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Forensics photos pending on Lengakiki killing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court was told on Wednesday that forensics photos are still pending on the alleged murder case which occurred at Lengakiki in March this year.

A prosecutor who appeared on behalf of her colleague prosecutor told the court however that forensics officer they have contacted has assured that the photos would be ready in two weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, presiding Magistrate Leonard Chite asked the accused whether he has already secure any legal representation.

The accused said a lawyer had already seen him but he could not remember his name.

Principal Magistrate Chite then told the accused to follow up on his request and also urged the accused’s relatives to follow up for the accused.

Chite then adjourned the case to June 20 for mention and during the adjournment outstanding evidence should be collected.

This is the case in relation to an incident which occurred on March 24 at Lengakiki close to a motel there.

Allegations say the accused stabbed the deceased several times with a pair of scissors on the chest, left and right thighs, left and right palms and on the left side of his abdomen.

The deceased showed his bleeding injuries on both of his hands to market vendor and others at the market stall and then he walked up the road with his cousin brother until they reached the outside of the New Zealand Commission Residence at Lengakiki in Honiara where the deceased fell to the ground unconscious because of heavy loss of blood.

He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead the next morning.

The accused was arrested by police on the evening of that day and placed in custody to face court.

Dalcy Belapitu of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown in court.

Out-of-constituency voting

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Election

Yet to be decided on by electoral commission

BY ALFRED SASAKO

THE introduction of the proposed out-of-constituency voting scheme is still subject to approval by the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission, according to Chief Executive Officer, Mose Saitala.

Mr Saitala was clarifying whether or not the scheme is a certainty in next year’s national general elections.

“The voting in Honiara for your home constituency, although favoured by our political leaders and our SIEC Office, the Commission is yet to make a decision on this.

“And I will only submit for approval by the Electoral Commission this new ‘out of constituency’ voting scheme for voters in Honiara once I am satisf[ied] with the planning of it,” Mr Saitala said.

“At this stage we have not completed this planning exercise.”

There have been mixed reactions to the proposed voting scheme. While some see it as a cost-saving measure, others say the out of constituency voting is a scheme by corrupt candidates who want to manipulate voters and the system.

“It is a real concern,” one villager said of the scheme.

“Our fear is that we do not have the capacity to police voting in Honiara. The scheme would simply amplify the scale of cheating during voting in Honiara. Let’s not add one more problem to a system that has come under severe criticisms in the past,” the villager said.

Meanwhile, Saitala has explained the rationale for pre-polling.

“Pre-polling is practised in many countries. It is an arrangement to allow for those who would like to vote but couldn’t do so during polling day because of commitment they cannot avoid,” he said.

“For example, there are usually about no less than 3,000 temporary staff we recruit to help us conduct voter registration and the voting on polling day. Most of these staff will be posted to various locations where they are not registered to cast their vote.

“There are also officers in that same category who cannot abscond their responsibilities on polling day, e.g. doctors and nurses, etc.

“There are also the sick in hospitals; they can now vote by way of remote voting or pre-polling,” Saitala said.

Marist held

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Robert Laua of Marist FC controls the ball past Kooline FC player George Stevenson.

Kooline stays third

By Taromane Martin

Robert Laua of Marist FC controls the ball past Kooline FC player George Stevenson.

MARIST futsal team remained in second position on the 2018 SIPA national futsal league after they were held to a one all draw by Kooline FC on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s draw sees Marist with 22 points while Kooline FC remains in third position with 20 points.

Atana Faarodo gave Kooline hope in the first half of the game yesterday with a sublime finish but saw the experience of Captain Elliot Ragomo, steering Marist back on course in the second half after a nervous first half performance.

Kooline FC team Captain Coleman Makau was okay with the result but stressed they will need to work hard and win their last two remaining matches.

“First of all thank you to my players for the team spirit today. As we know Marist is a favourite to win like us, if we had lost today we’d be in fifth place,” Makau told SunSPORTS on Tuesday.

“It’s a draw and that’s how games are sometimes take no credit from Marist they were pretty tough.

“We still have two matches left and our aim is to win both of them because a draw is no longer an option,” he said.

Marist FC Team Captain Elliot Ragomo was pleased with the draw and praised his team mates for the team spirit yesterday.

“I’m really happy with the boys in the team they are improving every single day and as games goes on and I think to be still unbeaten is very impressive for us and is a good result for our boys,” he said.

“This is not the first time for us to come from behind and pick up points. Today we trailed by a goal but in some of our matches we’ve been down four goals.

“But still we managed to come back to win the game and to come back from behind and settle for a draw today we are happy.

“One thing which we have is the never give up attitude; you keep fighting until the final whistle and I’m very impressed with how the boys play and how disciplined they are in keeping their composure.

“With the quality of players we have, I think it looks good where we are heading right now in the tournament.

“We look forward for our remaining matches and hopefully we continue the momentum and will the tournament,” Ragomo adds.

Meanwhile, Marist is set to take on current table leaders Futsal Solympics who are with 24 points Thursday next week at the Multipurpose Hall.

Vura and KGVI leads school hockey league

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

VURA boys and KGVI girls have pulled ahead on the point’s table tallies of the boys and the girls divisions of Samlimsan school hockey league.

From three matches so far, Vura had registered nine points over the last three weeks recording a clean sheet.

KGVI boys are currently second with six points from two wins and one loss.

St. Nicholas are also on six points equal with KGVI but had to hold on to the third position on the ladder due to goal difference.

Woodford is at fourth place with four points from a win and draw in their respective two matches.

In the girls division, KGVI is currently leading with 10 points on the table following three wins and a draw in their first four matches.

St. Nicholas holds on to second place on the progressive tally of the girls’ division with seven points along with Don Bosco who are in third place.

The school hockey league will go on a break for the next following weeks due to the school holidays. The competition will resume in July.

See Samlimsan high school hockey league tallies below.

Boys League

SCHOOL                                     GP             GD            LOST        DRAW     WIN         PTS

VURA CHS                                  3                5                0                0                3                9

KING GEORGE                          3                3                1                0                2                6

ST NICOLAS                              3                2                1                0                2                6

WOODFORD                            2                1                0                1                1                4

DON BOSCO                             3                -2              2                0                1                3

HONIARA HS                            3                -3              2                0                1                3

FLORANCE YOUNG                 3                -2              2                1                0                1

KOLALE CHS                              2                -3              2                0                0                0

 

Girls league

SCHOOL                                     GP             GD            LOST        DRAW     WIN         PTS

KING GEORGE                          4                6                0                1                3                10

ST NICOLAS                              4                7                1                1                2                7

DON BOSCO                             4                3                1                1                2                7

KOLALE                                       4                -1              1                3                0                3

BURNSCREEK                            4                -1              1                3                0                3

HONIARA HS                            4                -14            3                1                0                1

 

Birdies stretch wings further

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ROMULUS HUTA

BIRDIES have stretched its wings further at the top of the Samlimsan Independence Dart Competition points table by going five points clear off their opponents.

This follows their 8-4 win over second-placed Kingz Harbour on Monday night at Chiefs Haus.

After recording four wins from four matches, Birdies find themselves sitting at the top spot on the progressive tally with 12 points ahead of the other four teams namely Tower Insurance, 23 Triples, Sky Bullets and Kingz Harbour who are trailing with seven points each, only for mathematical calculations in goal differences which have them separated according to placing from the second to the fifth positions, respectively, on the table.

Looking back at matches played over last Saturday and on Monday, some interesting results have emerged.

Pain Relief returned to winning ways on Saturday after they clinched an 8-4 win over Bokolo Arrows, Birdies romped to a 8-4 victory over Nature Green, Bee 3 took the best of T-Bulls with an 8-4 margin, Kingz Harbour recorded a convincing 9-3 win over Nature Blue, 23 Triples edged Chiefs haus 7-5 and Mountain Chiefs succumbed to a massive 10-2 hiding from Nature Herbs.

On Monday, Sky Bullets recorded their second win of the competition by seeing off Bokolo Arrows 10-2, Nature Green and Tower Insurance had their match ended in a share of spoils with a six-all draw, Bee 3 conceding an 8-4 defeat against Pain Relief and Birdies ended up thrashing Kingz Harbour 8-4.

Another four matches took place last night at Chiefs Haus and QBar.

Meanwhile, by Monday the competition had entered into its seventh day of competition following a May 25 kick off two weeks ago.

Across all the completed matches, three players have managed to score a maximum 180 darts. They are Ohany and Laza of Birdies and Cyprian of Kingz Harbour.

Ezekiel Toiraena of Kingz Harbour remains the current highest checker, having checked out balance of 125.

Results on Saturday and Monday are as follows:

Saturday June 2

Bokolo Arrows (4) V Pain Relief (8)

Nature Green (4) V Birdies (8)

Bee 3 (8) V T-Bulls (4)

Kingz Harbour (9) V Nature Blue (3)

23 Triples (7) Chiefs Haus (5)

Mountain Chiefs (2) V Nature Herbs (10)

Monday June 4

Bokolo Arrows (2) V Sky Bullets (10)

Nature Green (6) V Tower Insurance (6)

Bee 3 (4) V Pain Relief (8)

Kingz Harbour (4) V Birdies (8)

 

Fixtures for Wednesday June 6

Bee 3 V Sky Bullets – 5pm Chiefs Haus

Kingz Harbour V Tower Insurance – 5pm Chiefs Haus

23 Triples V Pain Relief – 5pm QBar

Mountain Chiefs V Birdies – 5pm QBar

See updated tally below:

STANDING TALLY SHEET AS AT MONDAY JUNE 4 2018
No# Team Name played win Draw lose Goal Difference Points Position
(Rank)
TOP EIGHT (8) TEAMS
1 Birdies 4 4 0 0  24 12 1st
2 Tower Insurance 4 2 1 1  12 7 2nd
3 23 Triples 3 2 1 0  8 7 3rd
4 Sky Bullets 4 2 1 1  6 7 4th
5 Kingz Harbour 4 2 1 1  4 7 5th
6 Chiefs haus 3 2 0 1  10 6 6th
7 Pain Relief 4 2 0 2  -8 6 7th
8 Nature Green 4 1 2 1  -1 5 8th
BOTTOM SIX (6) TEAMS
9 Nature Herbs 3 1 1 1  2 4 9th
10 Bee 3 4 1 1 2  -4 4 10th
11 Bokolo Arrows 4 1 0 3  -18 3 11th
12 Nature Blue 3 0 2 1  -6 2 12th
13 Mountain Chiefs 3 0 0 3  -5 0 13th
14 T-Bulls 3 0 0 3  -16 0 14th

 

New date for women’s league kick off

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE Honiara women’s soccer league previously fixed to get underway this weekend will have its kick off postponed for next weekend, it was revealed.

The women’s league coordinator Antoinette Miniti confirmed to SunSPORTS yesterday that the new kick off date will be June 16, which is next Saturday.

Miniti explained that the delay to the kick off was upon advisory from SIFF given the proposed match venue SIFF Academy pitch will go under a one-week maintenance work.

“Of course we have been advised to move the kick off date for a week later because the pitch will go under maintenance work.

“So instead of the kick off this weekend, teams are asked to be reminded that it is postponed for next weekend,” Miniti clarified.

A total of eight teams are competing in the 2018 season of the Honiara women’s league.

They are KGVI School, Panatina School, Koloale (2 teams), WanSol, Solomon Warriors, Marist and KOSSA.

Meanwhile, a technical meeting for the competition is rescheduled for next Tuesday at SIFF Academy.

Miniti called on partaking teams to send atleast two representatives to attend the technical meeting.

“It is important that teams must attend the technical meeting. We will deliberate on a lot of matters regarding the competition and so as draw the fixtures for the competition.”

Third spot for tennis boys

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Benjamin Junior

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Benjamin Junior

THE Solomon Islands national men’s tennis team has completed their campaign in the Tennis Nations Cup in Fiji at third place.

The inaugural Tennis Nations Cup came to a close yesterday evening at the Regional Tennis Training Centre in Lautoka.

The national men’s team in the form of Benjamin Junior, Graham Mani and Popai Leong finished in the third place after a 3-0 walkover on Kiribati in the play-off for third and fourth.

Tahiti finished in the first place after winning the grand final against Vanuatu.

In the women’s competition, our female reps in the form of trio Doreen Ningalo, Zorika Morgan and Prudence Bird finished in the sixth place.

Finishing at the top in the women’s is Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) after defeating Samoa in the grand final.

Graham Mani.

The Nations Cup began last Thursday and ran until last night’s closing.

The event, the first of its kind worldwide, gives players from 15 nations with Class C membership from Pacific Oceania who are not represented as individual nations in Davis Cup or Fed Cup the opportunity to compete in high-level competition in the same format as the sport’s biggest team competitions.

Organised by The Oceania Tennis Federation (OTF) with substantial financial assistance from the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Fiji National Sports Commission and sponsors, Punjas Group, the event has proved very popular in its first year with all 15 eligible nations taking part. It is hoped that the Nations Cup will become a staple fixture biennially, and a prestigious event for players in the region to train towards.

“This is a great achievement considering the geographical challenges experienced in this part of the world,” stated Tennis Fiji President Mr Richard Breen.

“We are delighted to host this pilot event here in the Pacific Oceania Region in what we are sure will become an important regular feature of the regional calendar and around the world in the years to come.”

Popai Leong.

ITF Development Officer for Pacific Oceania, Gary Purcell, who is based full-time in Fiji, said: “The spirit of the players has been very positive from the start and it is great to see so many players and coaches from around the region come together to compete in both singles and doubles to represent their nations.”

Barana community nature park aims to promote ecosystem

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SPREP Country Manager, Mr Fred Siho Patison

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SECRETARIAT of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) established the Barana Community Nature Park purposely to promote ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change and environment management.

SPREP Country Manager Mr Fred Siho Patison said Barana Community Nature Park is an initiative to promote ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change, basically re-enforcing the role of nature to strengthen community resilience to climate change.

Two Barana primary students who were also part of the tree planting.

He said decision to build the Nature Park concept around an environment information centre reflects the need to invest in empowering the community to make informed decision about the environment and their natural resources.

However, Mr Patison challenged the Barana community to claim ownership and take good care of the community asset and environment for their current and future generation because SPREP and other partners are only here for a while.

SPREP Country Manager, Mr Fred Siho Patison

“Let me convey to the Barana community, SPREP and other partners are only here to re-enforce the message that looking after the environment is important for yourselves and the future generations.

“Your commitment and support is basically investing in yourselves and your children.

“To the provincial government and the national government, we would like to see this project continuing into future and the Barana community Nature Park management and business plan is to re-enforce that vision.”

Patison said SRPEP is looking forward to further discussing with the GP local and national government in the coming months.

SPREP is an intergovernmental organisation owned by the SIG that also set compass to serve the people of Solomon Islands.

Its headquarter is in Apia, Samoa.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Melchior Mataki help in planting the tree to mark the world
environment day at Barana.
GP Premier Anthony Veke planted a tree to mark the world environment day.
Handing over of rubbish bins for Barana community.
Barana community members with their world environment day T-shirts.
Scouts members salute in honour of the national anthem and flag raising.

Barana celebrates World Environment Day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Guests pose for a group photo after planting the tree to mark the world environment day.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

AS part of promoting ecosystem-based adaptation to climate, the Barana community of Central Guadalcanal province kick-started with planting trees and community clean-up while celebrating World Environment Day yesterday.

Villagers of the Barana community together with local and national leaders celebrated the World Environment Day yesterday under the theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

The event started with Solomon Islands Scouts doing environment expedition from Daviqori to plant trees around the sites of the Barana Community Nature Park and awareness talk at the school compound.

Participating students from Barana school helping out in rubbish collection during the world environment day
celebration.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management, GP Premier, SPREP and Hon Nano also took part in planting trees at the Barana primary school.

Representative from the SPC also handed over new rubbish bins to the community as part of promoting ecosystem, climate change resilience and management of environment.

Premier for Guadalcanal province Mr Anthony Veke welcomed the kind of support Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme is implementing at Barana.

Guests pose for a group photo after planting the tree to mark the world environment day.

He said the project’s intention for climate change resilience will turn the community to focus on ecosystem which has been lost due to impact of climate change and other social and economic activities.

Veke also adds environment management which the Barana Community Natural Park focus on will leads to the sustainability of the livelihood of Barana people from now and future.

With the theme, Veke said it is relevant to the current status of Solomon Islands especially Guadalcanal province which is the hub of plastic pollution.

Guest members stand to honour the national anthem.

“This theme is most relevant to Solomon Islands, Honiara, Guadalcanal and more so people of Tandai in which Barana community located which they are forefront to pollution of plastics and all socio-environment issues in Honiara city,” Veke said.

SPREP-PEBACC Country Manager Mr Fred Siho Patison said celebration of World Environment Day at the Barana Community Nature Park is part of its campaign and awareness activities.

He said that is to promote climate change resilience through nature based solution and the nature park focuses on community natural resources and watershed management.

The SPREP-PEBACC thanked the GP, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management, SPC-GEF 6 R2R, SI Scouts, SIVB, Barana Community, Island Sun and SINU.

Barana community women entertaining in Guadalcanal cultural dance. Photos by Daniel Kakadi.
Barana students witnessing the World Environment day celebration.

National Standards launch marks milestone in journey of WASH in schools: Acting PM

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Acting PM and DPM fifth from right with heads of MEHRD, MHMS, and Deputy Premier of G Province and UNICEF officials.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

IN recognition of the importance of water and sanitation, WASH in schools is implicitly and explicitly captured in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The terms “universal” and “for all” in Targets 6.1 and 6.2 implicitly highlight the need for expanding WASH services to schools.

The above statement was made by acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare who was speaking at the launch of the National Standards on WASH (Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene) in schools at Mendana Hotel yesterday.

Initially, he said that the launching occasion is a major milestone in the journey of WASH in schools.

Moreover, Hon Sogavare stated that drinking water, sanitation and hygiene goes beyond the household thus is crucial to the health and education of children.

Acting PM and DPM fifth from right with heads of MEHRD, MHMS, and Deputy Premier of G Province and UNICEF officials.

“Children spend a significant portion of their day at school where WASH services can improve educational opportunities and decrease the potential for disease transmission between students,” he said.

The Finance Minister voiced that the sustainable development goals (SDGs) call for special attention to the needs of girls as well as those in vulnerable situations.

He added that it contributes to a better learning environment which leads to a significant reduction in absenteeism and dropout rates, especially among girls.

Hon Sogavare proceeded to stress that research carried out by UNICEF and other organisations worldwide have proven that WASH in schools is critical for health and educational outcomes.

“Handwashing is critical at times before eating and after using the toilet ‐ can reduce diarrhea rates by almost 40 percent”, he said.

Hon Sogavare further emphasised on the how WASH can induce positive impact among children who can later help their communities in the long run.

“The positive outcomes in education are also coupled with children becoming young advocates of sanitation and hygiene.”

“These empowered children carry messages learnt in schools back to their families and communities, thereby increasing their awareness which results in long-term health and economic benefits for the community,” he said.

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