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Warriors secures double

Vanuatu imported player Kensi Tagis

Marist goal scoring woes continues

By Taromane Martin

Vanuatu imported player Kensi Tagis celebrating his goal during the grand final yesterday against Marist. Solomon Worriors won 3-0.

REIGNING Telekom Soccer League champions Solomon Warriors FC has defeated Marist FC 3-1 in the grand final of the TSL Championship to complete their season with another double.

First half goals from Jerry Donga and Kensy Tangis saw Solomon Warriors leading Marist 2-0 at the break before Marist defender Michael Boso, back from injury, pulled a goal back for Marist in 69 minutes into the second half.

Davidson Tome came close to levelling the game for Marist but saw his shot on goal rebounding off the cross bar and out for a Warriors goal kick.

Gagame Feni sealed the win for Warriors 85 minutes into the second half after missing four chances earlier for his side.

Head Coach Moses Toata was pleased with the win saying his players really showed their determination to win the final yesterday and can now regard his team as the competition champions.

“First of all I want to thank Marist for a wonderful game today. We came for the match full of confidence today because we really prepared for it,” Coach Toata said.

“I’m pleased with their performance and they showed today they were determined to win. Not only that but the fact we created a lot of chances is good.

“At the moment I can call our team the TSL champions because we only lost the title once and I think this is one of the motivations for the boys.

“We regard ourselves as the champions of this competition and therefore we always try to win the championships. I look forward for next season, if this team is still together, to try and keep our record intact,” Toata said

His counterpart Jerry Allen admitted it was not their game but was pleased with the way his young players stepped up to the occasion.

“Unfortunately it was not our day. As you can see I had to play the young boys today and I’m satisfied with their performance,” Coach Allen said.

“It is good they experience this level and for most of them this is their first time to be in a final at this level.

“I’m not really worried about the result. I rested most of my experienced players today because they have minor injuries.

“We had to take precautionary measures to protect them because if they had played and something serious happen to them then we’ll have no one to play for us,” he said.

Allen admitted finishing is still their problem heading into next month’s quarterfinal clash with Nalkutan FC of Vanuatu but will address it come the new TSL season.

SIRC Auki branch holds AGM

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THe newly elected board committee of the Auki Red Cross branch with some of the SIRC staffs.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

THe newly elected board committee of the Auki Red Cross branch with some of the SIRC staffs.

THE Red Cross branch in Auki has held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the women’s centre conference room on Wednesday.

The AGM attracted more than 40 volunteers attending the AGM, both new and old.

During the AGM meeting, Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) secretary general Mr Clement Manuri said SIRC is pushing hard to organise activities and programmes through its branches throughout the provinces.

“Our aim is to strengthen our branches through its operations and programmes with activities which will be carried out by RC volunteers to our communities.

“We need a strong and active branch.

“One of our priorities is to improve our infrastructures in our provinces throughout the country as well.”

He thanked the Auki Red Cross branch officer and the volunteers for their commitments throughout last year during its activities and awareness programmes.

He urges the volunteers to maintain their commitments and dedication with Red Cross voluntarily during hazards.

Rex Leafasia Auki Red Cross branch officer (BO) acknowledges and salutes other stakeholders for their partnership and working together for the past year, 2017.

He appeal to all stakeholders to maintain their partnership with the Red Cross in its operational programmes to any disaster strike.

He also thanked the presence of the Malaita provincial government and the Police for seeing the importance of Red Cross in Malaita province.

Attending the meeting was Deputy provincial secretary of Malaita province Robert Wale and the Malaita provincial police commander Timothy Apaesi.

I want to serve this nation the best I can: Ora

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Newly graduated officer, Ms Kym Sussanne Ora with some members of her family.
Newly graduated officer, Ms Kym Sussanne Ora with some members of her family.

“I’ve always wanted to be a police officer ever since I was a kid, having grown up in a policing family,” says newly graduated Police Constable 27-year-old, Kym Sussanne Ora.

Growing up and seeing her father, who is a former police commander so dedicated and passionate about his job, Kym was inspired and motivated to fulfil her dream to becoming a police officer.

Getting married with four kids did not stop her. Police Constable Kym Sussanne Ora comes from Shortland Islands in the Western Province.

She joined the RSIPF recruit course on November 6, 2017 and endured the five months training which ended with her graduation yesterday.

“Coming through these 20 weeks of hard training is challenging. I was elected to be the head girl of the recruits and having to look after 69 adults was a very challenging task. But the training helped to mould me and my colleagues to be physically fit and qualified officers,” says Ora.

“The course was wonderful and inspiring. It has taught me to become a better citizen and a professional police officer. I believe that by going through these challenges, I am equipped with the right tools to face the frontline policing duties.

“I am proud to become a newly sworn police officer and I want to go out there and serve this nation with the best I can in any department that I will be assigned to. I want to become a good prosecutor like my late brother, Inspector Galvin Ora.

“I want to encourage the youth of our country to join the RSIPF to serve our nation in maintaining peace and security of this country. It will be challenging and tough but I have proved that it is worth trying. It is a very interesting and great career to take up with pride. You will never know until you joined the force.”

–POLICE MEDIA

MWYCFA supports gender assessment in agriculture sector

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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE Ministry of Women Youth Children and Family Affairs is pleased to work in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to support the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) carry out gender assessment in the Agricultural sector.

This was uttered to the paper yesterday by Mrs Pauline Soaki, Director for Women’s Division at the MWYCFA.

She said this is the first ever assessment carried out, and it’s important to the MWYCFA in terms of gender mainstreaming in the Agricultural sector.

“We hope that this research will inform not only MWYCF but other policy makers and decision makers on how we make decisions and we contribute to the Agriculture sector.

“Also we know from anecdotal research or current researches that women are the backbone of society which shows that high percentage of women are producers of Agricultural product but most times their work and struggle are invisible in Agricultural sector,” said Soaki.

She said most times they haven’t been acknowledged or highlighted concerning their tireless efforts.

“Hence it’s important that this research is carried to help highlight women’s contribution in this sector, also the struggles issues they faced daily.

“And as policy makers we can look at the findings and make good decisions and policies to respond to this challenge and gaps that woman faced in this sector,” Soaki said.

In addition she said she believed that this partnership will help us ensure gender consideration and issues in the sector be addressed.

The initiative was implemented through the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

SICCI marks 2018 as crucial year

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Member of the SICCI during its election for new Vice Chair and Board Members held at the Heritage Park Hotel.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Member of the SICCI during its election for new Vice Chair and Board Members held at the Heritage Park Hotel.

CHAMBER of Commerce and Industry has calendared 2018 as an important year in its operation – celebrating the country’s 40th Anniversary.

SICCI Chairperson Mr Jay Bartlett said 2018 is an important year for SICCI and its members to celebrate the country’s 40 years of sovereignty.

He said it is important for them because it’s time as a nation to celebrate 40 years and reflect on their journey.

“It’s time to celebrate our sovereign independence but it’s also a time for us to reflect on our journey and think about the path that we are heading,” Bartlett said.

As the country is moving forward, Bartlett said after 40 years he believes SICCI and its members have a big role to play as a voice platform to represent the voiceless.

“After 40 years I believe we need to push even harder in our effort to tackle some of the really core fundamental issues no matter how complex such as land reform or contention such as anti-corruption in the public and private sector.

“It will take courage, it will take strength, it will take an unwavering support from each and every one of you and support for our Chamber movement,” Bartlett said.

SICCI CEO Mr Dennis Meone in his presentation said the Solomon Islands Government remains as its key stakeholder.

He said their continuous collaboration and engagement with the Government is critical to working towards a conducive business environment.

This is where the private sector can grow and jobs are created for our growing population, Mr Meone said.

“SICCI is driven by its vision for the Solomon Islands, its own mission and the values which govern the way it goes about its work,” CEO Meone said.

SICCI 2018-19 business plan and budget in place

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Chairperson for the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Mr Jay Bartlett during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently.

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Chairperson for the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Mr Jay Bartlett during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently.

COUNTRY’S Chamber of Commerce and Industry has its one-year business plan and budget already in place.

The business plan and budget is focussed on offering training of directors for emerging private sector leaders.

It aims to enable members accelerate their progression into directorship roles.

The revelation is made by Chairperson for the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Mr Jay Bartlett during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently.

Mr Bartlett said, “For 2018-2019 we have our business plan and budget already in place, and two of the initiative I would like to highlight is the Institute of Directors programme.

“This training programme targets emerging private sector leaders that will enable them to accelerate their progression into directorship role.”

Bartlett encourages more females to be part of this significant training.

He said this is a way forward to promote stronger gender balance in private sector leadership and work towards bridging the generational gap in leadership in Solomon Islands.

Another initiative SICCI is looking at is the Regional Trade Delegation.

At the moment Bartlett said they are in dialogue with PNG counterparts in the Chamber, Solomon Islands High Commission and Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

Bartlett said their team looks forward to delivering better networking opportunities, trainings and events for its members.

He also adds that SICCI is looking forward to build stronger relationships and working with elected leaders and government to promote a prosperous Solomon Islands.

Bartlett also announced that Australian Government is their major funder.

He said SICCI is fortunate to receive support from the Australian Government which keeps the Chamber operation rolling.

And this year SICCI and Australia High Commission signed additional funding as new extension of Grant Agreement on Wednesday which total up to SBD$3.2 million, he said.

“I am pleased to announce we signed an extension to the current Grant Agreement to value of approximately SBD$1 million which is in addition to three-year grant agreement worth SBD$2.2M with total value of SBD$3.2M,” Bartlett said.

SICCI announces new board members

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The Solomon Islands Chamber of Comomerce and Industry this week welcomes its new excecutvie line-up. (Pictured) Back row (L-R) Charles Pearsson (Advisor to CEO), Craig Gibsone, Belindah Botha, Sir Bruce Sanders, Sohaibi Mahmood..Front (L-R) Lyn Fa’arodo, Jay Bartlett (President), David Rupokets, Dennis Meone (CEO). See story on page 8. Photo by Lynton Aaron Filia

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) announced its 2018—2019 Vice Chair and six members on Wednesday March 28.

They were elected during the SICCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Heritage Park Hotel which convened members of the government and private sectors.

The SICCI’s new Board Members comprised of diverse business professionals who understand the needs of its membership and possess energy and commitment to lead the Chamber.

Each new board member will serve a one-year term.

On Wednesday’s AGM, there was no election for chair because Mr Jay Bartlett, Director of Hatanga Limited stood unopposed as Chairperson of SICCI.

Bartlett has been with SICCI since 2015, and is described as a young visionary leader who has been an effective advocator and voice for private sector ever since taking responsibility as SICCI’s Chairperson.

Bartlett said he looks forward to working with all new elected members on board level.

“One of our aims this year was to update the SICCI constitution, this has not been done on time, so it will be something for the new board to address and take forward as a matter of priority,” Bartlett said.

“This is made possible through the guidance and dedication of new elected board members.”

These are SICCI’s new elected Board Members for 2018-2019.

Vice Chairperson is Mr David Rupokets—A current SICCI Treasurer and Co-opt Board Member. He is the Managing Director and Principal owner of Capitol Construction Pty Limited since 2016.

Members

Ms Belinda Botha—she is an owner operator of Dive Munda, a multi-award-wining SSI Instructor Training Centre business in the Western province.

Ms Lyn Fa’arodo—Managing Electronic Channels for Bank South Pacific (BSP) Solomon Islands since 2017.

Mr Craig Gibson—Current SICCI Board member elected at the 2017 AGM after taking role of General Manager of GPPOL early on the same year. GPPOL is currently a 2018 Gold Sponsor member and part of SICCI for many years now.

Mr Sohaib Mahmood—Country Head of ANZ Solomon Islands who currently 2018 platinum sponsor member of SICCI.

Sir Bruce Saunders—is a current SICCI Board Member and long-time member of the Chamber.

Mr Frank Wichham—current SICCI Board Member and was chair of the previous Board’s internal sub-committee. He re-elected to join SICCI for 2018-2019.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Comomerce and Industry this week welcomes its new excecutvie line-up. (Pictured) Back row (L-R) Charles Pearsson (Advisor to CEO), Craig Gibsone, Belindah Botha, Sir Bruce Sanders, Sohaibi Mahmood..Front (L-R) Lyn Fa’arodo, Jay Bartlett (President), David Rupokets, Dennis Meone (CEO). See story on page 8. Photo by Lynton Aaron Filia

New board chairman for Auki Red Cross branch

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BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

Robert Wale, board chairman of the Auki Red Cross branch delivered his speech during the AGM on wednesday.

AUKI Red Cross branch has a new board chairman and a new committee for 2018.

The newly elected chairman is Mr Robert Wale the deputy provincial secretary of Malaita province.

He was elected during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday along with new board members for 2018.

Speaking to Island Sun Auki after the AGM, Mr Wale said the betterness of any organisation or group depends on cooperation, dedication and commitment.

He appeals to all volunteers to work together with the newly elected committee and the branch officer for the future activities and programmes of Solomon Islands Red Cross.

Wale also told the volunteers yesterday that the Malaita provincial government will be looking at possible ways to assist the work of Red Cross in the province.

The Auki branch and its board committee will also work closely with the Red Cross headquarter.

“One of our priorities is to capture more volunteers to join Red Cross and to set the office into a new phase.

“We will be looking at building up good relationship with the other NGO’s and the other stakeholders in partnership through our activities.”

No space for farmers at central market

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Ms Christina Misu

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

Ms Christina Misu

A concerned farmer is calling on responsible authorities to deal with the lack of space at the central market.

Ms Christina Misu of Vatupilei, West Guadalcanal yesterday tells Island Sun that there is no space for farmers inside the market complex because people who purchase goods from farmers to resell them at a higher place are the ones occupying space inside the market.

Misu added that while they sit comfortably inside the market, farmers who spent time growing crops and travelling to the capital to sell them at the end of the day are left to sell those crops outside in the burning heat.

On top of that she pointed out that one other unpleasant experience she has come across at the market is being harassed by women in the capital for her crops.

Misu said that they would forcibly ask to purchase her produce at a lower price and then sell them at a higher price.

A farmer for three years now, she raised the above issue whilst attending a workshop on “Gender in Agriculture in Rural Livelihoods” yesterday at the Cairos conference room at Hyundai Mall.

Validation workshop held for women and agriculture

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Mrs Ruth Maetala

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

SPC Consultant, Mrs Ruth Maetala

THE contribution of women to the agriculture sector is immeasurable, and this was reflected on by responsible ministries and stakeholders in a workshop yesterday.

Officials from the ministries of women (MWYCFA) and agriculture (MAL) attended the “Gender in Agriculture in Rural Livelihoods” workshop at Hyundai Mall’s Kairos conference room.

Speaking to Island Sun SPC consultant Ruth Maetala said the workshop which is supported by SPC, ADB and FAO is to validate information from field research carried out on Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces in February.

“Information from the research will be used to inform policies of FAO and SPC on how they can work with SIG under the Agriculture sector,” she said.

Mrs Maetala mentioned that two teams were sent to the provinces by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

Whilst presenting her findings from field study she conducted in Malaita province, she spoke of how much women in the province are engaged in agriculture to the extent that they have to juggle both farm commitment and household responsibilities day in and day out.

Maetala also highlighted how women’s participation in agriculture impacts their relationship.

She explained that in North Malaita, a place most often negatively perceived, the case of women and their partners working together is evident.

Maetala said that they came across a couple who shared roles when it comes to toiling soil in the sun and in this sense she explained that while the woman would be busy in her farm her husband on the other hand had his own farm to look after.

She added that both of them would then earn their own incomes.

Maetala furthered that the case study also found out that cash crop is something that determines what people plant for their family.