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Fugui says good governance first before anti-corruption law

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Former MP for Central Honiara, Moffat Fugui

By Mike Puia

MEMBER of Parliament for Central Honiara, Mr Moffatt Fugui, says good governance system should be in place first before the introduction of the Anti-Corruption Bill (ACB).

Fugui made these comments when contributing to the second reading of the ACB in Parliament last week.

He said government systems must be cleared first before the ACB is introduced as doing the other way is like “putting the cart before the horse”.

Fugui said without the presence of good governance systems at the first place, the ACB will create more problems than it could solve.

He said the ACB is not meant for Solomon Islands saying it’s a foreign law that is meant for other jurisdictions.

Fugui said the other piece of legislation the government should introduce forst along the good governance bill is the Traditional leadership Bill (TLB).

He said when the good governance bill and tractional leadership bill are in place it will progress the country in the right direction.

Fugui said this is when the ACB becomes necessary.

He said the good governance bill will map out how this country wanted to run its government.

He said foundational thinking, customs and practices must be frontloaded with good governance.

He said if oversight institutions like the Ombudsman, Leadership Code Commission and the opposition is not capacitated and financed to do its work properly and independently the ACB stand the chance of falling.

Gov’t medical expense

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

Some MPs clock up nearly $500,000 each on overseas health check-up

By Alfred Sasako

IT has been revealed that taxpayers forked out nearly $500,000 in medical and travel costs each time a Member of Parliament travelled to Australia for medical check-up.

The practice was discontinued earlier this year when the Prime Minister’s Office intervened, insiders told Island Sun.

The revelation comes as the Government struggles with drugs shortage at the National Referral Hospital which the Office of the Prime Minister said was due largely to a “management breakdown” and lack of internal coordination by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

“In many cases, there were no prerequisite referrals from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services nor were there confirmation of doctor’s appointment at the St Vincent Hospital in Sydney where these MPs were going for their medical check-ups.

“The paperwork was simply prepared and signed off by the Caucus Office. The Office of the Prime Minister simply returned the paperwork back to Caucus as there were no supporting documentations for such travel,” one insider said.

“In one case, the documents were sent back to the Caucus Office twice, because there were no supporting documentation such as an email from the doctor in Sydney confirming the appointment.

“Usually, the booking would show the cost of up to fifteen days in hotel accommodation in Sydney,” the insider said.

“We managed to bring down the cost to $290,000, although we believe this is still too high,” the insider said.

The insider said that prior to the intervention by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Caucus requisition for MPs’ travels for medical check-ups cost the taxpayers up to $500,000 each time an MP travelled to Sydney,

Island Sun understands the Minister for Infrastructure Development and MP for East Kwaio was the latest to visit St Vincent’s Hospital. He returned to Solomon Islands last week.

Meanwhile it has been revealed on social media discussions this week that apart from the CDF grants of $350 million this year, the Government is keeping quiet about an extra $10 million in discretionary funds from Taiwan.

The discretionary fund is handled by Prime Minister and no one else.

The person who put out the information is former Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM) Andrew Muaki, claiming politicians were responsible for the NRH fiasco.

“My objective is to ensure politicians put to good use the $10Million ROC discretionary fund under PM. Secondly to blame RCDF for the crisis in order to bring home the message that politicians are the root cause of the mess.

“I am not surprised that the PM denied it’s a funding issue. They want to preserve the $10Million ROC fund and the $320Million RCDF for political objectives,” he said.

Club hockey league action continues Sunday

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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School league starts next month

By Taromane Martin

THE 2018 Samlinsan Club Hockey League will continue this Sunday at the King George Six Hockey Field with three more matches.

Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF) Development Officer Mr Allen Temoa told SunSPORTS the hockey league is expected to finish by the end of the month.

“Only two Sundays is left for the round robin games to be completed. We expect to complete it by the end of this month.

“Three matches are set for this Sunday, two from the men’s and one from the women’s action,” he said.

For the competition table currently leading after four games in women’s competition is Parrots women’s team with 12 points

Don Bosco Club is in second place with seven points after four games played via goal difference while Cobra sits in third place also with seven points.

In the men’s league, currently leading the race after playing six games is Wantoks men’s hockey team with 16 points followed by USP (A) with 10 points and USP (B) hockey team who are in third position with eight points.

Deciding match for second place in the men’s competition will take place after the women’s action at 3pm this Sunday between Wantoks and Parrots.

Men’s deciding match for this Sunday is set for 3:30pm as USP (B) takes on USP (A).

Winner of this match could well cement second position that is if Cobra who is currently fourth with seven points, does not cause an upset over competition leaders Wantoks at 4pm.

Meanwhile the Development Officer says the Samlinsan High School Hockey League is set to resume on the first week of August.

Overseas teams to arrive Tuesday next week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SIRUF Development Officer Augustine Mafuara

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SIRUF Development Officer Augustine Mafuara

ORGANISER of the South Pacific Oil Solomon 7s is expecting some of the overseas participating teams to arrive by Tuesday next week.

The competition, which is organised by Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF), will be held Friday and Saturday next week.

SIRUF Development Officer Augustine Mafuara said a total of four overseas teams are coming to participate in the tournament along with two referees from Fiji who will be here to officiate.

Two teams are coming from Fiji, one from Bougainville and one from Vanuatu.

Representing Bougainville will be the Black Orchids.

Black Orchids is the name given to the national rugby 7s team representing the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Rugby Football Union (ARBRFU).

“Vanuatu will be represented by a club who call themselves the Vanuatu Barbarians,” Mafuara adds.

Meanwhile, clubs in Honiara are currently full swing in preparation for the sevens competition.

The winner of the Independence 7s Henderson Hammerheads is also hard at training to put out a good team to face the international visitors.

The Solomon Sevens competition will be played at the South Pacific Oil Oval at Ranadi.

Hand in your programs

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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CEO Renbel Solomon Games urges sports federations

By Taromane Martin

CHIEF Executive Officer for the 2018 Renell and Bellona Solomon Games Mr Golden Kiloko is urging all national sports federations to submit their competitions sports program before 12pm today.

Mr Kiloko in a statement said this is important all federations adhere to the call so as to allow the organisers to finalise how many sports will take part in the games and also budget for the program.

“This is to remind all National Federations to submit their competition sports programs entry by number of athletes, officials, technical officials, referees and competition budget which contains comp equipment’s and technical, committee remuneration on Friday 20th July, 2018 at NOCSI conference, 12pm.

“This is very important so that we will finalize the National Sports Federations budget, competition program and as well confirm sports that will participate at the game.

“Failure to submit your sports program, budget and plan will take it that your NF will not participate at the upcoming Solomon Game in RENBEL comes November.

“Please treat this as an urgent and important reminder. Thank you for your usual cooperation and looking forward to receiving those requested information,” he said.

Meanwhile the local organising committee for the games say they expect around 2191 athletes and officials to grace their shores for the games.

The LOC in a statement said they look forward to showing the athletes and officials the Solomon Games at its best and they believe the games will be an outstanding success.

The 2018 Renbel Solomon Games according to the LOC is set to kick off on November 20th -30th. Theme for the games is ‘Live the Impossible Dream’.

TSL kick off postponed

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Action of the 2017 season of the Telekom S-League

Non-submission of registration requirements by TSL franchise clubs cause delay

BY ROMULUS HUTA

The kick-off of the most-awaited 2018 season of the Telekom S-League (TSL) set for this weekend has been postponed.

This follows the non-submission of registration requirements by the eight TSL franchise competing teams to the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Secretariat by the deadline set for Wednesday 12noon this week.

The registration requirements include each team’s roster of 25 players and officials, along with $50,000 registration fee required per franchise club.

The eight franchise TSL contestants are champions Solomon Warriors, Marist, KOSSA, Henderson Eels, Malaita Kingz, Western United, FC Guadalcanal and Real Kakamora.

The TSL Board had initially agreed for a July 15 deadline for the submission of registration requirements.

Last week however, some of the clubs have requested extension where the TSL management extended the due date to 12 noon July 18, which supposed to be Wednesday this week.

Upon lapse of the new due date, none of the concerned clubs have come forward with their registration commitment.

According to the TSL time-frame, a technical meeting was to be held following the closure of the registration on Wednesday.

It is also during this technical meeting where the fixtures were supposed to be drawn up.

The non-submission of registration by teams had prompted the TSL management team to make a decision last night and consider postponing the kick off which is supposed to be this Saturday.

The TSL then issued a statement regretting the participating teams’ failure to submit their registration requirements on time.

“This is a reminder that the 2018 Telekom S-League season should start this weekend 21st July 2018.

“However, the TSL Board however regrets that as of midday yesterday (Wednesday closing date on 18.07.18) the registration requirements for all franchise clubs participating have not fully complied with.

“Therefore, it is unlikely that the 2018 S-League season will start as announced and anticipated by the TSL Board.

“Unless all registration requirements are fully complied with then it consequently affects the draws which needs to be done prior to the start of the season.

“The TSL Board regrets for any inconvenience this may cause to the public and all football lovers in Honiara and throughout the country,” the TSL Board said in an official statement issued last night.

Following the postponement, a new date will be decided soon by the TSL Board.

Participants pleased with peace building training

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participnats who are part of the peace vigil yesterday take turns to light their candles.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Participnats who are part of the peace vigil yesterday take turns to light their candles.

PARTICIPANTS who have attended the conflict sensitised training are pleased with the opportunity given because it helps them to see that post conflict landscape in Solomon Islands is still going through changes.

Speaking on behalf of the participants Martha Horiwapu Director of life and hope support ministry said the presentation presented have helped them(participants) to see that post conflict landscape in SI is still going through time of change.

“Many important things is still undone, we need to be seen to want to do them because unless a nation and people healed from their trauma and suffering there can be no moving forward.

“There can be no closure, healing and forgiveness. There can be peace and security for women in Solomon Islands,” she said.

On the same note Father Francis Lauvatu from the Diocese of Guadalcanal thanks the facilitators for organising the training.

He said this training had been a space for them to learn about conflict mapping, mediation and negotiation and managing stress, trauma and mental health issues in which will strengthening the country’s capacity building with regards to peacebuilding.

Gizo residents concerned with drug shortage

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

GIZO residents are concerned at the current medicine crisis afflicting Honiara and other hospitals and clinics around the country.

A Mr Andrew Koke says the drug shortage will affect patients.

“These shortages will greatly affect patient treatment options at the hospitals, mini-hospitals, and clinics, especially rural populace.”

“We are calling on responsible Ministry and the National Government to deal with drug shortages.”

In response, Dr Boara said Gizo Hospital and other mini hospitals and clinics only attend to in-patients admitted at the Hospital and emergency cases.

He said that currently the number of in-patients at the Gizo hospital is manageable.

He said the Ministry will soon sort out these issues regarding the drug shortages currently affecting the country.

Conflict sensitivity training ends successfully

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants who have attended the conflict Sensitivity training to strengthen women’s leadership program posed with their certificate with regards to the successful completion of the training. Photos Vois Blo Mere.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

Participants who have attended the conflict Sensitivity training to strengthen women’s leadership program posed with their certificate with regards to the successful completion of the training. Photos Vois Blo Mere.

THE weeklong workshop in recognition of the truth and to gain greater peacebuilding tools was successfully completed with participants awarded with certificates.

The key priority of this activity is to strengthen the position of women who are generally the voice of the voiceless, to strengthening their voice and capacity to articulate their issues in nation building.

The workshop covers topics and developed participants capacities in conflict mapping, mediation and negotiation and managing stress, trauma and mental health issues.

It covered topics and developed participants’ capacities in conflict mapping, mediation and negotiation and managing stress, trauma and mental health issues.

Speaking to the closing ceremony of the training Director for Vois Blong Mere Solomon Josephine Teakeni said, “to avoid violence, which is merely one possible outcome of conflict, it is better that we treat the cause and not the symptoms; we are all called to practice healing and be doctors of peace for the our family, community, region, nation and the world.”

Florence Swamy, the Executive Director of Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding, helped as one of the facilitators said “we want to support people, with practical tools, to take issues that are occurring at grass roots level and manage them in non-violent ways.

It was concluded yesterday with peace vigil lead by Vois Blong Mere Solomon Islands and addressed by Martha Horiwapu, Georgianna Sogote’e and Josephine

The workshop covers topics and developed participants capacities in conflict mapping, mediation and negotiation and managing stress, trauma and mental health issues.

The activity got its support from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariats and the action was funded by the European Union.

YWCA ends weeklong training on rise up manual refresher

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Participants who attend the Rise Up Manual Refresher training.

BY ELLISON VAHI

Participants who attend the Rise Up Manual Refresher training.

THE YWCA on Thursday ended their weeklong training with graduates receiving certificates of recognition for attending the training.

Speaking during the closing and issuing of the certificates to the participants, training facilitator Ms Yvonne stated that she is very grateful with the participants for their time and effort for making it, and hopes trainers are fully equipped and well facilitated as they will go out to their provinces and train their own people on how to address related issues affecting women and girls now a days.

Yvonne also stated that the programme is also comprehensive as it helps to assist Instructors in revision of both theory and practicals of the manual handling operative programme.

“It is an intensive and highly interactive course which will equip the instructor with the knowledge, skill and competence to effectively evaluate delivery of their manual handling training programme and enhance personal skills,” she said

Yvonne further added that, seeing the successful running of the programme has encourages the participants to go out and help their communities in addressing issues affecting especially girls under the age 14-29 on issues affecting them but have never have the chance to voice them out, as a key to their mission, the YWCA is helping at fighting strengthening the capacity of young Solomon Islands Women to influence change, promoting and inclusive healthy environment for women to reach their full potential, promoting the value of partnership and network and as well advocating for young women in decision makings.

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