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$40 is a dedicatory legal note: CBSI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The new $40 notes and $20 coins.

By Gary Hatigeva

The new $40 notes and $20 coins.

IT is revealed that though short term, the new $40 note is a dedicatory bill, produced in dedication to the country’s 40 years in existence as a nation.

Following its official launching, a question was posed, which goes to question whether it was necessary to have a $40 note that is understandably produced to mark Solomon Islands’ 40th Independence Anniversary.

Many, who gave views on that and expressed disappointments over the decision to come up with the note, suggested that Solomon Islands wanted a stronger currency, “not new notes”.

“40 years already gone, yet the country’s economic status is still the same (slow), with so many challenges, of course that includes cash flaw crisis, and therefore does not deserve to be given any special treatment,” one expressed.

Others thought that instead of creating an odd note, the bank should have created higher valued notes, giving examples of a potential $200 or $300 bill (note).

Another also suggested that the country does not necessarily need to increase any note value, but rather increase the value in the country’s dollar.

Some reiterated that the Value of Solomon’s currency needs to be increase, and because of its weakness, they thought it was unnecessary to produce the independence note.

But following what they revealed as misreporting and misleading reports from the mainstream media over the launched notes and coin, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) came out with an official statement for retraction and correction.

The explanation has however shed strong lights to what many have highlighted and discussed in relation to the raised question, both on face book and in person.

Based on the reason as to why the new note, the statement explained that the $40 is a circulating commemorative note.

“As a circulating note people can use the note in their daily transactions like the existing circulating notes ($100, $50, $20, $10 and $5.)

“The commemorative nature of the note however, makes this denomination a collectible note or a memorabilia where individuals/firms etc. can use the note as a gift to their friends or visitors or retiring colleagues and so forth.

“People must note that there is also an element of rarity in this banknote issue as the Bank had only ordered a limited number of notes.

“This means that once the stock of $40 is all issued into circulation then that would be it – it is a one off production meant to celebrate the country’s 40 years of independence.

“The other issue that the report highlighted was that of a higher value denomination, particularly, why CBSI did not consider issuing a $150 or $200 denomination instead.

“In that connection, people need to be informed that the Central Bank continues to monitor the banknote structure and will introduce a higher value denomination as and when it is appropriate to do so. Currently there are five banknote denominations (i.e. $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5) and five coin denominations ($2, $1, 50c, 20c and 10c) in the country’s currency structure,” the statement explained.

The statement added that for Solomon Islands, this currency structure is considered ideal given the demand for cash in the economy and, for banknotes, their use pattern as payment and market notes.

“That said, the CBSI continues to monitor the value/volume of currency in circulation, the number of payment instruments used in the country, cash distribution issues to name a few issues,” the statement adds.

It is also revealed that CBSI will introduce a higher denomination as and when absolutely necessary. The public will be informed when this happens.

New $40 note and $2 coin part of circulation currency  

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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CBSI’s Acting Chief Manager for Currency Department, Joe Vasuni. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

CBSI’s Acting Chief Manager for Currency Department, Joe Vasuni. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

CENTRAL Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) clarifies that the new $40 banknote and $2 coin launched is part of the country’s circulation currency.

This means that the public can exchange goods and services with this special commemorative currency as it has been officially declared as legal tender.

CBSI corrects an article published by Island Sun under the headline, ‘Commemorative $40 note produced is not part of circulation currency’.

According to CBSI, the article title has misled the general public.

From brief explanation given by CBSI, the $40 is a circulating commemorative note, which people can use in their daily transactions like the existing circulating notes of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5.

The commemorative nature of the note however makes the denomination a collectible note or a memorabilia where individuals/firms can use the note as a gift to their friends or visitors or retiring colleagues and so forth.

People must note that there is also an element of rarity in this banknote issue as the Bank had only ordered a limited number of notes meaning that once the stock of $40 is all issued into circulation then that would be it.

It is a one off production meant to celebrate the country’s 40 years of independence.

Another issue the report highlighted was that of a higher value denomination, particularly, why CBSI did not consider issuing a $150 or $200 denomination instead.

“In that connection, people need to be informed that the Central Bank continues to monitor the banknote structure and will introduce a higher value denomination as and when it is appropriate to do so.

“Currently there are five banknote denominations (i.e. $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5) and five coin denominations ($2, $1, 50c, 20c and 10c) in the country’s currency structure,” CBSI explains.

For Solomon Islands, this currency structure is considered ideal given the demand for cash in the economy, for banknotes, their use pattern as payment and market notes.

With these said, CBSI continues to monitor the value/volume of currency in circulation, the number of payment instruments used in the country and cash distribution issues to name a few issues.

CBSI will introduce a higher denomination as and when absolutely necessary as the public will be informed when this happens.

Munda airport under the spotlight on compliance with international

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED SASAKO

WESTERN Province’s Munda Airport, destined to become the nation’s second international Airport, may have failed the prescribed operational requirements under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules, it was revealed earlier this week.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela this week highlighted the importance of Munda Airport, which he said was critical to the growth of the tourism industry and the nation’s economy as a whole.

But sources told Island Sun the Airport has many issues in terms of compliance with international requirements.

“The aerodrome, built with New Zealand funding, does not even have an emergency plan, nor does it have an Air Traffic Control Tower,” sources told Island Sun earlier this week.

“Among other things the emergency plan must have appropriate level of fire fighting service, the number of hospital emergency standby beds and an effective Air Traffic Control Management regime,” one source said.

“Air Traffic Control Management is the body that would coordinate these different functions to ensure safe operations of aircraft in and out of the Airport. Unfortunately, this body does not even exist today,” the source said.

The source said Munda Airport runway is 1,950metres long – the same in terms of length of Nausori Airport in Suva, Fiji. To comply with international requirements, Munda Airport should have two fire-fighting units.

“The number of fire fighting units to be stationed at Munda Airport is determined by the type of aircraft and the fuselage of such aircraft that would be using the Airport.

“For example, if a Boeing 737-800 is the type of aircraft that would be using the Airfield, there must be two fire fighting units. The nearby hospital too must always have an x-number of standby beds for emergency,” the sources said.

The source said this is part of a safety management system, which is critical to the issue of safety.

The source said the absence of an Air Traffic Control Management body has increased the vulnerability of the Airport.

“It must be addressed immediately before Munda is qualified as a designated international Airport,” the source said.

Asked whether it was government to blame for this, the source said the government was not responsible.

“The problem lies with the fact that non-technical people are put in charge of Ministries responsible for coordinating safety compliance measures required by ICAO. As a result, the government is ill-advised about safety compliance requirements,” the source said.

SI, Aus and PNG sign Coral Sea cable system MOU

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Hou, PNG PM O’Neil and Australia PM Turnbull congratulating each other after the signing in Brisbane this week. Photo from PM Press Secretariat

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA P ODOKOLO

THE memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the funding of construction and installation of the Coral Sea Cable system has been signed in Brisbane on July 11, 2018 between Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela announced this during a press conference with local journalists yesterday.

He explains that this latest signing is a follow-up to the one inked on June 11 in Sydney regarding the landing agreement between Australia and Solomon Islands.

PM Hou said the signing activates an essential milestone in the development of this important project.

“As most of you would know the Coral Sea cable system comprises four pairs of submarine cable fibres that will link Honiara and Port Moresby directly to Sydney.

“It provides a new auto fast telecommunication network of which is reported to be 40 thousand times faster than our current services in Solomon Islands.

Three PM’s with the Coral Sea Cable company executives.

“The four pairs of fibre are run as one cable from Sydney, so there will be two pairs, one pair will be running to Port Moresby somewhere from in the middle of the Coral Sea the four pairs will separate.

“Two pairs will be branching off to Port Moresby and two pairs will be running from there to Honiara,” he said.

Hou said each pair of fibre has the capacity of 10 terabytes; Solomon Islands and PNG will have 20 terabytes each, which is equivalent to 20 million megabytes each.

He said the economic life span of the cable is 25 years.

“As expected we should see the price or the cost of the telecommunication reduce when this project com into operation early in 2020.

“The signing now clears the way to plan, construct and install the new cable system,” he said.

PM Hou, PNG PM O’Neil and Australia PM Turnbull congratulating each other after the signing in Brisbane this week. Photo from PM Press Secretariat

Hou said Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has carried out the selection of the vendors to implement the project and is nearing completion. Once appointed the vendor will first undertake a desktop study on the routine of the capable.

He said they will first work on mapping out where the cable will be running.

Hou said from there the selected vendor will take a more detailed marine survey on the route to lay the cable.

Following that will be a more detailed study on how the cable will be placed at the bottom of the ocean.

“If there is any unnecessary Ascertain dangers and risks discovered it will be dealt with or either diverted.

“They will also ascertain the total length of the capable needed and once it is done orders is going to be made to the manufacturer to provide us an exact time frame as to when we expect landing in Honiara,” Hou said.

The three PMs witnessing the signing this week.

He adds once the mapping is done the cable will be manufactured and laid starting from Sydney.

Hou said the laying of the cable will not take more than two and half months. It is estimated to be completed either in October or November next year, with the internet service available in early 2020.

“The total cost of the cable is about Australian$176,864,624. Australia is paying for $130.3million for the international link from Sydney to Port Moresby in Honiara which Australia is going to pay 66.7 percent of that amount and that works out to be just about AUD$92 million. Papua New Guinea is going to be paying of just below AUD$19.7 million and similar amounts Solomon Islands will be paying.

“There is a further amount of more than AUS$45.5million for the Solomon Islands domestic center that is Honiara joining up with Auki, Noro and Taro which again Australia is going to pay 66.7 percent of the total and the which workers out to be just above AUS$31.8million and Solomon Islands will be paying AUS$13.8million of that amount.

“Once the cable is laid Solomon Islands will have both the international and the national circuits,” he said.

Prime Minister Hou, PM O’Neil and PM Turnbull with officials after the signing.

$566k for Wairokai farmers missing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PAYMENT of $566,000 for 32 contracted farmers and their labourers at the oil palm project in Wairokai, Malaita province, has reportedly gone missing.

The money is alleged to have disappeared within the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL). It is reported that the money has been paid to 32 ghost names, who had falsely represented the farmers.

One of the farmers, who wants his name withheld, said the issue of the missing money was made known last week when officers from MAL went over to Wairokai following up on continuous complaints over payment.

This is regarding payment owed to the farmers over work last year involving transplanting of oil palm plants from the nursery.

The payment was delayed last year with the promise to be made this year after the passing of the government budget 2018. That was the last the farmers heard of the payment.

“This is where we begin to launch our complaint to MAL to know about whether we’ll still get our payment or not.

“And it was upon our continuous grievances that officers from MAL came to Wairokai to explain the payment to us,” the farmer said.

The MAL officers went to Wairokai and showed the farmers a list of names to which payment have been made. The farmers recognised none of the names on the list.

It is understood that the 32 names on the MAL list are not that of the farmers who had been contracted. Furthermore, payment have already been made to the 32 ghost names.

Each reportedly received $18,000.

“An awful moment for us and maybe the MAL officers if they were cleaned from the deal.

“Even name of a single contracted farmer wasn’t on the list. All names on the list were strange to us and we knew anything about them for sure,” the person said.

“The MAL officers were also seen to be with surprise as well when they finally knew the payment has issued to wrong people,” the farmer said.

MAL is now being accused of carelessness which has victimised the farmers, and would likely cost the ministry.

The farmers are demanding that they be paid.

Where’s the money?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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LOs threaten to close down national project over ‘mishandled’ half-million dollars

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

LANDOWNERS of Wairokai, where the national palm oil project is located, are threatening to close down the project.

They issued the notice to close down the project following reports that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has mishandled $566,000 which was meant for labourers’ wages.

A landowner, who wished to remain anonymous, told Island Sun Auki office yesterday that landowners are now ‘one-minded’ to halt the project due to government’s failure on the project.

The landowner adds that ‘discrepancies started to show right at the very beginning of the project’, and have continued to date.

“We involved in the project since it started and we knew very well who is doing what on the project.

“In a generally view, I can say the project has a dull future because luck of government’s commitment to push it according to expectation.

“We did all we can for the development of the project and we still committed because we know the project is for our good and everyone’s good.

“But with the current status of the project it seems dull and if it continue we (landowners) can decide on its future,” the person said.

The farmer adds that all along it has been the government’s rhetoric to blame landowners for posing as an impediment to development in the rurals, but for the case of Wairokai, the landowners have opened up their land and that it is the government who is proving to be a stumbling block to development.

“But in this case landowners allow their land and resource for development, it was the government that fail it responsibility to properly deliver the project,” the farmer said.

Title-defense preparation soon

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The national senior futsal side known as Kurukuru is the reigning OFC champions. (INSERT) Kurukuru head coach Jerry Sam.

Coach to call training for Kurukuru by end of this month

BY ROMULUS HUTA

The national senior futsal side known as Kurukuru is the reigning OFC champions. (INSERT) Kurukuru head coach Jerry Sam.

THE head coach of the national senior futsal side, known as Kurukuru, will call training soon for members of his training squad.

Head coach Jerry Sam confirmed to SunSPORTS yesterday that he is currently working on his training squad list which would soon be made known.

The training is part of their preparation toward the 2020 Oceania Futsal Championship which will double as the qualifiers for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Solomon Islands is the current Oceania champions with of a total of record-tying five titles won in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2016.

On top of that, the Kurukurus have qualified for the past three editions of the FIFA World Cup representing Oceania in 2008, 2012 and 2016, respectively.

Jerry stated that their preparation toward their Oceania title defense would begin at the end of this month and strongly emphasised that their immediate focus would be the Australian National Futsal Championship next year.

The Australian National Futsal Championship is an annual event which usually occurs in January.

“As soon as I finish enlisting the training squad, I will call training.

“We will have a slow start, atleast twice a week for the boys.

“We’re working on big plans in the preparation for the 2020 qualifiers.

“I have big pool of players to select from and we are looking at taking things on a more serious note with our upcoming participation in the Australian National Futsal Championship next year and as well as having a line of interesting international friendlies in the pipeline.”

Jerry also expressed excitement with the availability of Captain Elliot Ragomo, who is in the country at the moment.

Ragomo help stirred local outfit Marist to winch the national futsal title last month upon his return from playing professionally in the Brazilian Liga Nacional de Futsal with club Minas Tênis Clube.

“Ragomo’s presence will help boost the morale of the young players in our training squad.

“Our captain is an inspirational leader who had already led us into three futsal world cups and he has a lot of respect.”

The other three senior Kurukuru members in the form of James Egeta, Jack Wetney and Micah Lea’alafa will also return for the national futsal side next year, according to Jerry.

“I’ve been in close contact with James, Jack and Micah as they are playing overseas at the moment and they will join training later as we head toward the qualifiers.

“The addition of these experienced names along with the new ones will help us select a very strong team for the qualifiers,” Jerry, who is also the futsal development officer for Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), said.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands’ Oceania close rivals namely New Zealand, Tahiti and New Caledonia have already begun their preparation months ago toward the 2020 qualifiers with the aim of dethroning the Kurukurus from the premier regional futsal title and attempt a shot at the 2020 world cup.

In April, New Caledonia and Tahiti played a three match series against each other and the latter came out winning the tie.

Last month, New Zealand known as Futsal Whites played in an invitational tournament in China against the hosts, Vietnam and Russia but lost all matches.

Youth futsal side to finalise team after tour

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Under-17 futsal top goal scorer Raphael Le’ai celebrates one of his goals with team mate Frankster Rukumana during last year’s qualifiers in New Zealand.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE national youth futsal team will name their final 10-man squad for the Youth Olympic Games upon return from their current Australia tour.

The national youth side is currently on a week-long training camp at the Sydney-based Dural Sports Leisure Center in Australia.

This is part of their preparation toward this year’s Youth Olympic Games in Argentina come October where futsal is debuting for the first time.

A total of 12 boys are currently on this trip to Australia, accompanied by Head coach Stanley Puairana, Assistant coach Dickson Kadau and Team Manager Nacanieli Seru.

Puiarana said competition for those final places in the team is tough.

“It is very hard to decide on the final ten players for the Youth Olympics but we’ll use the Australia training camp to select our final squad,” he said.

“All the players have performed in the National Futsal League and they deserved a place in the final squad.

“But it will come down to who deserved it more based on the effort they put in training and their attitude off the court will also play a major part.”

Team Manager Seru said: “Junior Kurukuru management have come up with 12 names after intensive training and good experience in a very competitive SIPA league.

“In the 12 months our boys have had the opportunity to improve themselves by playing against some very strong clubs that are comprised of senior Kurukuru players.

“This trip is basically to help our boys adapt into an international standard court,” Seru added.

“Also the training camp will help us to identify players who are strong mentally to handle the challenge of being away from home.”

Mani third in SPOJC doubles

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Graham Mani flies higher in his singles tie contest against Tahiti in the semifinals.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

NATIONAL lawn tennis representative Graham Mani has teamed up with a Northern Mariana Islander to finish at third place in the doubles competition of the South Pacific Open Junior Championships (SPOJC) held last month in Fiji.

The 2018 South Pacific Open Junior Championships (SPOJC) was held at the Regional Training Centre in Lautoka from June 25 to July 1.

Mani and female netter Zorika Morgan represented Solomon Islands in the event with both losing out in the singles competition at round of 64 to two Australians.

Morgan could not stand up to a hefty challenge from Tamara Bajagic as she lost out on two straight sets 6-0, 6-0.

Mani put in a strong fight against Junyi Tangi but lost 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2.

Tangi came out leading the first set before Mani made a comeback to win the second set.

With a one-all tie, the duo went in for the final set where Tang managed to win 6-2 which had him qualified into round of 32.

The setback in the singles competition did not hold back Mani as he partnered with Robert Schorr of Northern Mariana Islands to win the bronze in the boys under-18 doubles.

SI National Swimming team focus on Pacific Games 2019

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the national swimming team infront of the Taurama Aquatic Center in Port Moresby during last month’s Oceania Championship.(insert) The national swimming head coach Stance Beula, Swimming Vice-President Nihal Seneviratne and PNG swimming legend Ryan Pini.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Islands Swimming National team has set a strong focus toward their participation at next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa.

Swimming Head coach Stance Beula said their aim is to make Solomon Islands reach new heights in swimming by winning the country’s first medal in the newly-introduced sport.

Swimming is one of the 16 compulsory codes within the allocated 24 sports earmarked to be staged during the Games which will run from July 8 to 20 in Apia next year.

The Solomon Islands swimming team participated in last month’s 12th edition of the Oceania Swimming Championship in PNG and have achieved a fair result despite most of its members missing out on a place in the finals of their various events.

“The championship last month was important for us.

“I think we have the potential to make it further given we have no proper facilities at home to enhance our training,” Beula told SunSPORTS upon their return from Port Moresby.

“Here we train in open waters which hold a lot of difference from the pool we compete in at the Oceania level.

“The level at the Oceania Championship is a lot higher given it is dominated by the experienced Australian and New Zealand swimmers who are very much well-off and equipped.

“Upon our return, our next target is the Pacific Games next year in Samoa.

“We will resume training shortly for the Samoa Games and so as we will also be looking to send some of our swimmers to an overseas event coming up this year,” Beula said.

Swimming Federation Vice-President Nihal Seneviratne said results gathered from the Oceania Championship last month renews the call that more support is needed from stakeholders for swimming.

“Firstly, we have no proper facilities back home but still we were able to produce some excellent results in the heats.

“Our performance tells us that we have a lot of potential in swimming and this is only the start,” Seneviratne assures.

Members of the national swimming team infront of the Taurama Aquatic Center in Port Moresby during last month’s Oceania Championship.(insert) The national swimming head coach Stance Beula, Swimming Vice-President Nihal Seneviratne and PNG swimming legend Ryan Pini.

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