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12-yr-old girl raped in Sikaiana

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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A 12-year old girl has been allegedly raped by a man in his late 30s in the island of Sikaiana early this week.

Accounts from locals say currently they are afraid to apprehend the man, who is part Sikaiana and Liuania (Lord Howe islands), and are anticipating police to accompany the next ship to the island to arrest him.

It is also not known when the next ship is scheduled for Sikaiana.

And, for the time-being, the suspect is reported to be roaming the island scot-free, much to the dismay of members of a shocked community.

Speaking to Island Sun, a person who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal from the suspect’s relatives, say the girl is receiving medical attention and recovering under the ‘24-hour care’ of her grandmother and relatives.

“This is not the first rape incident by the suspect, as he has been reported among the community to have carried out the horrible act on several other girls and women in the past,” the person said.

The person adds that the culture of keeping silent over such taboo incidents has prevented the reporting of such acts by the community to the police.

“Making it worse is the fact that there is no police station in Sikaiana. Everyone depends on mutual respect and common understanding for peaceful co-existing, but when such incidents occur there is no mechanism in place to punish perpetrators and send out the message to deter them happening in the future.

“Everybody knows the country has a police force, but taking into account the isolation of Sikaiana, this notion is of no comfort to people in the community.

“So it is imperative that police come in the patrol boat and arrest the suspect, and not wait for the next scheduled ship and send an officer to do it.”

It is understood that the incident has been reported to the police by the girl’s mother who is residing in Honiara.

Seif Pleis has also been reportedly informed of the incident.

People living on Sikaiana are calling on the police to act quickly and arrest the suspect.

Sikaiana is the second group of islets which make up the Malaita Outer Islands constituency of Malaita province, and is situated 212 kilometres (132 miles) NE of Malaita.

Vania out to prove a point

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Vania FC Head Coach Paul Muia

By Taromane Martin

Vania FC Head Coach Paul Muia

VANIA Futsal Club are out to prove that Polynesians in the Solomon Islands can also be great soccer and futsal players for the country.

Head Coach Paul Muia told SunSPORTS on Tuesday that his team which comprised mostly of Sikaiana players from Malaita Outer Islands are taking part in the SIPA National Futsal Premiership to prepare and prove the point.

“This is a good competition especially for my players who are all from Sikaiana,” Muia said

“For us competing at this league is like part of our preparations. We strongly believe that Polynesians also have some great players in futsal and football.

“That is what we believe in and therefore want to show that yes Polynesians in Solomon Islands also have a lot of excellent football and futsal players.

“Tahiti is a classic example moving from an underdog to one of the football powerhouses in football, futsal and beach soccer in Oceania,” he said.

The coach said he was pleased with his boy’s performance during their 3-1 loss to Koloale on Tuesday stressing Vania FC is here to challenge.

“Despite losing our first game to Koloale it was a good game for us because the boys showed a lot of confidence even though most is their first time to play at such competition.

“I’m pleased with the way we managed to hold Koloale in that game because they are an experienced team with the likes of Lenson Bisili and Eddie.

“We still have ten games left to play so my encouragement to the boys was despite not the best team in this competition we must always make it hard for the other teams to win.

“If we can win any of our games it’s a bonus for us if not then we’ll make sure it is not an easy walk over win for them though still new to the game” he adds.

Meanwhile matches for the SIPA futsal Premiership will continue today at the Multipurpose Hall with three matches.

First match for today sees Marist FC taking on Mataks FC at 3pm followed by Guntimac FC taking on Henderson Eels FC at 4pm and then the final match between Vania FC and G-Camp FC at 5pm.

All teams are asked to be on time for their respective matches today.

Marist resumes training for semi

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Marist had resumed training for the Oceania Champions League semis against Lautoka set for weekend next week.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

MARIST has resumed training for the Oceania Champions League (OCL) semi-finals which will kick off on April 22.

The national OCL rep resumed training just a day after they flew in from Vanuatu on Tuesday.

Marist qualified into a two-legged semi-final tie against Fiji’s Lautoka following last Saturday’s 2-1 quarterfinal win over Nalkutan at the Korman Stadium in Port Vila.

Marist travels to Fiji for the first leg of the OCL’s all-Melanesian semi-final tie scheduled for Sunday April 22 at the Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The return leg will be played in Honiara on Sunday April 29 at the Lawson Tama Stadium.

During the quarterfinal, goals from aging striker Abraham Iniga and Davidson Tome sealed a much-deserved qualification passage for the Jerry Allen-coached side to a debut last-four appearance.

For Lautoka, who boasts the inclusion of sensational Solomon Islands forward Benjamin Totori in its roster got their place in the semis after posting a 2-1 away quarterfinal win against AS Dragon at Stade Pater in Papeete on Sunday.

The Fijian side outplayed AS Dragon in Papeete to claim their place in the semi-final for the first time in the club’s history.

Meanwhile, the other semifinal features Team Wellington and Auckland City in an all-New Zealand semi-final, ruling out the opportunity for a repeat of the final for the three previous editions.

Team Wellington hosts the first leg taking on domestic champions Auckland City, who took out the domestic Premiership grand final between the two sides with a 1-0 victory on April 1, at Dave Farrington Park on Sunday 22 April at 1pm.

As mentioned, the two teams have met in the final of the last three editions of the OFC Champions League with Auckland yet to drop a match to their domestic counterparts in this competition to date.

Auckland City will host the return leg at Kiwitea Street on Sunday 29 April from 12.30pm.

A week more to go

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
A Tenaru player makes a steal from a KGVI player on the attack.

National Hockey squads leaves April 23

By Taromane Martin

A Tenaru player makes a steal from a KGVI player on the attack.

THE Solomon Islands national hockey teams will leave the country on April 23 to compete at the Oceania U-18 Youth Olympic Games qualifiers in Papua New Guinea.

Hockey President Mr Nihal Seneviratne confirmed the team will depart Monday the following week to take part at the competition which starts on April 25.

Mr Seneviratne said they are yet to finalize the final travelling squad but is expected to be done this Sunday.

“National Hockey Team departs April 23 final selection will be done this Sunday at the Don Bosco Hall at 1pm,” the President said.

Meanwhile SIHF Development Officer Mr Allen Temoa said the training squad have been undergoing intensive sessions over the past months.

“We’ve been training three days in a week in preparation for the competition. Our sessions is two hours starting from 3pm to 5pm.

“The training squad will probably have their final training sessions today before the final travelling squad is named on Sunday,” Mr Temoa said.

The Development Officer said only nine players will be selected for both the men and the women’s national squads.

No need to meet

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Renbel Premier brushes aside NSC calls to discuss games’ fate

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

RENNELL and Bellona Premier has brushed aside calls to meet with the national sports council (SINSC) and discuss the fate of the Solomon Games, which is just two months away.

On March 27 the Council gave a media call for a meet with the Renbel province to discuss updates on preparations for the Solomon Games.

The Council is concerned that with only ‘two months’ left, Renbel province may not be ready to host the Games.

Executive member of SINSC, Mr Siosi Dioko said in the March-27 report that Renbel should discuss with them the situation on the ground.

And, if the province is not prepared to host the Games, then it should come clear with the truth and admit it to the Council.

This would give the Council ample time to switch to ‘plan B’, which Dioko says would be to move the Games to Honiara.

Dioko said, “We have told Renbel’s local organising committee (LOC) to prepare since the last games in 2016 in Honiara in which next week should be our schedule for inspection on the province’s facilities preparation.

“With only two months left, this is the final week given for the province LOC or Ministers responsible to come discuss with us.

“If we find out that Renbel province is not ready to host the 2018 Solomon Games then we will move to ‘plan B’ because the possibility for it to be hosted back in Honiara is possible having facilities to use there.”

However, Premier Collin Singamoana says there is no need to meet with the SINSC.

He explains that the province has a taskforce and a LOC, which are in direct contact with the national ministry of home affairs (MHA) over preparations for the Games.

“The Renbel taskforce is in direct contact, and is working under guidance by the MHA. We communicate directly with the ministry’s permanent secretary and he gives us the instructions to work by.

“If it were necessary for us to meet with the SINSC then the PS would have informed us of it.”

Singamoana questions why SINSC is behaving as if it has the authority to remove the Games from Renbel, saying that only the Ministry has this power.

“The Solomon Games belongs to the MHA, and the PS is the pivotal between the ministry and the host province.

“We do not deal with any other third parties from the side. This would be determined by the ministry’s PS, if he says we must meet and update the SINSC then we will be obliged to, but since he has not said anything about having to inform SINSC anything then we won’t respond to Dioko’s call.”

In 2014, Renbel province was awarded the hosting rights for the 2016 Games, however, it failed to prepare hence the event was shifted in the last minute to Honiara.

The province was however given a second chance – to host the 2018 Games.

It is understood that Renbel province games taskforce, which was set up to replace the LOC, was given $3million as a first tranche payment towards helping it in preparations by the MHA. However, this fund was reportedly misused.

The issue of the misused $3million had led to the removal of the then-chairman of the taskforce, with Premier Singamoana replacing him on the intention of ‘ensuring that there is no repetition of misuse of any funds from MHA’.

It is understood that there is no single infrastructure standing in the provincial capital Tigoa (the proposed hosting venue) to testify for the usage of the first tranche of $3million.

Reports from locals in Rennell say an area had been cleared for the purpose of building the stadium and multi-purpose hall in it, but since then has been allowed to be overrun with wild vegetation.

There have been claims and counter claims raised in the various Facebook forums belonging to the Renbel community over alleged materials which were bought using part of the $3million.

However, Island Sun understands that nothing tangible is yet to surface regarding preparations on the ground.

Firisua misses training through headache

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
The Pacific 5000m and 10000m record holder, Sharon Firisua.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Islands long distance female runner Sharon Firisua missed yesterday’s training session as she is being diagnosed for headache and dizziness in Gold Coast.

Firisua is amongst the four member-Solomon Islands athletics team to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games currently underway in Australia.

Speaking to SunSPORTS yesterday, Firisua said she is experiencing headache and dizziness caused by not having enough sleeps due to noise disturbances caused by drunken athletes at the Games Village.

Drunken athletes involve those ones who have already completed their competitions.

“I did not sleep well last night due to noises caused by drunken athletes from 12am to 4am in the morning and came out this morning (yesterday) feeling sick.

“I went to the health centre by myself and was given treatment.

“No coach, team manager or the Chef de Mission came to check up on me since the whole morning until now and I’m resting all alone by myself in my room going through this headache,” she said last night.

Firisua will compete on Saturday 4.20pm local time in the women’s 5,000m at the Carrara Stadium tracks taking on 19 other opponents including Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist Hellen Obiri of Kenya.

Firisua added she was advised by her Melbourne-based coach to miss training yesterday and today to recover well ahead of her competition on Saturday.

“My Melbourne coach checked up on me to see if I’m okay and advised me to rest.

“If my condition improves tomorrow (today) then I will get back to training.

“Training will depend very much on my condition.

“If I feel better tomorrow (today) then I will train in the afternoon.”

Firisua, being the pacific region’s champion in the women’s 5000m is not placing too much pressure on herself to stand on the medal’s podium in Gold Coast but plans on running her own race, just like she did at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil, Firisua decided to soak up the Olympic atmosphere and run her own private race after realizing early on she didn’t have the speed to keep up with the rest of the pack.

Firisua emerged from the Olympics 5000m with a new national and Pacific record.

She surpassed her previous best set at the 2015 Pacific Games by almost 18.5 seconds to finish in a time of 18 minutes and 1.62 seconds.

And plans to better her personal best time when she competes this Saturday.

The decorated Solomon Islands long distance runner did not had the best of preparations leading up to Gold Coast and admits it be more realistic for her to try and beat her personal best timing in the 5000m event.

“As for me, I will just go for my personal best as the commonwealth games is very tough,” she said.

“This year was my toughest so far as an athlete as I took a long break from training after the Pacific Mini Games last December.

“Like I said, my personal best and a national record are ones I’m after.”

SINU-DFL temporary coordinators conference

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
SINU-DFL temporary coordinators conference

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

DISTANCE and Flexible Learning (DFL) Centre of Solomon Islands National University is spreading its wings into the provinces.

Temporary coordinators have been recruited from the provinces to facilitate the DFL programme.

A three-day conference workshop was held from April 9-11, organised by the Learner Support of SINU’s Distance and Flexible Learning Centre for the Provincial Coordinators.

The participants are those who will be coordinating the DFLC’s distance programme out in the provinces, and out of the nine provincial centre coordinators, six came to attend the conference.

During the first day of the conference, the provincial coordinators identified their weaknesses, strengths and challenges plus other issues that they face when coordinating distance learning in the provincial centres.

After identifying their weaknesses and strengths, the provincial coordinators and the DFL staff under the guidance of the Manager, discussed the way forward for the provincial coordinators.

Of paramount importance is the support that the distant learner looks to the provincial coordinators and the DFL office for.

In providing the support, most distant students will find encouragement to complete the programmes they started.

The three-day conference concluded with a closing remark from the Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Basil Marasinghe who conveyed SINU’s appreciation for the participants and the event.

Former North Guadalcanal MP questioned over constituency funds

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Ground view of the proposed building.

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Ground view of the proposed building.

WE are curious to know where our constituency funds went when he was our member of parliament for two terms.

The above statement was made by North Guadalcanal’s Paramount Chief of Gaobata, Mr John Richard Saketala who said that their former MP, Mr Martin Sopage did not carry out any development initiatives while he was in office for two terms and yet today has his name associated to more than three buildings.

Speaking of three of them, he pointed out that the former MP has a motel at Naha Heights, a huge building at Henderson and one at GIPPOL.

In relation, Saketala emphasised that he is bringing this up because many people of North Guadalcanal constituency are seeking explanation from the former MP on whether or not these buildings are benefiting the constituency.

“If these buildings are up for rent, where does the money go?” he said.

The paramount chief added that they want to know whether the buildings are registered under the constituency’s name.

On another note, he said that they also want to know where the constituency funds went after Sopage finished his term as MP for North Guadalcanal.

Saketala furthered that as a paramount chief he must voice the concerns of his people of North Guadalcanal.

Business students support strike

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
SINUSA President Mr Reginald Ngati talks to students during their strike on Wednesday

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

STUDENTS of SINU’s business school have thrown their support for the ongoing strike at the institution, spearheaded by the student association SINUSA.

SINU students under School of Business and Management explained they are with SINUSA for the strike because they believe the association is the legal body for students and that the university has not been addressing student welfare issues.

They support SINUSA President Mr Reginald Ngati and his executive for their leadership which they say has opened their eyes to the importance of SINUSA and its constitution.

A representative student said, “Mr Reginald Ngati leadership aware us about SINUSA and its important function.

“Now that our Brains are open it is evident that SINU Pro-Vice chancellor (co-operate) fails to address our welfare.”

The student said since SINU increased its intake in 2016, demands for student welfare at SINU has also increased.

Such matter touches SINUSA’s heart which they propose for strike calling for extra classes or night classes till 9pm and improvement on hostel facilities such as study desk, wardrobe, chest drawers, tables, chairs, fans, mattress, pillows and curtains.

The strike also target areas include water tanks for drinking, affordable prices on canteens and cafeteria at SINU and safety and security at night.

According to Student Code of Conduct page 23, Philosophy of food service department is to promote good health and diet by providing meals that are simple and nutritious while the aim is to provide a clean and comfortable environment for eating, students explained.

However, attention has not paid much on this philosophy which imposed unfriendly environment to students and the University, they said.

“Therefore we strike because we want our association back, enough of Pro Vice chancellor (Co-operate) hold on our Association for three solid years while our welfare remain least priority to SINU.”

The choice is ours if the association has its constitution to run by; why SINU Vice chancellor office forces us to break it through By-election which is not stated on the constitution.

“Thank you Mr Ngati and your executive and student council for take a stand and bold for our Association constitutions 2013, together we the signatory stands with you,” the student said.

Truth about our strike

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

DEAR EDITOR, I respond to paper why we SINU student strike on April 4, 2018 only.

First of all thanks to other ignorant & important people who also comment into the paper or social media about our SINUSA Strike while sitting on your comfortable chairs?

When we face situation that affect our study, we cannot ignore it? While we paid our fees and receive poor service, poor learning result in incompetence.

14 day notice of strike on March 21.

In between, a meeting was called by SINU management at Pavilion which Pro-Vice Chancellor Donald Malasa was absent.

Agreement on special committee from SINU and student was agreed.

The committee sit and agree on 4 recommendation which then send to VC office to act on.

On Wednesday April 4, 2018 after our 14 day notice of strike lapse and SINU doesn’t respond to the recommendation we go into strike.

On the afternoon of the day, Police commission ask as to calm down and let the matter to them.

On April 5, 2018 Mr President Reginald Ngati announce to us to go back to our normal classes due to the fact that the matter is on police Commission.

On the same day Vice chancellor (acting) write to the police commission for a possible arrest to our leaders despite on that the police seen that matter should be sorted out.

On April 6, 2018 Police commissioner summoned our student leader delegation with SINU vice chancellor team to resolve matter however SINU vice Chancellor and his team fail to turn up.

Nevertheless we strike because of the following reason.

  1. a) Mr Reginald Ngati leadership aware us about SINUSA and its important function.

Now that our Brains are open It is evident that SINU Pro-Vice chancellor (corporate) fails to address our welfare.

Since SINU increases its intake 2016, 2017, 2018 the demands for student welfare at SINU also increase. i.e.

  1. Extra classes or night classes till 9pm
  2. Improvement on hostel facilities like study desk, wardrobe, chest drawers, tables, chairs, fans, mattress, pillows and curtains.
  3. IT services-Increase Wi-Fi or internet access
  4. Students ablution blocks
  5. Printing , typing & photocopy Services
  6. Water tanks for drinking
  7. Affordable prices on canteens & cafeteria at SINU
  8. Safety & security at night.
  9. SINUSA under the sponsor ship of BICS, SINUSA Office must beside BICS office – this means SINUSA Office must be establish at Panatina campus.
  10. According to Student Code of Conduct page 23. food service & catering

Philosophy of food service department is to promote good health and diet by providing meals that are simple and nutritious while the Aim is to provide a clean and comfortable environment for eating.

Sadly this is with limited effect. Breakfast, lunch & dinner is bread & tea. Rice ++, beef, chicken, sausage, mince, BBQ fish without fruits and vegetables. (Is this a balance diet? If no then how can we achieve our philosophy?) Student are digging their grave with this type of food.

Environment especially with increasing intake kitchen facilities for student usage e.g. sinks, soaps, and towels etc. no proper waste disposal.

These are but the important welfare each day on campus.

While we here to study we deserve the right to access these facilities & proper service that will promote better learning outcomes for us.

We are here to study and to earn as much as we could now and not tomorrow least Donald Malasa forget.

While we understand that SINU is on transitional period we SINUSA otherwise need one step further on our welfare?

Hence, Don’t blame us student for our miss behave but rather blame yourself or staff for not act upon student code of conduct & halls of residence.

Pick up on student fault to damage of property is a lame excuse of not to address student welfare.

Exercising disciplinary measure should be the best option. Otherwise we student should not be victims on past student behavior/attitude.

Not only that: we strike because we have pending issue which disrupted by Pro-Vice chancellor to nullify our Executive (student Body) that carry forward our pending issue.

Like 2017 Refunds for us SIG student not accessing accommodation and meals on campus due to SINU limited space.

SIG allowance, Student refund at SINU as of 2016 to 2017. SINU open day never happen since 2016, 2017. Etc.

Furthermore we strike because Donald Malasa (Pro-vice chancellor-co-operate) and its lawyer fails to respond to two correspondent that was handed on Feb 24 and 27, 2018 seeking explanation as to what part of SINU act & SINUSA constitution 2013 gives Pro-vice chancellor (corporate) powers to declared SINUSA election Null and void after listening to petitioner ie Ms Farlai F who was the first candidate to breach the constitution for having 9 Nominees.

Also in regards to this Donald Malasa fail to consider this as well as quoted different section of the SINUSA constitution 2013.

According to SINUSA constitution

  1. Membership of SINUSA is student who have duly registered whether full time or part time and have paid their membership fee of $50.

This means All SIG sponsored student have duly registered as of 2017.

  1. Student council is responsible for the implementation of SINUSA constitution and to ensure executive committee exercise its powers and responsibilities specified under SINUSA constitution. Not Pro- Vice Chancellor (Corporate)
  2. Conduct of election- the pro-Vice chancellor (corporate) shall appoint a returning officer for the purpose of conducting election for the student executive Committee. SINUSA election procedure are outline in SINUSA constitution 2013.
  3. Once Returning officer has declared the result it is conclusive.

Which means Pro-vice chancellor has no powers under SINUSA constitution 2013 to reconsider SINUSA election or appoint special selected committee to nullify the election.

Therefore we strike because we want our association back, enough of Pro Vice chancellor (Co-operate) hold on our Association for three solid years while our welfare remain least priority to SINU.

Let we run our association enough of tampering into our association.

Our presence in front of the gates is to verbally remind our day school student about the strike. We have the right to speak for grieves (welfare) that buried in our hearts for quite a while.

The choice is ours if the association have its constitution to run by; why SINU Vice chancellor office force us to break it through Bae election which is not stated on the constitution.

Thank you Reginald Ngati and your executive and student council for take a stand and bold for our Association constitutions 2013.

Together we the signatory stands with you.

While Solomon islands national university reserve the right to take disciplinary action against student who are accused of violating local, provincial, government laws or university policy, rules and procedure.

It is best not to neglect others rules it will not make any good for the student (injustice), University and the community.

All regulation is to be carried out fully and not partly.

On April 9, 2018 our student leader receive a termination letter by the SINUDC quoted on Student code of conduct. 1.9. “Inciting a boycott” riot or intimidation of other students regarding the boycott”.

Reginald Ngati and his executive and student council didn’t force us student to boycott our classes or we student into riot, harm to individual, student, staff or property etc.

Nobody is frightening students into strike but we knew that is our right before we go into strike (sitting protest).

Immediate dismissal of our student leaders is not accepted for us student.

There are a lot of offence previously done in this university which also can result in immediate dismissal eg.

  1. Use of Alcohol by student on campus
  2. Stealing/theft in hostel by student
  3. Possession of lethal weapon by student.
  4. Threatening behaviors
  5. Plagiarism of Assignments.
  6. incident that brings Disrepute to SINU
  7. Unauthorized presence in the dormitory
  8. Vandalism or willful damage of institutional property
  9. Misuse of internet
  10. Persistent refusal to adhere to the rules and regulation outlined in student handbook.
  11. Commercial activities. E.g. selling of betel-nut and cigarette in leaf hats and canteen.
  12. All night absence from residence hall without proper authorization.
  13. Violation of University regulation.

When these offence still becomes an issue hanging in front of your eyes, you decided not to take action but when we student demands our rights, VC office decide to put SINU laws into action.

Who will listen to our request and feeling despite we have exhaust all means and ways to dialogue SINU responsible department. Rather when we are frustrated with our demands, you decide to caught us on Student Code of Conduct etc. while despise other offence that has been committed in front of your eyes.

Eg. According to student code of conduct page 16. SINU is zero tolerance to consumption of alcohol or drug free policy and to promote both wellbeing of student and academic excellence.

“Violation of this policy will result in automatic suspension from the university. Despite student violate this policy nothing happen.

Security officer at SINU should focus on reviewing your job description and roles in maintaining these regulation enforce rather than involve in student matters.

On this note my good readers: We only demands our right to be educated well to serve this country well because Our future responsibility at our work place, community depends entirely on what we learn here at SINU. SINU leaders you know what is right do what is right.

Government leaders we are the future for this nation it is time to put a right people in SINU so that Government Institution can develop to promote excellent human resources for the nation.

Concerned student

SINU

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