Real Kakamora’s Michael Mona shields a G-Camp player during their match
yesterday. G-Camp won 4-1.
“We lost concentration”: Loloito
By Taromane Martin
Real Kakamora’s Michael Mona shields a G-Camp player during their match on Tuesday. G-Camp won 4-1.
HEAD Coach for the Real Kakamora futsal team Barnabas Loloito blamed their lack of concentration for their downfall yesterday.
Real Kakamora lost 4-1 to 2017 Wantok Futsal Cup champions G-Camp FC at the Multipurpose Hall.
Eddie Huniehu gave G-Camp the lead after a well worked counter that left Real Kakamora goal keeper Philip Mango diving the wrong way.
Real Kakamora had chances to level the scores in the first half but saw Michael Oge missing all four of his chances to trail 1-0 at the break.
Real Kakamora almost levelled when second half resumed but saw their shout for goal waved off by the match referee.
Huniehu thumped three more goals past Mango before setting up their fourth goal to seal the victory yesterday.
“I think our goal in the second which was disallowed also affected our concentration which left our defence open,” Coach Loloito said.
“In the second half we reminded the boys to stick to the basics but unfortunately we lost concentration.
“Take nothing away from G-Camp they are a champion side and I think the boys were sucked into playing the game to their speed and rhythm.
“We’ll go back and continue working on the things we’ve been working on because to be honest the boys did not fully execute what we have been doing, so that is what we’ll do for our remaining games,” he said.
G-Camp Head Coach John Tome although pleased with the result said his boys still need to improve on their fitness and other areas for their remaining seven matches.
“I’m pleased with the result. This year we are missing some of our senior boys but we try as much to be competitive in this competition.
“We still have a lot of areas to improve on and fitness is one of them which I will be working hard on to improve for our remaining seven matches,” Coach Tome adds.
The win for G-Camp yesterday sees them with nine points after three matches played while Real Kakamora are with three points after four matches played.
Meanwhile, the 2018 SIPA National Futsal league will continue tomorrow with three more matches at the Multipurpose Hall.
Matches for tomorrow will see Kooline FC taking on FC at 2pm followed by Vania FC up against Indo-Solo at 3pm while the final action will the Futsal Solympics taking on Guntimac Fc at 4pm.
DEVELOPMENT Service Exchange (DSE) rejects claims that it is officially represented in the Solomon Islands trip to West Papua.
DSE is the peak body for civil society in Solomon Islands and has not endorsed anyone to represent civil society on this visit.
Participants are acting solely as individuals. They do not represent DSE or any other civil society organisation in Solomon Islands.
DSE advocates for human rights, justice and self-determination and has continued to show its strong support for the people of West Papua. DSE has continued to advocate for the Solomon Islands Government to uphold these values in our country’s trade and foreign policy.
DSE values the strong relationships between West Papua and Solomon Islands civil society.
“We admonish all members of this group for failing to include, consult or even inform West Papuan civil society of their visit.
“DSE management was informally made aware of the trip the evening before participants flew to Indonesia. The participants assured DSE management that they are attending in an individual capacity, and would not be representing DSE or any civil society organisation. DSE was not privy to details of the trip or its terms of reference.
“We call on the Government and in particular the Prime Minister’s Office to formally approach DSE or its members on any matters that require CSO sector representation.”
Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Culture and Tourism Andrew Nihopara
Visit to Japan opens more doors for SI tourism in Asian market
By Gary Hatigeva
OFFICIALS from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism have held a one-week visit to tourism stakeholders in Japan in an effort to strengthen relations and tap into the country’s fast growing tourism market.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andrew Nihopara and his Director, Barney Sivoro were in Japan to visit the Solomon Islands tourism office, which is currently being housed under the country’s Embassy in Tokyo, and review the office’s operation programme.
The visit according to Nihopara also gave them an opportunity to visit and meet with existing stakeholders as well as potential key stakeholders and tourism operators in Japan in the hope to extend Solomon Islands’ tourism network in that region.
The two heads also met with top officials from Japan’s Association of Travel Agencies (JATA), where discussions were centred on the trends in the tourism sector and ways forward for the two countries’ tourism developments.
Nihopara added that the meeting with JATA officials was also focusing on how Solomon Islands as a potential tourism product can be added in the association’s programmes and the possibility to collaborate with the association to help bolster Solomon’s overall tourism product.
They also met with top officials from Air New Guinea’s office in Tokyo where discussions were based on how best established initiatives can utilise the airline’s current service.
Nihopara added that from all the successful talks with tourism stakeholders to enter into collaborative programmes, “we see that Air New Guinea is the gateway, with an already existing twice a week flights there”.
“The meeting with Air New Guinea officials was had also extended potentials to increase the number of flights from two to three a week, which if eventuates, will surely boost any partnerships and collaborations that we have discussed with our tourism stakeholders in Japan,” Nihopara further added.
Following the review programme, the visiting delegation also collaborated with officers at the tourism desk to device a strategic plan to help guide the office’s programmes for the next 12 -24 months, as it continues to work closely with stakeholders to see that all discussions are put to realisation.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary expressed his thanks for the hospitality extended to them during their Japan visit and assured to continue building an effective relationship to enhance the tourism partnership forged.
From this meetings and visits held while in Japan, the Ministry according to the Permanent Secretary, will put together a cabinet paper to present to the Prime Minister who will leave for Japan later this month for the Annual Palm Meeting hosted in Japan.
Nihopara stressed that the paper will be delivered with hopes to see that what they have initiated and highlighted, are also taken up to the leaders’ levels, where they can further discuss and cement whatever partnerships that are vital to the development and benefits of the country’s tourism sector.
L-R… Prime Minister Rick Hou, Cabinet task force chairman Hon Steven Abana, HHC Mayor Andrew Mua and Under-Secretary for the MEHRD Education Authority Ambrose Malefoasi during the signing of the MOU on Monday at the PMO conference room.
2023 Pacific Games MOU signed
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
PROGRESS has been made with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) yesterday between the Government and key stakeholders to secure land for the construction of facilities to host the Games in 2023.
Attending the MOU yesterday at the Cabinet Room were stakeholder representatives from Honiara City Council, the Ministry of Education, SIFF, USP, National Council of Women, St Joseph’s Tenaru School, King George VI School and the Solomon Islands Christian Association.
Representatives from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) whose grounds have been identified as primes site for the main sporting stadium were not present during the signing yesterday due to other reasons but are confirmed to sign the documents today.
In thanking stakeholders, Hon Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela said the MOU signing is a very important milestone in the country’s preparation to host the 2023 Pacific Games.
“The government sees the project as a national project and not the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Prime Minister Office project,” reminded the Prime Minister.
“The project covers all the sectors of the economy of Solomon Islands. We are talking about food security, transport, tourism, education, the airlines and every other sector is being covered. This is why it is a very important project.
“Therefore all the ministries and agencies, government bodies including everyone must play their role in this project.
“Our government now sees that we have reached a point in this project of no turning back as we must continue with it. Turning back is not an option.
“The seriousness of this project has seen the Caucus and Cabinet appointing a Sub-committee. This is showing how much emphasis is being put into the project.
“In fact, the government is considering establishing a ministry of its own and a Minister purposely for the upcoming games.
“I do not know what the government of 2019 will be doing but it is a very serious consideration that has come to the Cabinet to do it in which they do not have the time making the decision to appoint a sub-committee to drive this project,” he said.
The Prime Minister also elaborated that countries who host these types of games already have facilities when they are at the bidding stage and urges the sub-committee that they do not have the luxury of time.
“This is why we have to urge everyone to quickly come together to address this project,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister explained that when the concept of the games came up in Parliament, an important principle the Parliament was very happy with was the concept of using and developing existing facilities owned by existing institutions and agencies to make this happen.
“There is a lot reasons but there are two important ones. One important one is when upgrading existing facilities the costs will be cheaper,” said the PM.
“Second is with the idea of establishing facilities within institutions and agencies lands. The problem the South Pacific has is when you have a grand stadium there will be additional problems such as how to use them and maintain them.
PM Houenipwela said another important thing for the signing is the three parts that are important to these games.
“This MOU signing today is a very important significant milestone in assuring the government’s commitment in hosting the games.
“One of course is the government. We had side Cabinet meetings and everyone is very concerned having said to ourselves that this is a national project.
“The second part I am happy of is assuring the Pacific Games Council on our commitment.
“Third part is the money we will be asking aid donors to support the upcoming games because the government does not have any money to fund it.
“We have to reach a milestone to assure the people we will be asking to help fund this project.
“Raising money for the project will be on the government side. There are many non-traditional partners who are willing to help directly inside this project but it is up to us to stitch the project together.
“I understand there are seven or eight venues for twenty-three or twenty-four sports in which we need to stitch these projects together so that when I travel overseas, I can showcase too on the current stage of development we are in our preparation,” he said.
The responsibility of the 2023 Pacific Games is now re-assigned to the Prime Minister’s Office and means that the Prime Minister is the Minister now responsible for reporting the 2023 Pacific Games progress to Parliament.
Meanwhile Chairman of the 2023 PG Cabinet Sub-committee and MP for Fataleka Hon Steve Abana also explained that the idea that Caucas and the Cabinet has come with is for the sub-committee to work alongside and enhance the work of the taskforce in some areas that needs pushing in assistance.
L-R… Prime Minister Rick Hou, Cabinet task force chairman Hon Steven Abana, HHC Mayor Andrew Mua and Under-Secretary for the MEHRD Education Authority Ambrose Malefoasi during the signing of the MOU on Monday at the PMO conference room.
“I am very humbled indeed for the Prime Minister on your behalf and the taskforce and my team especially for the stakeholders to come forward during the past six to seven weeks for their concerted effort for us to work together to consul, agree and disagree leading to the signing of the MOU,” said the Chairman.
“The signing of the MOU paves the way forward for the next step. As of tomorrow for the next two weeks is the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that should bind individual stakeholders with the government in terms of moving forward especially with the lands they own.”
“It is not an easy task. This is something that we need to sit down and understand each other and then move on forward. As of tomorrow (today) we will start working on the MOA’s.
“This is a project for the country and we are preparing for our regional family who will be visiting us within the next four to five years time.”
Hon Abana also assured the Prime Minister that they are going to prepare drafts and estimates for him to take with him when travelling to Japan and Taiwan during his next visit to his counterparts.
“It is not easy, we have some drafts and estimates and we are looking at it so that you can reach a figure when you have dialogues with your counterparts. This is the next step we will be moving forward on as well.”
The Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-committee said he is looking forward to ongoing consultations and their efforts to see the project going through.
Stakeholder’s representatives yesterday also expressed their happiness for the MOU in which they said they are looking forward to more continuous interaction in collaboration with the Sub-committee in planning, designing and handling issues that might pose risk to the journey up to 2023.
Honiara City Council’s Mayor Hon Andrew Mua on behalf of the good citizens of Honiara thanked the government for bringing the games to Honiara City.
“People of Honiara are looking forward for the 2023 games and are prepared to work with the National Government and the task force to make sure that the 2023 Pacific Games will be a successful event,” said Hon Mua.
SIXTY participants of the two-month USP TAFE project management course graduated yesterday with certificates.
Speaking during the certificate award ceremony, Secretary for MDPAC Mr Shadrack Fanega said that the ceremony is special because of the growing confidence participants have.
He believes this would go some way in instilling knowledge and confidence in officers to be able to deliver more efficiently the Government’s annual development budget and its 20-year National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016 – 2035.
“Your gracing of this closing today has demonstrate your keen interest and appreciation in the development officers.
“I believe a great deal of hard work and effort have been put into the course by the course instructor Rodger Goodman and the participants.
“I really do hope that you all find the course interesting, exciting and most worthwhile and rewarding and that all participants have taken full advantages of the course and have made the best of the opportunity,” he said.
Fanega said that formal skills in project management are very much sought after in national governments and in the private sector in the region.
He hopes that during the course participants have impressed upon themselves the importance of understanding all aspects of managing development projects in their respective ministries.
MDPAC also believes that with the training, graduates would continue to make a positive difference in the implementation of successive development budgets and the outcomes of the NDS performance reports.
In owing significant debts of gratitude to USP TAFE particularly Roger Goodman, Dr David Mapuru and the staff of MDPAC Strategic Planning Division including Julie Byers, who had worked so tirelessly to ensure that course comes to fruition and reality, Fanega thanks the USP TAFE for conducting the course and their endurance over the last seven weeks.
“I believe that with the success of this course, you and the USP TAFE and IPAM should now be more confident and would look to organising and conducting similar and follow on training courses in Honiara in the future,” he said.
WORK on the new Gizo market re-development house project is scheduled to commence in May.
WESTERN Province Premier Wayne Maepioh told Island Sun Gizo yesterday gabion materials for the new re-development market house project sea wall construction will arrive in Gizo by late May.
He said that construction works to be carry out are building construction, external works and paving, install water tanks and service, test and commission services, operation and maintenance training, fencing and gates, demobilisation and hand over.
“I will yet to confirm the exact date of the completion of the new Gizo re-development market house project,” said Maepioh.
He said that stakeholders have already received the document and design report of the new Gizo market re-development project for approval last month.
“Therefore, on behalf of my government and the people of Western Province, we are all looking forwards for this new re-development market house project funded by Australian government.”
HOMEBREW produce and illegal selling of alcohol has been banned in Voruvoru community at Northwest Choiseul, it is reported.
This action by community authorities has been welcomed by local families.
They say this will help decrease anti-social behaviours in the area.
According to Mr Nerio Ulemiki the media coordinator for Christ the King Parish at Voruvoru reporting, he said the leaders and crime prevention committee have started enforcement of the community crime prevention rules last year in light of decreasing the rise of anti-social behaviours.
“The rules in banning illegal selling of alcohol and making home breweries within the boundaries of the community have been approved by the Community Leaders in which the move is highly approved by the locals of Voruvoru,” said Ulemiki.
THE Gizo Market design documents are expected to be completed and approved by early May, 2018.
Western Province Premier Wayne Maepioh yesterday said he is aware that there has been extensive work to ensure the market design is able to withstand a category 5 cyclone and incorporates select elements requested by stakeholders.
“It is still possible to complete most of the proposed works by end of this year 2018.
“It is more likely that the project will now be completed in early 2019.
“A more accurate forecast completion date will be provided in the project,” Maepioh said.
Maepioh thanked the Reeves International for the design of what will be a fantastic building for vendors in the province.
He said he is looking forward to working closely with Reeves International, local contractors and the Australian government toward the full completion of the re-development project house next year.
First project stakeholders meeting in Gizo is yet to be confirmed.
ABOUT 180 health professionals from the national and provincial health sectors will sit for an annual Ministry of Health and Medical Services National Health Conference starting today.
The conference is held at the Forum Fisheries Agencies (FFA) Conference room.
This year’s conference is focussed on making strong plans and commitments to implement the Ministry‘s role delineation policy.
The role delineation policy is an important tool linking the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), country’s National Strategic Health Plan and national development strategy to address target areas and reach our goals.
It clearly defines the kind of services and the ‘packages of care’ that are to be provided at each level of health centres in the country.
According to MHMS, the conference is aimed to ensure appropriate services are provided closer to where people live so they can access services with lesser financial hardship.
MHMS Permanent Secretary Dr Tenneth Dalipanda said, “The RDP is the tool to help achieve Universal Health Coverage for the people of Solomon Islands which are our Ultimate Goal.
“The journey to achievement of Universal Health Coverage is a long one and the implementation of the Role Delineation Policy is a significant step in the right direction.
“The policy will help Ministry to improve coverage, access to, and reach of health services to our people in this country, and this is what Universal Health Coverage is really about.”
Dalipanda adds, the Ministry is committed to continue informing the country and people about how changes to the health system will affect them.
“We will keep public informed every step of the way,” confirmed Dalipanda.
Participants attending the conference will be national and provincial health workers, regional and international organisations, development partners, donors, and central government agencies.
The conference is hosted under the theme, “Moving towards Universal Health Coverage through the Implementation of the Role Delineation Policy”.
ONE of the five candidates contesting the Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency by-election, Peter Soqoilo, says transparency and accountability would be his priority once voted in.
Soqoilo, who has wealth of experience in accounting, uttered this statement when launching his campaign in Gizo yesterday.
The campaign launching was planned to start with a parade through Gizo town. Since there was no clearance issued by the province, supporters proceeded with the program without the parade.
The theme of Soqoilo’s campaign is “Growth for all”.
He told those who witnessed the launch that he stands before them to declare his candidacy but soon during his campaign proper, he will detail what he stands for.
Soqoilo briefly outlined areas he will focus on if he wins the by-election.
He said tourism is a key sector he would focus on as part of his plans to boost the province’s productive sector saying it is important for the national and provincial government revenue collection.
Soqoilo said he looks to support churches, chiefs and elders in communities and to support women and youth activities.
On governance structure, Soqoilo said transparency and accountability are his strength.
“Having experience in accounting, I can look up reports and tell my people how much money the government allocated to us and where the money goes,” Soqoilo said.
He said he is prepared to be fully accountable to the people of the constituency.
Soqoilo graduated with accounting at the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE) – now Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
He has work experience in the field of accounting having worked for the Solomon Islands Plantation Limited (SIPL) and Solomon Tobacco.
Soqoilo was a senior accounting staff of the Solomon Airlines. He resigned from his lucrative job to contest the seat, a move highly commended by supporters.
The Gizo-Kolombangara seat has been left vacant since last November after the High Court disqualified the sitting Member of Parliament, Jimson Tanangada.
Gizo-Kolombangara constituents will go to the polls to elect their new MP on May 23.
