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Premiers against reduction of provincial fund

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PROVINCIAL premiers have surfaced their disagreement on the national government’s initiative to reduce the provincial fund.

This is their reaction to the government’s purported decision to drop $2million from the $12million allocated for the provinces this year.

A reliable source told this paper that currently all the premiers are in Honiara to discuss a way forward with the national government on the matter.

The source said premiers are expected to bring the needs of the provinces to the table when they meet with the national government.

This proposed move by the national government spells trouble for the provincial governments, many saying that their service delivery will be adversely affected, including activities under provincial administrations.

The source said lots of projects have been earmarked by the provincial governments for implementation this year.

“Some of them are continue projects from last year whilst others maybe standby ones to be implemented.

“But they all depend on this fund to be implemented.

“So if the fund reduces as what now said, some of the projects will incomplete or eliminated since no fund to facilitate them,” the source said.

Police investigate traffic accident in Honiara

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

OFFICERS from the RSIPF Traffic Department in Honiara are investigating the traffic accident which occurred along the Mendana Avenue opposite the old Guadalcanal Provincial headquarters on March 11, 2018.

The accident involved a dual cabin hilux vehicle that was travelling in the westerly direction and collided with an electric pole and veered off into the opposite easterly lane.

“The report was received and attended by traffic officers, and when they attended the scene the driver and the other two passengers were already rushed to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) by Police officers from Central Police Station,” says Director Traffic Inspector Brian Surimalefo.

“The driver was tested for alcohol in the blood and it is alleged that she was driving under the influence of alcohol above the prescribed level.

“The passengers inside the hilux including the driver herself were injured and admitted at the NRH. Police is expected to lay charges against the driver when she is discharged from the hospital.

“I want to remind the general public that the message is very clear. If you are going to drink alcohol don’t drive. It is against the law. Do not put your life or others’ lives at risk and be responsible for your actions,” says Inspector Surimalefo.

–POLICE MEDIA

Man arrested for alleged wounding at Munda

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Police in Western Province have arrested a 50-year-old man on March 11, 2018 for allegedly attacking another man at the Tolavaena Night Club in Munda.

It is alleged the man attacked the victim with a scissor after an argument on March 10, 2018 at Munda.

The alleged attacker is believed to be from Bougainville married to a woman from Munda.

Western Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent Mathias Lenialu says,

“The man is facing one count of unlawful wounding and expected to appear in the Munda Magistrates’ Court on March 12, 2018 [Monday].”

–POLICE MEDIA

Police continue with investigation of missing man

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

PROVINCIAL Police Commander (PPC) Makira Ulawa Province, Superintendent Peter Sitai says investigation into man who went missing after allegedly falling into the sea from a boat on February 15, 2018 near the Kirakira Airport is progressing well.

The man, believed to be in his 30s, was returning from dropping off a late passenger travelling on the MV KCB2 from Kirakira to Honiara when the alleged incident happened.

Sitai says, “Police investigators in Kirakira have so far detained the boat involved in the alleged incident and interviewed eight witnesses including the skipper of the boat and the crew.

“Investigators have also conducted searches along the shoreline near the airport in Kirakira but so far there has been no sighting of the person.

“I want to thank the family members and relatives of the missing person for their understanding in allowing the police to investigate the alleged incident and cooperating with the investigators.

“I also want to thank those witnesses who have come forward with information to assist the police investigation into the missing person. Police call on any other person who may have seen what happened or any other important information, to contact the Kirakira Police Station.”

PPC Sitai reminds drivers of OBM boats to supply life jackets to their passengers as thinking safety first will save a life.

Police at the Kirakira Police Station can be contacted on phones 50299 or 50266.

–POLICE MEDIA

Solomon to participate in qualifiers for women’s nations cup

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE national women’s senior soccer team will represent the country in the preliminary qualifiers for this year’s OFC Women’s Nations Cup.

Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Women’s development officer Diane Justus confirmed yesterday.

In the preliminary qualifiers to be held from August 25 to 31 in Lautoka, Fiji, the Solomon Islands women soccer side will go up against American Samoa, Vanuatu and the hosts.

In the lead up to the upcoming important event, SIFF technical department will soon name a training squad for the preliminary qualifiers.

The training squad will be named from the upcoming open women’s soccer league to be organised by SIFF in collaboration with Honiara Football Association (HFA).

The women’s league will kick off this month, according to organisers.

“Solomon Islands will participate in the qualifiers. The squad will be picked from the league that is due to begin this month,” Justus said.

The winner of the qualifiers will progress into the main draw of the 2018 OFC Women’s Nations Cup against Cook Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga.

The 2018 OFC Women’s Nations Cup will be held in Noumea, New Caledonia from 18 November to 1 December with the winner progressing not only for a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, but for a berth at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020.

The draw for the OFC Women’s Nations Cup will take place at the OFC Headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand with the results to be published on Thursday 22 March.

New Zealand are the current holders of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup after winning the tenth edition of the competition in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea in 2014.

National debut set for youngsters

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Members of the national 7s rugby squad with representatives of Soltuna at the Honiara International Airport...Photo Taromane Martin.

Rugby 7s squad leaves for Fiji

By Taromane Martin

Steward Iro

FOR 18 year olds Elvis Made and Steward Iro, the opportunity to play for the Solomon Islands national rugby 7s team is a chance to get new experience while competing against some of the pacific’s best.

Made and Iro are part of a 15-man squad that left the country yesterday to compete at the Soltuna and Marist Rugby 7s competitions in Suva, Fiji.

The Soltuna 7s will kick off this Saturday. The competition is hosted by the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) with the purpose of building relationships with Solomon descendants in Fiji.

After the Soltuna 7s the national team will then compete in the Marist 7s competition which is set for March 23rd.

Both players said they were proud and honoured to be given the opportunity to represent the country at both competitions.

“I’m proud being selected from the High School League to represent the country,” Iro who plays for the Selwyn College Stormers said.

“This is my first competition overseas and I feel proud to be playing with the other boys. This is going to be a good experience for me.

Elvis Made

“I look forward to reaching the finals and also playing amongst the best and giving a good challenge over there with the boys for the country,” he said.

For Malaita Rugby Union Association (MRUF) rugby club giants, Ambu player, Elvis made the call up as a surprise.

“I was really surprised when I got the news I was selected for the national team. I was not expecting it.

“This will be a new experience for me. I’m excited and really looking forward to gaining new experiences,” Made said.

The national 7s team left the country yesterday but are without team captain Roman Tongaka who had issues with his passport.

Tongaka is expected to join the squad in Suva this Friday.

Members of the national 7s rugby squad with representatives of Soltuna at the Honiara International Airport…Photo Taromane Martin.

Islanders’ 7s boys leaves for Fiji

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Islanders Brothers Honiara-based players and Officials prior to departure for Fiji on Monday

BY ROMULUS HUTA

FIVE members of the Honiara-based Islanders Brothers rugby left the country yesterday for Fiji to participate in the upcoming Soltuna 7s and the Marist 7s in Suva.

The five players will team up with the remaining 10 members of the Fiji-based Islanders Brothers making it 15 players in total.

The players are Dazward Kaipua, Ben Puia, Mike Tuhaika, Clive Saueha and Paul Tiakitai and they are being accompanied by three officials.

The Soltuna 7s will kick off this Saturday at the ANZ Stadium.

The 2018 Fiji Bitter Marist 7s will be held from March 23 to 24.

The Soltuna 7s is organised by Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) and funded by Tri-Marine owned Soltuna Company.

The aim of the tournament is to strengthen the bond, relationship and most important scout for potentials players to represent Solomons in the y Oceania 7s Championship, Pacific Games and World Sevens Series.

Along with Islanders Brothers, the Solomon Islands national 7s are also participating in both events.

Islanders Brothers squad for Marist and Soltuna 7s:

  1. ATONIO SAUBALE
  2. DAZWARD KAIPUA
  3. VATU CIRI
  4. PECELI ROKOTUIVATU
  5. SAI MATEO
  6. VILI NIUTAMATA
  7. ALIPATE STANLEY
  8. SOLOMON KADAVU
  9. CLIVE SAUEHA
  10. ILLATIA KINI
  11. TEVITA KUILEVU
  12. MIKE SOGOKIU TUHAIKA
  13. PAUL TIAKITAI
  14. SAKIASI NIUTAMATA
  15. BEN PUIA
Islanders Brothers Honiara-based players and Officials prior to departure for Fiji on Monday

“Help me”

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Henry Kia of SINU

Boxers call for assistance to aid his C’wealth Games preparation

By Taromane Martin

BOXER Henry Kia says he needs more assistance in his preparation to represent the country at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Kia has been confirmed by the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) to fight in the 60kg division at the games.

He told SunSPORTS over the weekend that although he is fit and ready to represent, he wants more training and support in order to be ready for the competitive level that awaits him at the Commonwealth Games.

“Now I feel confident because of the exposure I had in Gold Coast and Port Villa,” Kia who represented Solomon Islands at last year’s Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu said.

“The Mini-Games was a really good experience for me. I was really prepared and fit for that competition. This will be my third tournament overseas and I have grown from the two experiences.

“I know what to expect at the games but right now my training is not enough. I know now why other fighters who represented our country get nervous at that level.

“For me I know there will be good fighters at that level but there is no difference because everyone can box.

“The outcome depends on me, my commitment to training and the support I get. The result in the ring, only I can determine,” he adds.

Kia who used to fight in the 64kg division said making the switch to 60kg was a bit difficult but now he is very comfortable in this weight class.

“I used to fight in the 64kg division but made the switch down to 60kg. Vanuatu was my first time to compete in this weight class.

“It was tough but now I’m really comfortable and confident competing in the 60kg.

“Currently I’m doing my own trainings and working on my fitness. But I really need help with my training as my coach is also a busy man.

“But anyway that is that. Fitness for me is not a problem. It’s the venue and facilities for me to use which is a problem.

“I mean I’m going to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games but still there is not a proper place to train yet,” he said.

Kia currently holds the record for the fastest TKO in the Honiara Amateur Boxing Association (HABA) fortnight fights after knocking out Jotham Naamoana of SOLMATIC boxing club, one minute-thirty seven seconds in the first round.

He fights for the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) boxing club.

DPP told to settle house matters

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CHIEF Magistrate Emma Garo has lashed out at statements by the Director of Public Prosecution published in the media recently.

This is in relation to the comments made in court by Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi in a case in which two police officers were acquitted of charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

She said in her statement that the DPP Ronald Bei Talasasa is perfectly aware that such issues can be sorted out internally.

“If the DPP has concerns over her comments, then he is perfectly aware that such issues can be raised with either myself or the Chief Justice, or alternatively he can make a formal referral to the Judicial and Legal Services Commission through the Registrar of the High Court.

“What is totally unacceptable is to bypass all the official and transparent complaints procedures (which would allow considered deliberations on the issues and provide the Magistrate with a right to respond) in order to lambast a Magistrate’s conduct and accuse her of “inexperience” and “ignorance” through the media,” Ms Garo said

Garo said that the Magistrate’s Court takes great exception to these comments which are unwarranted, unfounded, and inappropriate and way out of line.

“Madame Taeburi is an experienced and accomplished Magistrate who strives to manage her cases appropriately.

“I wish to point out that it is the duty of all Magistrates to take control of the management and handling of cases that come before them, in order to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays and ensure the best use of court time. In this regard, if a magistrate has concerns about the conduct of any party or their counsel it is perfectly appropriate to voice those concerns in the court room.

“Everyone must be aware what is expected of them, and that the Magistrate’s Courts in this country will no longer tolerate unnecessary adjournment, delays and the avoidable waste of its time,” Garo said.

She also said that she will not discuss the precise details of the case and Taeburi’s judgment, but says that Taeburi was fully justified in raising her genuine concerns in court.

Alleged 64-yr-old rapist to appear in court

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE 64-year-old elderly man from Isabel province alleged of raping a nine-year-old girl in 2015 will appear in court today for mention.

The man is faced with three counts of rape under the Amendment (Sexual Offence) Act.

The allegation said that the man committed the incidents over a period of three years on unknown dates of 2015 and February 2018 at a village in Isabel province.

Prosecution alleges that the old man and the girl were from the same village.

The case was reported to Buala police which led to his arrested.

He was sent to Honiara to appear before the court on the allegations against him.

He was remanded on the last occasion and will appear today for confirmation of his legal representation to assist him with his charges.

The Public Prosecution appears for the state.

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