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Illegal cigarette?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A packet of the Youki cigarette brand which is now circulating the corners of Honiara. Island Sun caught up with this (above) 20-cigarette pack in east Honiara on Wednesday

Company allegedly starts producing without licence

By Gary Hatigeva

A packet of the Youki cigarette brand which is now circulating the corners
of Honiara. Island Sun caught up with this (above) 20-cigarette pack in east Honiara on Wednesday

THE Chinese-owned company, Oceanic Oasis, reported to have applied for a manufacturing licence with the responsible authority, is alleged to have started manufacturing tobacco products even without the legal permissions (licences).

This comes just a week after reports confirmed the company’s application to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) which implements the Tobacco Act and also governs the issuance of licences for both tobacco importers and manufacturers.

Last week’s reports revealed that despite the confirmations, the ministry has not granted a manufacturing licence to the company, and its status therefore remains as an importer.

The Permanent Secretary who is currently away on overseas duty, in his earlier response to an interview with SIBC’s Leni Dalavera, explained that the MHMS will not issue a licence to the applicant unless it meets minimum requirements under the Tobacco Act, which the authority felt has yet to be fulfilled by the intending manufacturer.

A follow up by Island Sun with the Ministry yesterday further confirmed the Permanent Secretary’s earlier revelation and that to date, the ministry has not issued any licence to any second manufacturer, Oceanic Oasis for that matter.

It is understood that officials from Customs have visited the company site as part of its duty under the Act, however this paper was not able to get comments from them regarding the visit.

Meanwhile, in the earlier reports, the PS was of the view that indicated the applicant’s intentions to start manufacturing straight away once granted licence, and this has come as no coincidence as the company is allegedly producing, despite not being granted the required licence.

Because of the similarities in looks and confusions over the packet status, a follow up was made with the Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited (SITCo Ltd), who denied producing nor importing any new products or brands on cigarettes.

But someone close to the company who wants anonymity, however claimed that the packet under the brand name “Youki” (pictured) is a product of the Henderson-based company, which has already done a good number of production, something he said was for samples purposes, and that some of their products have already been widely circulated in markets and various locations in the eastern parts of Honiara.

This has however raised questions regarding the legality of the matter, and that the company should not even produce a single cigarette roll if not granted a manufacturing licence.

Concerns were also raised, pointing out that if the company has yet to obtain a licence as according to the PS for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, then producing these packets of cigarettes even for samples is an illegal act by Oceanic Oasis.

The foreign company (Oceanic Oasis) is already operating in the country as an importer of tobacco products, under a tobacco import licence, and had shown interests to go into manufacturing the product locally.

Questions were also raised surrounding the company’s imported brands, and sources have revealed that based on data and reports, their (company) main or most popular imported brand happens to be Pall Mall, which is understandably produced locally by SITCo Ltd, but nothing in the reports on the importation of any products with the Youki brand name.

“There’s no record to show the products being imported, unless if their products are being imported only to be exported,” a MHMS official suggested.

If the Oceanic Oasis’s licence is approved, they will become the second tobacco manufacturer in Solomon Islands, which will bring the total number of tobacco businesses in the country to three, but the raised issue is now putting all these, especially with intentions to establish as a manufacturer, in limbo.

One game at a time

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Raphael Le'ai unleashes a powerful shot as KOSSA player Moffat Deremoa charges in while keeper Santas Kabini stands alert

SIPA futsal competition continues tomorrow.

By Taromane Martin

FUTSAL Solympics Head Coach Stanley Puirana says his side will take one game at a time as they continue their preparation for this year’s Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Airez, Argentina.

The national U-17 futsal team picked up their third win in the SIPA futsal league on Tuesday defeating KOSSA 6-2.

A victory Puirana says shows the improvements they made from their previous games but knows they will need to continue working hard to collect points in the competition.

“Our performance in the first game the intensity was high. The intensity dropped in our second game but picked up again today,” he told SunSPORTS at the Multipurpose Hall yesterday.

“We were not settled in the first half because our uniforms arrived late and we had to improvise on getting the boys settled and ready.

“In the second half I told the boys to stick to our game plan and execute what we have been learning so far.

“But winning today does not mean we are satisfied. We’ll still continue to work on areas we need to improve on because we are not only preparing for this competition but also preparing for the Youth Olympic Games.

“For me we will continue to keep working hard, stay humble and take one game at a time,” he adds.

Other results from yesterday’s SIPA Futsal league saw G-Gamp defeating Indo-Solo 7-3 while Real Kakamora picked up their first win in the league defeating Koloale 5-2.

The SIPA national futsal league matches meanwhile will continue tomorrow at the Multipurpose Hall.

Tomorrow’s matches will see Vania FC taking on Mataks FC at 2pm followed by Kooline and Guntimac FC at 3pm and then Indo-Solo FC taking on Marist FC at 4pm.

Real Kakamora bags first win

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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KOSSA player Junior Kasute'e is sandwiched in a tackle from Leon Kofana and Raphael Le'ai

Futsal Solympics impresses.

By Taromane Martin

REAL Kakamora futsal team bagged their first win in the 2018 Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) futsal league but it was the national Under-17 side that stole the lime light at the Multipurpose Hall yesterday.

Real Kakamora defeated Koloale 5-2 yesterday via two goals from Michael Oge and a goal each from Chales Mono, Tony Graham and Bradley Saru that cancelled out Shayne Keri two goals for Koloale.

Real Kakamora Head Coach Barnabas Loloito was happy with their first win saying his side has been learning and working really hard for their remaining games in the competition.

A Real Kakamora player looks to attack

“This is our first win and we were really prepared for the game. We’ve learned a lot from our previous two matches came up with a new strategy and format and tried it out today,” Coach Loloito told SunSPORTS yesterday.

“Fitness is still a major concern for us. Endurance we need to really work hard on. For the next two days before our next game that is what we’ll work on.

“Tactically and technically they’re good. But endurance is our problem so we’ll need to work on our fitness.

“By the look of things, if they maintain the style of play I introduced to them, the strategies and they can cope with the new concepts I believe we’ll definitely be a team to watch out for in this competition,” he adds.

“I thought the game today was fifty-fifty. However, we were not settled, we rushed our build up and lacked concentration,” Koloale Head Coach Junior Corey said.

“Our game structure was excellent but it was our recovery in defence that was poor. Overall it was good that we identified our weakness from today’s game so we can work on them for our next match.

Meanwhile the national U-17 futsal side also picked up their third win in the competition `overcoming a determined KOSSA side 6-2 yesterday.

The match was tied 2-2 at the break before three goals from futsal prodigy Raphael Le’ai and an assist to Junior Mana gave Futsal Solympics space to breathe.

KOSSA Head coach Thomas Kalola showed little disappointment with the loss but admits his side lacked fitness compared to the Futsal Solympics.

“Our fitness cost us the game. We were just not fit enough compared to the Solympics side,” he said.

“And it showed in the first half we managed to hold them but fatigue saw our defence crumbled in the second half.

“But these are areas we’ll improve on. Our next game is against Koloale. They are a good side and not to be underestimated,” he adds.

KOSSA player Junior Kasute’e is sandwiched in a tackle from Leon Kofana and Raphael Le’ai

Lautoka arrives in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Lautoka players boarding the team bus after arriving at the Henderson Airport on Tuesday

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Lautoka players boarding the team bus after arriving at the Henderson Airport on Tuesday

FIJIAN soccer champions Lautoka has arrived in Honiara on Tuesday afternoon.

Lautoka is here to play Marist in the return leg of the Oceania Champions League semi-final.

The second leg is scheduled for this Sunday 3pm at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Lautoka hosted Marist for the first leg last Sunday at Churchill Park and both sides drew one-all.

Davidson Tome scored in the first half to put Marist infront before a header from veteran Fijian striker Osea Vakatalesau four minutes into second half levelled the scoreline to one-all.

The second leg this Sunday is a crucial one for both teams. However, Marist now holds a slight advantage as they only need a scoreless draw to qualify for the final.

Lautoka has promised to work on improving their finishing before this weekend’s contest.

Lautoka coach Kamal Swamy said they would beef up their attack with the likes of Rory Chettleburgh, Benjamin Totori and Osea Vakatalesau.

“We will try to contain Marist FC as they are good in building up from the middle,” he said.

“Of course it will be an uphill battle as it is their home ground. Anything can happen, home advantage is not an issue if we play football we can beat them. We will have to change the line-up and see how it goes.”

The Blues will be without striker Samuela Drudru who copped a red card and is now serving a one- match suspension.

Marist FC head coach Jerry Allen said, losing first choice goalkeeper Anthony Talo is also not an issue with them in the second leg.

Talo landed heavily on his right foot in trying to tap away a cross after four minutes of play.

“We will work on a lot of things. We are not too worried but will get the right man for the spot,” he added.

Gizo market project ground-breaking today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

GIZO

AUSTRALIA Aid and Western provincial government will host a ground-breaking ceremony today to commemorate the beginning of a major re-development market house project.

The ceremony will begin at 10am at the Gizo market project site.

This project is supported by the Australian government, and is expected to complete by end of December.

Western provincial secretary (PS) Jeffery Wickham said the project is an answer to the long-time cries of the people.

“We are looking forward for this major project to improve the standard of market in the province.

“Western province premier Wayne Maepioh and Austrian High Commission will deliver their speeches at the ceremony.”

Uncertainty over June international flights to Munda

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Munda Internationa airstrip runway

By Mike Puia

Gizo

THE Ministry of Communications and Aviation (MCA) looks forward to the first international flight landing in Munda in the Western Province this June.

In light of that, there are uncertainties as to whether this will eventuate.

“I don’t think this [international flights to Munda] will happen in June,

“There are a lot of things to sort out, requirements to fulfill before any international flight service Munda,” the Western provincial secretary, Jeffery Wickham, said.

Mr Wickham was asked to offer his view on the Munda international flight given the fact he was a permanent secretary of the MCA.

“To receive an international flight, the airport needs to have all necessary technical requirements,” Wickham said.

He said currently Munda has no proper terminal, fire and communication system.

Wickham said Munda airport has to meet all international civil aviation safety standards and comply with all civil aviation rules.

He said the airport must be certified as well before a plane lands on, things he doubted to have been fulfilled.

Calibrating to the airport is yet to be conducted. This is where distances that are vital to landing and takeoff are recorded. This is done by New Zealand.

Munda airport is the only airport in the country that was upgraded to become an alternative airport to Honiara.

Earlier, the MCA confirmed preparation work for Munda to qualify for international flight has been progressing well.

The Ministry confirmed it will deliver a new fire truck and navigational equipment and other necessary equipment for the Munda terminal before the first flight from Brisbane landed.

There are two fire truck funded by New Zealand government which are expected to arrive next month (May). One of them will be delivered to Munda.

Medical blunder calls for government to prioritize nursing

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE gross medical error against a five week old baby has raised condemnation from the public.

The isolated incident was when a nurse at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) accidently chopped off the finger of the 5 week old infant.

Our sympathy goes out to the infant’s parents and for the little one, who innocently lost her thumb.

One couldn’t imagine how bad it might have been for her and/or the nurse.

On top of that, this medical blunder is a serious one and it amounts to lawsuit.

While we sympathise with the family including the nurse who must have been feeling guilty, this should be a wakeup call for all health care workers including the government.

Our nurses work long hours under stressful conditions but this shouldn’t be an excuse for the mistake.

That aside, we know, a big portion of the government’s money is being spent on scholarship and tertiary education.

Sad to say, upon graduation, not every one of the scholars will be able to get a job.

So why are we spending more money on scholarships when there is not enough jobs?

Is government providing jobs for them?

The government should think of spending more money in sectors that matters.

Nursing or healthcare should be a priority for government. We need more nurses.

Currently our hospitals and clinics are understaffed.

The shifts are too long and nurses work under stressful conditions.

We cannot expect them to work long hours and be attentive at the same time.

Dealing with human beings is different and complex and should be treated as such.

The money spent on scholarship should have been used to increase the budget for healthcare staff and increase scholarship for nurses.

Though we might not have the desired technology in place as yet, increased capacity of human resources in that area will definitely cutback on medical errors or lessen complaints against healthcare workers.

Sometimes all that a patient needs is a loving, caring nurse to make them feel better. Thus it is very important government prioritise health.

After all health is everybody’s business.

New deal before Parasi reopens

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, I wish to make clarifications and respond to the statement made over the Solomon Star yesterday by Mr John Iroi of Apunemwali Tribe in Small Malaita.

First of all I wish to make clarifications on the point that John Iroi himself proclaiming that he is the paramount chief of Apunemwali Tribe.

According to chiefly system of Small Malaita, a single tribe does not have a paramount chief, the paramount chief’s position can only be decided by the Chief’s Council of Small Malaita and not for a single chief or any Tom Dick and Harry along the streets of Afio or Honiara for that matter to claim this position.

As far as the Hoasitaimwane Council of chiefs is concerned, there is not at any time the council has appointed Mr John Iroi as a Paramount chief or a tribal chief of Apunemwali Tribe.

We only recognise Mr David Roroi as the Head Chief of Apunemwali tribe which John Iroi has a connection through a female line genealogy.

As the Chairman to the Hoasitaimwane Council of Chiefs in Asimae of Small Malaita wish to advise John Iroi not to mislead our good people with his con strategies for recognitions. Our Council of Chiefs do not recognise you as a tribal leader nor a paramount chief as claimed.

Secondly, as Chairman of the Hoasitaimwane council of chiefs of Small Malaita, I also wish to make clarifications on the matter that Mr John Iroi is also claiming his connections to Parasi Airport Land ownership.

I want to inform our people at home and in Honiara and elsewhere, and the country as a whole that Mr Iroi has no connections with the Parasi Airport.

Parasi Airport has now opened and is ready for the Solomon Airlines to have its first flights in a month time.

Mr Iroi and his brothers as alluded in the media do not own a single inch in Parasi Land, none.

If Mr Iroi has been propelled by someone to make delay tactics to the government projects such as Parasi, then it’s more wise and better for them to refrain from doing such moves as we the Council of chiefs have no room for such childish game.

We want development to reach our lands and to build economic viability to our children’s future in Small Malaita.

Should Mr Iroi wish to claim such land ownership, he should come home and make appointments to see our council of Chiefs of Hoasitaimwane so that we can place him in his rightful place.

I am now asking Mr John Iroi to stop misleading people and the government on such very important projects as Parasi Airport.

I am asking the Ministry of Aviation and the Task Force not to listen to him but continue to pursue Parasi Airport to its official opening this year.

 

Edmond Maumeu

Chairman to Hoasitaimwane Council of Chiefs.

Matangasi Village

Afio

Route of the public buses from central market to KG6

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, as a Solomon Islanders who lived in the capital city of Honiara, I urge the City Council to change the route of the public bushes from central market to KG 6, because it made the students and the public difficulty to catch the public bushes in time.

The route of the bushes from central market to KG 6 was very distance, compared to the route started from the central market to white river and because of that distance route, the bushes always took the route from the central market to white river, in which made the route from the central market to KG 6 had limited bushes to travel.

As I already experience the difficulty of catching the bushes from the central market to KG 6, the City Council should seriously looking into this matter and re-schedule the route, starting from the central market to SDA then SDA to KG 6, thus this would allow the people easy to catch the bushes from the central market to KG 6.

Therefore I urge the Solomon islander’s citizen to work hand in hand with the city council to re-schedule the route of the bushes and the people should follow the regulation and rules that the City Council tell them to follow, thus this would treat everyone fairly and equally to make our beloved country Solomon Islands lived in harmony in years to come.

Zephaniah Tukumana

USP, Laucala Campus

SIG partners with UNDP for environment mainstreaming

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Officers of the Government Ministries and UNDP staff in group phot who attended the Environmental Mainstreaming pilot training held at the Star Event conference room, Tongs building

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Officers of the Government Ministries and UNDP staff in group photo who attended the Environmental Mainstreaming pilot training held at the Star Event conference room, Tongs building.

ENVIRONMENT officers for Government ministries underwent pilot training on environmental mainstreaming under the United Nation Development Programme in Solomon Islands yesterday.

UNDP in Solomon Islands is piloting environmental mainstreaming training with officers from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology and Ministry of Development, Planning and Aid Coordination.

The training is organised purposely to enhance SIG mainstreaming capacity to mainstream Multi-lateral Environment Agreement (MESs) obligations into local plans and policies.

Yesterday, discussions revolved around case for environmental mainstreaming, link between development and environmental mainstreaming; examine approaches and tools for environmental mainstreaming at all levels in Solomon Islands.

Under Secretary for Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDMM) Mr Chanel Iroi hopes that after the training government officials would be able to understand environmental mainstreaming practices.

“I hope after this training Government official will be able to understand good mainstream practices to integrate global environment priorities particularly ones under MEAs into selected national and provincial development plans,” Mr Iroi said.

He explained the training material contains narrative for facilitators and drivers of environmental mainstreaming to integrate environment into planning and deliberation on priorities for development plans at the country’s national and provincial levels.

It also intended to inform environmental mainstreaming in planning and budget process, corporate plans of government ministries and monitoring processes, he adds.

UNDP stresses such training materials were developed to guide key stakeholders on good mainstreaming practices to integrate global environment priorities into selected national and provincial development plans.

The Environmental Mainstreaming pilot training is funded by UNDP under its project; Integrating Global Environmental Commitment in Investment and Development Decision-Making (IGECIDDM/CB2 project).

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