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Kingz in third

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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KOSSA FC forward George Suri challenges for the ball as a Malaita Kingz FC player goes down to the ground during their 3rd and 4th position play off yesterday. Malaita Kingz FC won 2-0…Photo Benz Newman.

“Wasted opportunities cost us” Marahare

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

MALAITA Kingz FC finished third in the Telekom S-League knockout championship after defeating KOSSA FC 2-0 in the third and fourth position playoff yesterday.

Henly Ramo, Frank Kabui and Philip Maeta were all brilliant in midfield while Martin Rence was effective on the right flanks for M/ Kingz.

A first half goal from Lore Faonata and second half substitute Charles Mani was enough to land M/Kingz in third place after brilliant goal keeping by keeper Samson Koti kept KOSSA’s attack at bay twice.

Kingz were reduced to 10 men ten minutes from time, Faonata picking up a straight red card for a challenge with KOSSA’s Graham Tanavole who picked up a yellow card.

Head Coach Rence Talo praised his players for the result saying his boys followed his instructions after the game yesterday.

KOSSA FC forward George Suri challenges for the ball as a Malaita Kingz FC player goes down to the ground during their 3rd and 4th position play off yesterday.
Malaita Kingz FC won 2-0…Photo Benz Newman.

“I’m really happy with the result today because the boys followed instructions even though a couple of them a quite young,” he said.

“The future looks good for the club next season. They have adapted well in this knockout championship and it looks good for the team.

Talo was pleased with second half substitute and Youth Solomon Cup golden boot winner Charles Mani who found the back of the net for the win against KOSSA FC yesterday.

“He’s doing great and it’s good to see all the young boys who are training with the national U-20 squad adapting and performing at this level.

Meanwhile a disappointed KOSSA FC Head Coach Eddie Marahare said it was an equally contested match but admitted their wasted opportunities cost them the game.

“The difference was that M/Kingz managed to find the back of their net twice and we wasted about five or six chances.

“But that is football. You can play beautiful football but if you don’t convert your chances you lose. But this young M/Kingz side really deserved the win,” Marahare said.

The TSL Championship grand final between Solomon Warriors FC and Marist FC will take place 3pm today at the Lawson Tama Stadium.

Warriors leave for NZ on April 5

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The Solomon Warriors lineup in the Oceania Champions League group match against AS Lossi of New Caledonia last month.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Warriors will depart Honiara on April 5 for next weekend’s Oceania Champions league quarterfinal clash against Auckland City in New Zealand.

Warriors was given a big task at hand given his boys were drawn against the might of the Oceania defending champions for the April 8 date at Kiwitea street in Auckland.

The vital match-up is being outlined as the third quarterfinal and is set for a 1pm kick off (Solomon Islands time).

Warriors coach Toata confirmed that they will depart Honiara for Auckland on April 5 with an 18-man team.

The 18 players travelling squad is yet to be named.

Toata is expected to name his travelling roster in the coming days.

According to an earlier interview with Toata this month, the former national left wing forward said they are ready for anything.

“Now we have a big task ahead. It’s not going to be easy to try and beat the current OFC Champions. But I think we have some chance.

“We can beat Auckland if we prepare well.”

Toata added that the focus at the moment is fitness discipline.

“I think we will need to work hard on our conditioning which is the modern term for physical fitness before the big quarterfinal match-up.

“Fitness is an important component of my game style and we need to achieve that in six weeks,” said Toata.

Warriors qualified into the last eight after finishing as runner-up behind AS Dragon of Tahiti in the Group B competition held in Papeete last month.

Warriors’ qualification into the qualification emerged as a hard-fought one where they had to come back to win the final two group matches against AS Lossi and AS Dragon respectively to qualify following an opening match day loss to Erakor Golden Star.

Over the past two weeks, Toata and his boys have been participating in the Telekom S-League championship series and they are fortunate to have earned a place in this afternoon’s grandfinal against Marist.

Should Warriors get through in the quarterfinal match against Auckland City, they will play the winner of the first quarterfinal match between Team Wellington and Lae City Dwellers in the semifinal set for April 21.

Meanwhile, fellow Solomon Islands Oceania champions league rep Marist will play Nalkutan in the second quarterfinal on April 7 at Korman Stadium in Vanuatu.

Kiribati women’s team takes home trophy

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Winners for both categories stand in attention as National Anthem for both countries was played
Winners for both categories stand in attention as National Anthem for both countries was played

KIRIBATI women’s volleyball team have proved too strong an opponent for the reigning champs DC as they secure three sets in a row and won first place in the SIIVA Championship.

On Wednesday the 27th, team Kiribati got crowned winners at the Rurete Compound.

According to their team captain, winning was on the agenda right from the start.

Mrs Tianteei Teena Kabwebwe said that her team have been well prepared for their clash against any other teams that stand in their way to taking home the trophy. “We have travelled this far and loosing is not an option,” she said.

“On our return we want to ensure we have something to show for what our families, bosses, sponsors and government have gone though to ensure we answer to the invitation SIIVA sent.”

When asked of the level of game participating teams have brought to the court, she said that it seems there is still room for improvement and she believed that home-ground teams have not really bloom to their full potential yet.

“I trust that the competition will be tough and so I made sure my team is prepared for whatever that comes our way.”

“Overall the competition is great and we are looking forward for another opportunity to participate sometime soon, says the happy and proud athlete.

BY ALICE NANTARA

Koloale FC prepares for new HFA season

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY ROMULUS HUTA

KOLOALE will begin training for the new Honiara Football Association (HFA) season next week.

According to a post on the club’s social media page, training will begin on April 3.

Training was supposed to kick off Monday this week at the Rove Police Club field but had it postponed for next week due to other reasons.

“Due to other reasons with the venue, training is now postponed to begin after the Easter weekend break, starting on Tuesday April 3 at Rove Field,” a message from the club management said.

Koloale is one of the teams competing in the HFA Premier division.

The club added that they welcome any interested new player who would like to be part of them in the new season.

“Any interested new players are welcome to come and train and join trials before the final 30- man squad is selected.

“Training continues every day at 5pm from Monday to Friday at the Rove Police Field.”

The new HFA season will kick off on May 12.

The HFA league competition went under a review recently and this season they are using the newly adopted two-divisional structure for the first time – Premier Division and Division One in the upcoming season.

The new structure will see both divisions having 18 teams each.

The increment to the number of teams into each division is aimed toward having more matches for clubs in a season.

Meanwhile, registration for the 2018 season is now open.

HFA said registration will close on May 4, a week prior to kick off.

All HFA clubs are urged to pay up their affiliation fees of $1,000 each to formalize their memberships.

HFA said registration for the premier division is $2,000 per team while for Division One it’s $1,000 per team.

For enquiries, concerned clubs can contact the HFA Treasurer on 7793256.

Islanders Brothers switch focus to Easter 7s

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Islanders Brothers Honiara-based players and Officials prior to departure for Fiji on Monday

BY ROMULUS HUTA

AFTER participating in the Soltuna 7s and the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s in Fiji this month, local club Islanders Brothers Rugby Club is regrouping to take part in the Easter 7s that will get underway next Monday.

The Easter 7s competition set down for Monday is being organised by Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF).

Islanders Brothers are planning to field in two teams for the competition but hinges on further confirmation from Team Manager Derek Pongi.

Along with Islanders Brothers, five teams have already confirmed their participation in the Easter 7s. They include Henderson hammerheads, Realas, Ailako, Auki Tigers and Hilltop.

Pongi added that they have gained much exposure from their recent tour to Fiji and that should help boost them in the Easter 7s.

During the recent two tournaments in Fiji, Islanders Brothers have achieved a fair result.

Islanders Brothers have resumed training for the Easter 7s yesterday afternoon.

Table netters to know opponents next week

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Gary Nuopula
Gary Nuopula

MEMBERS of the Solomon Islands national table tennis team for Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will know their round one opponents during next week’s preliminary draws.

The two-member table tennis team in the form of Gary Nuopula and Lalma Sifi will have their names drawn into the preliminary lineup for the singles competition of the table tennis competition.

The draws will be held next Thursday in Gold Coast, according to organisers.

The Table Tennis competition at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will consist of singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events.

Nuopula and Sifi will compete in the singles, mixed doubles and the team events.

With an April 5 kick off set for the table tennis code, a win for Nuopula and Sifi will enable them to proceed into the main singles draw.

Speaking to SunSPORTS from Gold Coast, Nuopula said the training venues have just opened for athletes and they started off so well in their first session yesterday.

“Well, training venue just opened for athletes yesterday. We train morning and evenings.

“Training venue is world class and all we are doing now is familiarising ourselves with the tables and the equipment to be used during the competition.

“But overall, I’m so looking forward to the competition,” Nuopula added.

The Commonwealth games will run from April 4 to 15.

JICA steps in to help Solomon Islands’ forestry

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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(L-R) JICA office staff Miura Shitau, PS Vigulu, JICA Resident Representative Mr Kyoji Mizutani and JICA SFRM project Advisor Nisikawa Tatsuji.

THE Japanese International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) newly partnered project with the Ministry of Forest and Research (MOFR), known as “The Project on Capacity Development for Sustainable Forest Resource Management (JICA SFRM Project)” is a new elevation to many known collaboration programmes.

It was established in March 2017 after initial discussions between MOFR and JICA, and the agreement signing was dubbed historical for being the first-time that the Forest ministry will be benefiting directly from Japanese bilateral cooperation.

This could be symbolically defined as the result of long cordial relationship developed and shared between the two countries – Solomon Islands and Japan.

While there are many collaborations that has been brought on to other areas of focus, this partnership with MOFR is different, specifically on technical grounds.

The project aims to enhance the ministry’s capacities for developing the methodologies to sustainably utilise the current available forest resources of Solomon Islands.

It endeavours to avail the potentials of community-owned forest resources as the alternative, in order to reduce the dependency on logging at the community level.

In the preface of the project’s implementation, the ministry’s officials have been invited to the counterpart training in Japan and the study tour in Papua New Guinea respectively.

This is a way forward towards equipping the human resources and setting a footpath towards the project’s full implementation.

Formulation of the Forest Technical Working Group (FTWG), comprising of key stakeholders that are willing to share information, provide advices and lend a hand to people in Solomon Islands is another testimony to the project’s commencement.

Even went into the extent of providing a project vehicle and a boat with outboard motors as enhancement of logistical capacities for promotion of Sustainable Forest Resource Management (SFRM) at the field level.

These are in line with the project targets at community base forest management – which preliminary data collection to identify potential pilots sites has been carried out so far at Western and Isabel Provinces and will be continued by the end of this year.

Holistically, these portrayals shown here is a coverage that is highly appreciated for by the Ministry of Forest and Research, with anticipation to see more efforts to reaching out to the rural people, especially resource owners.

As rightly pointed out by Resident Representative of JICA, Mr Kyoji Mizutani, the activities done so far and to come are to be generated for one direction, capacity development of the Ministry.

The Project with the Ministry will endeavour with all possible options to achieve this goal through intensive continuous discussions with ministry’s officials including all the stakeholders.

To date, the strong tie shared in-between now prepares us to tackle the expected and unexpected challenges emerging during the course of the project implementation.

But there is believe and strong determination not to stop the activities until the goal is achieved, he says.

Acknowledging the collaborative partnership with the generous assistance, MOFR Secretary Dr Vaeno Vigulu highly commended JICA with its in-depth support under the JICA SFRM project as timely.

Sustainable Forest Resource Management in the context of timber industry is harvesting timber at a rate that will enable the forest to recover and supply wood in perpetuity.

That said, it needs no reminding that logging activities are carried out in customary land, and because of this, people must be supported in terms of advice and technical know-how to reforest logged out areas and the wise use of their remaining resources for its sustainability.

In this regard, the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) recognises the human dimension as related to its policy to encourage SFRM is not a single-handed undertaking, he says.

It is only proper that the recipients of these, JICA SFRM project and equipment’s or assets consider ways and means to properly use them in order to better the working resources and working standards for the subjects professed and assigned to serve throughout the entire country, Mr Vigulu continues on to say.

He stresses prior to the partnership the pain of not having adequate equipment, the inability to pay relevant equipment for work and the costs of basic necessities against limited ministerial resources are unavoidable.

All these are sufficient evidence to our yearning and hence, that strive to improve working environment, resources and standards comes to still.

But, today we are grateful to JICA who made part of that great effort realised with its timely partnership, to at least start somewhere.

–MOFR PRESS

Ship/boat owners join fight against CRB

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SHIP owners are the latest partners in the national campaign against the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

The ship-owners join the national government and the Palm industry CRB taskforce.

Yesterday, ship owners, boat and canoe owners and farmers met with government and taskforce representatives to discuss the next steps forward.

The Government and Palm Industries CRB Taskforce mandate by Bio-security Solomon Islands (BSI) explained that the insect also travels on board boats, canoes and ships.

The beetle is attracted to bright lights, hence it is risky to leave Honiara during night time with lights blaring, as this will attract nearby beetles to settle on the lights, thus is transported out of Honiara to wherever the ship is destined.

Other possible areas include; transportation of chicken manure, sawdust, soil and cargoes especially when traveling during night hours.

With this, ship owners suggest the BSI sets up regulations which allow ships to leave Honiara only before dusk.

Participants also suggested further trainings and workshops conducted with captains, crews and loggers as well.

Meanwhile, BSI’s strategy at this stage is 1,500 stickers, videos and posters to educate captains, crews and passengers, which it is preparing to distribute out soon.

Director for Bio-security, Mr Francis Tsatsia said the taskforce will continue to dialogue with ship owners to work on ways that can stop coconut rhino beetles reaching other provinces.

He said there is no other way for rhino’s movement, it’s only by ship or boat.

Yesterday’s meeting basically aim for local ship owners and farmers to come up with effective voluntary methods.

The BSI now considers imposing legal restrictions on what cargoes can be carried and perhaps imposing fines on boat owners who carry beetles, even accidentally.

BSI also discussed with ship owners and farmers voluntary procedures that captains and crew can use to look for hitchhiking beetles and kill them.

KPSI launches new fragrance oils

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Point Cruz Chemist selling the newly launched fragrance oils

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Point Cruz Chemist selling the newly launched fragrance oils

FOR those who love oil fragrances, Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) has launched two new oil fragrances on Tuesday which are now sold in several retail outlets in Honiara.

This is according to the company’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr Calwin Kepo.

Speaking of the two new products, Hibiscus and Forest Mist, he explained that they decided to launch them before Easter so that fragrance oil lovers can purchase them for themselves or for their loved ones.

Kepo mentioned that while the Hibiscus fragrance is not gender specific, it has a suited scent for women and Forest Mist is for men.

He added that the two new products is an addition to the eight fragrance oils of which they already that come in a variety of; coconutty, vanilla, frangipani, sunset, fruitilicious, baby, natural and orchid.

Kepo further stated that as of Wednesday their two new fragrance oils have hit shelves of retail outlets in the capital like Point Cruz Chemist, WH at Point Cruz, SJ Rove, 0-15 at Town ground, Barak Ranadi and mentioned that more outlets will be available throughout the week.

“If you want something special to give out to your loved ones during this Easter, check out our local retailers or call in at our office at cross road Lunga,” he said.

Local company, Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands produces cooking oil, soaps, fragrance oils, therapy oils and body scrubs and it’s products are sold domestically and internationally.

Manele explains huge cut in 2018 Development Budget allocation

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Gary Hatigeva

MINISTER for the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination, Jeremiah Manele has revealed that there are so many reasons why the government should trim or cut off allocations under the Development Budget to line ministries for their implementation programmes.

It is understood that a 52 percent cut was imposed on all line ministries for allocations into their development programmes and projects in the Development Budget under the Appropriation Bill 2018, which is yet to be tabled.

Mr Manele says this is based on the ministry’s findings of the development budget implementation reports as well as the first performance report of the current NDS 2016-2035, there is huge challenge in line ministries’ capacity to implement effective programmes as targeted and this according to Manele, has been so for many years.

The MDPAC Minister explained that ministries continue to face similar challenges such as internal capacity, coordination, and management of project and programme activities, which he added that in many respects, these reports provide the platform and benchmarks for determination of the 2018 development budget.

Speaking on the floor of parliament yesterday, Manele revealed that there is a notable deviation of project funds to other unplanned activities and for some ministries, ongoing delays in the budgeting process, and capacity constraints within MoFT procurement has made accessing funds to implement activities as per project very difficult.

He then pointed out that capacity within individual ministries stands out as one of the primary reasons implementation on the ground is poor.

Parliament was also told that out of 91 programmes implemented in 2017, none has reached its targets. Many ministries blamed the poor cash flow situation in the third and last quarter of 2017 noting that this impeded the implementation of their 2017 Development Budget projects and programmes.

“However, given that the expenditure of 2017 was 91 percent, it has been reduced that many ministry programmes were not implemented for the reason they spent the allocation on unplanned activities and not on their approved work plans.

“And since the first Development Budget Implementation Report, it is clear that many programmes and projects with little or no researched validation continue to hinder progress towards achieving results planned under the development budget and the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP).

“As a result, many development programmes continue to exist in the MTDP with no visible progress towards achievement of stated outcomes,” the MDPAC Minister added.

He further added that with the current design process and lack of data, they also contribute to the long-term negative challenges to the ministries, which includes issues such as land, Solomon Islands Government procurement process, and political interference, are taking more time for the ministries to deal with, than originally planned.

“Almost half of the ongoing projects continue to use SIG development budget with no clear evidence of achievement and progress towards target indicators.

“A number of planned activities under the programmes are beyond the capacity of the implementing line ministries per programme to implement and as a result, more than 90 percent planned activities are not implemented, and this continues to be repeated annually, since 2015,” Manele continued to reveal.

He however stressed that as for this government, ministries need to conduct evidence-based research or programme assessment and studies to support any concept/project plan before actual design and submission to MDPAC for approval and implementation.

He said this is because ministries’ implementation have not been effective and remain unsatisfactory in regards to the implementation rate as per project/programme logical frameworks.

He added there is also a number of programmes that continue to be implemented outside of their annual work plans, which make it difficult to measure performance and track progress.

He further stressed that it is unrealistic to continue funding a programme that provides no progress report and therefore, emphasised that in order for any programmes to continue receiving funds, ministries must demonstrate how they use their previous year funding to justify their request and value for money.

“Otherwise, any programmes and projects which have not produced any progress reports on their implementation, will see that their funding level be reduced or deferred.”

Meanwhile, the MDPAC Minister and MP for Hograno/Kia-Havulei suggested that the trend of unfinished businesses will continue and government money will continue to be wasted if no strategic action is taken to address the issue.

“Because with the current financial situation in 2017-18, it is estimated that this will provide much mixed results to the performance of a number of projects/programmes in 2018 and 2019.

“This means line ministries will need to prioritise, readjust and downscale on their programmes and projects.

“It is critically important, given the challenging financial situation, that ministries prioritise only the highest priority programmes now, and at the same time, continue to review activities to match the level of budget and target outputs to be delivered in 2018,” Manele explained.

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