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NOCSI President congratulates Seneviratne

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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President of National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI), Martin Rara

BY ROMULUS HUTA

President of National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI), Martin Rara

PRESIDENT of National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) Martin Rara has congratulated the President of Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF) Nihal Seneviratne upon his recent election into the new Oceania Hockey Executive Board.

Seneviratne was voted in as the new Vice-President of Oceania Hockey Federation (OHF) during last Friday’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The Solomon Islands Hockey boss replaces outgoing Oceania Vice-President Kaluwin Potuan of PNG.

In an email to Seneviratne, Rara said: “I write this email to you to officially congratulate you and your federation for the attainment of one of the senior positions in the Executive Board of Oceania Hockey.”

Rara described Seneviratne’s election as a milestone achievement toward the growth of the newly-revived sport in Solomon Islands.

“This achievement is a milestone in the sports of Hockey seeing that Hockey is a newly-revived sport in our country.

“The sporting body is very happy about this achievement and as NOCSI President I wish you all the best as you serve the sports of Hockey for the betterment of our athletes.

“NOCSI looks forward to working with your association in years to come.

“May God Bless Solomon Islands Hockey,” Rara expressed in his brief congratulatory remarks.

World heritage body tells company to leave

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Lake Tengano

THE Lake Tegano World Heritage Site Association (ERWHSA), the body looking after the country’s world heritage site in Renbel province, has expressed concern about a foreign fishing company showing interest in the province’s fishery resources.

It has been reported that a foreign company is interested in investing in Renbel province’s fisheries, and that the provincial government had permitted the company a one-day visit to the Indispensable Reef for surveillance purposes.

The identity of the company was unknown until photos of people loading boxes in Rennell surfaced. The boxes were alleged to contain crayfish.

Renbel premier, Collin Singamoana, later confirmed the People’s Fisheries Solomon Islands (PFSI), a Chinese-owned company, was allowed to conduct a one-day survey in the province’s Indispensable Reef.

News of the company’s operation worries the ERWHSA. Chairman of the Association, George Tauika claims the national and provincial government have failed to protect East Rennell.

East Rennell is the only world heritage site in the country which is found in Renbel Province, to the east of Rennell Island.

He said it is frustrating that whilst they are making an effort to conserve that part of the island, the province is entertaining a potential investor in its fisheries sector.

Tauika said harvesting of marine resources is a normal practice by the people in the province but they do it in a more sustainable way.

He said foreign companies have no care for the rules and it is worrying.

“The company is foreign owned. These companies have no care for the environment. All they care about is getting the resources they need,” Tauika said.

2 Taiwanese doctors help NRH

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Two Taiwan’s medical doctors, Dr Liu Kuan Fu and Dr Li Cheng Yu who are currently in Honiara for four-month work permit as volunteers at NRH under Taiwan’s programme.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Two Taiwan’s medical doctors, Dr Liu Kuan Fu and Dr Li Cheng Yu who are currently in Honiara for four-month work permit as volunteers at NRH under Taiwan’s programme.

TWO Taiwanese medical doctors are working at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) under a volunteer work arrangement between the governments of Solomon Islands and Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Embassy in the country through the Taiwan Health Centre (THC) deployed the two young doctors – Dr Liu Kuan Fu and Dr Li Cheng Yu, who will be here for a four-month period.

Since arriving in early March, the two have been assigned to work at the NRH and Honiara City Council clinics and have contributed through their expertise and service.

Fu is stationed at the Orthopaedic ward while Yu is at the surgical ward and emergency department including HCC clinics.

According to the THC timeframe, they will spend a month and two weeks working respectively at the NRH and HCC clinics before finishing off the last month by joining the Taiwan Mobile team’s visit to Malaita province in June.

Both have referred to their stay and work in the country as “interesting” especially the experience of learning about the country’s medical issues such as the high rate of NCD, malaria, dengue and other related clinical difficulties from local officers.

Yu said they helped with their expertise in different health departments of the NRH according to their line of duty tasked by THC.

He also adds that they are both willing to support Solomon Islands with their expertise and are looking for opportunities as well for further support.

“We are here not only to help with our expertise but collect information as well and give back to THC to produce a report and send back to Kaohsiung Medical University and then support will come,” Yu said.

Fu said they both come from different institutions in Taiwan and are doctors who are happy to provide support for Solomon Islands particularly at NRH for their four-month stay here.

“We joined the substitute military service, a programme in Taiwan. The platform provides us opportunities to use our expertise to serve in foreign countries in medical services and both of us are medical doctors.

“Now we in Solomon Islands to use our expertise particularly stationed at the surgical ward and Emergency department and orthopaedic ward, and this will be a new experience for us.”

THC Leader, Ms Alice HY Hsu said this year is the 13th programme which Taiwan Embassy through its health centre has been coordinating with the NRH.

She adds Taiwan has been deploying doctors and other experts from Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan to do volunteer work for four years now as an arrangement between Taiwan and Solomon Islands.

Hsu said sending doctors and mobile team of experts to Solomon Islands is part of its priorities to support the Solomon Islands health sector.

BLC hearing into Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 commences

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

A Parliamentary Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) two-day hearing into the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 commences on Thursday, according to a press statement by Parliament Media.

The press release statement explains that Anti-Corruption Bill aims to give legislative effect to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) by creating new corruption offences that will fully capture a range of corrupt practices within the public sector or in the interaction between public and private sectors, providing for the investigation and prosecution of corruption offences, establishing a national independent commission against corruption and introducing a wide variety of measures to prevent corruption.

Also stated is that corruption appears to be widespread in Solomon Islands and impedes development, sustains poverty, hinders economic growth, induces political instability, enables unsustainable use of natural resources, affects service delivery, undermines good governance and the rule of law.

The reasons stated above are why the bill which was originally introduced in 2016 and reintroduced after being withdrawn from the Business Paper in parliament on Monday, August 28, 2017 is important.

Moreover, the statement expressed that the UN Review had recommended Solomon Islands to have an institution dedicated to the prevention, investigation and prosecution of corruption.

In relation, the bill will achieve this by the establishment of an independent Solomon Islands Independent Commission against Corruption (SIICAC) that will have it’s own finances, staff and power to instigate prosecutions with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Parliament Media furthered that stakeholders who will appear before the Bills and Legislation Committee under the Chairmanship of Hon Mathew Wale include the Office of the Prime Minister (PMO), Legal Draftsperson, Transparency Solomon Islands, NCW, FSII, DSE, Law Reform Commission, Leadership Code Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Police (JANUS), Auditor General’s Office and Internal Audit.

4 missing men shore up in Choiseul

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

FOUR men who were lost at sea for 36 hours have been found at Vagara village in North West Choiseul.

They are from Karaka village in North Vella la Vella.

Vagara villagers rescued the four fishermen on Tuesday evening.

The fishermen went adrift on Monday after they ran out of fuel curing a fishing trip.

They had been fishing near a rafter between Vella la Vella and Choiseul.

A Mr Bernard Muvo from Karaka Village told Island Sun Gizo yesterday family members raised the alarm after the men failed to return on Monday evening.

Muvo said the four fishermen are expected to arrive back at Karaka village sometime today.

He urges people to check, local newspapers, SIBC news or the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service for the latest weather report.

Taro and Gizo police were unaware of this near-tragic incident.

RSIPF scales down search for missing man

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the EOD unit during the search.

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has scaled down its search for Christopher Nemaia who went missing on April 19, 2018, at the Mataniko River.

Supervising Assistant Commissioner (AC) National Capital and Crime Prevention, Superintendent Solomon Sisimia says, “Unfortunately the police has not been able to locate the body of the missing person despite extensive search since he went missing.

“The police search included officers from Honiara City, Maritime, Fire and Rescue and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit.

“Our condolences to the families, relatives, work colleagues and friends of the missing person.

“The police search was scaled down as from May 1, 2018 after a dive search by officers of the EOD Unit in the area of the Mataniko River from the Chinatown Police Station to the new Mataniko Bridge.

“Officers of the same Unit also dive searched on April 26 and April 28 but the River was too dirty to do a thorough search.

“The final search on May 1 was the most thorough search my officers have carried out but sadly we were unable to locate the body.

“I want to thank my officers for the commitment and dedication in trying their very best in searching for the missing person.

“I also want to thank the relatives of the missing person for their patience and confidence in the Police.

“We have done what we can do by exhausting all possible avenues during the search.

“I want to call on the travelling public from the Central and Isabel provinces and other mariners to keep a look out while travelling in the waters near Honiara.

“Please call Police Communication on 23666 or the toll free 999 should you notice any suspicious objects.”

–POLICE MEDIA

Crime prevention stakeholders in Malaita strengthened

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

POLICE on Wednesday met with representatives from various crime prevention stakeholders in Auki to strengthen their partnership and resolve to fighting crime in the province.

Officials from the RSIPF Rove headquarter in Honiara arrived yesterday for a half-day meeting and left at midday.

Auki Operation Manager who was also acting PPC, Inspector Michael Maebiru said the meeting looked at a crime prevention strategy in place for stakeholders in the province.

He said there was a workshop held at the beginning of this year during which the strategy was set up for a crime prevention committee to work on.

“So this coming is for the team to see progress made on the strategy or areas of improvement requires that will put into review,” Maebiru said.

He said two phases were held yesterday with the HQ team – the first involved government and non-government organisations in Auki.

The second meeting was held with representatives from crime prevention committee of local communities around Auki.

Western province agriculture declines

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Mike Puia

Gizo

WESTERN Province has been known as an agricultural hub of Solomon Islands, however this understanding is now under question as the province’s agriculture sector is on reportedly on the decline.

This deterioration is concerning leaders of the province.

Deputy Premier of the province, Maloney Lopoto said they are concerned about the drop in agriculture in the province.

Lopoto said the agriculture sector plays a huge part in the development of the province and a decline is worrying.

The provincial secretary, Jeffery Wickham said the province was a main supplier of cocoa in the past.

Wickham said it is worrying that the sector has declined.

He said even with a huge cut on the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) budget, which affected the agriculture office in the province, the office can still do more.

Wickham said the agriculture sector can feed the people of the province and its visitors and provide employment.

The work of the agriculture office in Gizo is directly dependent on the MAL office in Honiara with little control from the province.

The province and the agriculture office however work together in some areas.

One of these areas is work on the Mile-6 farm, a huge provincial farm in West Gizo.

The agriculture office helps run every technical things in the farm.

Staff of the agriculture office confirmed most of their work have been stalled since they have issue with funding.

Visit to other parts of the province, for instance, will not happen as there is no funding to cater for fuel to get agriculture staff out to the islands.

Principal agriculture officer, John Kepas, said their office will only wait on farmers who want support from their office.

Kepas said it will cost farmers more money but they have no other option.

He said communities where their field officers are present are lucky.

‘A true mentor’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Late Danny Waeta in a photo taken earlier this year by SIFF Executive Member Tommy Mana

‘Snake Man’ Kiriau pays tribute to fallen comrade Late Waeta

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Late Danny Waeta in a photo taken earlier this year by SIFF Executive Member Tommy Mana

FORMER national soccer striker George Kiriau famously known to many as ‘Snake Man’ has described his former national team mate, the late Danny Waeta as a true mentor.

Late Waeta, a former left wing forward for the Solomon Islands national men’s soccer team passed away in Honiara Monday evening.

In a tribute to his fallen comrade, Kiriau said Late Waeta was one of their senior players back then who always give him advice of confidence.

“He’s a man of good footballing character who always plays his hearts out on the left wing. He’s such an athletic footballer who never backs down whenever he loses possession

“When I first joined the national senior side in 1991 for the South Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Waeta was one of the senior players in the team.

“As a senior player, he gives me advice and helped moulded me to a better striker,” Kiriau explained.

Recalling the 1991 South Pacific Games, Kiriau said they partnered upfront together.

“Late Danny played on the left wing with his usual number nine jersey.

“We have a good combination upfront with me, Danny and Dudley Natei. Our movement patterns during attacking have a particular language where we speak which is the Kwara’ae language.

George Kiriau, a former national soccer rep famously known as Snake Man

“We have been practising our movements and at some points became perfect.

“During the semi-final match against New Caledonia, one of the moves in training worked according to plan when I met a through ball pass sent by Charles Ashley on the 22 meter line. Instead of stopping it there to attempt for a shot, Danny shouted to me in Kwara’ae language and I made a dummy. Danny didn’t wait upon receiving the ball but shoot to score from the long distance with his left foot.

“We won that semifinal match 4-1 and qualified into grandfinal where we eventually lost to Fiji on penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 in fulltime,” Kiriau, who used to play for Police FC in the domestic Honiara Super League back then expressed.

Kiriau added Waeta was a true leader when going on international assignments to represent Solomon Islands.

“Before the tournament began in PNG, Waeta told us to avoid fouls and play fairly according to the FIFA Laws of the Games targeting the Fair Play Award.

“We listened to his advice and somehow nailed it by the end of the tournament.

“Solomon Islands received the fair play award after receiving only one yellow card through striker Dudley Natei.

“I think overall we did well and thanks to people like Late Danny Waeta who played instrumental role in our silver medal won in PNG 1991.”

In concluding his tribute, Kiriau, who was the striker who scored the lone winning goal via a header in the victory match of the 1994 Melanesian Cup in Honiara against Fiji, said Solomon Islands need more footballers like Late Danny.

“We need more passionate footballers who have strong winning mentality like Danny. Back in those days, we played with passion with no big money involved and we managed to produce some of the best results ever,” Kiriau added.

Meanwhile, late Waeta represented Solomon Islands for 10 years and played club football for decades with home club Rangers before retiring in 2000.

“Still with West Papua”

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the Solomon Islands delegation posing with caretaking Papua governor in his office. Photo supplied

Civil groups maintain support despite Indonesia-funded trip farce

By Gary Hatigeva

DESPITE reports of fear over a split or complete fall in the advocacy for West Papua through the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Solomon Islands assures that the support from the civil society organisations remains strong.

With confusion and concerns, much have also been said on the trip to Indonesia consisting of few civil society leaders and government officials.

In recent weeks, a lot was reported both in the local and international media, which saw the civil society networks disassociating themselves from what was widely described as a secret trip.

The Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) management and board and the Development Service Exchange (DSE), which is the umbrella body of the non-government organisations in the country, also shared similar sentiments, distancing themselves from the defiant trip.

In a joint statement, representatives from CSO and solidarity groups for West Papua rubbished the representation of the ‘Indonesia Trip’ reaffirming their strong commitment to stand with ULMWP, being the mandated body representing the West Papuan people.

“Now the civil society have spoken that the individuals that represent the civil society and the so-called government sanctioned trip might have been trapped for reasons only the coordinator is privy to,” the statement states.

The group however questioned the coordination of the trip, which they said, was never endorsed by the government or channelled through the formal process.

“Apparently, the coordinator must be blamed for tricking the Indonesian government and their West Papua Melanesian agents by selecting few civil society leaders in the pretext of civil society representation when actually it is not.

“He needs to explain to the civil society why he has organised the mission behind back door, knowing very well that the civil society has a strong stance on the West Papua issue.

“The fact that he by-passed the civil society groups and selected only few leaders without gracing the management and board of key CSOs and their network, is an act total ignorance; let alone fishy in all nature,” the group stressed.

They however clarified and reiterated that the civil society organisations and its network has nothing to do with the Indonesian-funded trip.

“All these strategies and tactics have not influenced us the solidarity group and CSOs in anyway to be pro Indonesia and we have not or will not be deviated from our strong stance behind ULMWP.”

The group further reminds the Indonesian government and the world that the Solomon Islands solidarity group remains intact and united in the cause for the people of West Papua.

“We are rock solid behind our Melanesian brothers, despite the mission’s intentions and ulterior motives to break us apart, and also for financial benefits, which was orchestrated by one man with the backing of his Indonesia networks,” the group says.

“Let the people of Solomon Islands know, so as the government of Indonesia that the civil society in Solomon Islands will never change its stance on the issue of West Papuans fight for political freedom.”

The government-led delegation to Indonesia returned yesterday afternoon and, according to Mr Rence Sore, a member of the delegation, will brief the Office of the Prime Minister on the trip and members of both solidarity groups and CSOs.

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