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Government faces 14 days

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Office of the Prime Minister

By Alfred Sasako

THE Government was yesterday given an ultimatum to respond to claims by regular police officers and others who served on the Solomon Islands-Bougainville border as well as during the ethnic tension.

The 14-day deadline starts today – March 9, 2018.

The Combined Group, which includes unarmed regular police, special constables, marine officers, correctional service officers, Customs, Immigration and medical personnel, decided the 14-day deadline after their meeting in Honiara yesterday.

They number between 2,000 and 3,000 people, according to their president, Henry Bartholomew Kahui.

“There’s been no definite answer coming from the government the dialogue with the government began several years ago.

“Last year for example, we met with the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister (SSPM) who assured us in writing that the government was working on a comprehensive policy to address the matter.

“That meeting took place last September. Seven months later we are still waiting,” Mr Kahui said.

In his letter dated September 12, 2017, SSPM John Muria Jnr, told the members of the Combined Group that past government had been dealing with the issue on a piece meal basis.

“As such the Government is now working on a comprehensive policy to address all outstanding issues/claims including from the Border Issues and Ethnic Tension period. This will also include making financial costing for the claims,” Mr Muria Jnr said.

“The Policy will guide the Government on how to address these issues as a whole and not on a case by case basis which includes legal clarification from the Attorney General on whether claims have legal justifications,” the letter said.

But, Kahui said what his group wanted to know is where the so-called comprehensive policy is at.

He said the 14-day ultimatum is the first of a series of activities the Combined Group plan to pursue until there is a definite answer from the government.

“Our executive members will meet on 26 March to discuss the response which we anticipate from the government. All our members will meet the next day to discuss what other actions to take if there’s an unsatisfactory answer from the government,” he said.

“What we are seeking from the government in terms of our claims is not new. The Government has already set precedence in paying members of the Field Force two years ago.

“They at least had weapons to protect themselves. The members of our group never had any weapons but we put the interest of the nation before our own safety. In fairness, I think we deserve to be paid,” Kahui said.

First ever press officers info workshop

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has taken on an important initiative since coming into office late last year to encourage the government’s outreach to people.

This is according to Mr George Herming, Director of Government Communication Unit (GCU) who was speaking at the first ever gathering of government press officers which took place on Tuesday at the Iron Bottom Sound Hotel.

Whilst expressing how delighted he is of Prime Minister Hou’s presence at the workshop, he spoke briefly of the Prime Minister’s efforts in bringing the government to the people by form of information dissemination measures.

Herming explained that when PM Hou came to office, he had expressed his desire to see that the government reaches out to people with programmes and information where people need to make daily decisions on.

He mentioned that Hou had tasked the press office and the government communications office to coordinate the workshop which is the first government information workshop to take place.

He furthered that with that initiative, the Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government (SIDCCG) is pleased that government communication officers have all come together, thus demonstrating their commitment for the programme.

3 bills ready for parliament

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

By Gary Hatigeva

THE government is looking to bring 12 legislations before parliament for tabling and hoping to get them passed and enacted.

Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela in his press conference yesterday revealed that with the legislative outlined, the government has scheduled three sittings where they are hoping to address the legislations.

The Prime Minister said so far, three bills are now ready before the Bills and Legislative Committee (BLC) and waiting to be presented before parliament.

These bills include the 2018 National Budget Appropriation Bill, which Prime Minister Hou said should have been submitted to the BLC, and the Prescription of Minister’s Amendment Bill 2017.

Hou confirmed that reports from the BLC on the Prescription of Minister’s Amendment Bill 2017 and is now ready to be introduced in the remaining schedule of the 10th Parliament House.

Hou added that the government is also anticipating the introduction of the Whistle Blowers Bills 2017, which he said is also ready for it tabling.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister revealed that another three set of bills are still before the BLC and only waiting for reports on them to be completed and maybe introduced in Parliament.

The bills includes the Strata Titles Bill 2017, the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017 and the Constitution (Amendment) (Electoral Reform) Bill 2016.

With the Strata Titles Bill 2017, the PM confirmed that the government only awaits its report which is now at its drafting stage.

As for the Anti-corruption Bill 2017, the government is keen on getting it dealt with as soon as possible and added that it is a piece of legislation that remained high on the government’s priority focus, but will depend very much on how fast it can be ready for its introduction in Parliament.

However, four other bills are said to be at their drafting stages and the government is hoping to also include them in their three meeting schedule.

“We are hoping that as soon as the Bills and Legislative Committee put forward reports on what we need to do with them (Bills) so we would factor them inside whatever sitting that we will be in,” the Prime Minister said.

Varley condemns gov’t officials breaking law

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Police Commissioner has lashed out at government officials who break the law of Solomon Islands.

Matthew Varley says that government officials should be role models in upholding the law of this country.

Speaking in his weekly media conference, he said it is disappointing to see government officials breaking the law of this country.

Recently a senior police officer, senior official from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and an officer of the Ministry of Forest were involved in drink driving accidents.

He said he had been giving many messages over recent months about drink driving because it is dangerous and a risk to the community right across Solomon Islands, particularly in Honiara and traffic officers are out there every day making sure people are not drink-driving.

“The message is very clear if you drink don’t drive and if you are going to drive don’t drink the limit of alcohol in a person’s blood is 0.05 percent and above that you are breaking the law and you will be arrested and prosecuted and taken to court,” Mr Varley said.

“The three very serious cases happened recently of people breaking that law is not good

“I am not happy with that, we have got three cases of officials in government vehicles of government department including the police force breaking the law.”

He also said that the senior police officer have been suspended and he also acknowledges the work of the young traffic officers in having the courage in professionally dealing with the case of the senior police officer.

PM says ACB priority

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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PM Hounipwele said, “To replace logging receipts Solomon Islands will need to generate 125,000 additional international visitors.

By Gary Hatigva

PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has reiterated his government’s commitment to see that corruption is dealt with at the strongest measures possible.

The Prime Minister made this known when addressing the local media at a press conference yesterday where he outlined his government’s set of priority legislations to address, based on their legislative calendar and schedules, which includes the much anticipated Anti-corruption Bill being one of the key priorities for his government.

Prime Minister Hou said this commitment is also reflected in the government’s policy and priority strategic outcome documents, which sees to ensure the tabling of the Anti-corruption Bill 2017 and have it passed to help this country fight corruption head on.

He said following its withdrawal a thorough review was done on it, got reintroduced in parliament last year and is now before the Bills and Legislative Committee awaiting reports for its presentation in the Committee of the Whole House for thorough scrutiny.

According to the PM, the Bill was put to review with amendments done to certain provisions and clauses in the draft.

He said some of the clauses needed clear directions and guide as they are merely repeating what is being said in the constitution.

The ACB was introduced in Parliament during the Sogavare-led DCC Government’s term but then later withrew it based on recommendations for amendments and thorough review.

It was later brought back to parliament in October last year where it was tabled and put before the Bills and Legislative Committee to draw up reports on it before it makes it to the Committee stage, but before it did, Sogavare was voted out as Prime Minister, leaving the bill in shadow.

However, the new government under Rick Hou’s leadership chose to carry on with what’s been described as unfinished wok on such an important piece of legislation, and factored it into his government’s priority programmes.

Parliament is currently at a special adjournment to allow for the Public Accounts Committee to look into the 2018 Budget and is hoping that when parliament resumes, will expect to go through the Budget Appreciation Bill and then others including the Anti-Corruption Bill 2017.

MPA challenges Choiseul tender selection

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Mike Puia

A Choiseul Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) has come out and shed light on the issue of tender selection in the province.

MPA for Choiseul Bay Ward, Josiah Vana, said there have been concerns raised by the people in his Ward about the selection of contractors for the tenders.

“In fact, some people in my Ward strongly believe the process of selecting a contractor is bias,” Vana said.

He said a tender committee is doing the work but it appears the work done is unfair.

Vana confirmed witnessing cases where the same people get contracts, adding it has been happening for years.

Vana’s admittance challenges claims by the Provincial Capacity Development Advisor, Korolyn Zutu, that the tender selection process is fair.

Vana said the tender committee is doing its screening but there are issues observed like fairness on decisions to award tender and variation.

He said the provincial accounts committee must properly scrutinise issues relating to tenders.

The MPA for Ward 8 said there is a case where a contractor got the tender to build the Treasury Office.

He said $481,000 was approved for the contract however the contractor did not receive the amount of the contract.

Vana said even their finance team could not find this money.

“This money simply lost but it has been approved under our budget and it has been paid out but the contractor has not received anything,” Vana said.

He added there are guidelines in the province when awarding tenders but outcomes must reflect these guidelines.

“When you have outcomes that do not reflect guidelines, you know there are issues within the system that has been tampered with,” Vana added.

 

Figuiera says Island football improves alot

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Team Wellington captain Justin Gulley and coach José Figueria upon arrival yesterday at the Henderson International Airport.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

TEAM Wellington head coach Jose Manuel Figuiera says the quality of club football across Oceania region is increasing.

Figuiera was in Honiara last week accompanying his club’s participation in the Oceania Club Champions League Group D competition.

Despite finishing at the top spot in Group D, Team Wellington had to dig deeper to give a good fight to achieve that.

The Englishman said during their group competition, their opponents gave them really good and strong performances.

“This shows that football in the region is fast improving and very soon they will be hard to beat if they keep on doing the right thing in their development.”

The top place finish in Pool D enabled Team Wellington to qualify into the quarterfinal with an advantage of playing at home when they host Group A runner-up Lae City Dwellers of Papua New Guinea on April 7, according to the draws released by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Monday this week.

A win over the PNG outfit in the quarterfinal might possibly see them go up against Auckland City or Solomon Islands champions Solomon Warriors in a two-legged semifinal that will kick off on April 21.

“It’s good to know your passage all the way through and obviously there’s the cliche things of not looking too far ahead and making sure we do the job [against Lae City] first,” Figueira said.

“The quality of the teams across OFC is rising every year and we won’t be taking that quarterfinal lightly. And if we get through, and if it is Auckland, it will make for an exciting match for sure.

“It’s good to know your passage all the way through and obviously there’s the cliche things of not looking too far ahead and making sure we do the job [against Lae City] first,” Figueira said.

“The quality of the teams across OFC is rising every year and we won’t be taking that quarterfinal lightly. And if we get through, and if it is Auckland, it will make for an exciting match for sure.”

Wellington survived a scare in their opening match against group D hosts Marist, with substitute Angus Kilkolly salvaging a late 1-1 draw, before going on to beat Lupe o le Soaga 7-1 and AS Magenta 5-1 in much more comfortable fashion.

With the temperature soaring into the 30s, Figueira said it was tough going playing away from home in the Solomon Islands, with many of his players describing the Marist clash as the toughest they had ever played.

But they won’t have to worry about the foreign conditions in the quarterfinals, Figueira admitting it was a “huge advantage” to host the playoff in Wellington.

“We arrived in the Solomon Islands a couple of days before [our first game] and even then it still took some time to get used to the conditions, so having that home quarterfinal is big for us and we’re glad to have it.”

For now, Wellington turn their attention back to the ISPS Handa Premiership, facing Canterbury United in their penultimate match of the regular season this weekend.

Roy Kayara, who returned to New Caledonia following a family bereavement after their opening Oceania Champions League match in Honiara, is due back in Wellington this weekend but will miss the Canterbury game.

HFA league likely to resume next month

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE problem-plagued Honiara Football Association (HFA) league is highly likely to kick off next month, according to President Baddley Alaha.

According to a post by president Alaha via the Honiara Football Association (HFA) facebook page yesterday, an advice has been given out calling on clubs to begin their preparation for the 2018 season.

While the actual date of the league’s resumption was not stated, Alaha stressed that: “My advice for all clubs is to start their training now because every year our HFA league starts in April.”

Alaha added that they will soon announce the resumption date of the league and so as the date for the presentation for last season.

“The presentation and awards for the 2017 HFA League and the start of 2018 HFA League proper will soon be announced.

“Please just be patient with us as we are trying to address issues one at a time.”

Alaha said the HFA league will soon adopt a new structure.

The new structure will see only two divisions being played out by participating clubs.

“For your information, I’m working with the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Technical Director on how to administer the HFA new league structure.

“Under this new structure, we will have two divisions only. The Premier Division will have 18 teams and Division 1 also 18 teams.

“The detail of the new format will be announced next week,” Alaha explained.

On similar note, the HFA President invites all HFA coaches who attended the last year’s ‘SIFF Grassroots Certificate’ to attend the ‘SIFF Youth and Senior Coaching Certificate’ Course which will begin on March 19.

The ‘SIFF Youth and Senior Coaching Certificate’ is a level up from the ‘SIFF Grassroots Certificate’.

Scheduled to run from March 19 to 22 at the SIFF Academy, Alaha urges all HFA coaches to contact the SIFF Technical Officer for registration.

“Please call in to see the SIFF Technical Director at the SIFF Office for your registration. The registration closes on Friday 16th of March at 4:30pm,” the HFA president said.

Naka’s absence won’t affect us: Marahare

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
James Naka playing for Nalkutan in the recent friendly with KOSSA at Korman Stadium in Port Vila.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

KOSSA coach Eddie Marahare says the absence of former captain and veteran striker James Naka will not affect them heading into this weekend’s Telekom S-League (TSL) Championship Series kick off.

Marahare made this assurance ahead of this weekend’s outing in the first leg of the Telekom S-League Championship Series round one match.

The round one match is against Western United starting at 2pm on Sunday at Lawson Tama Stadium.

To be played over a two-legged contest, Marahare said: “The absence of veteran striker James Naka will not affect team performance and determination to take advantage of the home game match on Sunday.”

But instead Marahare said the club will rely on the leadership of senior players George Suri and Charlie Otainao in shouldering the responsibility to deliver for them in the attack upfront.

“Team hopes rely on the likes of George Suri and Charlie Otainao to shoulder the responsibility to score goals in the prestigious TSL Championship.”

Marahare is eyeing a better and an improved finish up the ladder in the upcoming championship series.

“Our team finished third on the TSL league standing.

“Our objective now is to improve this standing in the championship.”

Meanwhile, Naka was KOSSA’s captain at the beginning of the season before leaving them to join Vanuatu’s Nalkutan for the Oceania Champions League competition.

KOSSA is one of the teams that began their preparation early for the 2018 season.

In January they flew to Vanuatu and played two international friendly matches against Nalkutan at Korman Stadium in Port Vila.

The friendlies were made possible upon request by the Ni-Vanuatu club as part of their preparation toward the Oceania Champions League competition.

 

International friendlies in pipeline for young Kurukurus

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Under-17 futsal top goal scorer Raphael Le’ai celebrates one of his goals with team mate Frankster Rukumana during last year’s qualifiers in New Zealand.

By Taromane Martin

SOLOMON Islands national under 17-futsal team is awaiting confirmation from the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) to have international friendly matches in June.

The national U-17 squad, dubbed junior Kurukurus, will represent the country at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina this October.

Head Coach Stanley Puirana said the squad is waiting for confirmation from SIFF if they will head for international friendly matches in June.

Under-17 futsal top goal scorer Raphael Le’ai celebrates one of his goals with team mate Frankster Rukumana during last year’s qualifiers in New Zealand.

The friendlies are to be held overseas.

“Regarding friendly matches, our tour in June is still awaiting confirmation. Hopefully we’ll know the outcome next week,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Junior Kurukurus have been confirmed to take part in this month’s National Futsal League.

Coach Puirana said the squad has resumed their training in preparation for the upcoming competition.

He said they have been working on the team’s fitness and endurance for the past two weeks.

He adds once they get confirmation from the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) regarding the total number of players for the team then they will do the final selections.

“Once we get confirmation then we make the final selection, for the moment all of the boys are here training,” he said.

The junior Kurukurus won their ticket for the Youth Olympic Games after winning the 2017 Oceania U-17 Futsal Championship, held in New Zealand.

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