Nafinua Island in Star Harbour, Makira Ulawa province. Photo by Frigate Bird Island Lodge, Facbook.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
A Memorandum of Agreement is in the pipeline for landowners of Star Harbour and tourism investors in Australia towards the integration of a resort in Nafinua Island.
This is welcomed news for tourism in Makira-Ulawa province because when penned, will open the way for more development to the industry.
Owner of Star Beach Resort, Mr Alfred Murray told this paper yesterday that the agreement will be signed on the 24th of this month at Nafinua Island.
He said the investor is expected in the country the day before signing.
He said under the agreement there will be signing of a 25-year lease of the island to four Australian tourism investors who will develop the island.
Murray said all ground work have been carried out and that landowners are anticipating the signing with fervour.
He explained there is a part in the agreement which calls for stakeholders to meet every five years to revisit the 25-year lease.
He said tourism activity in the country is only known for certain provinces, however, the proposed agreement is a milestone as it will pave way for development of the industry in Makira.
“We want it and we can allow our resources for the operation of the industry in Makira province,” Murray said.
Commissioner of Royal-Solomon Island Police Force Matthew Varley
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
ROYAL Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has rebuffed allegations that Police Commissioner Mathew Varley is ‘not happy’ with his Executive.
This response follows media queries over allegations sourced from insiders, who say that Commissioner Varley is ‘not happy with his executive for withholding vital information of elements in various issues that have been served to him on a platter when he assumed the role of Commissioner of Police’.
Insiders alleged a disappointed Mr Varley has also mentioned his intention to ‘not renew his contract once his term lapses’.
Speaking on terms of anonymity, a senior officer says he doesn’t blame Varley’s frustrations because he is not being told the whole set of facts regarding issues of interest to the Commissioner’s Office.
“When he is briefed, Commissioner Varley will only be told part of the issue, with important elements being withheld whether deliberately or not. And this is not going down well with the commissioner, because he then tends to hear additional info from somewhere else,” Island Sun source says.
However, the media unit of the RSIPF has issued a strong response, saying that the allegations are false.
“Allegation that Commissioner Varley is angry with the Royal Solomon Island Police Force Executive is not true,” said RSIPF Media Unit.
The WWII US Marines 4D Lunga underground tunnel that is said to be currently disrespected by construction. Photo from Facebook
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
The WWII US Marines 4D Lunga underground tunnel that is said to be currently disrespected by construction. Photo from Facebook
A current construction taking place at Lunga has raised calls for a halt to the development as it is said to have disrespected an American WWII underground tunnel site used by code talkers.
The Lunga Underground Tunnel said to be known as Lt Cnl: Vandergrith is a US Marines 4D underground tunnel which was the Navahor Red Indian Code Talkers Observation Position during World War II (Lunga River Bunker).
However in recent days, the underground tunnel has been constructed over by a group said to be from Asia.
Concerned citizens now demand for the tunnel site to be protected first before any construction takes place or else historical sites of value will continue to be destroyed in Solomon Islands.
The people’s concern being fed up from such usual practice has even now got them into such idea as taking the law into their own hands. This is because they say there seems to be no responsible authority being concerned over the disrespectful construction currently.
In querying to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Permanent Secretary Andrew Nihopara over the issue, he said to Island Sun that the WWII underground tunnel threat by the construction only came to their attention yesterday.
He affirms that they were never consulted over the development.
“I had already met with the Museum Director in which we have already consulted the Guadalcanal Province police as the matter is now at the Attorney General (AG) Chamber,” said Nihopara.
“If we were first consulted then we would had fenced the underground tunnel site before any construction took place around it.”
According to the PS, a protection order had already been given during 2004 (designated restricted areas order) under the protection of wreck and relic site areas in which there should be a map showing sites that should not be destroyed.
The ministry of Tourism is now waiting for a response over the matter from the AG’s Chamber before they will continue in their move to address the concerned issue.
On social media’s Yumi Toktok Forum, the situation has received a lot of criticism over the destroyed WWII historical site.
“This is a historical site, HCC, G-Province and the Government must step in to stop this work! These people do not care about our heritage,” said one comment on social media.
“What can we say or do guys? We are so helpless. Our people don’t see the importance of such sites. And where are the authorities who have power over such sites? They should have secured and kept this site,” raised another concern.
In whichever way the outcome of this issue will be, Solomon Islanders are not happy and they stand their ground that taboo or historical sites of this country should not be destroyed.
“These sites are our history as they also have the potential to build the economy of Solomon Islands,” said locals.
“We now call for a halt to the development and responsible authorities must step in to solve this issue even if it takes to have to go to court.
“This is one of the US Marines very famous respectable sites from WWII’s relics.”
Citizens are appealing for investors that they must get more advises from Solomon Islands National Museum who is the owner of the country’s protected historical sites.
“The historical sites must be seriously cared for as these are our local attraction sites for visitors, so we urgently want the construction to be called by responsible authorities so that they tell them to respect the Lunga underground tunnel.”
Locals added that destroying such significant sites and continuous causing of unnecessary pollution by such constructions is also not good for Solomon Islands preparations towards the 2023 Pacific Games.
THE birth rate of Solomon Islands has increase to 2.3 percent as of last year, it is reported. This is likened to 39 babies per day.
A report by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services revealed based on figures from the last population and housing census, it is estimated the 2017 population for Solomon Islands is 620,084 people.
With country’s demographic population, Solomon Islands has a relatively young age structure with a medium age of 22 years in 2015.
Around 41 percent of the population is aged less than 15 years, 49 percent 15 to 49 years and only 10 percent aged 50 years and above, according to the MHMS report.
“Compared regionally, men and women in the Solomon’s now live almost as long as in other countries,” MHMS said.
In terms of the level of urbanisation, the report highlights Solomon Islands sits at 22 percent and the urban population grows at five percent per annum, more than twice the overall rate of population growth.
The challenges facing the government has thus doubled; servicing a widely dispersed and remote set of rural communities while responding to the pressures of urban growth.
Moreover, the nine province range in both population size and health outcomes with considerable variation within the country.
In terms of life expectancy at birth, Solomon Islands has increased up to 68 years for males and 71 years for females in 2015 (from 61 and 62 years respectively in 1999).
However, while having a relatively high level of health expenditure in the region, Solomon Islands remains one of the poorest countries in terms of GDP per capita.
THE trial into the case against an accused in the health ministry scandal has been vacated and will appear again for possible plea on Friday.
This is due to the change of legal representation.
The case was listed for trial this week however the defence lawyer who represented the accused, John Biliki, withdrew his assistance and re-allocated the case to another lawyer.
Mr Biliki was earlier represented by George Gray of the Public Solicitor’s Office but due to other reasons the case has been re-allocated to Michael Holara.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer adjourned the case and remanded the accused in custody.
Biliki, 45, of Choiseul is facing counts of false pretence and counts of money laundering.
This are in relation to the $10million scandal in the Ministry of Health and Medical Service.
Biliki’s co-accused, a taxi driver labelled as the toy boy in this scandal was already sentenced in 2014 for defrauding the government of $1.5 million.
Biliki was accused of defrauding the government of $7.3 million between January 1, 2002 and September 20, 2013.
Prosecution alleged he colluded with some public officers from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and defrauded the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) on 15 occasions.
Prosecution also alleged Biliki registered and operated a shipping agent called Eroba Shipping Services and allegedly assisted to set up Joke Shipping Services – a shipping agent reportedly set up purposely to claim payments from the government.
These shipping services were allegedly being used by Biliki and his associates and some officers from the MHMS to get several payments for shipping of clinic materials to the various projects sites in the provinces, which were never done.
The accused and his cohorts allegedly claimed payments from the SIG with fictitious services, or services that were never provided.
Travellers to pay for Solomon Islands’ newest state-owned enterprise
By Alfred Sasako
INTERNATIONAL and domestic travellers alike have been slugged a hefty Airport Tax in an attempt to assist the Government set up the nation’s newest State-Owned Enterprise (SOE), the Solomon Islands Airport Corporation Ltd (SIACL).
Sources told Island Sun yesterday the tax measure – introduced in this year’s budget – could be as high as $610 on a single international return fare between Brisbane and Honiara and $150 return on a single return fare from Honiara to any domestic airstrip around the country.
These charges are additional to the normal domestic and international airfares on all Solomon Airlines routes.
The sources said funds raised from the airport tax would be used to set up the nation’s sixth SOE. Existing SOEs are the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF), Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), Solomon Islands Water Authority (SIWA), Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) and Solomon Airlines (SA).
Senior government officials, including those from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Communication and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development are reportedly on the board of directors of the new SOE.
It is understood this is an interim arrangement only until adequate funding is secured to set up a fully-fledged organisation.
Sources told Island Sun yesterday that Solomon Airlines, which the Government has directed to receive the tax on its behalf – started collecting the tax as of last week.
Given that airfares in Solomon Islands are amongst the most expensive in the world, the new tax measure could impact on tourist visitor arrival numbers in Solomon Islands. Figures for the nine month to September last year show 18, 507 overseas visitors arrived in Solomon Islands.
Several people, including Travel Agencies spoken to by Island Sun yesterday gave different figures on the new airport tax.
Solomon Airlines put the new tax at $275 each way on international routes while travel agencies say the actual tax was $305 each way on overseas routes.
According to one Travel Agent, the new tax on the international route is $305 on a one-way ticket from say, Brisbane to Honiara. To return to Brisbane, the traveller must pay another $305 on top of his ticket.
On the domestic route, the new tax is $75 on a one-way ticket from Honiara to any domestic destination around the country. To return to Honiara, the traveller is expected to pay another $75.
Meanwhile Solomon Airlines has reportedly substantial payments to a company in Portugal for the overhaul of the engine for its Airbus A320 aircraft. Island Sun understands TAP is the company in Portugal that is the agent for the type of engine used on the Airbus aircraft.
The delay in getting the aircraft fixed quickly is due to high demand for the type of engine which is being highly sought after by Airbus aircraft operators.
Marcus Chan will arrive next month to join the national under-19 soccer training squad.
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Marcus Chan will arrive next month to join the national under-19 soccer training squad.
THE lone foreign inclusion into the provisional national under-19 boys’ soccer training squad will join the team next month.
Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Media Officer Simon Abana confirmed on Monday.
Europe-based Marcus Chan was among the 25 players enlisted for the provisional under-19 training squad in preparation for this year’s Oceania Under-19 Championship which serves as a qualification pathway for next year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland where Oceania was given two qualifying spots.
Abana said details of Chan’s travel date to Solomon Islands are still unclear but they have received assurance that he is definitely coming home to join the team in June.
The under-19 head coach Batram Suri described Chan’s addition into the team as a bonus.
“Marcus Chan’s addition to the team is a bonus for us since he is coming in with a professional way of doing things.
“He has contacted me few days ago expressing his intention of joining us for the World Cup qualifiers,” Coach Suri said.
Sixteen years old Chan is currently a member of the Valencia CF Cracks Football Academy in Spain.
Over the years, CF Cracks Academy has enjoyed close partnerships with big clubs in the Spanish La Liga such as FC Barcelona and Valencia CF.
Others who have emerged from the Cracks Academy comprise a host of La Liga stars including Spain Under-21 and Valencia defender Jose Gaya, former Liverpool star Pedro Chirivella and Inter and Valencia star Francisco Farinos.
Chan is fast becoming a star for the CF Cracks Academy U-19 team as he continues his football growth competing in the top Valencian Amateur division called Primera Regional.
The CF Cracks Academy regularly uses Chan as a model on its Facebook page and a series of videos showcasing his skills have been posted.
Meanwhile, Chan is the son of Laurie Chan who was Solomon Islands’ former Ambassador to Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan and a former Member of Parliament for West Guadalcanal.
A 40 foot container with 48 hospital beds and some other hospital furniture, such a side tables, will be shipped from Wellington in New Zealand in June.
The 48 hospital beds will be the first consignment of 100 hospital beds destined for the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and two provincial hospitals, one in Malaita and the other Isabel Province.
The Solomon Islands Forest Association (SFA) kindly responded to an appeal for funds to acquire and transport the beds to the Solomon Islands.
Take My Hands Charity Trust (TMH) has acquired the first 48 beds and the remaining ones are in the process of being collected from New Zealand hospitals where the type of beds, although in extremely good condition, are surplus to the hospitals requirements.
I express my sincere thanks to the SFA and to TMH for continuing to help the MOHMS in the Solomon Islands and local NGO organizations
A MOU was signed more than a year ago between the NRH and TMH for the annual supply of medical equipment and medical supplies but currently the arrangements for the shipment of up to 10 twenty foot containers per year is suspended as the second phase payment in terms of the MOU is outstanding.
The SFA stepped up to get the urgently needed hospital beds because of the current state of the MOU.
I will give notice of the shipment of the second 40 foot container with the additional hospital beds when I get more information from TMH.
Under-16 players during a training match yesterday at the SIFF Academy. Photo by SIFF Media Officer Simon Abana.
Under-16 boys may train in Japan ahead of Qualifiers
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Under-16 players during a training match yesterday at the SIFF Academy. Photo by SIFF Media Officer Simon Abana.
PLANS are underway at the moment to get the national under-16 men’s soccer team fully prepared and in shape ahead of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Under-16 Championship this year.
The biennial Oceania Under-16 Championship will be hosted at Lawson Tama in Honiara from September 8 to 22.
According to considerations emerging from within the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) secretariat last week, they are planning to send the youth team for a few weeks training camp in Japan before returning to Honiara to compete in the qualifiers.
During the training camp the team will engage in a performance-enhancing training and play competitive friendlies against Japanese teams.
Negotiations targeted at getting the arrangement possible are underway at the moment, according to a SIFF insider.
New Zealand-based former Solomon Islands national under-20 captain David Firisua Junior, who was also a former OFC Competition and Events Manager, was hired by SIFF President William Lai to work on furnishing details and the paper work of the proposed training camp.
The Oceania Under-16 Championship will serve as the Oceania qualifier for the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World in Peru where OFC was allocated with two spots.
The two spots allocated by FIFA for Oceania comes as a huge opportunity for Solomon Islands to appear at the global stage for the first time in the conventional (11-aside) soccer code once a top two finish in the qualifiers is accomplished.
Solomon Islands previously represented Oceania in the FIFA beach soccer and the futsal world cups but constantly fail in attempts to qualify to any of the 11-aisde code’s string of world cups from the under-17 up to the senior level.
The national under-16 soccer training squad is currently preparing at the moment under the watchful eyes of former national rep Stanley Waita as head coach.
After successfully conducting the national trials along with intensive training sessions in recent weeks, a 25-man trainon squad will be named soon, according to an announcement put out on the SIFF facebook page on Saturday.
WITH inequalities facing women and girls, there is a desirable need to address this gender inequality.
According to the Solomon islands Family Health and Safety Study, women between ages 15 – 49 who had ever been in a close relationship reported experiencing physical and sexual violence by an intimate partner.
Violence against women is an epidemic in the Solomon Islands and as such women who experienced close violence or other forms of violence were more said to be likely to report poorer health outcomes than those who did not.
From this shift from a welfare to a gender and development approach has been made to address gender inequalities facing women and girls and to ensure that gender equality is central to development.
From this, the Ministry for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) is proud to present the Gender Equality and Women’s Development Policy GEWD 2016-2020.
On the other hand, GEWD 2010 – 2013 is the second policy the Solomon Islands Government has ever produced taking both gender equality and women’s development approach.
It is understood that despite a range of interventions led by both government and civil society organisations, a stronger coordinated approach to ending violence against women and girls is require.
Weakness in legal, judicial and protection mechanisms, which undermine efforts by government and civil society, and the government’s weak capacity to build coordinated responses seemed continues to be a challenge.
The difficulty and rooted nature of violence against women makes elimination one of the Solomon Islands biggest development challenges.
This will require strong leadership from both women and men particularly in the justice and policing sectors, but also by churches and community leaders.
With The passing of the Family Protection Act 2014 (FPA) marked the peak of many years of lobbying by the government and civil society.
This Act criminalises domestic violence and provides increased protection, and promotes the safety, health and well-being of victims of domestic violence.
These includes physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse. It also defines the types of relationships in which domestic violence can occur.
The FPA is a mixture of criminal and civil law. While it criminalises behaviours relating to domestic violence, it also provides civil remedies to protect victims and ensures their safety.
The focus of programming has largely been in response to the victims of domestic violence. The Solomon Islands Government acknowledges that this type of intervention needs to be strengthened and expanded during this policy period, and extended to the provinces.
As such, interventions in the policy must clearly address violence against women and girls from a comprehensive human rights viewpoint and ensure that current approaches to prevention of violence against women and girls don’t further marginalise women and girls with disabilities.
The sexual abuse of women and girls associated with logging, fishing and mining industries is also a huge concern in the Solomon Islands and is requires targeted interventions at national and provincial level.
