Empty tins, cans, plastics lying along main Gizo town.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
GIZO Town is in a mess with its street filled both sides with rubbish unchecked, and for months.
There is reportedly no attempt by Gizo Town Council to remove the rubbish, and members of public are continuing to add more to the piles every day.
A stock pile of rubbish at the main avenue which has caused a lot of wonder by one prominent resident,
A Mr John Tano tells Island Sun that concerned members of public in Gizo are overwhelmed with surprise and distaste over the Gizo council’s negligence of duty by not cleaning up the town.
He said Gizo is a symbol of tourism for Solomon Islands, and to have its authority behave as such is just purely unacceptable.
He said the council should not wait until international cruise visits are announced before waking up to clean up the town.
Tano believes that cleaning up Gizo town must be a daily task, one that is done out of obligation to the township and its people and the province.
“As a tourism destination we must never sit back but change. The face of the town must be clean at all times.
“This mean that waste disposal is carried on daily basis and that those who responsible for keeping Gizo town unclean must now start to change.”
He is calling tourism division, GTC, business houses, private sector, NGOs and public to start to think better and change from older ways rather than we cannot just wait for big events such as a visit of a Cruise Ship before everyone pour onto the main street and clear up the place the Township.
GUADALCANAL Provincial Government (GPG) attempts to reclaim Guadalcanal’s integrity as a leading province and make significant improvements in management and control of public finances.
Guadalcanal Province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Mr Don Ricky during Paripao Ward’s celebration yesterday at Northeast Guadalcanal to mark the province 34th ‘2nd Appointed Day’ said GPG hope’s to enhance social services delivery and public infrastructure while at the same time, create a vibrant economy with sustainable engagement of resources for purposes of building a reputable and resilient livelihood for all Guadalcanal people.
“The GPG model not only deals with development goals but it does instill the sound values or morals of governance in the system of provincial government development and service delivery,” said Ricky.
“Through its PCDF projects, GPG promotes local development, improves the coverage and quality of local infrastructure and services, better managed natural resources and environmental protection, and increases in local economy activity, employment and revenues. The intermediate outcome is improved provincial governance for development.”
Amongst many witnessed, Mr Ricky pointed out to locals that two primary outcomes were in Paripao Ward as an example being the Kolosulu RHC1 project which is at its finishing stage and the Numbu WRC project which is still at domain and will be completed soon.
Group photo of MPs with leaders behind the National Security Strategy.
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Group photo of MPs with leaders behind the National Security Strategy.
THE National Security Division of the Ministry of Police National Security and Correctional Services met on Tuesday at Parliament with the parliamentary committee on police and security.
The meeting basically focussed on briefing the parliamentary committee on the progress work in formulating and development the country’s national security strategy.
Attending the meeting on Tuesday, July 31, includes the Chairman of the Committee, Member of Parliament for West Kwaraae, Sam Iduri, MP and Committee members and Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal, Dr Derek Sikua.
The meeting also convened Matthew Wale MP for Aoke & Langalanga and Charles Sigoto MP for Ranoga/Simbo.
Director for National Security Division, Mr David Diosi, said the purpose and objective of the National Security Strategy that Division working on as mandated by Solomon Islands Cabinet, there has been consultations held so far.
He also adds now they are working on developing the National Security Strategy with report that has identified four key pillars underlying their work.
The report includes security protecting sovereignty, peace and people of Solomon Islands people, Diosi said.
Diosi said report also enclosed Government who ensuring the stability of the Government and Political System and Economy safeguarding the Nation’s Economic Prosperity and Resources while Society involves, protecting the National Citizens, communities and Culture.
National Security Director, Mr David Diosi said importance of political support from the Government is to move forward the National Security Strategic Framework.
This also includes the need for closer work cooperation amongst all Law Enforcement Agencies to effectively address security issues of priority concern, he adds.
The Consultant, National Security, Mr Bernard Bata’anisia, informed the house saying the Division held over 30 consultation, visits and meetings with various stakeholders throughout the country over the past year and this year.
He said this is purposely to seek their views and comments on the security challenges facing the country which helped in the development of the strategy.
The Secretary for Border Security and Management in the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr John Wasi, also briefed the Committee on the developments at the border and on-going consultations undertaken to addressing the border situation.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Police and Security and his Committee Members were very appreciative with the meeting and the information provided about the National Security Strategy.
Group picture of the Two4One band members in their studio
BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
Group picture of the Two4One band members in their studio
HISTORY will be made for the country’s music industry as the Big Mountain Reggae group looks to sign a recording deal with the Two4One Band of Solomon Islands.
The Big Mountain reggae vibes from California, USA will be visiting Solomon Islands particularly Honiara for a stage show at the club Heritage Park Hotel on August 25.
The trip will be an opportunity for the Two4One band to do a gig collaboration with Joaquin Quino McWhinney, the lead vocalist of Big Mountain.
They will be recording two composed songs from the Two4One band, and the deal with be signed during Big Mountain’s visit to Honiara on August 25, 2018.
For a renowned reggae group in the world such as Big Mountain to do a recording with the Two4One in a local studio on Solomon soil is a remarkable milestone – history begins for local reggae bands.
Two4One band leader Mr Donald Bato said in an interview that Two4One will be having a recording deal with Joaquin Quino McWhinney of Big Mountain at McWhinney’s request.
He said they have been communicating and exchanging emails to sign the recording during his trip to Honiara this month, during which he will spend seven days.
“We are looking forward to our new recording projects as the Two4One receive request from an international reggae artist, Joaquin Quino McWhinney from Big Mountain,” Bato said.
“He wants to do a collaboration gig with us, and Quino knows and found the Two4One band through the Itunes and you tube, and we are looking forward for that new agreement.”
Bato said to play alongside an international renowned reggae artist is a huge achievement and breakthrough for the band to gain recognition in the global arena of reggae.
He said it is challenging but welcoming news for the band to record a label with Quino from the Big Mountain band.
Bato said is a world reggae popular band known to many Solomon Islanders and it’s an opportunity for us to tug with such a group.
“Recording a gig with Big Mountain will support the status of Two4One to come up as a local band in Solomon Islands and to expose to new level of music,” Bato said.
The club HP will host a stage show of Big Mountain on 25 August 2018 at the HP area.
Local stage band for the event includes, Jaro, Amy, Davu and Sol Jay.
The Big Mountain also visited Honiara in 2016 under HP, and now this was Big Mountain’s second time stage show here.
Guadalcanal Province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator
(PPDC) Mr Don Ricky. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS.
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
Guadalcanal Province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Mr Don Ricky. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS.
GUADALCANAL Province has a good combination of very hardworking leaders in which they have worked their talk said the province Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Mr Don Ricky.
He said they have worked their talk in addressing most of the Guadalcanal Province policy objectives to make ends meet for their people.
“Their toil and effort is worth rewarding because it is through their consultation activity and negotiation ability with other stakeholders and the National Government that we experience some development programs in our community,” said Ricky during attending Paripao Ward’s celebration yesterday to mark their province 34th Second Appointed Day.
“To name a few developments, the development of our road infrastructure, the formation of the education ordinance, the first ever women policy that will safe guard the right of women in Guadalcanal and the effectiveness of the GPG leaders summit early this year is amongst many.
“Whilst the provincial government continues to deliver these services within its capacity, we are concise of the rationale and purpose of PGSP which primarily hinges on good governance and accountability.
“The provincial government acknowledges that there are areas of improvement and gaps in this venture and we are doing all we can to improve and go along.”
It is understood that a main celebration for Guadalcanal Province Wards together to mark their 2nd Appointed Day will be today at the National Museum.
All are police officers – but the law treats them differently for the same crime
By Alfred Sasako
THE are all senior police officers. All four – from the ranks of Superintendent at the top to Sergeant at the bottom – have committed the same crime. They were driving possibly under the influence causing accidents, resulting in the write-off of three G-plated vehicles.
The fourth officer, an Inspector, was driving his own car. He too was involved in a road accident very recently. He was charged, convicted and dismissed from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), according to sources.
The accidents involving the first three happened on various times in the past seven years. The law, according to one source, treated them well.
Today, these three senior officers remain in their jobs except for one who was transferred to the Ministry of Police and National Security, according to the source.
The first accident involved a superintendent. He was driving a G-plated truck when the vehicle ran off the road at Kakabona, west of Honiara. As the truck veered off the road, it hit a house.
The Ministry of Police and National Security paid $18, 000 for the cost of damage inflicted on the building, according to sources
The officer however was never charged or disciplined. The truck was a write-off, according to the sources.
The second is a woman officer with the rank of Sergeant. She was allegedly involved in a road accident when the G-plated truck she was driving ran off the road. The vehicle was a write-off, according to the sources.
Again, no action was taken to discipline the officer. She is still driving today, the sources said.
The third officer was again a Superintendent. The vehicle he was allegedly driving when the accident happened was a write-off. It was a government vehicle with a G-plate.
The officer was never disciplined for the crime. He was later transferred to the Ministry of Police and National Security where he remains today.
Sources told Island Sun the only plausible explanation for non-action by the police is because the three officers could be members of the inner circle that runs the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.
Island Sun sought a response from the RSIPF yesterday but there was no response.
Black Orchids team posing with their second prize in the SPO Solomon 7s
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Bougainville Rugby President Peter Tsaimalili Junior
THE president of Autonomous Region of Bougainville Rugby Football Union (ARBRFU) has described their participation in the recent South Pacific Oil (SPO) Solomon 7s competition in Honiara last week as ‘playing for unity’.
Peter Tsiamalili Jr, who led the Bougainville Black Orchids side to a second place finish in the cup play-off said, it has been a wonderful journey for them to come over to Honiara and play against their Melanesian brothers.
“For us it has been a wonderful journey, not just a journey of rugby but a journey that Bougainville Orchids happened to unite every people together in the relationship we’ve had with Solomon Islands through the code of rugby,” he said.
The Black Orchids began their Solomon 7s campaign in a loss against homeside Henderson Hammerheads in the opening day but managed to pull through into the cup final after winning their remaining matches.
Tsiamalili Jr was full of praise for his boys despite the loss in the grandfinal against the Vanuatu Barbarians where they claimed the second prize of $20,000 cash.
“It’s been a bonus for us this weekend where God had allowed us to go all the way to play in the cup final.
“For this opportunity, we give all the glory and praise back to him that he has allowed us to come this far.
“Again, for us to come and finish in second has been a wonderful, wonderful outcome against this particular team Vanuatu Barbarians, that is obviously made up of good Fijian players, experienced Fijian players.
Black Orchids team posing with their second prize in the SPO Solomon 7s
“The difference between us is, we are purely straight out of the village. We’ve been working on our rugby and we really appreciate the benchmark of what they’ve set as we look forward to 2019 when we come back to Honiara to take this opportunity again.
“Definitely, it is our first time to participate in a competition outside of our region after 15 years of developing rugby in Bougainville.
“Actually, this is a first unique journey outside our region for us. We look forward to many more in better future,” Tsiamalili Jr, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the PNG Sports Foundation, said.
The Solomon 7s is the first ever international rugby sevens competition to be organised in the country by Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF).
The Black Orchids captain receiving his team’s second prize from the Speaker to Solomon Islands National Parliament Hon Ajilon Nasiu during the presentation
The Solomon 7s is the first ever international rugby sevens competition to be organised in the country by Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF).
The Black Orchids’ participation was upon invitation from SIRUF President Frank Wickham.
Tsiamalili expressed his gratitude to SIRUF for the invitation stating that it’s a significant milestone for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Rugby Football Union.
“All praise and glory goes back to God for allowing these games to be played amongst our brother regions where we are able to express ourselves through the rugby field.
“I would like to thank the rugby community in Honiara for being a wonderful host where the safety of all our players in and off the pitch are well looked after.
Black Orchids listening to speeches during presentation at the Town Ground Rugby Stadium
“Big credit goes to the organisers as well for putting up spectacular job in preparing this successful tournament,” Tsiamalili said.
Asked him what’s next, he asserts that this is the beginning of their long walk ahead.
“It is our aspiration that we will be ready as a rugby union playing nation when the time comes,” Tsiamalili Jr said.
“If Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa can do it so can we. This National Championship in Honiara adds to our resume for our bid to be recognised under World Rugby as an associate member of Oceania rugby union, with the plan to becoming full members.
“A full membership will be our objective into the future, we want to play in the Olympics and if a small nation like Fiji can be Olympic Champions in Sevens then have hope.”
A Black Orchid member is being closely watched by the Vanuatu Barbarians playersA Black Orchids player attempts to evade a tackle from the on coming Vanuatu Barbarians player in the final of the SPO 7sA Black Orchids player tries to make a run through
L-R.. Raphael Le'ai Leon Kofana, Ronaldo Cromwell and Junior Mana
By Taromane Martin
PREPARATIONS for October’s Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in Argentina are ongoing for the Solomon Islands Under-17 junior Kurukuru futsal team.
Head Coach Stanley Puirana said the squad has already resumed their trainings and are training three days a week after last month’s one-week training camp in Australia.
Coach Puirana said last month’s one week training camp in Sydney has been very helpful with the final selection of for the squad and also helping the players adapt to playing on a standard sized futsal court.
Puirana says he expects to name the final squad for the Junior Kurukuru U-17 futsal team later this month.
The Junior Kurkurus are training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Multipurpose Hall from 3pm to 5pm.
Meanwhile the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games in Argentina will kick off from October 7-18.
HHH SHarks forward Fredson Soaki on the charge as Realas players set up defense during their 2017 HRUA Low Price competition semi final match. ISN file
The 2018 season of HRUA league kick off tomorrow
BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE much-anticipated 2018 season of the Honiara Rugby Union Association (HRUA) league will finally kick off this weekend at the Town Ground Rugby Stadium.
This follows the draws which took place at the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) conference room yesterday.
The draws were held during a HRUA executive meeting attended by representatives of participating clubs.
HRUA is the legal governing rugby body in Honiara and has a total of eight affiliates namely Avaiki, Matangiki, Luapel, Diesel Services, Realas, Henderson HammerHeads, Islanders and TIA Warriors.
The eight affiliates are also ones contesting the 2018 season.
Three matches have been lined up for this weekend.
Two matches will be played on Saturday while one match is set for Sunday.
Kicking off the league round Saturday 2pm is Islanders taking on TIA Warriors and followed by Avaiki versus Diesel at 4pm.
The third match is on Sunday 4pm between Henderson Hammerheads and Matangiki.
The 2018 season is one of the main priorities since the election of Derek Pongi as HRUA president in June.
Pongi, who wishes to serve as HRUA President until the remainder of this current term lapses toward the end of the year, stated straight after his election that the HRUA league competition must uphold consistency to meet the growing demands of rugby in Honiara.
“For most part of this upcoming remaining months, HRUA executive is expected to carry out competitions for affiliated clubs which is going to be interesting and exciting, and I hope this will get rugby fans in Honiara get what they have been expecting since the beginning of this year,” Pongi highlighted earlier.
The league was initially agreed to kick off earlier last month. But to the rescheduling of the Solomon 7s competition for end of last week, HRUA had to reschedule their league’s kick off date as well, which will finally commence this weekend.
Meanwhile, Avaiki is the defending champion from last year’s competition, making it twice in a row after the 2016 edition.
Archery Solomon Islands focuses on development and future international events
BY ROMULUS HUTA
A program aimed at identifying new archers for the country will get underway in Honiara this month.
The program is organised by the Archery Solomon Islands (ASI) and will be held at the Town Ground Rugby Stadium on Saturday 11th August commencing at 1pm.
The program includes a whole afternoon of training and invites current archers and newly interested potential archers to attend.
The session will be conducted by certified individuals who are part of the coaching team from the archery federation.
“This will give the coaches time to prepare “Come & Try” Instruction Booklets and Checklists for new archers, and to repair and replace training equipment. Targets need to be maintained and another target stand and butt needs to be constructed before then,” a statement from the federation said.
The federation is also looking for interested sponsors to come forward and support them.
“Support from interested sponsors for development of archery in the Solomon Islands is encouraged.”
The training program is part of the federation’s plans to promote the code further to Solomon Islanders.
On this note, they have big plans ahead where they are putting a more spirited focus in encouraging more youths to come into the sport and help sustain its development aspects into the future.
“There are very few youth an archer participating in the sport and it is one sport where individual athletes can do very well with dedicated training and good coaching.
“Youth athletes can begin learning at around 12 years old and can compete in regional games at the age around the age of 13,” the national governing archery body said.
During the training, participants will be separated according to various classes defined by their ages.
The classes are: Cubs (13 years and under), Intermediate (15 years and under), Cadets (17 years and under), junior (20 years and under), Open, Masters (for 50 to 60 year olds) and Veteran (60 years and above).
The focus during the training session will be:
Recurve Double 720 round – 70 meters (2 x 320; 72 arrows) (Men and Women)
Recurve – 70 meters ranking round (Men and Women)
Match Play Recurve (Men and Women)
Mixed Team Recurve
Target Round: World Archery Double 720 at 70 meters (144 arrows)
Match Play Rounds – Individual competition
Being an inclusive sport, the archery federation is also giving priority opportunity to interested para-athletes.
“The inclusion of para-archers will also be a priority.
“Archery is one sport where para-athletes can be very competitive.
“There are several classes of disability and those who consider themselves as living with a disability, or families of these people, should contact the Solomon Islands Archery Association to find out how they can participate.
“The recently qualified coaches receive special support from World Archery to encourage disabled peoples to participate in archery.”
The federation added anyone interested to join them for the above training on August 11 are required to contact Archery Development Officer Andrew Lano on 7508761 or email: [email protected] for registration.
The archery federation is doing all these to ensure they have a big pool of archers to select from for the national team for upcoming various tournaments such as the Pacific Games 2019, Oceania Para OChampionship 2019 – Townsville, Arafura Games – Darwin 2019 and Oceania Archery Championships 2020 – Fiji.
