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Roads in Malaita deteriorated after heavy rain

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

in Auki

ROADS in various parts of Malaita province have deteriorated after the weeklong heavy rains recently experienced.

Mr Clyde Maelifo’oa from Ratefasu village told this paper that the condition of the roads is of serious concern to the travelling public.

He said like other roads connecting the province to Auki, south-road leading to West Kwaio and West Are’are is one that is badly affected by the recent bad weather.

“If you happen to go on the south-road from Auki you’ll experience bad road condition just outside of Auki town.

“Some parts along the road people have to get from the truck and push the truck where it can’t make it through piles of muds on the road.

“The roads were covered with mud and pot-holes everywhere making the road more worsen,” Maelifo’oa said.

Adding that the current status of the road is indeed an area of great concern and responsible authorities must do something about it.

He said with the current poor condition of the roads in the province it really affects individuals, business houses and especially farmers who often bring their markets to Auki.

Maelifo’oa said not only that, but as Kilu’ufi hospital in Auki saves almost everyone in the province, sick people are also affected when going to Auki for medical assistance.

However, he said road in the province is an ongoing concern for the people in Malaita and not only this rain that made the road to become an agenda.

“Actually this recent bad weather puts the road in a more severe condition, but problem face with road in Malaita province is an ongoing issue,” Maelifo’oa said.

Maelifo’oa has called on both the province and national government through their responsible ministries to work towards addressing the issue in the province.

Cyanide

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Elementally carbon and nitrogen

Covalently bonded together dangerously

On their own backbone of life and living

Twisted by the developmental mafia

To benefit themselves and their 33′ masters

 

The middle men eating up the natives

Just like these buses eating us up…

Turning whenever wherever to fill themselves

Down in the latrine all day long

As the music of craziness in the songs

 

The last research and the scientists

Were the tools and the masters of manipulations

Depending on who pays their salaries

Twisting and collating data to verify their hypothesis

It’s another way of removing the useless eaters

 

That’s what the globalists are preaching

All Sundays on the pulpits

One World Government under the UN

Under the constitution drafted by Suzuki

To eliminate demarcation of nationhood

 

With two types of citizenry

The masters and the slaves

The education system is now modified

That we’ll end up with all citizen that complies

With no inquiring mind; dung can be food…

 

The noodles, the refine starch and the GMOs

Are the weapons to destroy the mass

Even the vaccines are tools of uniformity

Adjusting varied genetic information

Into tools of manipulation that all citizens stops talking of equality

 

The DCCG and the SIDCCG are the same

Elephant implementing the same approach

In the name of MDGs now SDGs

Trying to achieve what UK took to gain

In millions of years

 

Even now there are toilets yet

To be constructed in the middle of London…

For the homeless poor….

 

It’s happening in the streets of Honiara…

 

Stalin Fiualakwa

Ranadi

Important measures for safety at sea in the Solomon Islands

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DEAR EDITOR, living in the Solomon Islands and especially in the more isolated reaches of the country surrounded all around by the vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean it is naturally a normal day-to-day occurrence for local people to travel by small boats or motorized canoes to reach their destinations or go fishing.

While it is inevitable that the mode of transport will continue there is not enough attention being paid to safety and all those that venture out to sea should ensure they have the right knowledge of prevailing conditions, experience and possess safety equipment.

Here are some safety tips.

Before leaving shore:

check the weather forecast – if in doubt, don’t go out carry at least two types of emergency communications equipment that will work when wet (e.g., mobile phone in a plastic bag, or red hand-held flares). Bear in mind you can’t always rely on your mobile phone. It may be out of range, have limited battery power or become water-damaged prepare your boat – service the engine, check and change the fuel, check the battery and give it a good onceover check your gear – make sure your lifejackets are fit for purpose and you have enough for everyone on board make sure you know the “rules of the road” on the water, so you understand your area’s requirements.

At Sea know your boat’s limits – if it’s designed for inshore use, don’t take it far from land avoid alcohol – it slows down your reaction times and affects your ability to cope if something goes wrong

Use your lifejackets – put them on and secure them properly.

Last June there was a terrible boating tragedy in the Solomon Islands when 17 young people travelling from Malaita to Guadalcanal in a banana boat were drowned in rough seas.

After that incident the then Prime Minister, Mannasseh Sogavare, said the tragedy had elevated concerns to ensure sea travel was made safer.

At the time, he acknowledged that the Search and Rescue Division was short of funds and he promised to include additional money for the agency in the next budget.

He also directed the Ministry of Infrastructure to review the rules governing the manufacture of banana boats, the materials they were made out of and to ensure that certain safety features were made mandatory.

He said this would include requirements that the boats have life rafts, locator beacons, flares and clearly defined limits on passenger numbers and quantity of cargo.

Mr. Sogavare said boat manufacturers and owners and operators could be held criminally liable if they failed to meet the requirements.

I have no recent news on whether or not the “new rules” mentioned by the Hon. Sogavare were introduced.

This week another boating tragedy was thankfully averted when twenty Solomon Islands students were rescued after the boat they were on broke down and left them stranded at sea for two days.

Solomon Islands Police told local media the students and three crew were found on Tuesday after an alarm was raised by concerned parents.

The boat was owned by the Catholic Diocese in Gizo and had left Moli for Gizo on 28 January, when it suffered mechanical problems and started drifting.

To avoid further sea incidents all those venturing to sea should-

Study the weather and the condition of the sea before making a sea journey.

Know the boat; check its reliability and sea-worthiness.

Have proper safety equipment and carry the means of raising an alarm or firing a distress signal.

Use portable GPS range finding equipment if at all possible.

And remember –

“The sea is a dangerous place because it makes you believe in forever.” (Beth Revis)

 

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

School curriculum being aided by the SI Red Cross

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DEAR EDITOR, Mr Jiope Ralulu Iputu, the Principal of the school for people with special needs at lower rifle range in Honiara, has been speaking about the school getting an overseas volunteer to help the school in developing a specific curriculum to suit the needs of the children studying at the school.

The Principal expressed the view that the curriculum to be developed could be used in all schools for children with special needs in the Solomon Islands.

I express my thanks to the SI Red Cross for the work in support of the educational needs of people with special needs and for the humanitarian services the organization does throughout the Solomon Islands.

 

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Studies are more important than protesting

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STUDENTS are meant to concentrate in their studies and not to engage in external affairs affecting their institutions that may lead to distractions in their learning.

Student Association President Reginald Ngati promising not to engage students in staging protest against the government this year is one way forward. We do not condemn protesting outright, but we believe there are means to solve problems amicably.

By contrast, in neighbouring countries like Papua New Guinea, student protest may have led to some changes in their universities, but as always expected, sometimes it turns nasty which results in deaths and even closure of universities.

Definitely we don’t want classes at SINU to be disrupted or students to get aggressive and people get hurt.

We do not rule out the existence of problems that may hinder students from completing their studies at SINU. There are also financial difficulties that students’ face which needs the government to step in.

Call not to protest against the government maybe a good idea so that students concentrate on their studies.

We know for sure SINU is working hard to ensure it lives up to its university status, but students must not sit just back and watch if things are not up to standard.

Accepting failures and criticism is a healthy thing, but there are channels to follow in raising complaints. One such path is what SINUSA President Ngati wishes to follow and that is not to protest but engaging in peaceful dialogue and meetings.

We believe this is the way forward. Should there be disagreement and complaints by students, it should be forwarded to their student leaders to be discussed in a professional manner with all parties involved including the government and SINU administration and board.

After all students are in SINU to study and not to engage in politics and unnecessary protests. We believe there are proper avenues where students can raise their complaints and be dealt with accordingly.

Apart from students, SINU staff seeking better working conditions can also lead to protest and boycott. We don’t want such things to happen at our premier institutions.

So we call on the national government to support SINU to live up to its name and become an attractive and an excellent learning institution but not a place where students learn to become protesters and engage in harmful activities.

Settling their scholarship dues and allowances quickly will help students complete their studies on time and allow them to concentrate on their academic life rather than planning to execute protests which will only lead to more delays and disruptions.

Suffering patiently

City Councillor for Vura ward Reginald Ngati

SINU’s student body reassures no planned protest over Gov’t fund delays

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SOLOMON Islands National University Students Association (SINUSA) will not stage any protest despite government’s delay of allowances to SINU sponsored students.

SINUSA President Mr Reginald Ngati gave this reassurance in an interview with Island Sun on Monday, February 5.

Currently, SINU students under SIG scholarship are still waiting for their funds and allowances delayed since last semester 2017. This is frustrating for the students and is taking a toll on them.

On Monday, SINUSA met with the SINU SIG students, and Ngati encouraged them not to participate in any illegal activities.

Ngati said, “Despite students are experiencing these challenges there is no plan to pressure government in the form of protest, but they want to sort things the right way.

“We do not want students to pressurise government for payment this year.

“I do not want to lead students into an argument with the National Government or argue by way of protest.

“I want things to be sorted out well but if we keep frustrating them on such issues it will not work out well for them.”

Meanwhile, Ngati commends the SIDCC Government led by Prime Minister Rick Hounipwela saying its leadership quality is more ‘focusing and inclusive’.

“I think Mr Hounipwela government is one good government. I saw a report released about its priority areas for these remaining months outlining a general focus that will build the reputation of the government.

“As SINUSA president I am really happy because I see things mishandled last year now starting to be under control and I hope issues relating to scholarship will be ideally managed this year.”

Tennis eyes West Pacific Qualifiers

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Members of Solomon Islands tennis team to last year’s West Pacific Qualifiers in Fiji.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Islands Tennis Association (SITA) is setting its sight on this year’s West Pacific Regional Qualifiers.

General Secretary of Solomon Islands Tennis Association (SITA) Shalom Akao-Waita said last year Solomon Islands were represented by a total of 14 players.

The team comprised 11 home-based players who joined the three others who are based at the Lautoka-based Oceania Tennis Regional Tennis Training Center in Fiji.

The West Pacific Regional Qualifiers is a competition sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and organized by the Oceania Tennis Federation (OTF).

The Qualifiers will be held from April 30 to May 5 at the Oceania Regional Tennis Center at Lautoka and will be attended by young competitors from Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Norfolk Islands and host nation Fiji.

The competition features round robin play to determine entry into the main draw and play-offs for places in each of the under 12, 14 and 16 age categories.

Top players emerging from the qualifiers will be chosen to represent the West Pacific team, who will compete at the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships (POJC), which will be held from July 23 to August 1 in Fiji, against teams from the East and North Pacific regions.

The POJC is the region’s flagship elite junior tennis event.

Mrs Akao-Waita said they might increase their number of participants this year.

“But it’s too early to confirm.

“Our programs will resume in February 24 and it’s too early to confirm this.”

However, Mrs Akao-Waita said they plan to organize a competition next month.

The competition will be used as a selection pathway for the West Pacific Regional Qualifiers.

Naka to rejoin KOSSA for the TSL champs series

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James Naka playing for Nalkutan in the recent friendly with KOSSA at Korman Stadium in Port Vila.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

VETERAN forward James Naka will likely re-join KOSSA for the upcoming Telekom S-League (TSL) championship series next month.

Coach Eddie Marahare confirmed this SunSPORTS last week.

Naka featured prominently for KOSSA this season as captain before moving on to join Vanuatu champions Nalkutan for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions’ League group stage competition.

Nalkutan was drawn in Pool A and will host Ba (Fiji), Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands) and Lae City Dwellers (PNG) at Korman Stadium in Port Vila from February 10 to 16.

Matches will begin this Saturday and Nalkutan will take on Ba in their first fixture.

Marahare said Naka played a big part in their third place finish on the TSL standing this season and he might re-join them for the TSL champion series.

“The TSL championship will now be held after the Oceania champions league so we might have a chance to get Naka back in the team.”

The TSL championship series will begin March 11.

Marist to release final 18 this week

Solomon Warriors Judd Molea goes in for the challenge as Marist’s Atkin Kaua attempts a shot during Sunday’s friendly at Lawson Tama.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

MARIST will release its final 18-man team this week for the upcoming Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League group stage competition this month.

Marist FC coach Jerry Allan confirmed to SunSPORTS yesterday the list had already been finalised and will be published soon.

“Currently we have 23 players in training at the moment.

“The final 18 has already been named and would be soon made known to the media anytime in the coming days.

“We are yet to sort out few issues regarding the list and that’s the reason why it’s being held up,” the O-league winning coach with Hekari United FC of PNG said.

Marist was drawn in Pool D of the OFC Champions League group stage competition alongside Team Wellington (New Zealand), AS Magenta (New Caledonia) and Lupe Ole Soaga (Samoa).

Group D matches will be staged at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara from February 24 to March 2.

Marist will get their campaign underway against Team Wellington for their first match in the 4pm fixture on February 24 and followed by AS Magenta on February 27.

Their final match is against Samoan champions and Michael Fifii-captained Lupe Ole Soaga on March 2.

As part of their preparation for the regional club meeting, they played two friendly matches against Solomon Warriors and lost 2-1 and 2-0 respectively.

The friendlies were played on Thursday and Sunday at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Speaking to SunSPORTS in the post-match interview of the final match, Allan said: “Of course it’s important for us to play friendly games. We need to have game time, we need to play tough opponents to get back to our speed and rhythm and the organization especially on defense and attack we were known for.

“We are only weeks away and without any friendlies or game time, we will find it difficult in the OFC Champions league.

“Our first friendly games on Thursday really helped us identify weak areas that need more attention before the OFC Champions league.

“This is a new stage of preparation. Performance at this stage of our preparation is critical because a performance of excellence is what I want to see from my players,” he adds.

West’s gov’t urged to leave Gizo shoreline for public

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Inter Island travelling still suspended in Western Province

WESTERN Provincial capital town will soon be without a proper boat landing area within the town boundary as most shorelines have already been earmarked for private business developers.

A concerned Mr Andrew Koke told Island Sun Gizo yesterday said that Western provincial government should preserve shorelines for people living around Vella, Ranonga, Kolombangara, Shortland Islands, Vonavona, Roviana and Marovo Lagoon and even Choiseul Province.

He said that no proper jetty or shoreline for people has become a public concern, adding this must be addressed quickly so that people can access a proper shoreline.

“Seeing that there is no proper planning and improvement openly discuss in our provincial level to addressing those issues.

“We call on the authorities to think very serious on these issues affecting the life of people in Western Province.

“Western Provincial Capital Town Gizo is squeezed and messy as it looked like a town developing without any proper planning.”

This paper understands that KHY, Gizo Hotel private jetty, MSG and main Market area is the only main shoreline used by people from Shortland, Choiseul, Vella La Vella, Kolombangara, Ranonga and other