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MSG member countries confirm delegates to MACFest

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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ALL member countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) have finally confirmed their total number of delegates attending the Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) in Honiara this July.

Chair of the MACFest Programmes and Events Committee and Director of Culture, Dennis Marita have received confirmation of numbers from his counterparts in PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia last week.

PNG will send a total of 150 participants, followed by New Caledonia with 147, Fiji with 80 and Vanuatu with 62.

Solomon Islands as the host nation has confirmed the highest with a total of 300 participants taking the total number of participants to 739.

Mr Marita said the total is expected to reach the 1000-mark once the other invited countries send in their participant numbers.

The invited countries include the Melanesian populations of West Papua in Indonesia, East Timor, Torres Strait Islands of Australia and the indigenous people of Taiwan.

The MACFest National Organising Committee in Honiara is currently in full swing with preparations to host the event.

The 10 days event will run from July 1-10 on the theme “Past Recollections; Future Connections” which is programmed to coincide with the country’s 40th Independence Anniversary.

Solomon Islands was the first MSG country to host the Melanesian Arts Festival in 1998.

After this inaugural event, the festival has been held every four years on rotational basis in the five Melanesian countries.

The Festival was conceived in 1995 by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to promote and preserve Melanesian culture, tradition, values and contemporary arts in the region.

–SIG, MSG & NOC JOINT PRESS

BLC looks into maritime authority bill 2018

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Bills and Legislation Committee headed by Chairman Hon. Matthew Wale with two MID officials appearing before them.

THE Bills and Legislation Committee has concluded its hearings into the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority Bill 2018 on Wednesday.

The Bill has 92 clauses and is an Act to establish the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority and other related purposes.

Its intended purpose is to complete the progression of change at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development from the former Marine Division, operating ships on behalf of the Government (former government fleet) as owners, to monitoring and controlling the registered private sector fleet as regulators (the Maritime Authority, or SIMA).

The Bills and Legislation Committee headed by Chairman Hon. Matthew Wale with two MID officials appearing before them.

This final organisational progression will ensure the administration has sufficient resources, flexibility of staff and volume of assets to be able to fulfill its mandate to enforce compliance with the shipping Act 1998 and associated national maritime legislation.

The Bill will also enable the new maritime authority to monitor commercial aspects of shipping and engage more with the international shipping community.

Solomon Islands Maritime Authority or SIMA’s objective, created by the Bill, is to monitor domestic shipping to improve the safety and comfort of passengers; develop a marine environmental protection section to minimise, mitigate and prosecute marine pollution incidents, especially by foreign-owned ships; and to advise on improvement of energy and economic efficiency of shipping services, especially to the provinces.

Fulfillment of the obligations of the maritime conventions to which Solomon Islands has acceded, and future accession to more recent international maritime conventions, together with greater involvement in the international shipping community, will help to ensure control in the escalation of freight rates to and from Solomon Islands (currently escalating at one of the highest percentage annual increase rates in the world).

Appearing before the Committee during the course of the inquiry were officials from the sponsored Ministry of Infrastructure Development.

Although the Director of SIMSA, Captain Tim Harris was overseas for medical attention, the committee was fortunate to have contact with him via tele-conferencing, in which he presented comprehensive perceptions surrounding policy matters of the Bill.

BLC will make a written report to Parliament containing the observations and recommendations arising from its deliberations soon.

–PARLIAMENT MEDIA

Honiara rotary club $100k richer in its fight against malaria

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A $100,000 smile from Rotary’s Wayne Morris (right) receiving the money from Johnny Sy, the Vice President of the SFA

By Alfred Sasako

A $100,000 smile from Rotary’s Wayne Morris (right) receiving the money from Johnny Sy, the Vice President of the SFA

THE Honiara Rotary Club is $100,000 richer – thanks to the Solomon Forest Association (SFA), which has supported the on-going “Rotarian Against Malaria” programme for the last three years.

Director of Rotary International Services, Wayne Morris, received the payment from SFA’s vice president, Johnny Sy at a brief ceremony at the SFA Office in Honiara on Wednesday.

Other Executive members of the SFA Board also attended the ceremony.

The payment completes SFA’s three-year sponsorship of the program at the cost of $300,000.

The programme has been credited with reducing the incidences of malaria in at least 140 communities throughout Solomon Islands.

Mr Morris said the Honiara Rotary Club works with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in the fight against malaria.

He said communities, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services received tools such as brush knives, shovels and so on which are used to drain out stagnant water which mosquitos use as breeding grounds.

He said one of the success stories in the Rotarian Against Malaria programme is Isabel province, which is about to be declared the first malaria-free province in Solomon Islands.

Morris said the financial support by SFA over the last three years is a major contributing factor to the success of the programme, which also received Rotary funding from Australia.

SFA’s vice president Sy said the organisation is pleased to be part of a programme, which fights a common enemy in mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.

SFA has already indicated support for the next project – a trailer for a mobile blood bank being set up at the National Referral Hospital. It will be run by Red Cross.

Trial for man facing arson charge next week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi says hearing of evidence into the case against a man facing one count of arson will resume on Monday next week, not Tuesday.

She made the orders in court yesterday when Prosecution applied for the trial to resume on Tuesday as the prosecutor in carriage of the case is currently in Kirakira for the court circuit and will back on June 2.

Ms Taeburi said the trial will resume on Monday and not Tuesday as the prosecutor in carriage will be back on June 2 and she still has time for a conference with the witnesses in preparation for the trial on Monday.

Court told the prosecutor who appeared yesterday to inform their admin and support staff of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution to assist the prosecutor in carriage of the case in bringing the witnesses to Honiara.

The court also said the witnesses are all in the GPPOL area as the incident occurred in GPPOL and there should not be any difficulty in bringing them to Honiara.

The accused man, John Ammond, is facing one count of arson in relation to an incident which occurred this year at the GPPOL area.

Daniel Kwalai of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused in court.

No lawyer, case adjourns

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

WITH the issue of lawyer shortage, defendants remanded in custody just might wait longer to have a lawyer.

On Wednesday an accused remanded in custody told the court that he written to the Public Solicitor’s Office requesting legal assistance plenty of times since being remanded to no response.

The accused Reginald Eloga is facing a charge of act to cause grievous harm in relation to an incident which occurred sometimes this year.

He was remanded in custody in April.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi then adjourned the case to June 13 and made directions for the PSO practice manager to consider requests made to their office.

Recently in court, Ms Taeburi had said that it must not be forgotten that every person charged with criminal offences have the constitutional right for legal representation in court – it’s a right given to them by the constitution.

Man denies rape charge

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A man has pleaded not guilty to rape charge yesterday.

His case was adjourned for June 5 for a preliminary inquiry.

Allegations said the accused was using his finger to sexually harass a female early this year.

The matter was reported to police and the accused was arrested and placed in custody to face court.

Daniel Kwalai of the Public Solicitor’s office who represents the accused after his client entered a not guilty indicated to the court that a short form preliminary inquiry will be conducted on the case.

The court then adjourned the case to June 5 for the SFPI.

On another separate case of sexual offence the accused is still without a lawyer and the court made directions for Mr Kwalai to follow up with his practice manager on the allocation of cases.

The accused told court yesterday that he had already sent ‘plenty’ of requests to the PSO but has received no response.

The accused is charged for raping a female with disability.

Meanwhile, prosecution also told the court that investigation in relation to the case is still ongoing.

MP-backed candidate

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Former Western Province Premier Hon. Wayne Maepio

Western Premier Wayne Maepioh fires the first salvo against the spread of corruption

 

By Alfred Sasako

 

AS the national general election fever gains momentum, Western Province Premier Wayne Maepio has fired the first salvo, accusing national politicians of spreading their brand of corruption in the provinces.

“It is happening in my province right now where at least two national politicians have openly told voters to support the candidates of their choice in the provincial election in June.

“And these national politicians backed their candidates for the provincial election by giving them solar panels, iron roofing, sewing machines and in some cases, outboard motor engines,” Mr Maepioh said.

“This is wrong. It creates false hopes and expectations in people. What if these people lose the election?

“And even if they won, the provincial governments are not in a position to keep providing materials. This is corruption,” Maepioh told Island Sun on Tuesday before he flew off to visit his wife who is recovering in a Brisbane hospital.

Maepioh is seeking legal action to establish whether the so-called donations by provincial candidates conform to the law.

“It is wrong. It is wrong. It is wrong. I call on the police to investigate this new level of corruption being exported to the Provinces.

“If it can happen in my own ward and province, I am sure it is also happening in Provinces that will go to the election later this year,” Maepioh said.

The Premier said it would seem that some logging companies are supporting candidates hand-picked by the two national MPs.

“One is not even from Western province,” he said.

Premier Maepioh said he had put these logging companies on notice that their involvement in politics is being closely watched.

“I don’t mind candidates contesting the provincial election in a free and clean way, but I am against those who clearly use public funds to support candidate of their choice, heaping goods to drive their campaign,” he said.

“It would seem MPs have had so good for so long without being touched by the police that they are now engaged in bold moves to export their brand of corruption to the provinces.

“I appeal to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to instigate investigations immediately as we do have solid evidence to back my claims,” he said.

Marist up to second spot

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Gantimak FC player goes for a shot as Marist FC captain Elliot Ragomo goes for defense. Photos by Daniel Kakadi.

G-Camp disturbs Kooline’s attempt to get back ontop of the ladder

BY DANIEL KAKADI

G-Camp player making his way past Kooline fc player. photo by Daniel Kakadi

MARIST futsal team had moved up from the third to second spot of the SIPA Futsal League ladder following their convincing 5-2 win over Gantimak yesterday at the Multipurpose Hall in Honiara.

With the win, it propelled them to 21 points and equal with the leaders, the national under-17 futsal team but still could not surpass them due to the disadvantage they have on goal difference.

Kooline’s attempt to get to the top of the table was shattered yesterday when they lost 7-4 to G-Camp in one of the fixtures yesterday.

G-Camp’s victory gave them three points advantage to move closer to the table’s top three at 18 points.

The defeat made Kooline to move down from the second spot to third on the table but still have a point advantage over their opponent G-Camp with 19 points.

Gantimak FC player goes for a shot as Marist FC captain Elliot Ragomo goes for defense. Photos by Daniel Kakadi.

The other match yesterday was between the competition’s two bottom-placed teams Vania and Henderson Eels and it ended in a 1-all draw.

The one point collected in the stalemate was Eel’s first point of the competition so far after seven matches, whilst for Vania, this will their second point so far after eight matches.

The competition resumes for another three matches on Thursday.

Strengthening HRUA is priority: Pongi

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE new Honiara Rugby Union Association (HRUA) president-elect Derek Pongi says one of his immediate priorities is to strengthen the association to move forward with its programs.

Pongi was voted in during a special general meeting on Monday to lead the association for the remainder of this current HRUA term which is expected to lapse toward the end of this year.

In an interview with SunSPORTS yesterday, Pongi said his immediate priorities are to strengthen HRUA in its affairs and work on improving the relationship with the national governing rugby body, Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF), maintain good working relationship with affiliated clubs and other stakeholders to further develop rugby in Honiara.

Pongi said developing rugby in Honiara to newer heights is what his leadership will be about.

“First and foremost, I will be organising a meeting with my executive this week and hopefully invite the club as well to hear from them and collect ideas on ways to improve rugby in Honiara.

“The meeting is basically to hear from the clubs collectively and put in place our plans forward. HRUA is here because of the clubs and its players and this must not be forgotten.

“In any development plans HRUA wishes to implement, the clubs’ inputs are seen as vital toward this important process. The clubs know better on situations running on the ground regarding rugby development.

“We will also work closely with SIRUF to help steer us in our development plans for this year.

“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.

Pongi emphasised that rugby over the years have always forgot to in cooperate spiritual aspects into its affairs.

This is one of the ways to move forward, according to the Islanders club owner.

In the meantime, Pongi called on all the eight HRUA-affiliated clubs to come forward to pay up their affiliation fees for this year.

The affiliation fee is $100 per club per year and this is apart from the competition registration fees.

The affiliation fee is to legitimise clubs’ membership to HRUA.

Pongi assured that his reign at HRUA is only for the remainder of this current term.

“Once this term lapse, then I will make way for a new executive to come in and lead Honiara rugby forward in the New Year.

“But before I leave, while still at the helm, I will try my best as possible to move things forward for the betterment of rugby in Honiara.

“The ride in the months ahead is expected to be challenging and we have to struggle inorder to achieve our aims and objectives.

“There might be some disagreements expected to come toward our leadership at HRUA but the thing is to face them and try solving them in an amicable manner because the main aim is to move rugby in Honiara forward,” Pongi explained.

New President for HRUA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Derek Pongi is the new President of Honiara Rugby Union Association.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Derek Pongi is the new President of Honiara Rugby Union Association.

A new President was voted in on Monday to lead Honiara Rugby Union Association (HRUA) for the reminder of the year.

Derek Pongi, who is also the owner of Islanders Rugby Club, was voted in during the association’s special annual general meeting held at Coral Sea Resort in Honiara.

During the voting process, Pongi polled five votes ahead of fellow contestant Corey Chapman of Henderson HammerHeads who received three votes in the second round, after both candidates were equal by four votes each in the first round.

Apart from that, two new executive members were also voted in during the sitting.

They are Golden Kiloko and Patterson Vakavai.

President-elect Pongi will replace former president Carlwyn Tengemoana who resigned earlier this month.

Tengemoana tendered his resignation on May 4 amidst his recent ongoing dispute over rugby-related matters with the national governing rugby union body, Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF).

Upon receiving his immediate resignation notice, the remaining executive members of HRUA had a series of meetings over the past weeks before opening up a 14 days’ notice for a special Annual General Meeting beginning on May 13 was put up by placing priority on the presidential election as required under the HRUA constitution where an election was finally held on Monday.

Pongi’s reign will only be for the remainder of this year before his tenure lapses, making way for another Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held to elect new office bearers to lead HRUA from the beginning of 2019 and beyond.

The meeting on Monday was attended by all eight HRUA affiliates namely Avaiki, Matangiki, Luapel, Diesel Services, Realas, Henderson HammerHeads, Islanders and TIA Warriors.

Meanwhile, clubs have taken the opportunity to congratulate Pongi upon his election.

Posting on their official facebook page, Henderson HammerHeads congratulated the new president-elect and have strongly vowed to work with him.

“From the Hammerheads President, committee and club members, congrats to newly-elected HRUA President Derek Pongi.

“Henderson HammerHeads Rugby Club is in support of you and your executives. And we are looking forward to work together to develop rugby in Honiara.”

On similar note, TIA Warriors Team Manager Brian Taupiri said: “Congratulations Derek Pongi the newly elected president of HRUA, on behalf of TIA Rugby Club, we pledge our support behind you and will work with you and your executive in developing rugby in our country.”

See below is the executive line-up of HRUA.

President: Derek Pongi

Vice-President: James Billy

Secretary: Nollan Teika

Treasurer: Joe Au Ramosaea

Members: Golden Kiloko and Patterson Vakavai

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