Home Blog Page 1362

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

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
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
-
0

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
-
0

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
-
0

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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0

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
-
0
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

Ward officers highlight non-compliance of procurement processes as a challenge

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0
Chairperson for Ward 7 Mr. Nelson Wane sharing points that their group had discussed during group work session

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Chairperson for Ward 7 Mr. Nelson Wane sharing points that their group had discussed during group work session

PARTICIPANTS to a recent planning and budgeting training on Savo Island has commended the Central Provincial Government for this initiative.

In appreciating the expanded terms of references for the WDCs, Mr John Lopling, Chairman for Ward 9, highlighted during the training that it is good to have wide representation by all sectors within the community in the WDC. He said that this inclusive and participatory planning, together with the MPA, will ensure fairness, inclusiveness and transparency in decision making and development planning at the ward level.

Also. Mr Thomas Tome, Chairperson for Ward 2, expressed similar sentiments and thanked the Central Provincial Government for introducing the Participatory Planning Framework to members of the WDC. Mr Tome emphasised the need for Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) to work closely with their WDC members and ensure everybody participates fully in all development decision making within the wards. He urged MPAs to use the WDGs to implement projects in accordance with the Annual Work Plans of the Wards rather than on personal or other interests.

Meanwhile, Marvin Parina, Chairperson for Ward 1, when discussing the procurement processes, highlighted that there are some projects at the wards that are not completed and this was attributed to failures by contractors, lack of community involvement, and non-compliance to procurement procedures and principles by Provincial staff and MPAs.

Chairperson for Ward 7, Mr Nelson Wane, also re-iterated non-compliance as a contributing factor to failure of many donor funded projects at the community and ward levels. He also highlighted the probabilities of personal interests, misuse of public funds and low or lack of community contribution as other factors contributing to failures of projects.

Wane further stated that communication is also a challenge at community and ward level as sometimes the communities were not aware of projects until the contractors deliver loads of hardware materials at their villages or communities. The communities or wards were not properly and officially informed at all as there were no public advertisements or no information on how the project was awarded to the selected contractor.

All the chairpersons who participated in the training generally felt that there is a greater need for compliance to the procurement principles and procedures for projects to be successfully completed. They urged the Provincial Government and donors to continuously monitor the progress of project implementation and use of funds by the contractors if we want to see more projects completed at the wards.

The Participatory Planning & Budgeting Training for Ward Development Committee Members for Central province was hailed a success with 30 participants including four female ward treasurers. The Central Provincial Government has allocated $3,000 per ward which will be channeled through the WDCs for this purpose.

The Planning Division of the Central provincial government organised the training and pledged that it will continue to provide technical assistance to the WDC’s to ensure and secure genuine participation of the committees in the Provincial planning process.

The two days training, was facilitated by the Provincial Planning Coordinator, Mr John Rapemora, and the Provincial Capacity Development Advisor, Mr Adrian Toni, and was officially opened and closed by the Premier of Central Province, Patrick Vasuni.

Former PM stresses govt policies must come from people

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
-
0

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

SIR Allen Kemakeza, the Managing Director and owner of Sunset Resort in Savo, on the invitation to share few remarks with the participants of a recent workshop held on Savo, thanked the Central Provincial Government for choosing the resort to host this important training.

Sir Allen took the chance to remind the Ward Development Chairpersons and Treasurers of their roles as partners of the Central Provincial Government in rolling out the participatory planning process.

He highlighted that WDC members represent the people in their respective communities and wards in the planning process.

Thus they must perform to the expectations of the Central Provincial Government and to the expectations of the people they represent.

The former Prime Minister reminded all participants again about the saying: “Governments are from the People, for the People and by the People”.

Sir Allen stressed that government policies must come from the people.

“This is the important task of WDC members. They are to participate and inclusively plan and identify projects that represent the true needs of the people and bring it up to the Provincial Government. The people must dictate rural development rather than being dictated at the central level or by agents that can be seen as outsiders. The government is then expected to deliver services for the people. The people are the resource owners thus government is obliged to give back to the people the services they needed to sustain livelihoods and improve standards of living at the ward level in the rural areas,” Sir Allan said.

The training in question is on Participatory Planning & Budgeting for Ward Development Committee Members for Central Province.

30 participants including four female Ward Treasurers attended the training.

1...1,3611,3621,363...1,680Page 1,362 of 1,680