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Tikopia welcomes first Premier visit

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Premier, second from left with chiefs and provincial PS second from right.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Premier, second from left with chiefs and provincial PS second from right.

TEMOTU Premier David Maina has been hailed a champion by Tikopia’s Chief John Arikitafua for his visit to the island on May 8, 2018 which also marks the Temotu provincial government’s 35th anniversary.

This is according to provincial secretary, Mr Alan Sepe Agassi who accompanied the premier as part of his 28-member delegation.

He expressed that Maina was congratulated by Tikopia’s second chief, Chief John Arikitafua who expressed that the visit is a first for them.

“We have never experienced a premier of the province visited us and your coming brings joy in our hearts as one people in the province and we fully appreciate your presence,” he said.

Agassi said that before they gathered to meet with the people of the island, Maina and his executive held a small discussion with the chiefs on the possibility of an outright purchase of a piece of land on the island for health services.

He noted that the chiefs expressed preference for a lease arrangement rather than an outright purchase.

All the more, Agassi said that the island chief’s council will make further deliberation on it before informing the province of its determination on the matter which the executive will make a final decision on.

Moreover, he mentioned that the chiefs’ secretary on their behalf and of the people of Tikopia spoke of how grateful they were for the visit, referring to it as a demonstration of how concerned and willing the Premier and his team are in recognising the people of Tikopia which makes them feel part of the province.

Agassi furthered that the secretary also voiced some of the issues facing the community which are the priority of having their provincial clinic rebuilt, water supply support for parts of the community and for an establishment of an economic growth centre nearer to them so that they could easily sell their marine products.

SIG supports FAD programme under SPC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Minister Maneniaru addresses government strong support towards implementation of the FAD programme to 16 constituencies in the Solomon Islands.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Minister Maneniaru addresses government strong support towards implementation of the FAD programme to 16 constituencies in the Solomon Islands.

SOLOMON Islands Government strongly support the Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) programme funded under the Secretariat Pacific Community as it addresses country’s policy objective C.

Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources Mr John Maneniaru said the current government strongly supports development of the FAD programme in the country.

He said the FAD programme spells out the current government policy objective C which states, ‘to improve and strengthen contribution of small-scale fishing alleviation’.

He also adds it addresses government’s priority areas such as food and nutrition security and socio economic benefits for fishing communities where the FADs will be placed.

Maneniaru said FADs, or locally known as rafters, will help in protecting reefs and improving marine biodiversity which is related to the Sustainable Development Goals.

He said now with the availability of the rafters in 16 constituencies, people will no longer travel long distances in search of fish, and lessens fuel expenses.

He said SPC’s assistance through the FAD materials is a classic positive impact to the livelihood of rural fishing communities in the Solomon Islands.

“As for the management of our coastal fisheries resources, people can now fish around FADs and cut down on fishing activities in the reefs, giving it time for reef fish population and other reef habitat to recover,” Maneniaru said.

With the new rafters, Maneniaru urges communities to respect and cherish them, and if anyone found destroying any rafter will face heavy penalties, according to new Fisheries regulation.

Gardens destroyed in Choiseul

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

FOOD gardens of Sariana and Bobokuana (Sabo) communities at Northwest Choiseul have been destroyed by heavy rain creating floods and landslides.

According to Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru, root crops were washed away by heavy floods and also they were being covered by landslides.

“Sabo communities call on the Natural Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to advice the Choiseul Provincial Disaster Committee in assessing the damages caused and provide relief supplies to the affected families,” said Ulemiki.

Meanwhile for Choiseul province from the Solomon Islands government meteorological services division yesterday, the outlook for today will be fine apart from a few showers and isolated thunderstorms.

DJ Dirty Fingerz impress audience at club HP

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DJ Dirty Fingerz pose for a photo during his performance at Heritage Park. Photos by Daniel Kakadi

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

DJ Dirty Fingerz pose for a photo during his performance at Heritage Park. Photos by Daniel Kakadi

DJ Dirty Fingerz made a stunning double performance with his hiphop and RnB vibes to celebrate Mother’s Day at the Heritage Park Hotel on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday was described as the best night with mothers counting down the clock to mark the mother’s day celebration.

DJ Dirty Fingerz, also known as Brendan Chan on Saturday put on the best DJ performance with combination of appealing dance soundtracks – the island beat, hip hop and RnB.

His sounds made mothers and others attending the show jump off their seats and own the dance floor, singing and cheering happy mother’s day.

Chan also did a performance alongside DJ Walton, a well-known local DJ known for his mixture of Island, hiphop and RnB.

Combination of both artists rocked the dancing floor on Saturday night till late, and it was observed that everyone present had the time of their lives.

The whole night ended peacefully with everyone enjoying the party because there was no arrest and unlawful behaviour from the public who were using the HP premises.

Dirty Fingerz’s show event in Honiara, particularly club HP is part of his Island Night tour with South Pacific artists.

In a nutshell, Dirty Fingerz has done what it takes to make the party matter to the general audience of Honiara, as a young role model in the soundscape of pacific music industry.

DJ Dirty Fingerz has set his sights abroad as he strives to bring his Pacific flavours to international dance floors.

Chan said he was inspired when meeting Dr Dre, a world renowned DJ in the United States and DJ Mustard, an American record producer, record executive, actor, DJ and rapper.

He met both in their studio which then eventually build Mr Chan into the DJ scene of becoming recognised regionally and internationally.

Christ the King parish finance budget

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE media coordinator of Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru, Northwest Choiseul, said their 2018 Financial Year Budget will cover costs of running the parish programs for both spiritual and physical aspects of parishioners.

In his report, he said by looking at the sources of income, the finance committee will engage the parishioner’s activities to fulfil the new budget.

The finance committee of Christ the King Parish at Northwest Choiseul recently held its finance meeting at Sariana Zone.

“In their meeting chaired by the Parish Treasurer Lawrence Kodakana, they deliberately went through the parish 2017 Financial Year report and came up with the 2018 parish Financial Year Budget. The total budget allocated for this year is SBD$218,227,” said Mr Ulemiki.

 

Closing time at Central Market is the same

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

THE closing time for Honiara Central Market is the same – at 6pm, according to Honiara City Council’s (HCC) Market Master.

Market Master Mr Jimmy Hanson Riunga clarified this following concerns.

According to report, the by-law for Central Market to close at 6pm recently has been lifted to 8pm.

This raises concern that the by-law lifted will be inconsistent to the by-law for closing at 6pm that was only passed recently.

However Riunga confirmed that the by-law at Honiara Central Market to close during 6pm remainS the same. Honiara Central Market opens at 6am and closes at 6pm.

“6pm is what is in the ordinance and it is the time for business houses and markets to close. We Officers are activating the ordinance,” said Riunga.

He said all the entry gates from the western side of the market will be closed at 6pm and only the gates on the eastern side of the market will open until 7pm to allow vehicles and the people to move out.

The HCC Market Master elaborated that it is only recently they activated the ordinance after the market gates were maintained after having faced breakdown for some time.

Rights vs responsibility

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SINU Acting Pro Vice Chancellor Basil Marasinghe.

SINU vice chancellor hits back at allegations of rights abuse

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SINU’S Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Basil Marasinghe has spoken out against condemnation that the institution is suppressing students from exercising their rights.

This matter stems from the recent student strike which was spearheaded by SINU’s student body, SINUSA, early last month.

SINU had reacted by terminating eight students who purportedly played active roles in the strike.

Now students are saying SINU has ‘suppressed students from exercising their rights’.

Marasinghe, as Acting Pro Vice Chancellor for the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), says that students do have their rights, but students also have the onus to exercise their rights responsibly.

He explained that forcing other students to go on strike or to sign a petition, as was allegedly done by the masterminds behind the strike, also denies other students’ freedom of choice.

“Institution is governed under set of relations, and there is students’ handbook in place which explicitly spells out disciplinary penalties in the event strike and boycott of classes are called out,” Marasinghe said.

He also says SINU management disputes allegations by some students that there is something wrong with the institution’s administration or leadership capability.

Marasinghe explained that SINU management is doing all it can within its means to support students’ welfare, and that the progress of work is according to the funds available.

“We have so many plans to support students’ welfare activities such as building student centre, sports and recreation facilities, improvement in library facilities and construction of additional classrooms,” Marasinghe said.

C & I assists Archery Solomon Islands

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Archery President Nihal Seneviratne, left, and Adrian Stevenson of C & I Distributors after the sealing of the sponsorship.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Archery President Nihal Seneviratne, left, and Adrian Stevenson of C & I Distributors after the sealing of the sponsorship.

HONIARA-BASED electrical company C & I Distributors have come in to support Archery Solomon Islands.

The financial support will cater for the hosting of the upcoming national archery championship scheduled for June 3.

The venue will be at the Town Ground Rugby Stadium in Honiara.

The championship will see the convergence of all top archers across the country to compete against each other in the one day event.

President of Archery Solomon Islands Nihal Seneviratne was overwhelmed with the timely support rendered by C & I Distributors toward the championship.

“The sponsorship by C & I is important for the development of the sport.

“Archery is a new sport in Solomon Islands and it needs lot of support from the community at large,” Seneviratne added.

The national archery championship serves as the selection event for this year’s Oceania Games.

The Oceania Games will run from July 9 to 13 in Paita, New Caledonia.

Mother’s Day kick off for Open Hockey League

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

The Samlimsan Honiara Open Hockey League will begin with the first matches on Sunday.

The league comprises both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Matches will be played every Sundays at the KGVI School Hockey Ground, according to organiser which is the Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF).

SIHF Development Officer Allen Temoa has confirmed the fixtures yesterday and matches will kick off 3pm each Sundays.

Three matches are scheduled for each competing days.

See fixtures below

13/05/2018      

PARROTS WOMENS CLUB VS DONBOSCO WOMENS HC       3.00PM

WANTOKS WOMENS CLUB VS CORA W BHOCKEY CLUB       4.00PM

PARROTS MENS HC VS SINU-USP MENS HOCKEY CLUB         5.00PM

20/05/2018

WANTOKS WOMENS HC VS DONOSCO W HC           3.00PM

SINU-USP MENS HC VS COBRA MENS HC   4.00PM

WANTOKS MENS HC VS PARROTS MENS HC              5.00PM

Ready to Man Up!

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
The captains of the four participating teams in the HHH Man Up Rugby Challenge pose for a photoshoot on Thursday

BY ROMULUS HUTA

The captains of the four participating teams in the HHH Man Up Rugby Challenge pose for a photoshoot on Thursday

THE Fletcher Kwaimani Man Up Rugby Challenge will kick off 1.30pm on Saturday 12th May at DC Park, Henderson.

Kicking off the challenge is Henderson HammerHeads taking on Islanders and followed by Diesel Services against TIA Warriors at 4pm.

A press statement from the organisers yesterday quoted the tournament manager Drake Chow as saying that the wait is now over and this weekend will feature rugby at its best happening at DC Park.

“The wait is over and this weekend will feature rugby at its best in Solomon Islands. Teams are really looking forward for this one and no one is ready to backdown from the Man Up Challenge.

“There are no easy games here and to make it through to the final, you need points in all 3 rounds.

“We expect all 4 participating clubs to uphold the core values of rugby: Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect.

“The tournament guidelines have been laid out to all teams to follow.

“As tournament manager I will work closely with team managers and match officials to host a fair and successful tournament,” the tournament manager said.

Chow also acknowledged the assistance rendered by official competition sponsor Fletcher Kwaimani Company.

“We are very grateful to Fletcher Kwaimani Company for their support and commitment towards developing community rugby in Solomon Islands.

“All are invited to come out and support your team. No Entrance Fee… but come out to support the HammerHeads Fundraising Stall.”

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