Jodanna Molea greets his dad Judd Molea at the Honiara International Airport on Tuesday
By Taromane Martin
Jodanna Molea greets his dad Judd Molea at the Honiara International Airport on Tuesday
GROUP B runner-ups Solomon Warriors FC yesterday arrived back in the country after qualifying for the quarterfinal of the 2018 Oceania Champions League.
After losing 2-0 to Erakor Golden Stars in their opening match, Warriors fought their way back to finish second in their group with six points – thanks to victories over AS Lossi of New Caledonia and AS Dragons of Tahiti.
Head Coach Moses Toata told SunSPORTS yesterday the secret to their victory was because they had the opportunity to analyze Lossi and Dragons games after their loss.
“After our first loss we went back and had the opportunity to watch AS Dragons and AS Lossi play,” he said.
“That enabled us to identify their weaknesses and the good thing is that we had a convincing win over Lossi which placed us on the right path.
Coach Toata adds with the Telekom Soccer League (TSL) knockout championship set to kick off March 11 his side will switch focus for the domestic competition
“At the moment we will concentrate on the knockout which is also important and we will use it as our build up for the next stage of the Champions League.
“We are yet to confirm who we will play against so I will need to gather the boys back and prepare for the knockout and the next stage that is our immediate priority,” he said.
Solomon Warriors FC arrived 2pm yesterday on board Virgin Airlines.
AS Magenta coach Alan Moizan has rated hosts Marist as the team to beat in the Group D actions of the Oceania Champions League here in Honiara.
Moizan, who is not new to Solomon Islands having led the senior New Caledonia side as head coach to reach the grandfinal of the 2012 OFC Nations Cup in Honiara, said they have a lot of respect for Marist in this upcoming competition.
“Marist will be backed by the home crowd and we expect them to be tough.
“We have a lot of respect for them and they are the team to beat.”
The Frenchman stressed that the competition is going to be tough but he is looking forward to a good performance from his team.
“We’ll play three matches and we are looking forward to them.”
AS Magenta will open their Oceania Champions League campaign on Saturday against Lupe Ole Soaga of Samoa at 1pm, Lawson Tama.
The match will be a rematch of their last year’s Oceania Champions League meeting where AS Magenta only managed to win by 2-1.
Moizan added that Lupe Ole Soaga is a good team and they fought very hard to beat them during their last meeting.
After taking on the Samoan outfit in the opener, hosts Marist awaits them next Tuesday at 4pm while their final match will be against Team Wellington next Friday.
Moizan outlined that they played three matches against Team Wellington in the past seasons losing twice and drew one.
Their last meeting was last year’s Oceania Champions League semifinal second leg where the NZ outfit won 7-1.
“We’ll remain focussed and that is what we are here for. We are hoping to win matches to qualify us into the quarterfinals.”
Police patrol boats have been monitoring the border in the Western Province
Police intercept group of Bougainvilleans in 3 high-powered boats outside Gizo
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
POLICE response team (PRT) yesterday intercepted and arrested about 30 Bougainvilleans who had reportedly crossed border in response to the recent death of a man in Noro, Western province.
PRT, acting on intel that a group of Bougainvillean men had entered our waters in three ray boats, moved in with Gizo officers onboard the patrol boat Auki (04) and intercepted them between Gizo and Vella la Vella yesterday afternoon.
It is reported that the group of men includes former militants from the Bougainville crisis, and were on their way to Noro following the recent death of one of their kinsmen there.
RSIPF SWIFT ACTION ON BORDER CROSSERS: Accurate intel and quick action by the RSIPF led to the intercept and capture of about 30 Bougainvilleans travelling in three high-powered ray boats reportedly on their way to Noro town. (Pictured) RSIPF patrol boat Auki arrives in Gizo with the Bouganvilleans yesterday late afternoon. Photo by Alfred Pagepitu
The men are said to be from the Siwai region in Bougainville.
On February 6 this year, a man died in Noro. He was part Bougainville and Shortland islands. Police have been intensely investigating this case since.
Following the death, police had also stepped up surveillance and fast-craft patrols of the waters in the Western region.
Following the arrest, the men were brought over to Gizo in the late afternoon. Their arrival was received by a packed Gizo wharf with curious public wanting to take a glimpse of the border crossers.
Meanwhile, police have again reiterated the call on relatives of the deceased to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and allow police investigations to continue.
Police also warns that inviting outsiders to come and aggravate the issue is illegal and will be dealt with.
Public in Gizo have praised the RSIPF for the swift action taken, and also appeal to the province’s and national leaders to address this matter immediately.
Yesterday’s events have come as a shock for members of public in Gizo, many reliving the old days during the Bougainville crisis when everyone was living with uncertainty and fear.
Mr Amila Salgado Head of SI ADB unit and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of
Finance and Treasury on yesterday’s State Owned Enterprises website launching.
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
Mr Amila Salgado Head of SI ADB unit and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury on yesterday’s State Owned Enterprises website launching.
SOLOMON Islands is the first Melanesian country and second in the Pacific to launch a State Owned Enterprises (SOE) website which contains information regarding SOE portfolio, financial statements and annual reports.
The website was launched yesterday by the Government of Solomon Islands at the Mendana Kitano hotel in Honiara.
It will now provide profiles of each of the country’s eight SOEs featuring their financial performance, board members and links to relevant legislation, as well as overall performance of SI’s SOE portfolio.
Asian Development Bank (ADB), in a press statement, said the initiative carried out is part of a continuing programme to improve SI SOE’s portfolios which has seen it become one of the best performing in the region.
Also it demonstrates the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability to making key information about the public enterprises available online.
Head of Solomon Islands ADB unit Mr Amila Salgado adds, the launching marks another important milestone in Solomon Islands SOE reform programme.
A programme which ADB has been privileged of being closely involved with since the inception of the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) in 2018.
Moreover it was developed to make information readily accessible for public to obtain.
Present in the launching were heads of the SOEs and donor partners.
World Bank Group’s Senior Payment Systems & Remittances Specialist, Carlo Corazza
who is part of the collaborative representatives in the drafting of the Payment System
Bill 2018.
By Gary Hatigeva
World Bank Group’s Senior Payment Systems & Remittances Specialist, Carlo Corazza who is part of the collaborative representatives in the drafting of the Payment System Bill 2018.
THE National Government through the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) and development partners is now working to adopt and introduce an internationally recognised and standardised Payment System law, which experts say will help the country’s economy.
Consultations and discussions were held yesterday on a drafted National Payment System (NPS) Bill 2018 that looks to strengthen areas of the national payment system in the country, involving major financial institutions, both local and international.
This came following an approved cabinet conclusion that agreed to have a new law on the country’s Payment System, which saw successful collaboration between the office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, and CBSI.
When approved, the group was tasked with an objective to provide the country with modern and efficient payment systems, to ensure the financial stability of the market and increase the level of access to finance of the population.
In his overview presentation on the NPS, facilitator and World Bank Group’s Senior Payment Systems & Remittances Specialist, Mr Carlo Corazza explained that the new legal framework will extend the supervisory responsibilities of CBSI, in line to the recommendations of the international standards, in its securities clearing and settlement systems; retail payments and money payment service providers.
The draft bill pretty much looks into giving Central Bank the necessary and appropriate mandates to regulate and manage the Payment System.
“The NPS policy paper formulated in 2016 with the assistance of the WBG Payments System Development Group and IFC explains the next step in this process, which ideally is to reform the legal and regulatory framework in the area of payment systems and allow the CBSI to have the necessary and relevant mandate to regulate, oversee and manage the NPS.”
Participating Stakeholders were told that Payment and Settlement System plays crucial role in effective and efficient circulation of money in the economy thus giving boost to trade & business.
Corazza further explained that this system is recognised worldwide that an efficient and secure payment system is an enabler of economic activity.
He said this system provides the important channels for effective payments and transmission of monetary policy.
“And the role and functionality of Payment systems have been changing gradually with advancement in products and technologies”, something the Central Bank Governor highlighted when giving his remarks at the official opening of the consultations.
Meanwhile, the overview statement explained that a country-wide consultation on the Policy Note was carried out in 2017, and in the same year, the World Bank Payments System Development Group and International Financial Cooperation engaged a legal expert to draft Solomon Islands Payments System Bill.
“CBSI is working in partnership with Solomon Islands Government, the World Bank Payments System Development Group, the International Financial Cooperation (IFC) in advancing the country’s payment reform agenda, and are eager to complete this round of consultation on the draft NPS Bill with major stakeholders and the public,” the statement adds.
If passed, it will be called the Payment System Act 2018.
CENTRAL Islands Province (CIP) has missed out again on the National Transport Fund (NTF) that is supposed to build infrastructure across the country.
It is understood that CIP is the only province that has no new infrastructure development for the last 40 years.
There is no road apart from the one around Tulaghi Island and there is only one wharf at Niumara (Small Ngella), which was built in 2015.
Citizens of CIP are now requesting Premier Hon Patrick Vasuni to do a press release questioning why CIP missed out again in 2018 after not benefiting from this fund since its inception.
From an awareness programme held at Tulaghi by the NTF group last year, Mr Vasuni said it is very disappointing to find out that the province has not benefitted.
“Even a small province as Renbel has benefitted,” said the Premier.
“We are really disappointed that the government has done nothing to develop infrastructures on Central Province as we also handed in our submissions.
“No such development is a slap on the face of my people.”
The NTF Board has approved the 2018 NTF work priorities and 2018 Annual Work Plan at its meeting during January 31.
According to the Head of NTF Secretariat/US Technical Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Mr Jimmy Nuake, one of the NTF work priorities for 2018 is road rehabilitation and maintenance activities.
“The works are focused on Honiara roads (sealed and unsealed), Malaita Main roads (North, East and South including Auki Town roads and Mbobokimbo to Aola road.
“Other Provincial roads in Gizo, Buala, Lata and Noro will also receive rehabilitation.
“Wharf priorities include the Kirakira ramp in Makira as well as wharves and bridge rehabilitation throughout the country. Major Bridgework includes the construction of Mongga Bridge on Guadalcanal.
“The emergency road works in Honiara approved by NTF last year have started. Emergency work is to address potholes in critical sections on the West and East Honiara High Way.
“Selected sealed and unsealed Honiara feeder roads like at Vura and Jackson Ridge to Tanakake are part of the emergency road works as well.”
NTF is a special fund for developing, maintaining and managing transport infrastructure and services in Solomon Islands.
The current contributors to the Fund are the Solomon Islands Government, the Government of Australia and the Asian Development Bank.
PS of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, Mr Harry Kuma
SOLOMON Islands students of the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Fiji are relieved after confirmation yesterday of allowances being transferred from ANZ Bank in Honiara.
The students have reportedly waited three weeks since arrival, for their allowances. And as of late last week, many have reportedly resorted to borrowing.
“Now that allowances are transferred from ANZ Bank in Honiara to Fiji, it will take three days in process before we receive them,” said USP students to Island Sun.
“Nevertheless despite of the challenges faced, in receiving our allowances this week we hope that such situation would be improved so that it would not affect us too in our studies.
According to Solomon Business Magazine (SBM) Online, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) confirmed that student’s allowances were wired yesterday in which the rest of Solomon Islands Government sponsored students in Fiji should receive their allowances this week.
Permanent Secretary of Finance Harry Kuma speaking exclusively to SBMOnline confirmed that allowances should be transferred from ANZ Honiara to Fiji.
Mid last week, Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA) at USP Laucala Campus received an email from Solomon Islands Education Attache in Fiji informing them that funds for their allowances had not yet been received by their Office indicating that it will not be paid on Thursday as expected.
It was suggested for the students to inform their parents or guardians back home to send them funds for sustainment while waiting for allowances.
Prime Minister Hou briefed on mobile money wallet system
The Prime Minister in a group photo with the CEO of Solomon Islands Postal Corporation (on PM’s right), President of bibimoney’s global partnership Martin Hine (right) and other officials from the Solomon Islands Postal Corporation. Photo from PM Press Secretariat
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela was briefed yesterday on the mobile money wallet service that is soon to be introduced in the country by the Solomon Islands Postal Corporation in partnership with Bibimoney.
This was during a courtesy visit made by officials from the Solomon Post and Bibimoney to the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet yesterday morning.
Speaking during the meeting, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands Postal Corporation (SIPC) Mr Allan Arafoa revealed that the Mobile Money Wallet system called the Ezi Pei system will be used by the corporation to assist the people in the transfer of money around the country through a number of merchant agents in the country.
A highly recommended system by the Universal Postal Union, the Mobile Money Wallet system will assist customers to make transactions using their mobile phones thus lessening the risks of carrying around cash.
He said the Mobile Money Wallet service is hoping to be a benefit especially to customers who live far from a bank, “because instead of spending extra money to travel to main centers to do banking, customers can just do transactions through an Ezi Pei agent nearby”.
In response, the Prime Minister expressed his support for the approach taken by SIPC.
He also encouraged the officials to seek support from governing bodies of several work forces within the country to assist them in getting on board customers to the Ezi Pei service.
A former Governor of the country’s Central Bank, PM Hou stated that in order for this system to be used effectively, customers must be encouraged to get used to make financial transactions without hard cash.
The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation to the visiting team for taking their time to brief him about the new system.
The visiting team also included Martin Hine, the President of bibimoney’s Global Partnership.
THE Rapid Employment Project (REP) under ADB has benefitted many communities in Solomon Islands in terms of pre-employment opportunities.
The project since its inception have worked with communities in Honiara through trainings, pre-employment opportunities and construction which involved women, men and youths.
According to an REP report, as of December last year, the project’s Rapid Employment Scheme (RES) has generated 768,439 paid labour days with 407,903 for women and provided short-term employment to 13,027 people including 6,900 women in Honiara.
The Pre-Employment Training (PET) has trained about 12,000 participants, and provided one on one coaching services to about 1,700 persons, the REP reports.
The project has rehabilitated 116 km of non-rural roads and completed 47 community access sub-projects, with 29 of these infrastructure units receiving maintenance work.
REP infrastructure has generated a range of positive impacts on beneficiaries and the community, more broadly.
According to a recent survey, most beneficiaries account to 74 percent and community members account to 90 percent which reported used the REP infrastructure daily.
REP also said 94 percent of beneficiaries’ access to their work improved while 92 percent agreed the infrastructure improves access to services, and the same percentage reported that access to markets was improved.
Among community members surveyed, 96 percent reported improved access to work while 98 percent reported improved access to markets.
12 percent of community members attributed improved access to the roads, 55 percent Jacobs Ladders 55 percent, and or 33 percent accounts to both percent.
In addition to improving access, Jacobs Ladders had a significant impact on safety, the REP said.
Following the injuries cases prior to construction, REP said 48 percent of communities experienced injuries in the six months prior to construction compared with 6 percent reporting injuries in the six-months post construction.
Members of Wai-Hau Conservation Foundation Inc and Raripaina Biodiversity Conservation Association posing for a photo infornt of a leaf-hut in Raripaina Tribal land.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Auki
Members of Wai-Hau Conservation Foundation Inc and Raripaina Biodiversity Conservation Association posing for a photo infornt of a leaf-hut in Raripaina Tribal land.
RARIPAINA tribal land in the central highlands of Are Are in Malaita province has taken a great initiative to protect some significant historical legends of the society of Are Are.
Coordinator of Wai-Hau Conservation Foundation Inc, Mr Flex Naitoro supports the idea of landowners of Raripaina taking on a conservation initiative.
He said during a recent hike in the tribal land with landowners of Raripaina, they told him lots of stories based on Are Are history which come from the area.
Naitoro said two of them were ‘wooden drum’ and ‘pan pipe’ where people of Are Are being culturally known for them in this modern era.
He said the first set of wooden drum (Para ni o’o) made during the first invention of wooden drum in the society of Are Are some centuries ago was made in Raripaina tribal land.
That first-made set of wooden drum has been protected along the many generations and can be seen today.
Naitoro added that the original pan pipe of Are Are also has its history in the same tribal land.
Adding that there were lot of stories about tribal war and other historical events in the past history of Are Are can be found in the tribal land.
He said there are lots of legends inter-connected to other parts of Are Are came from the tribal land, and it was so lucky that very limited people knew about those histories still exist to tell.
Naitoro however acknowledged them to come up with the conservation initiative to protect the rich historical tribal land.
On the same note he also urged other tribal lands boundary with Raripaina and going towards the inner part of Are Are to take on the similar conservation initiative Raripaina and other tribal lands in Are Are now pursuing.
Naitoro raised an alarm that currently these are the only pristine forest in the whole of Are Are, and any plan to destruct them will be a loss to virgin forest in Are Are.
