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Fuel price increase

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

FUEL Price has increased by 4.02% for Diesel, 1.92% for Kerosene and 2.99% for Petrol according to comparisons between 1st of February 2018 to 1st March 2018 fuel prices.

The increase of fuel price is said to be from two causes.

The increase of Means of Platts Singapore (MOPS) prices for this month and the Import Duty rate under the Customs and Excise Act.

In detail, MOPS is the average set of Singapore-based oil product price assessments published by Platts a global energy, petrochemicals, metals and agriculture information provider and a division of McGraw Hill Financial of which its primary areas of business are financial information and analytics.

Platts assessment process determines the value of physical commodities 15 – 30 days forward for many oil products loading in Singapore. From this, for the month of March the world market fuel price are reported to be increasing for all three (3) commodities.

For Solomon Islands the second cause for increase on the Import Duty rate, under the Customs and Excise Act (for Petrol, Kerosene, ADO), this was amended (increase) as per the gazette Order (N0.10) on Monday 5th February 2018. The Order commences on 12th February 2018.

According to John Wesley Dokama the Secretary to the Price Advisory Committee (PAC) under the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labours and Immigration the duty rates are a component of selling price for fuel and fuel prices.

“Compliance to this is critically important to the credential of the order and its execution by the Customs,” said Dokama.

National Government is regulating Fuel Price under the Price Control Act which is administered by the Ministry of Commerce under the Consumer Affairs and Price Control Division through its Price Advisory Committee.

Campaign starts for International Women’s Day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SOLOMON Islands will join the world to campaign for women’s rights in the International Women’s Day (IWD) set for March 8 under the theme: “Press for Progress.”

As a main key player for IWD in Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) revealed that preparations for women’s day is underway with support from relevant stakeholders.

“Already there is a campaign on SIBC and Barava FM and online campaign on social media with slogans carrying #genderequalityforsolomonislands and #pressforprogress”.

Acting EWAWG Policy Coordinator, Mrs Serah Angeika Buka said the country will be joining a global campaign on gender equality and activities to stop violence against women and girls.

Mrs Buka said they have already started their campaign strategies but their focus now is on the social media platform.

She said also they will host a panel discussion with high school students from selected schools in Honiara based on the IWD theme.

Following the campaign in Honiara, Mrs Buka said the aim is to celebrate women’s achievements, successful stories and their contribution in their homes, communities and country as a whole.

She said women’s group in Guadalcanal, Western and Malaita province will also join the celebration in their respective provinces.

Women in Malaita province will use IWD as an opportunity to launch their women policy, Mrs Buka said.

The MWYCFA are calling for both men and women to join the international day to campaign for women and girls’ rights.

EL Divas win tip off challenge

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Taromane Martin

EL DIVAS are the women’s champions of the 2018 D Fenders Tip-Off basketball challenge after defeating Sunrise 20-17 at the Multipurpose Hall yesterday.

The competitions entered the finals, after the last pool matches yesterday but saw the heavy rain forcing organizers to cancel the men’s grand final match.

El Divas led by Nicola Pongi, on the three point’s duty, led Sunrise 14-8 at the end of the first quarter but saw Sunrise clawing their way back in the second quarter.

Sunrise came strong for the second quarter with Elsie Daiwo, Joey Basia, Rebby Basia and Carrisa Malma shooting a combined nine points but could not find enough to deny El Divas the win.

Finals score 20-17 to El Divas.

Meanwhile in the men’s division both Marist and Gunnerz are through to the grand final of the competition.

Gunnerz defeated Pool A runners ups Canberra Cannons while Pool A leaders Marist defeated Pool B runner-ups Chamba Pinoy in their semifinal match yesterday.

The grand final match was postponed and is set for this Sunday at the Multipurpose Hall.

Results from the men’s final pool games are as follows:

Canberra Cannons lost 38-21 to Marist.

Hillcock Bandits lost to SOSSA 14-7

Ronkay Knights drew 17-17 with the Chamba Pinoy while Crusaders lost to Pool B leaders Gunnerz who are still undefeated in the competition.

Hammerheads Sharks win first games

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Hammerheads Sharks win first games

By Taromane Martin

TOURING Honiara rugby 15s club Henderson Hammerhead Sharks has won their first two matches in Gold Coast, Australia.

Sharks defeated the second grade team from Curumbin Alleygators 5-0 and also defeated the Wyanum Manly Bugs 12-0 on Saturday.

The team will play their final match against the

Team Manager Drake Chow said the purpose of their one week tour is to help develop their players and also get the club ready for the domestic rugby competitions in the country for this year.

“Good wins from the boys, and good positive results. The boys showed good sportsmanship,” the club said on their Facebook page.

“Thanks to our wantoks who have come to support the boys today, see you on Tuesday for the last game before we head home.

Meanwhile the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation has praised the club for organizing such tour saying it will help the clubs fan base, profile and also players.

“Having to make such tour need clubs to have a good Club Board, team management and sacrifice to make such tour a success.

“If HHH can make such tour then other clubs can also take up the challenge to develop the club fan base, player data, club profile and help motivate players through such incentives and exposure.

“Hope other clubs will look at those opportunities to develop their players. Islanders RC is another club that has taken the same initiative to give exposer through its connection with Fiji clubs with the 7s program.

“Well done Henderson Hammerheads and Islanders RCs,” the federation said.

Hammerheads are expected back in the country this weekend.

Schmelling proud of historic achievement

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Former Marist head coach, Juliano Schmeling.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

BRAZILIAN Juliano Schmeling has congratulated his former club Marist for making the quarterfinals of the 2018 Oceania Champions League.

Marist qualified for the quarterfinals after winning its final Group D match defeating Lupe Ole Soaga 3-1 at Lawson Tama to join pool leader Team Wellington in the last eight.

With three past appearances in the Oceania premier club competition, this is the first time for Marist to surpass the group phase competition.

Schmeling was Marist head coach since 2015 until his exit from the club late last year.

Currently residing in New Zealand, Schmeling said he is proud of Marist’s achievement.

“The only thing I can say is I’m very proud of everyone from the club.”

Schmeling said the qualification to the quarterfinal is simply achieving a goal they started in 2015 when he first joined the club.

“I’m so happy to see them achieve our goal that we started three years ago. I knew they could do it; I always had faith in them. We worked hard together since 2015 and they deserve to qualify.”

The former Kurukuru coach said he is also proud of young striker Mathias Iani.

“Mathias Iani came to our Marist trial in 2015 and I saw his potential as a striker since that day. In 2015/16 season he played his first season at Lawson Tama and he scored few goals for us that time, he is a potential player and he is improving year by year.”

Schmeling believes that Marist can reach the final but must work harder to strengthen few areas that need attention.

“I think Marist needs to focus in some areas that need to be improved and find the best strategy to go forward in the Oceania Champions League independent of opposition.

“I know the draw will be chosen next week so I hope Marist can make a nice plan and go to the semifinal and make history again.”

Schmeling urges Marist fans to continue their good support for the club.

“I want the fans to continue the good support they always render to the club.

“A big thank you as well to all the Marist fans. They made me feel very well in Honiara when I was there. They supported Marist and believed in Marist all the way. Marist fans gave Marist the strength behind them to achieve at this level. I will never forget the Kurukuru fans support in Marist as well. Thanks so much to the Marist support and fans.”

Unity party revived

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Group photo of the SIUP former statesmen handing over the policy to documents to Junior Kenilorea

Former statesmen sons’ newcomers for revival

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Group photo of the SIUP former statesmen handing over the policy to documents to Junior Kenilorea

SOLOMON Islands United Party (SIUP) a political party established by the first Prime Minister, Late Sir Peter Kenilorea since the country gained independence in 1978 is set to be revived with the introduction of stronghold new comers of which one of the new comer is his son and namesake.

Former statesmen of SIUP last week officially handed over its manifesto document to the new comers Peter Kenilorea Jnr who is the current Permanent Secretary (PS) for Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Malaita Premier Peter Ramohia and local business owner Adam Bartlett.

The event is organized mainly for the SIUP statesmen to handover the policy document to the three young leaders in preparation for the upcoming National General Election (NGE).

During the gathering, the former SIUP statesmen encouraged and shared experiences on the significance of quality leadership and transformation which Solomon Islands needs for its leaders to invest in.

SIUP Interim Secretary, Mr Abraham Namokari said they revive SIUP at the request of the three new comers to re-group its political powers and to move it forward as it has been there since the country gained independence in 1978.

“Now these three gentlemen Peter Kenilorea Jnr, Premier Peter Romohia and Adam Bartlett are contesting the elections in 2019 and they wanted us to revive this United Party because it is a good party and the best that can re-direct development and serve our people with truth and to take the country forward,” Mr Namokari said.

Handing over the policy document, the SIUP first General Secretary Mr John Maetia explained the manifesto has contained firm belief to lead a government and to serve Solomon Islands people as stated by the country’s national logo, ‘To lead is to serve’.

He challenged the new comers to study the policy document because everything for a quality leadership is written in the manifesto which reflects powerful political will to drive the country forward.

Speaking on behalf of the new members, Mr Kenilorea Jnr thanked the former statesmen for their leadership role in SIUP from independence till now.

He said, now it is time to serve Solomon Islands especially young generation, and if there is a party to lead the country forward, SIUP is the one.

Mr Kenilorea Jnr said they will work in the days ahead to launch the SIUP manifesto.

After launch of the SIUP manifesto, there will be registration before commencement of promotions and campaign activities leading up to the NGE.

Hearts of Hope cares for vulnerable people

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Children ready to be clothed by members of Hearts of Hope.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

Children ready to be clothed by members of Hearts of Hope.

THE Hearts of Hope Solomons is executing a great work assisting vulnerable people in the communities of Malaita province.

Director of the organisation, Mrs Janet Justice Aihari told this paper that there are lots of work they did in carrying out the mission of the organisation.

“Since the inception of the organization in Auki we already supported 42 programmes mainly on clothing orphans and widows in various communities.

“And this is essentially the objective of the organization to support especially orphans and widows.

“However, we can also go beyond that to support other groups of vulnerable people in the community,” she said.

Aihari said also part of it they already organised some camping programme for orphan kids and widows especially in June and November during school holidays.

She said the programme is to involve the orphan and widows to learn and participated in activities that are meaningful and can bring prosper to their lives.

Aihari said according to feedbacks of their programme, it helped lots of them to get out from where they are and participate equally in anything in the communities.

However, she said support towards the running the programme is always lacking since they are handicapped in financial support.

Aihari said it was only when finance at their disposed it facilitate them to carry out the programmes in the communities.

Hearts of Hope clothes communities of Baolo and Maeana

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Children with the new cloths they were dressed by Hearts of Hope.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PEOPLE from Maeana and Baolo communities in West Kwaio are happy recipients of bales of clothing donated by the Hearts of Hope.

Director of Hearts of Hope Solomon, Mrs Janet Justice Aihari said yesterday they donated clothes to the people in the communities.

She said their visit to Baolo and Maeana is a general visit which looked at clothing all groups of people in the communities.

Mrs Aihari said the recent cloths wearing programme was the second for the two communities as they already held one last year.

However, she assured continuous support and if clothes at their disposal they will come back to the communities in future.

Director of Hearts of Hope Solomon, Mrs Janet Justice Aihari in a white T-Shirt at the back with members of her organization during dressing programme

On the same note, she explained that Hearts of Hope programme is an ongoing programme mainly targeting orphans and widows.

Aihari said since the inception of the programme they have supported orphans and widows in various communities in the central region of the province.

She said their support is mainly with clothes as it is the organisation’s objective to clothe orphans and widows.

She said Hearts of Hope is a charitable organisation established with a heart to support orphans and widows.

Mothers with the members of Hearts of Hope.

However, Mrs Aihari thanked the communities and “Dress a girl around the world” an organisation in New Zealand for donating the cloths to Hearts of Hope for the programme.

On the same note, the church catechist of Maeana and Baolo, Mr Paul Maetaria acknowledged Hearts of Hope for the programme.

He said his people treasured the assistance and look forward for continues cooperation with the organisation.

Children with the new cloths they were dressed by Hearts of Hope.

NRH prepares for world hearing day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

WORLD Hearing Day will be celebrated tomorrow. The theme this year is “Hear the future… and prepare for it!”

The National Referral Hospital (NRH) Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) Clinic will be promoting simple health messages this week on ear disease prevention as part of its World Hearing Day activities in schools.

ENT Registered Nurse, Obiga Newton, says, ‘’The NRH ENT Clinic regularly see many patients with ear disease that could be avoided’.

“The main ear health messages from the ENT Clinic are: ‘’do not poke your ear or put things in your ear’ and ‘blow your nose’,” Mr Newton said.

“About 70 percent of ear problems begin from the nose, so if you blow your nose, and keep it clean and dry, then you will prevent many ear problems.

“For parents and caregivers of infants, do not clean your baby’s ears with cotton-buds”, and “keep your baby’s nose clean and dry”. “Ears are designed to clean themselves, so it is not necessary to use cotton-buds.”

The ENT Team delivered ear and hearing health promotion posters to Honiara City Council Child welfare clinics.

The Honiara City Council Public Library supported World Hearing Day by running a colouring competition on ear and hearing health messages.

Dr Annette Kasper, an Australian audiologist who has previously worked in the Solomon Islands, has returned to Honiara for the week to take part in World Hearing Day.

Kasper said, “Reading is one of the best gifts you can give someone and good hearing is essential for a child’s speech, language, and reading development.”

This week, the ENT team visited Shamma Christian Academy School and Norman Palmer Primary School in Honiara.

The NRH ENT Clinic is keen to increase its outreach work in the community.

ENT Registered Nurses Mr Fafale and Mr Falekwai said, “We are very happy to be part of the Mobile ENT Team, and we look forward to raising the profile of ENT healthcare and expanding ENT services in Honiara and all of Solomon Islands.”

‘’Many ear and hearing problems, especially among children, can be prevented and treated,” Newton said.

Public health messages such as eating fruits and vegetables in every meal and washing your hands and face, are important for healthy ears.

Routine immunisations and breast-feeding of infants also contribute to good hearing.

–NRH PRESS

Peace minister lauds stakeholders for peace initiative

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Hon Ishmael Avui

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

ON Wednesday, the Minister for National Unity Reconciliation and Peace assured officials of the government’s ongoing commitment towards their nation building and peace efforts.

Hon Ishmael Avui was speaking at the launching occasion of UNDP and UN Women’s Joint Programme Project titled “Consolidating Peace, Stability and Social Cohesion in Solomon Islands Post RAMSI 2018” at the Heritage Park Hotel.

He said that the project will build a consensus and facilitate initiatives to address key peace building issues namely; reparations and reconciliation, land disputes, governance, social cohesion in an inclusive platform considering voices of women, youth and men.

More to that, Mr Avui explained that the project is embedded with two significant outcomes, of which the initial one is centered on having a consensus built with actions and initiatives carried out among state and non-state actors with the inclusion of women and youth groups to address conflict triggers.

He added that examples of conflict triggers range from reparation framework, land disputes, governance deficits, to weak social cohesion in communities and organisations.

The second as expressed by Avui is to help establish institutionalised structures at the provincial level to help address peace building challenges.

The Member of Parliament for East Central Guadalcanal then spoke briefly of the government’s part in the initiative.

He stressed that SIDCCG (Solomon Islands Democratic Coalition for Change Government) has the vision of ensuring that all Solomon Islanders live and co-exist in a peaceful environment binded by ongoing and firm national unity.

“The government is serious in it’s efforts to continue the journey of nation building and peace by protecting human dignity by providing an environment that stimulates and nurtures economic growth in Solomon Islands,” said Avui.

He then commended all government offices, UNDP and UN Women not only for paving the way forward but for their commitment to implement the policy.

Avui proceeded to express his gratitude to the many stakeholders and development partners who contributed tremendously towards the peacebuilding process in the country.

“I firmly believe that this project will contribute immensely to making Solomon Islands a safer place to live in. I therefore call and ask all Solomon Islanders to take peacebuilding as part of your business every day,” he said.

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