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MASI in a mess

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Island Sun newspaper leads protest against alleged corruption and unfairness in local media body

 

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

ISLAND Sun a financial member of the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) is taking the lead to question the process of the recent Special General Meeting (SGM) in which two new officers were announced over the weekend as MASI’s new President and Vice-president.

Island Sun who also claims a high number of MASI financial members were dissatisfied with the process and way in which MASI Executive members conducted the SGM on Saturday, February 17, 2018.

An Island Sun staff said on Saturday, she received a phone call from her colleague telling her to hurry to the meeting venue at St Barnabas Melanesia House because all votes from Honiara residents via email were disqualified.

Another financial member from a local TV station in Honiara says it is their Sabbath day and they are quite upset that the election of the two top positions has caught them in an awkward position especially when the SGM was held on a Saturday.

Meanwhile a staff from the national broadcaster says it is not fair that the notice didn’t specify that members who have not yet paid must bring their membership fee of $100 before they can cast their vote.

“They are driving us away when they disallow us to vote for our candidate. Why should I pay my membership fee now?” she said.

Island Sun’s staff and a member of the Executive committee who was also nominated for the presidency post but absent during the SGM said it was just so unfair how her fellow colleagues had agreed for the notice from MASI Secretariat be allowed to carry online voting as an arrangement for those that will not be able to attend the meeting in person and then only to recall the clause during the SGM proper saying it is unconstitutional and only for MASI financial members residing in the provinces.

“What they should have done was to differ the meeting to a weekday so that everyone will attend in person. Haven’t they considered the Sabbath keepers as well?” she said.

Meanwhile Island Sun understands that the nomination process for the Executive committee positions had been sidelined.

Section 11.4.8 of the MASI constitution stated that nominations for the executive committee shall be proposed in writing, seconded by another member and counter signed by the nominee.

However Island Sun has proof that there was no counter signature by a nominee who had won the election, meaning nomination for the candidate had been unconstitutional from the start and he shouldn’t have been allowed to stand as a candidate.

“During the SGM, time and time again it had been stressed that MASI members should read, know and understand the constitution,” said a staff from Island Sun.

“The MASI Executive committee members that controlled the SGM proper also lack the savvy on the MASI constitution. Now we have taken the time to understand the constitution, we have reasons to believe that one or both of the nominees should have been disqualified on the grounds that they didn’t meet the nomination criteria set out in the constitution.”

Island Sun has decided to come out with this issue through the media so that the Executive Committee will look into rectifying what had been publicly published as soon as possible.

Heritage Park Hotel great investment for shareholders

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Heritage Park Hotel

THE country’s national provident fund stands by the Heritage Park Hotel as ‘one of its greatest investments’.

SINPF General Manager, Mr Mike Wate speaking on behalf of the SINPF Board confirmed that Heritage Park Hotel Limited had returned more than 60 percent of its original capital of $28 million for its 10 percent equity in Heritage Park Hotel and that the Heritage Park Hotel is one its best performing assets.

Wate added that SINPF has consistently since 2010 been receiving cash in dividends, interest on shareholder loan, plus continuing positive capital appreciation.

Meanwhile, he Chairman of the Board of Heritage Park Hotel Limited, Mr Mel Togolo MBE, said, “It is not my role to speak on behalf of Solomon Islands National Provident Fund, and I don’t purport to, but I am extremely disappointed that the good name and reputation of Heritage Park Hotel is being denigrated by negative press articles [Solomon Star] related to returns to SINPF.”

“I was appointed to the Board by Nasfund of Papua New Guinea, who are the majority shareholder in Heritage Park Hotel. I can advise that the Heritage Park Hotel is Nasfund’s second best investment in the 2016 Annual Report. The returns from Heritage Park Hotel are extremely good.

“Nasfund is very successful in Papua New Guinea with net assets of Kina 4.4 billion and over 575,000 members. The 2016 Nasfund Annual Report, which is available to the public, states that the return on shareholder equity and loans to Heritage Park Hotel in 2016 was 12.5 percent pa. SINPF get the same rate of return as Nasfund from its Heritage Park Investment.

“Statements made by Mr Dausabea in respect to Heritage Park Hotel Limited are incorrect, untrue, misleading and damaging to Heritage Park Hotel Limited and should be retracted.

“I believe that the analysis done initially by a Solomon Star journalist did not reflect the correct facts and the assumptions were totally incorrect. It is very important for journalists to check their facts before publishing, so as not to mislead the public. While I do not speak on behalf of any individual shareholder, I will protect the brand and reputation of Heritage Park Hotel for the good of all shareholders.”

Allowance problem returns early 2018

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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SOLOMON Islands Government (SIG) sponsored students from institutions in Fiji have reportedly began this academic year with the all-too-familiar stress over allowance delays.

This was confirmed yesterday afternoon after an email from the office of the Solomon Islands Education Attaché in Fiji notified students of the delay of students’ February allowance and book allowance.

These allowances are supposed to be paid on the first week of this month but have not.

Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA) at the USP, Laucala Campus yesterday received an email from Solomon Islands Education Attaché in Fiji, Samantha Teitei informing them that funds for their allowances has not yet been received by her office.

She adds that this means that their allowances will not be paid until a further date.

Ms Teitei said the issue is beyond her office’s capacity, saying that all payment is still in the Solomon Islands’ Australian New Zealand (ANZ) Bank.

She instead advised all students to inform their parents and guardians from Solomons to send money over to their children in Fiji to sustain them while waiting for the allowances.

Meanwhile, local students studying at the Laucala Campus yesterday raised their frustration following the delay of their allowances.

SISA understand that it almost three weeks since students arrived in Fiji but still they have not received their allowances.

“It is a bad start of our students’ 2018 academic year as the situation is quite disturbing to their study as their book allowances are also yet to be paid and most worrying is their cost of living in the foreign country.”

SISA urges responsible authorities to quickly address students’ issues. SISA is also appealing to all students to look after and care for each other at this time of hardship and struggle for future endeavours of their family and country.

–SISA PRESS

No mass exodus

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Health ministry refutes media rumours and assures nurses will return when contracts expire

 

By Gary Hatigeva

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has played down rumours about local nurses signing up to migrate abroad under what is thought to be an independent nursing recruitment scheme.

Earlier media reports had suggested that a mass number of registered nurses within Solomon Islands system have signed up to leave Solomon Islands and serve abroad.

The Ministry further confirmed there are nurses confirmed to leave the country to serve in Vanuatu but clarified that there is no ‘exodus’ and that their going comes as part of an established arrangement between the governments of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

They said someone from the Vanuatu ministry of health is currently in Honiara under the arrangement, to interview nurses who are interested to try out this working exchange programme but denied working with any independent recruiter.

Vanuatu is currently experiencing nurse shortage therefore looks to Solomon Islands for short term assistance to fill the gap.

The Ministry further added that those accepted to work in Vanuatu will go to replace nurses who were placed under early retirement by their Public Service commission.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) General Secretary, Mr Steven Maitani also confirmed that a total of 100 nurses who are former hospital ward managers, clinic heads or supervisors have been selected to try out the opportunity

When contacted, Maitani also clarified that these nurses are going under contracts, meaning they are out there for work and are expected to return to the country once their contracts expire.

He said based on their backgrounds, all stakeholders involved in this work opportunity programme are convinced they (nurses) will perform extremely well when serving the government especially the people of Vanuatu.

However, concerns were raised on the status of impact these departing number will create, which they think threatens to produce a gap in the country’s health services.

But when responding to these concerns, Maitani explained that the departure of these nurses should not affect our health services in the country because a lot of nurse probationers are still waiting to come into the field.

He said the departure of these senior nurses is welcomed as it will also give an opportunity for the young ones to take over and experience the challenges.

According to data, Solomon Islands produce more nurses than the system can accommodate and around 20 on averages retire annually, while more nurses graduate from SINU and Atoifi almost every year.

“As far remittance is concerned, this is foreign income opportunity for the country,” Maitani stressed.

He added that the general public should appreciate this program and see it from an economic and development perspective.

Meanwhile, insiders revealed that over the past 3 years there have been around 230 nurses who graduated from the Solomon Islands National University’s School of Nursing but are still without jobs and that should indicated that the country will not experience shortage as feared.

Hopes alive

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Hat-trick scorer Gagame Feni drives in

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Warriors has its last eight qualification hopes kicked back to life as they romped to a 6-1 thrashing of New Caledonia’s AS Lossi in their second Group B match of the Oceania Champions League at Stade Pater in Papeete, Tahiti yesterday.

A hat-trick to Gagame Feni and a brace from Kensi Tangis coupled with a strike from John Alick aided the Moses Toata-coached side to victory.

Morgan Mathelon scored AS Lossi’s consolation goal.

The win is crucial for Toata and his boys whom earlier in the week succumbed to a 2-0 loss against Vanuatu’s Erakor Golden Star.

Warriors needed the win, preferably a big margin one to keep them in contention for a place in the quarterfinals.

In the other Group B match, hosts AS Dragons edged Erakor in a seven goal thriller to remain at the top of the group with six points.

Dragons play their final match against Warriors and that will come as a decider for Warriors, who trails behind with three points.

Warriors can only progress into the last eight given the results in their match against AS Dragons and the match between Erakor and AS Lossi favours them.

Warriors got their match well started and it did not take long for them to get the first goal as Kensi Tangis slotted home the opener in the first two minutes.

Played under a slippery condition, Warriors maintained composure throughout the first half and came away with another two goals via Feni and Ni-Vanuatu importJohn Alick before the break.

The second half resumed and Tangis doubled his name on the scoresheet, giving Warriors a comfortable 4-0 lead cushion before AS Lossi pulled one back with a strike from Mathelon.

In the 78th minute Feni added his second in what could be dubbed as a spectacular goal where he chipped the ball into the back of the net past the AS Lossi goalkeeper who had already advanced off his mark.

Feni completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute unleashing a shot from the edge of the area past the AS Lossi shot-stopper.

Pacific Games boss arrive today

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan.

PRESIDENT of the Pacific Games Council (PGC) Vidhya Lakhan will arrive in Honiara today on an important Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) assignment.

National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) President Martin Rara confirmed to SunSPORTS yesterday.

Rara said Lakhan will be here over the next couple of days to conduct important meetings with the newly-appointed NOCSI Executive Board and the national federations.

Rara explained that one of the important areas put up on the agenda for discussion is the review of the NOCSI constitution.

A workshop for Team Solomons members will also be held. The one-day workshop is purposely to gather information and ideas from relevant sporting bodies to the cause of establishing a policy framework for Team Solomons.

Basically, the framework policy is to safeguard the competitive interest of Team Solomons, according to Rara.

The President added that Lakhan’s meeting with the NOCSI Executive Board is scheduled for Friday; the constitutional review will take place on Saturday, while the workshop for Team Solomons involving all national federations is fixed for Sunday.

All meetings are scheduled to take place inside the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) conference room at Town Ground Plaza.

Rara stressed that this will be the first time for Lakhan to officially meet the members of the newly-appointed NOCSI Executive Board since assuming their roles recently.

The new NOCSI Executive Board comprises Rara as President, Aldrin Bekala (Vice-President) and Fujiyama Naouki as Treasurer. Members include Morris Maitaki, Adrian Tuhanuku, Michael Chan, Shalom Akao-Waita, Francis Manioru and Lysa Wini.

Regarding the workshop for Team Solomons, an invitation was sent to all national federations on Monday by the NOCSI Chief Executive Officer Melinda Avosa.

Ms Avosa said the Team Solomons workshop scheduled for Sunday for national federations is compulsory and all must attend.

“It is compulsory that you all will come prepared to attend this important meeting. On another important matter, please send any representative on your behalf if you are not able to attend for some good reasons.”

Following the conclusion of the series of meetings with NOCSI on Sunday, the Games Council President will stay on for the next few days where he is expected to meet with Pacific Games 2023 Taskforce.

The PG2023 Secretariat confirms that a meeting will be held with Lahkan next week. Details are yet to be finalised.

Lahkan will leave the country for Fiji next week.

Basic details of NOCSI meeting with the PGC President

Saturday 17 February:   8.30am to 5pm (Good Governance – Constitution Review)

Sunday 18 February:       9am to 5pm: (Team Solomons Workshop – Policy framework)

Venue: SIRUF conference room.

Words and Pictures Solomon Islands book project launched

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Group photo of participants who are present during the launching of Words and Pictures Solomon Islands project yesterday at Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

ST Nicholas College students in collaboration with the Australian Government launched a book called Words and Pictures in Solomon Islands yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

The book features drawings and stories by students at St Nicholas, Solomon Islands and students from Footscray West Primary School in Melbourne, Australia

It offers visual explanations and tells stories about the culture and ways of Solomon Islanders through paintings and drawings.

It was supported by the Australian National Commission for UNESCO and was facilitated jointly by members of gallery Sunshine Everywhere and the college of Arts and Education, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australian.

Speaking at the lunching ceremony Ms Charlotte Clemens an art teacher said the book launched is part of the greater project in many other countries.

She said she is passionate about children’s education because it is very important for their mental health and also of how they express their selves through arts.

Dr Irene Paulsen a female Solomon Islanders who currently teaches in the College of Education and was part of the project team, adds by appreciating the students’ contribution in the completion the book.

“I appreciate students’ contribution through arts and stories and their working collaboration with the Australian National Commission in the completion of this very simple book project,” she said.

Moreover they worked with St Nicholas College because it was recommended by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD).

Present in the launching were students and staffs from St Nicholas College, Australian Government representatives and representative from the MEHRD.

Book launched aims to link Aus and SI students

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Dr Irene Paulsen

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

THE Words and Pictures Solomon Islands book project launched yesterday aims to stimulate links between students from Australian schools and students in Solomon Islands, revealed Dr Irene Paulsen.

She said the spur of the links will then begin through sharing drawings and stories prepared by students.

Ms Paulsen adds through this link it aspires to expand a deeper perceptive of the student group each other’s culture, beliefs and living conditions.

She adds that apart from Solomon Islands Australian Government have also been working with other countries including Africa and China.

KPSI strives to promote local products

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

KOKONUT Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) is currently engaged in efforts to promote its products in the local and global market.

KPSI’s sales and marketing manager, Mr Calwin Kepo expressed this to the paper yesterday.

He explained that they had held talks with Honiara City Council purposely for them to get a heads up about the fee for sales promotion around Honiara and how to go about it.

Moreover, Kepo emphasised that the main idea behind this is to raise awareness for people in in the capital who are not well versed about their products and associated benefits.

He adds that this is also about creating a sense of patriotism

“Our aim is to create a sense of patriotism where our people can be proud of our products because they are made from coconuts, our coconuts,” said Kepo.

On another note, he stated that they are looking forward to working with the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau to identify dates of tourist boats and international tourists expected in the country.

Kepo stresses that this will be a great platform for KPSI to showcase their products and promote Solomon Islands products at the international stage.

“Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) will be able to display and market its products to international visitors.

“Such events will help promote Solomon Islands products to the international market or scene, benefitting not only KPSI but the country as a whole, particularly the local coconut farmers,” he said.

END////

KPSI products promotes healthy living

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE

MOST people are not aware about Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands products.

This is according to the company’s sales and marketing manager, Mr Calwin Kepo.

He stressed that they are trying to promote their products as well as publicly inform people of the health benefits their natural products have.

Moreover, Kepo said that one thing people should know is that KPSI has gone organic and is chemical free with very limited use of the substance.

“So we’re trying to promote our products in Solomon Islands so that people can purchase our products instead of buying chemical added products,” he said.

Kepo adds that with their natural products, they are also promoting healthy living and some of these products include fragrances, therapy oil, cooking oil and soap.

With regards to pricing, he explained that while some shops in the capital sell coconut oil that have a pinch of chemical, their coconut oil is natural.

“Our coconut oil is natural, it is not expensive but the price is related to the quality and the healthy lifestyle benefits that comes with it.

“Even now, overseas, people are trying to get hold of natural products,” said Kepo.

He furthers that if you are health conscious then being aware of your health in terms of knowing what you consume and what you put on your body is very important.

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