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Risky side of Solomon Islands’ graduation from LDC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Mike Puia

THE United Nations’ Committee for Development Policy (CDP) has announced that Solomon Islands is one of the four countries that will soon graduate out from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) list.

This is history for the country since Solomon Islands is among five countries, out of 47, that graduated out of this status since the UN established the LDC category in 1971.

While the graduation is seen as a positive indication that there are improvements, senior local diplomats are worried about this.

Minister Counsellor and Chargé d’affaires at our Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland, Barrett Salato, has expressed that while the country’s graduating out from LDC status may be seen as a positive achievement, it would also mean that Solomon Islands will no longer enjoy the special trade rules and development programmes and assistance given to LDCs.

Mr Salato said it is worrying that local companies like Soltuna and Guadalcanal Plain Plantation Oil Limited (GIPPOL) that are exporting their products to the European Union (EU) market stand the risk of going out of business because they will face ‘big trouble’ entering EU market.

Currently, he said local companies like Soltuna and GIPPOL are exporting their products easily into EU market on a duty-free-quota-free basis under the Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative.

And, he said these companies are competing in the EU market because they are accorded zero preferential tariffs and no restriction on import quantity under the EBA.

Salato said if the country graduates out of the list then the preferential arrangement will “go out the window”.

“Thailand, which is the largest tuna exporter to EU pays 24 percent tariff with strict import quota system to enter EU tuna market, Soltuna hardly compete with them. If Soltuna pays 24 percent tariff, I don’t think Soltuna will survive the market,” Salato added.

He said if Soltuna or GIPPOL are unable to compete then jobs of hundreds of locals, mostly women, are at risk.

Salato said the country can maintain its tuna export to EU with zero duty once it agrees to the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) or the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP ++). He warned both are bad.

He said Pacific island countries need to make a strong case to the UN to review the criteria for assessing their development status.

“For Pacific islands countries, the vulnerability criteria should supersede economic indicators,

The pacific region is so vulnerable to natural disasters and global economic shocks that even if a country graduate, a single cyclone or earthquake can wipe out 30 years of development in a matter of hours,” Salato said.

He said Solomon Islands will join countries like China, India, Thailand, Philippines, Chile, Mexico to compete for the same market with similar products with the same set of trade rules.

Salato said graduation is a good thing the country should embrace but it comes with its own set of challenges that needs to be fully understood.

Vanuatu and Angola are scheduled for graduation over the next three years.

Police to mount operation for Easter holiday

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE will continue its operation for the Easter holiday break to make sure the general public celebrate Easter peacefully and safely.

Commissioner Mathew Varley said police will not only be doing traffic checks and random breath tests but will also be conducting high visibility patrols.

Mr Varley reminds public that the police’s message is always the same and clear that if you are going to drink don’t drive because your safety is much important.

He said police across the country will involve in the operation to make sure people go about their Easter safely and have a blessed Easter celebration without alcohol related violence.

He said police in Honiara will be providing high visibility patrols around the Honiara city and are urging public to cooperate with police while carrying out their duties.

No arrests yet on Shortland armed robbery incident

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Mathew Varley says that no arrest has been made so far on the incident which occurred at Harapa camp on March 25.

Mr Varley said investigation is still continuing and police have deployed a team of investigators, Forensics, Police Response Team and other support staff to carry out full investigation about what happened.

He said that the incident occurred at the Manahunu logging camp in Harapa on the early hours of March 25.

Police said the men approached the logging camp manager with the other man armed with weapons and threatened them with those weapons.

It was further alleged the robbers took off with goods including the machineries and chainsaws, mobile phones plus other valuable items. No one was injured during that incident.

Police said after they robbed the camp they fired to the air and left.

“It is a very serious security incident that was occurred and as a result RSIPF has deployed an operation team both from Gizo and Choiseul and also from Honiara,” Varley said.

Varley also thanks the community leaders, chiefs and elders for their support and also the logging company in providing information on what had happened, and police are now following up on information about the suspects of the case.

Women harass farmers for their produce: MWYCFA

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

MEN and women farmers who usually sell their produce at the central market have been harassed by women in Honiara, it is reported.

This was raised by Mrs Pauline Soaki – Director for Women’s Division under the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) at the “Gender in Agriculture in Rural Livelihoods” workshop yesterday, who stressed that the above matter was reported to the ministry.

Mrs Soaki said that according to the reports the main reason behind such action was because women in the capital wanted to buy the farmers’ crops to resell them at a higher price at the market.

She voiced that if this matter can be included in the report then it would pave way for regulations that would ensure that farmers are able to sell their crops in a safe environment without being treated as such.

The workshop was attended by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and MWYCFA officials at the Kairos conference room at Hyundai Mall.

The objective of the workshop was to validate information collected from case studies carried out in rural areas of Malaita and Guadalcanal provinces in February.

It is understood that this initiative is a partnership between the two ministries and is supported by SPC, ADB and FAO.

Where were you?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Former Prime Minister Snyder Rini

Rini questions Australia’s intentions over Undersea Cable project

By Gary Hatigeva

FORMER Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Marovo, Snyder Rini has accused Australia over the manner in which she has become a major player in the Fibre Optic Cable Project for Solomon Islands.

Mr Rini came out blasting on the project when contributing to debates on the Appropriation Bill 2018, which is said to have captured more attention in the budget, besides the Tina Hydro project.

He recalled that the new Prime Minister, Rick Houenipwela, when minister of finance in 2013-14, had pushed hard to see the cable project established, which a deal was signed with the Asia Development Bank (ADB) who put in funds to support its initiation.

But Rini revealed that unfortunately, the ADB funding allocation was not enough to meet costing of all the international bidding tenders.

Moreover, the former Finance Minister further revealed that when the former government came into office in 2015, they changed the structure in shareholdings, which initially established a 51 percent share for the National Provident Fund (NPF) and a 49 percent share to Our Telekom.

But Rini stressed that with views the local Telekom being a retailer cannot be part of a wholesaler, the government therefore moved to change the shareholding structure.

“So we came up with the new structure where the government through ICSI got the 51 percent share and gave the 49 percent to NPF,” Rini explained.

The former finance minister further revealed that with these changes in shareholding structures, the ADB decided to pull out its funding, but according to Fairfax Media, the lack of transparency in that deal prompted the Asian Bank to withdraw its support.

However, Rini revealed that because of the new shareholding structure, the government was left to raise its 51 percent contribution knowing that NPF already has its share of contribution ready.

The government’s share was however raised sooner than anticipated, but was only made possible through a bond arrangement between the two parties.

With the needed money raised, the joint initiative went and engaged a Chinese cable company (Huawei) having been the lowest bidder of all the others, which somehow sparked a serious concern for Canberra.

During that time, the former minister of finance further recalled that Australia took measures to block any channelling of the cable through Australia as an initial landing spot for the cable, based on security concerns and threats.

Rini said because of the situation, the partnering group looked into other options, and was able to pick up Jayapura as the new landing site for the cable, which would cost the SI government USD$52 million, $16 million less than the USD$68 million if it was to come through Australia.

All these happenings according to international media reports suggested that Australia was fine with the idea until suddenly, it wasn’t.

The problem according to these reports was when Solomon Islands started looking to China’s Huawei, a smartphone and telecommunications equipment maker based in Shenzhen, to lay the cable.

“Australia has been leery of Huawei before, and so has the US,” a Steve Mollman, Quartz online Asia Correspondent reported.

In 2012, cybersecurity fears led Australia to ban the company from tendering for contracts in the $38 billion National Broadband Network, on advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organization.

In 2012, US lawmakers blocked deals and mergers involving Huawei and its crosstown rival ZTE, with worries that potential Chinese state influence on the companies could pose a security threat, and the Solomon Islands issue is no exception.

Meanwhile, Rini added that when Australia heard about all these moves to go that direction, it quickly offered to fund two thirds of the expense internationally, and the Solomon Islands government to meet the remaining one-third.

The deal stipulated that when the project reaches its domestic status, the Solomon Islands government is to meet two thirds of the remaining costs while Australia focusses on the one-third.

“But the question is why didn’t Australia come in that time when we were stranded with the project and needed the assistance, why? Where were you when we struggled to get the project started?” the Marovo MP questioned.

The former finance minister however suggested and claimed that all these new developments with Canberra’s involvement is an indicator that Australia has a vested interest in the project, and that needs to be looked into.

“And questions also needed to be asked about their intention,” Rini added.

He then questioned why a special company (Vocus) was engaged into owning the cable and why the company will look after the cable for its maintenance and other related areas.

He also questioned the total costing of the two-third specified for the Solomon Islands government to meet when the project starts running in the domestic waters, which figures have not been revealed.

Currently, Solomon Islands relies on satellite-based services that are slow, unstable, and expensive.

Noni revolution targets up to $40 million a month by 2021 for North West Guadalcanal Constituency farmers

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Women washing Noni fruits

BY ALFRED SASAKO

IF you were told that you could be earning up to $40 million a month, would you buy the story?

One former government minister didn’t.

He even ridiculed the story. “Pikpik lelebet,” the Minister allegedly shot back when asked to inspect what the MP for North West Guadalcanal, Bodo Dettke had started at his farm just outside King George VIth School in east Honiara.

Many would have said the same thing as the Minister did and understandably so.

How could you believe that one could rake in so much money in a month especially in a cash-strapped economy such as ours?

Workshop participants.

For those who did, Hon Dettke’s revolutionary message about Noni farming is taking his Constituency by storm. His parliamentary colleagues have been calling, urging him to teach them the trick.

This week, the former Forest Minister had just produced 40 tons of Noni juice for the international market.

Half the consignment (20 tons) is awaiting shipment to Brisbane later this week.

According to Francis Orodani who chaired the North West Guadalcanal Subsistence Farmers’ Association, the Noni farming revolution followed three successful workshops which were held at the Ginger Beach Retreat Centre in 2017.

Hon Bodo Dettke and Hon Bernard Garo owner of the Ginger beach

A former Member of Parliament, Mr Orodani led an executive of 12 members.

He told Island Sun yesterday the three workshops attracted some 2, 500 participants from the Constituency.

“It is interesting to note that 70 per cent of the attendants were young women,” he said.

A core working group was formed thereafter and a constitution was endorsed.

“Visits to the Constituency in recent months have shown that people are very keen with the Noni crops. You could see nurseries all over the Constituency.

“Our target is 800 hectares to be planted in two years beginning this year.

Noni fruits ready for transportation

Eight hundred hectares means 800 families and households to be earning from Noni crops soon,” Mr Orodani said.

“Our financial target is that by year 2021 these farmers and families should be generating $30 million to $40 million a month when the trees have reached bearing stage,” Mr Orodani said.

Hon Dettke said Noni farming has opened a whole new economic opportunity for rural farmers. “It is the gold mine for now and the future,” the businessman-turned-politician, said yesterday.

We respect fair game: Marahare

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY TAROMANE MARTIN

KOSSA FC Head Coach Eddie Marahare says they respect the decisions made by match officials on the pitch but will not respect decisions that seems biased.

Marahare made the comments in response to Solomon Islands Football Federation Referee’s Development Officer, Justin Mutukera call for players and officials to respect match officials decisions during games.

Mutukera made the call after Marahare blamed match referee George Time for playing a part in demoralizing his players during their 4-1 semifinal defeat to Solomon Warriors FC last week.

“If the coaches and players want to improve the game then they must also start learn to respect the match official’s decisions,” Mr Mutukera told SunSPORTS on Sunday.

“The Referees Decision is always final according to the Laws of the Game in any game.

“It is true to say referees sometimes make mistakes But we cannot avoid mistakes. Referees make mistakes, player’s makes mistakes, and coaches make mistakes.

“That is the thing that we all want to minimize or avoid and develop on the game of Football to improve. Even in the Top Level football Competitions Match Officials cannot avoid making mistakes.

“That’s why FIFA wants to introduce Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) in this coming 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“Referees are part of the level of improvement of playing football in this country and therefore I am calling for respect to all of us involving in developing the game we all Love,” the development officer said.

But Coach Marahare said while their club have and are always supportive towards football referees in the country it is time for them to also accept criticism, mistakes so they can improve their performances.

“As a club we respect his call but to call for respect when the referee’s decision is ninety percent wrong then they should accept criticism and work on improving,” he told SunSPORTS yesterday.

“We can respect decisions which are fair. But when the decision is obvious and goes against you 90 percent of the time then we can’t respect them.

“Players and officials all understand that during the 90 minutes the ref’s decision is final. But if the decisions are biased then we cannot respect it, after the 90 minutes, because we also want the referee’s performances to improve and be fair.

“As a team we never made any official protest or complaint about the referee’s decision against Warriors so I don’t see why he should call for everyone to respect the decisions,” he said.

Marahare said while it is true we have no video technology for the TSL he believes there are ways match officials can improve their performances.

“I think referees should start by trying to accept their mistakes, criticism and move forward. There are a lot of excellent referees here but it is only a few that needs to improve their game.

“We are happy to work with referees on these areas to help it improve because like I said we only want a fair game, consistency from officials,” he said.

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

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