REPORTt from Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) shows that between the seven years period from 2010-16, a total of $27,410,922.32 was spent on the development of each constituency.
Between these years period, the total (Actual) amount of Tax payers’ money/public funds going through the Members of Parliament (MP) for the Constituency Development Fund [CDF] is $1,370,546,115.71.
For each Constituency, 1. Choiseul Province received $82,232,766.96, 2. Western Province – $246,698,300.48, 3. Malaita Province – $383,752,912.48, 4. Central Province – $54,821,844.64, 5. Rennell/Bellona Province – $27,410,922.32, 6. Guadalcanal Province – $219,287,378.56, 7. Honiara City – $82,232,766.96, 8. Makira Province – $109,643,689.28, 9. Temotu Province – $82,232,766.96 and 10. Isabel Province – $82,232,766.96
According to TSI, they understand that MPs’ have changed in some constituencies but the majority of sitting members of Parliament in the 9th Parliament are still members and there are those who have been there.
“As we travel around the constituencies, water and sanitation are a major issue for the people as is most everything.
“Other social infrastructure in the community are from peoples own effort and sweat and other donors. We see very little that says funded and supported by CDF.
“We also acknowledge that some constituencies with new members are beginning to see positive changes and now participating in a small way to constituency development plans.
“In others we are given copies of policy of a sitting member clearly stating that only those who vote for the MP should receive CDF projects.
“Whilst these are lingering questions, the biggest question is where has all these money gone to and why is it not bringing about the desired outcomes.
“It is time now that people should expose the CDF Scheme for what it is and carry out detailed community audit to find out where has the funds meant for improvement of lives of our people gone and those who have been abusing the entrusted power given to them by the people be brought to justice or answer to citizens of this country.
“Transparency Solomon Islands is committed to evidence based advocacy to help empower our people to ensure of the gaps we now see where the richer get richer, the poorer get poorer in every aspect of their lives.
“Let us work together to bring about socio-economic development in our country. There is money but for now it is spent on wasted efforts. We need to speak up and take action,” says TSI.
According to locals speaking to Island Sun yesterday, $27million during that period is enough to see tangible changes in the constituencies apart from witnessing only few OBMs and solar panels being usually handed over.
POLICE in Tulagi Central province (CP) successfully mediated a suspected sorcery case at Belaga Village, North East Small Gela on August 12, 2018.
Operation Manager at the Tulagi Police Station Inspector John Sara says, “It is alleged that the family of a 51-year-old man from Belaga Village claimed that the man died of black magic.
“The matter between the parties was tense hence it needed to be promptly addressed to avoid any escalation.
“The mediation ended peaceful with the assistance of three Melanesian Brothers, the Crime Prevention Committee members, village chiefs, elders and the Section Elder Brother of the Church of Melanesia household in Koloti.
“Police in Tulagi want to thank all those involved in the mediation including the immediate relatives of the deceased for assisting the police in the process of resolving the matter.”
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central province, Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “I am proud of the initiatives taken by all these leaders who are always available to settle matters peacefully regardless of their nature. This is the right direction to prevent crime in our communities.
“I appeal to all the good people of Central province to continue supporting police in fighting against crime in our Province.”
POLICE in the Central province have completed high visibility patrols in 11 villages and schools on Savo Island throughout the past week.
The villages and schools included Reko, Kuila, Pagopago, Kalaka School, Paposi School Paibeta School, Bokilo School, Panueli, Bonala, Monago and Kaugele Village.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province, Superintendent Patricia Leta says, “Police in Tulagi were engaged in visiting communities as part of the roll out of the Crime Prevention Strategy.
“Four schools were also visited. During the awareness talks topics discussed included the abuse of alcohol and kwaso.
“Consultations with chiefs were also done with the leaders expressing the need to undergo training on the Crime Prevention Strategy.
“The training will start as soon as funds are available. Savo will be among the priorities for the training.
“The trip was possible with assistance from the Central Provincial Government which provided transport and rations during the patrol. Provincial Government officers also engaged in their revenue collection.
“I wish to thank the Paramount Chief, Crime Prevention committee members, church leaders, village chiefs, women leaders and youth leaders on Savo Island for looking after your communities. We will continue to support each other in fighting against crime in our province.”
THERE are reports that the much dreaded coconut rhinoceros beetle is spreading throughout the northern region of Malaita province.
Initially sighted in Takwa, the pest is now reportedly seen in other parts of the region such as Uru-Uru and Tara’ana which is approximately 10 kilometres from Takwa.
A senior catechist under the Takwa Catholic parish, Mr Eddie Kaia conveyed to Island Sun yesterday the fear that communities in the parish have for the incoming threat posed by the beetle for their coconuts.
He said they have already seen the effects of the beetle’s activities in their coconuts, with many trees sprouting out distorted leaves.
Kaia explains that coconut is one of their main sources of income, and with the presence of the beetle, they are certain that this source will be depleted – if help is not forthcoming from authorities.
He adds that apart from the commercial importance of coconuts, it also constitutes a part of their staple diet.
This paper understands that a team from Biosecurity and Quarantine under MAL offices in Honiara and Auki went to Takwa mid-last week in an attempt to seek possible solution to the beetle issue.
The catechist confirmed their visit to Takwa as awareness was held with communities on the issue as well as the staff set-up materials in various places in Takwa for the control of the beetle.
Hon Bodo Dettke MP (RIGHT) infront of the container filled with 1,000-litre IBC of Noni
juice bound for Brisbane tomorrow
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Hon Bodo Dettke MP (RIGHT) infront of the container filled with 1,000-litre IBC of Noni juice that bound for Brisbane earlier this year.
FIFTEEN thousand bottles of purified and concentrated Solomon Noni juice are out and sold in the Australian market, it is reported.
The North West Guadalcanal constituency revealed that 20 tonnes of Noni produce taken to Australia recently as sample from Solomon Islands has yielded 15,000 bottles out in the market in Australia.
This was revealed in an exclusive interview with the Chairman of the North West Guadalcanal Subsistence Farmers Association Mr Francis Orodani yesterday.
Orodani said MP Bodo Dettke and his wife will be going to Berlin this month for an Expo on Solomon Noni but it will be under the Australian flag.
“The government is not really promoting it, so sad to say that but this Expo and marketing activities will be work under different flag which is Australia flag,” Orodani said.
Orodani explains that the couple are flying the Australian flag because the Solomon Islands government does not recognise Noni as an official export product.
“We already reach out to government and have been corresponding with each other.
“At the moment, the Noni association is planning on having a factory because the interest in this type of business is increasing to people of the North West Guadalcanal constituency.
“This development still needs to come out at this stage when the government recognizes the product, and if this is one of country’s economic recoveries then surely Noni needs to come up as national sector.”
Meanwhile, Noni fruit is sold in local market at $3 per kilo and as time goes it will rise to $6.
Currently, they are paying Noni every day at King George VI particularly members of the Noni Association.
At the moment Australian is the only market for Solomon Noni, and it will be under the Australian branding, not Solomon Islands.
It is reported that MP Bodo Dettke has been purchasing land and sub-dividing them to people of North West Guadalcanal who are registered under the Noni association. This land is meant for noni plantation.
Interest in such business is also high with people keep flooding to North West Guadalcanal constituency office at Point Cruz to get registration form.
THE three Real Kakamora FC players who were asked by the Telekom Soccer League competition manager to leave the field before their match with Henderson Eels FC were registered KOSSA Honiara Football Association players.
The explanation comes following last Saturday’s incident which left Real Kakamora FC Head Coach Sam Wa’aria furious after his side lost 8-1 to Eels.
“What we were very disappointed was the last minute disqualification of some of our key players by the organisers of the competition during our warm up,” he told SunSPORTS.
“Their actions really affected our preparations because we were caught by surprise. Our loss came as no surprise because we were already mentally defeated by the organisers before the whistle blew.
“I think this was some sort of strategies by people to disadvantage other teams and it affected us all mentally for the match,” he said.
However, the organisers explained that the club had failed to finalize the three players transfer documents to the TSL Board before the closure of the HFA and TSL transfer window last month.
“At the close of the transfer window for the new season these three players remained registered KOSSA players because Real Kakamora FC failed to finalize their transfer documents,” organisers said.
“The transfer window was made possible by HFA to allow HFA registered players to transfer to TSL and HFA teams for those moving out of the HFA league into the TSL.
“But since moving to Real Kakamora these three players had infringed HFA regulations and TSL because at the close of the transfer window they failed to finalize their moves resulting in the situation,” they said.
However a statement from an official within the club said as far as they know there are no regulations between these two competitions.
“As far as we know TSL and HFA are two different competitions therefore there are no regulations between these two comps.
“If this is what Kossa stands on then might as well cancel the TSL Comp because it will also affect all the other clubs.
“The only rule that is known is that as long as a player from HFA joins a TSL club, they cannot ever go back and play in the HFA. Something needs to be corrected,” he said.
Meanwhile HFA President Baddley Alaha , on July 23 to July 27 last month had opened a transfer window for registered HFA players who wish to transfer to TSL clubs for the new season of the completion.
THE final 20 man squad for the Solomon Islands Under-16 soccer team for the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship have been revealed.
Six provincial players are selected in the 20 man squad with the rest playing their trade in Honiara with various clubs.
The team will be coached by former Solomon Islands international Stanley Waita and will be captained by forward Charles Mani.
Junior Kurukuru duo old Raphael Lea’i and Leon Kofana are also named in the final team for the OFC tournament while fellow Junior Kurukuru team mate Frankster Rukumana was unable to make the final cut.
Meanwhile the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship tournament is set to kick off on September 9-22 in Honiara.
Lawson Tama and Town Ground rugby Stadium have been identified as potential hosts for the OFC youth competition which will serve as qualification for next year’s FIFA U-16 World Cup in Peru.
Tourism Minister Hon Parapolo, supervising Provincial Government Minister Hon Manepora at the opening of Parasi
Ngella constituents question their MP’s priorities
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
Tourism Minister Hon Parapolo, supervising Provincial Government Minister Hon Manepora at the opening of Parasi
NGELLA people feel betrayed by their Member of Parliament (MP) having time to attend the Yam Festival at South Malaita when he could not even attend Ngella’s Pana Festival.
People of the Constituency point out that if MP Bartholomew Parapolo knows much about the economic and social benefits of such festivals then they do not understand why he could not even attend and address such in his own constituency for the knowledge and development of his people.
“Our MP and the Minister of Culture and Tourism Hon Bartholomew Parapolo commented at the yam festival opening ceremony in Saraiselu Village, Small Malaita, that yam festival can bring both economic, cultural and social benefits.
“He said such cultural festivals play an integral part in the current direction of tourism development in the country.
“He also said that the Government through his ministry is taking the lead in implementing tourism initiatives through these cultural festivities. This is in recognition that tourism in Solomon Islands offers a far more sustainable and prosperous future for our country.
“He further stated that his ministry together with other line ministries and key stakeholders are very keen in transforming the tourism industry to new heights which will focus on promoting culture and tourism at the provincial level.
“Did our MP mention such during the recent Pana Festival at Haroro,” concern constituents of Ngella commented on Ngella’s famous social media forum (NGF).
With this concern causing high debate right now, others contribute that it is not only attending the Yam Festival that is bothering them too but from observation, they say that since their MP has taken the portfolio of being the tourism Minister, he has only been instead seen busy going around cutting ribbons in other provinces in relation to tourism programs having always by-passing Ngella, his very own Constituency.
The Pana Festival that was recently launched at Ngella in line with the country’s 40th Anniversary was a significant event for Ngella people being the first time to remember and showcase the significance of the root vegetable (Pana) in Ngella’s culture.
Without the support of few within the Sandfly Community assisting Imperial Travel Service and other contributors, the memorable event would had not been possible which is why Ngella people thank Imperial Travel Service for setting a historical mark for them.
During the progress to host the Pana Festival, there was quite a stir in non-cooperation especially between significant leaders and Officers in the constituency, maybe being a result of conflict of interests too.
Solomon Islands under-19 boys celebrates Patrick Taroga’s winning goal against Vanuatu.
Will play Tahiti in second semi on Thursday
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Solomon Islands under-19 boys celebrates Patrick Taroga’s winning goal against Vanuatu. Photo by OFC.
THE national under-19 soccer boys have made a clean sweep in their Group B campaign as they claimed a 1-0 win over neighbours Vanuatu in their third match of the OFC Under-19 championship in Tahiti yesterday.
The victory enabled them to finish the pool campaign at the top of the group remaining undefeated.
With nine points on their cards after three wins, they will play Pool A runner-up Tahiti on Thursday for a place in the finals.
A win against the hosts will see them earning a historic qualification into next year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland.
Patrick Taroga was the hero for Solomon Islands yesterday with his lone winning goal against a determined Vanuatu side.
New Caledonia qualified alongside Solomon Islands from Pool B for the semis after finishing with a 1-1 draw against Fiji in the later match of the day.
The young Les Cagous will play Pool A winner New Zealand in the other semifinal.
Solomon Island head coach Batram Suri was excited with the well-earned semi qualification.
“The boys did very well to win the final match and finish at the top of their group.
“A win is a win although it’s 1-0. I’m very proud of the boys despite not putting up a good performance and managed to maintain our winning run right until the end of our pool games.”
Suri made a few changes from his usual line-up in yesterday’s match where he fielded in new faces onto the fray.
“I have seen some weakness in our forwards and came up with the changes.
“I also gave opportunities to my other boys so that they could have a game time,” he said.
The tournament is not yet over and Tahiti as the hosts, buoyed by their home fans has been described by Suri as a team to beat in Thursday’s semifinal.
“The boys are ready for the semifinal.
“Tahiti as the hosts will be tough given their supporters will be behind them. But we are here to challenge them and will not be going easy on them.
“They have their game plan. We also have our game plan. We’ll see how things go.
“I’m confident we can win the semis and qualify into the final.
“But overall, this is the stage that we’d very much wanted to reach and we are looking forward to it.
“A few of our players are nursing injuries at the moment and we’d very much want them to recover quickly as possible ahead of the semifinal.”
WIS STEM students arrive safely in Mexico as they were welcome at the airport.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
WIS STEM students arrive safely in Mexico as they were welcome at the airport.
FOUR Science Technology Engineering Mathematic (STEM) students of the Woodford International School have landed safely in Mexico yesterday for the 2018 FIRST Global Challenge.
The WIS students arrived have arrived in advance purposely to explore and adapt to the Mexican environment before competition kicks off on August 15-18 at Mexico City’s Arena Ciudad de México.
This year, more than 160 countries are participating in the annual event of FIRST Global Challenge – it convenes STEM students to solve energy-efficiency problems with robots created by student participants.
Here is a profile of the WIS four students representing Solomon Islands
Renney Sufiona— I want to make mistakes and learn from them.
My name is Renney Sufiona, from Solomon Islands. I am a risk-taker; always very eager to try out new things and learn from mistakes I make.
I am very interested in robotics because it is something that makes me curious and I am keen to learn how it is like and how it is going to help us in our daily lives.
My hope for the future is to use my talents, which is drawing to become an architect.
My artwork has been on the cover of my school diary for one whole year. I have always loved playing video games, drawing and listening to music in my spare time.
Edward Patternot—you can be my personal hero.
I am a year 9 student at Woodford International School from the Solomon Islands. When I was younger, I always loved playing with Legos, creating my own machines that worked and operated only in my imagination.
Robotics can give me the opportunity to bring my creations to life and allows me to share them to the world.
Art became a hobby of mine, constant drawing became a habit, and it is just something I do in my spare time. I loved it so much because it gave me the ability of putting my imagination on the canvas like a picture from within my mind.
Maths is my favourite subject of all time and it is something that always makes me want to improve on my skills and understanding; my favourite part is when I try to solve a problem racking my brain just to get to the satisfyingly correct answer.
I do not have a personal hero but I do look up to anyone that inspires others to follow their dreams and to be themselves in their own unique way.
If you are someone like that, then you are my personal hero.
In the future, I aspire to have an occupation that involves my strengths and passions, which are art, creativity and design.
This got me interested in being an architect in the future.
Something unique about me is that I actually love to think about random things and I always try to open my imagination to a wider range of things.
However, I always think about what the world would be if something changes, “What would happen”? This always leaves me with curiosity and I enjoy it.
I would like FIRST Global to know that if I put all my efforts into something I would give my best.
William Poznanski—Being a Politian gives you the power to bring about a change.
I am William from the team Solomon Islands. I am a year 9 student. I aspire to be a politician.
I take inspiration from my grandmother Ms Lily Ogatina who happens to be the first woman parliamentarian in Solomon Islands and who has dedicated her life to improvement of people in my country.
Not only that, I also wish to change the negative ways in which politicians are seen in my country.
I want to work for my fellow citizens and bring my country to the forefront of global innovation.
I am interested in robotics because it is not a usual subject in our country and therefore I challenge myself to be involved in robotics this year.
My hopes for the future are to lead my country and not to follow around, nor to work for a corporation. In my spare time, I like to wander and keep myself fit.
My favourite subjects are math and ICT as they both are related to logic and both are needed in innovation.
The unique thing about me is that I am willing to take challenges, learn new things, fail and learn from my mistakes.
FIRST Global is the platform that allows me to do exactly this and more. I look forward to my participation along with my team from Solomon Islands.
Tania Douglas Uale—I’m a 9th grade student attending Woodford International School.
I’m interested in robotics because of the concept of the potential it offers for creating a solution that would help shape our future and otherwise I’ve always been curious about what it would be like living with robots! I hope the future would become a better place and a brighter home for the next generation, I hope it becomes liveable and suitable for our growing population.
Drawing and sections around art (such as designing) have become a keen hobby and passion of mine. I like to bring out my imagination and put it on paper so it can remain forever.
My favorite subjects are Art, Literature and science because of my passion for creating, learning and logic.
I don’t have a personal hero because I’m inspired by many people that have achieved many great things around this world.
What is unique about me is that I’m a keen learner who is curious about the world and how it works.
I would like FIRST Global know that I am determined to achieve and to put my all into this year’s challenge.
The FIRST Global Challenge is an annual robotics game that addresses one of the 14 Grand Challenges identified by the national engineering academies of the US, United Kingdom, and China.
Each year, a different issue of global importance will take centre stage as the theme of that year’s challenge, which will be held in a different nation across the world.
The challenge reflects how science and engineering, in an environment of cooperation, communication, and teamwork, can achieve transcendent actions and solve many of the great challenges humanity faces.
In July 2017, the first edition of the FIRST Global Challenge was held in Washington, where young people competed in a challenge about providing access to clean water.
