands for the first time, his work at NRH’s dengue lab included examining the lab and making sure that the quality and exact standard of operation procedure for testing including PCR and ELISA was carried out.

Taiwan Health Centre expressed that through the practice of traditional and updated methods, local medical technicians will be well equipped with skills to prepare for the future challenges of any possible dengue outbreak.

“The precise diagnosis could offer the proper clinical management and thus, reduce the severity and mortality of dengue fever”, said THC.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have recently dispatched another scale-up support for maintenance and renovation of the dengue laboratory with a total value of SBD 450,000.

“Both Taiwan government and KMUH paid efforts for strengthening the function of this dengue laboratory to maximize the practical help for the patients in Solomon Islands”, said THC.

The NRH dengue laboratory was established after the country’s first big dengue outbreak in 2013.

It was designed by KMUH’s Tropical Medicine Center under Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) grant support.

The dengue laboratory was donated to NRH in 2014 and has been supported technically by KMUH.

Since then, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, located in Southern Taiwan has persisted in providing maintenance, quality assurance and updated diagnostic techniques to NRH’s dengue laboratory.

Students urged to utilise scholarship opportunity

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE AND JOHN HOUANIHAU

STUDENTS who have applied for the government 2019 MPs scholarship awards are encouraged to make the best of the opportunity if accepted.

The call was made by the wife of one member of parliament who stressed that students should be mindful and accomplish what they are sent abroad to achieve.

Mrs Matilda Maneniaru, who is the spouse of Member of Parliament for West Are ‘Are constituency, Hon John Maneniaru says students who are to be awarded the scholarships under MPs privileges should set their minds on achieving academic goals.

She said that while the government is playing its part in sending students abroad under these opportunities on one end, the national government also expects the students to be positive and mindful about their studies.

Maneniaru expressed that those lucky students who will get the opportunity to travel to study at various universities should be vigilant about their opportunity, country, government, people and the future development of Solomon Islands.

She voiced that we are still in need of more educated and qualified people to move this nation forward hence students must exemplify what they have learned during their studies for the betterment of the country.

On another note, Maneniaru said that students returning to the country from tertiary institutions in past years stems from students’ failure in courses due to social influences and negligence of their duties as scholars.

“Students must put their concentrate on their studies, spend more time on what they are sent for, and should spend less on social activities that might disturb their studies”, said Maneniaru.

She emphasized that the purpose of the government’s support in this initiative is to improve and educate our human resources to the fullest to achieve future social and economic development of Solomon Islands.

PM highlights new investment opportunities at Concordia Summit

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet speaking

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela says Solomon Islands is opening its doors to increase investment opportunities.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela highlighted this during his discussions with other world leaders at the Concordia Annual Summit held in New York.

The 2018 Concordia Annual Summit is a high-level forum that attracts some of the most important world and business leaders, an event that runs alongside the United Nations General Assembly.

Prime Minister Houenipwela during the discussions has highlighted that more recently the Government is exploring innovative investment opportunities including the Citizenship Investment Programme (CIP) to increase foreign direct investment in Solomon Islands.

The leaders discussions were based on the theme “Transforming Vulnerable Small Islands toward greater economic Resilience through Innovative financing and strategic Partnership”.

St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet speaking

Amongst other investment opportunities, the Prime Minister said Solomon Islands had been introduced to the potential benefits for a well-organised and coordinated Citizenship Investment Programme recently.

“We believe that if such a programme meets our internal security requirements, it can result in attracting many high-net-worth and strategic investors to Solomon Islands,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that the Summit has enabled him to gain a much better understanding and valuable insights from other leaders of what their respective Citizenship Investment Programmes has done for their countries.

“My government is committed to working with our strategic partners in the international community to ensure that should Solomon Islands introduce a CIP, that will utilise the most robust and thorough due diligence process to ensure that only genuine investors with clean records will be considered for the programme,” he said

“One of the advantages of being a small nation is that well planned and executed policy interventions can make dramatic impacts in a relatively short period of time. A CIP is an example of such a targeted policy that has the potential to fundamentally shift our economic and social trajectory upward if done correctly,” he said.

The Prime Minister said these innovative investment programs could help further enhance the country’s resilience by injecting new sources of financing into the economy and open new revenue streams that could be channeled towards economic growth and other activities.

Therefore, he said the Government stands ready to explore these opportunities further.

The Concordia Summit venue

Prime Minister Houenipwela shared with other leaders that the Government is also contemplating various initiatives including a major new initiative that will transform the skyline of the country’s capital central business district.

He said this initiative which will involve the development of blocks of government offices, offices for commercial renting, a modern conferencing centre, hotels development and associated infrastructure development projects will provide tremendous public private partnership opportunities.

“We are also aiming to allocate prime real estate for hotel developments. We anticipate this initiative getting off the ground in the next 18-24 months,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said despite the fact that Solomon Islands is regarded as vulnerable in terms of Climate Change; his government is also aware of the inherent value Solomon Islands as a nation possesses.

“From the tangible abundant cultural and natural riches that we posses, to the more intangible, but equally important, strategic position that is attributed to our geographic location, we are more than a small Island Developing state,” the Prime Minister stated.

–OPMC PRESS

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