Assistance Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in
Solomon Islands, Ms Rosemary Kafa.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Assistance Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in Solomon Islands, Ms Rosemary Kafa.
A new project was recently launched under the joint partnership of STDF, FAO and SIG during the one-day inception workshop on NPHL ISO 17025 accreditation.
The aim of the project is to develop the capacity of the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in Honiara.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative in Solomon Islands, Ms Rosemary Kafa said the project will ensure NPHL conducts microbiological testing on water and food products in compliance with international standards.
Saying it means testing results will be accepted by trading partners, especially the European Union.
She said the project will address technical knowledge gaps of the NPHL staff and provide improvements to the facility system.
Ms Kafa added that the project will look on procedures to ensure compliance with SPS import requirements of the EU and other trade partners to gain and maintain access to those markets.
She said the overall impact of the project includes ISO 17025 accreditation of the NPHL for microbiological testing to facilitate market access for trade with partners.
And to strengthen the public health role of the NPHL in monitoring and evaluating water and food safety by robust testing for pathogenic microorganism, Ms Kafa said.
She said the project comes in two components and they include strengthening NPHL to provide services and strengthening the sustainability of the lab to maintain international accreditation.
Ms Kafa said the funding for the project is USD606,000 and comes from MHMS USD112,800, FAO and IANZ assessments USD20,128, Donor and IANZ assessment 20,000 and FAO TCPf is USD100, 000.
She said FAO is very happy to assist SIG to strengthen capacity and sustainability of NPHL to acquire the ISO 17025 standard and further maintain the standard.
The process to establish the improvement of the NPHL into an accredited laboratory is expected to take almost two years.
YWPG members at the SIPPA clinic after their tests
YWPG members at the SIPPA clinic after their tests
THE Young Women’s Parliamentary Group (YWPG) is again taking the lead in advocating to end cervical cancer.
The group did a group pap-smear test at the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) clinic on Tuesday, September 12, 2017.
This is part of their ongoing advocacy to end cervical cancer among women.
With the alarming rate of this type of cancer among Solomon Islands’ women it is a great concern to our society.
Looking back in history, the youngest to have developed cervical cancer is 18 years and as such YWPG is calling on all women who are in any sexual relationship to get tested.
Now it is much easier to do tests than three years ago. Tests are freely done at SIPPA and Kukum clinic where one get her results straight after.
Anything to do with reproductive health for men and women is still a subject not openly discussed and a lot of women find it difficult to come out.
“Some are just too busy with work and family life that they do not have time to get tested. Therefore, it is a great concern to us and we’re calling on all women again to take that step,” YWPG advisor, Marisa Pepa said.
The SIPPA clinic is open from Mon-Wed-Fridays for outpatients, so get tested and stay safe.
The Young women’s Parliamentary Group is a voluntary organisation under Parliaments Parliamentary Civic Education Department.
Its role is to nurture young women leaders, network with current leaders and given its location it aims to influence government policies and legislation not necessarily women’s issues only.
The group is headed by the Speaker of Parliament and Prime Minister. They have a five-team executive that manages the group activities.
THE Solomon Islands national under-17 futsal team will open their campaign in the upcoming Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Youth Futsal Tournament against American Samoa and New Zealand in the opening day on October 4.
The Oceania Youth Futsal Tournament will take place October 4-7 at Bruce Pulman Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.
Solomon Islands along with six other Oceania nations are participating.
The others are American Samoa, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.
The tournament’s fixtures were made known after it was released on the OFC website this week.
After the first two matches on the opening day, another two awaits them on October 5 against New Caledonia and Samoa respectively.
On October 6, Solomon Islands will play against Vanuatu in the morning part before wrapping up their campaign against Tonga later in the evening.
Looking at the schedules above, the competition is being conducted in a round-robin format with the overall winner qualifying for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games, where futsal will make its debut.
The management of the Solomon Islands national youth side has already named its final squad and boasts some new upcoming talents including the Bulkshop Under-16 competition golden boot winner Raphael Lea’i.
The team will leave the country on September 21 where they will they make a stopover in Australia to play some warm-up matches against Dural Warriors in Sydney before flying across to New Zealand on September 30 ahead of the tournament kick off on October 4.
The final national U-17 12-man squad and officials are as follows:
A man stands accused in Auki court for lying to people and obtaining money from them.
Yesterday, the court read out allegations against Mr Peter Fakaia which include making false promises to people in return for money.
On August 29, 2017, Peter allegedly met a Isaac Nogwae of Kona village, central Kwara’ae and told him that he was the field operations manager for most of the logging companies operating in Solomon Islands.
The accused reportedly said he dealt mainly with piggery projects for interested applicants, who he said must first fill in an application form which would qualify the applicant to receive $7,200 every September for five consecutive years.
Court was told that the complainant, Mrs Prudence Olofia, became convinced and gave Mr Fakaia $2,500.
Next day, the suspect went back to the complainant’s home and gave a form, titled Monitoring Logging Operation, PO Box 135, phone 30824, to her for signing.
The accused was given another $1,000 by the complainant as approval fee.
He then advised the complainant to attend a meeting at Rarasu Motel on Monday September 4, 2017.
The complainant went there on that date only to find out that there was no such meeting scheduled for that day, and no sign of Fakaia.
Prosecutors further that on September 6, the suspect returned to the complainant and told her that her project had been approved, which would cost her an extra $2,000 approval fee – she gave him the money, totalling her contributions to $5,500.
The accused then asked her to find a partner she trusted to sign and work alongside her.
This new partner, said Fakaia was going to receive a substantial amount of money.
Mrs Olofia then persuaded a sister of hers who signed and gave $1,500 to Fakaia.
He then advised both females to attend a meeting at Rarasu motel on September 8, which again resulted as the first promised meeting.
The complainants then realised that they had been duped and reported the matter to the police.
On Sunday, September 10, Fakaia went back to the complainants and tried to make some more arrangements.
However, this time the complainants would have none of it and insisted that the suspect refund their money.
He tried to escape but youths from the village chased him and took him to the Auki police station.
The suspect is remand for 14 days and will appear again on the 27th of this month at the Auki Magistrate court.
PUBLIC signing of the petition against the withdrawal of the Anti-corruption Bill in Parliament is still on process.
It is understood that yesterday was the date reported for the signing of petition to be presented at Parliament by the Member of Parliament for West Makira Hon Derick Manu’ari after doing the last signing, however, he confirmed that the process of signing is still on process.
“The CSO’s Anti-corruption Committee has not yet updated me but the process of signing is still on-going which is the reason we have not yet presented the petition in Parliament,” said the MP.
An attempt to contact the Chairman of CSO’s Anti-corruption Committee for further updates yesterday was unsuccessful.
The CSO Anti-corruption Committees aim is to reach 10,000 signings from the general public before the Member of Parliament for West Makira Hon Derick Manu’ari will do the last signing.
Rennell forwards on the attack as Makira defense lead by team captain Philemon Campbell looks to contain the pressure. Rennell won 24-12...Photo Taromane Martin
By Taromane Martin
Rennell forwards on the attack as Makira defense lead by team captain Philemon Campbell looks to contain the pressure. Rennell won 24-12…Photo Taromane Martin
DAY three of competition from the 2017 Solrice Inter Islands rugby challenge yesterday sees Bellona rugby team leading Pool B.
Bellona climb to the top of the table after destroying Isabel, 72-7 in their final pool match of the competition, to bag their second win after defeating Malaita Subi 30-20 in their opening match last Sunday.
Despite the huge defeat Isabel Head Coach Trevor Manemahaga said their team is young development side and believes they still have a chance of progressing on to the semi-finals.
“It’s a very disappointing result however Isabel is not a province well known for playing rugby union,” he said.
“But out of passion we decided to join this year’s Inter-Islands. The score line does not matter to us. Fielding a team for the competition and promoting this game in our province and country is more important to us.
“This is our first game. I believe we can win our next game and get through the semi-final. Again the score line does not matter and I believe we still have a chance of making it into the semis.
“Hopefully we can secure the services of some of our players at Selwyn College once we get permission from our principle for Saturday’s game,” Mr Manemahaga said.
Meanwhile in the Pool A clash between Makira and competition defending champions, Rennell, it sees both sitting at the table summit with three points each, after Rennell claimed their first win yesterday.
Makira who defeated Western They defeated Makira 24-12 at the Town Ground Rugby Stadium yesterday.
Roger Tepai, Castro Teaheniu, Simon Tepuke, Eugene Tekobi, Solly Seuka and Tony Kaipua socred a try each for Rennell while Jack Akao and Junior Samani scores a try each for Makira.
Chris Saru converted one conversion from two attempts while Simon Tepuke and Eugene Tekobi both converted a try each for Rennell.
Makira Team Captain Philemon Campbell gave credit to Rennell for the win but said some of their boys were in a relaxed mood after their 17-6 win over Western.
“It’s been good for team Makira. However the result today was unfortunate. I think after coming off our win some of us boys were in a relaxed mood,” he said.
“We’ll need to work on a lot of things. However the main area will be on our set pieces which always let us down during our scrums, line-outs and really moved us back three steps.
“We’ve completed our pool matches now and will wait for the final pool match on Saturday to see where we lie on the table.
“We have one week now to prepare and turn around our game and prepare for the semi-finals,” Campbell said.
Pool matches for this Saturday will see Western taking on Rennell at 2pm followed by Pool B action at 4pm as Malaita Subi meets Isable at the Town Ground rugby stadium.
Kennedy Watemae, right, evades a tackle from Henderson Eels’ midfielder
David Muta while James Naka runs, left, runs in to support.
Kennedy Watemae, right, evades a tackle from Henderson Eels’ midfielder David Muta while James Naka runs, left, runs in to support.
KENNEDY Watemae responded to football fans’ demand he should be a top striker in the Telekom S-League by scoring twice to help Kossa FC come from behind to drown Henderson Eels 3-1 yesterday at Lawson Tama stadium.
Watemae equalized for Kossa FC early in the second half with a clever finish past an onrushing Henderson Eels goalkeeper before giving his side a 2-1 lead after beating the last defender inside the area before blasting home from close range.
And so easily could have had a hat-trick.
Kossa FC put the game to bed with a late third goal putting Eddie Marahare’s side top of the Telekom S-League with seven points from three matches.
Afterwards Watemae, a recent pick from the Solomon Cup tournament, revealed he is reveling in the responsibility the coach has placed on his shoulders as the first choice striker.
“The coach wants me to be the goal scorer for the team that’s why I’m in the starting lineup and I have to do my best as much as I can,” the 19-year-old said.
“We work hard in training and it is paying off. It is promising, our fans want to see wins and they will be pleased today (Wednesday).
“I’m really happy to score two goals my first goals for the club. It is just the start, I hope I can score more goals in the coming matches.
“We just need to keep working to our coaches’ plan,” he said.
Watemae missed Kossa FC’s disappointing 3-3 draw against Malaita Kingz over the weekend but returned against Henderson Eels yesterday with a commanding performance, just a reminder why this teenager was drafted into the Solomon Islands national team by Spanish coach, Felipe Vega-Arango after the Solomon Cup in July.
He made some impressive runs into the area inviting passes from mid-field and had at least two other clear one on one opportunities that were denied by the equally impressive Eels young goalkeeper, James Do’oro.
“The first one I tried to chip the keeper but it did not work out and the second, well, I decided to shot when I could have just placed it into the net,” Watemae recalled his missed scoring chances after the game with a smile.
Of Watemae’s instant impact, former national goalkeeper Severino Aefi, a member of Kossa FC’S coaching staff said: “He is playing well, he is working hard. He likes the team and the team likes him. For every striker, he can play remarkably well. I admire how he plays. Its football, he is one of those players who might not seem fast, but when he is on the ball he is very dangerous.”
Aefi, who was an O-League finalist with Kossa FC during the 2008 season, said the club’s display and confidence was more important than being top of the table this early in the season.
“The fact we start winning and are top, it means nothing. The performance and the levels of confidence to last the whole 90 minutes in a game is what means a lot to me.
“We lost two points against Malaita Kingz at the weekend [in a 3-3 draw] when we were already 3-0 up in the game. Today (Wednesday) we got the three points. The reality is that in the last part of the game, instead of defending a narrow lead, we scored a third goal. What pleased the most was the win.
“Because many times last season we deserved to win and didn’t so the fact we won the match was the most important thing. We made mistakes and have room for improvement but it was a solid performance,” Aefi said.
In addition to Watemae, Captain James Naka caught the eye against Henderson Eels with a display which offered Kossa FC control over the midfield battle against the likes of PNG international David Muta and Clifton Aumae.
After an impressive start in their first season in the Telekom S-League which included holding champions Marist FC 1-1 in the opening weekend, Henderson Eels FC, comprising of mostly renowned players in Honiara, suffered their first defeat from a team effort by Kossa FC.
The 2017 season of the Telekom S-League continues this weekend with Solomon Warriors and defending champions Marist FC already showing signs of being strong title contenders.
Kossa celebrates Watemae’s equaliser against Henderson Eels
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Kossa celebrates Watemae’s equaliser against Henderson Eels
KOSSA has shot to the top of the Telekom S-League (TSL) with seven points after defeating Henderson Eels 3-1 yesterday at Lawson Tama.
The seven points meant they now surpass Solomon Warriors, who was at the top previously with six points.
Before the match, KOSSA was at four points on third place Solomon Warriors and Marist respectively.
In yesterday’s match, KOSSA had a good come back in the second half to score three goals after trailing a goal deficit in the first half.
Young striker Kennedy Watemae starred in the win as he bagged two goals while the other goal was scored by second half substitute Bently.
Eels started the game with many chances but could manage to score only one in the first half when a cross by Tutizama Tanito found Jay Kairi’s head for the first goal.
After the first goal, Eels dominated play with chances came begging but could not be converted as opportunities were squandered.
KOSSA recovered from the continued pressure mounted on them by Eels and surged forward creating opportunities with James Naka and Charlie Otainao pushing fine through balls for Watemae to chase.
Watemae and Naka got close to scoring in three attempts but were denied by the Eels talented young goalkeeper James Do’oro.
By halftime, Eels was leading 1-0.
The second half resumed and KOSSA began creating several opportunities where an equalizer was found through Watemae.
A little while later he added his second goal to put KOSSA in front leading 2-1 before substitute Bently, who came in for Moffat Kilifa wrapped up scoring toward the end of the game.
The loss left Eels remaining at four points.
KOSSA’s next game is on Sunday against Solomon Warriors while Eels will play FC Guadalcanal on Saturday.
RADIO New Zealand International (RNZI) announced on 8 September 2017 that the Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, had signed a deal that day at the Pacific Islands Forum in Samoa that would allow up to, 2000 Pacific Islanders to work in rural areas of Australia to cover shortages in low and semi-skilled jobs.
Mr Turnbull was reported to have said the plan would help the development of both Pacific Island states and regional Australian towns struggling to recruit workers.
RNZI, quoting Samoa’s SBS, said “Mr Turnbull’s announcement expands the current farming-based seasonal worker scheme to include industries like tourism and aged care.”
RNZI also said in the same news bulletin, “Australia has also promised to fund new aerial surveillance missions over the Pacific to detect and disrupt illegal fishing.”
Ahead of the Forum, Mr Turnbull’s government had signalled a “step up” in its engagement in the region.
THE SIBC reported last night, Tuesday, that the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara has no ambulances as both of the hospital’s ambulances were awaiting maintenance and had been out of service for six months.
Quoting the SIBC report in full it said:-
“Ambulances at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara have been out of service for six months, reports a senior staff member. Transport Manager Isaac Ramo told SIBC News today both of the hospital’s ambulances were awaiting maintenance.
“ Mr Ramo said without those vehicles the hospital now used two buses and a Land Cruiser to transport patients and staff. He said sometimes transport employees had to borrow an ambulance from the fire department.
Mr Ramo said even before the current mechanical issues the ambulances and equipment inside were outdated. “Nothing works now,” he said. “Everything is old, some things should be thrown out. We need new things to make them function.”
“The National Referral Hospital Mr Ramo said meeting hospital transport demands would require four ambulances, additional Land Cruisers and buses, and 3-ton trucks. But, he said, these vehicles cannot be purchased with the annual transport budget of $215,000SBD.
“Hospital administrators could not be reached for comment before this story was published.”
I don’t know whether ‘Take My Hands’ charity trust could help locate one or more ambulances from generous donors in New Zealand but I will enquire.
In the event of being able to acquire a second hand ambulance the cost of shipping such a vehicle could be very costly, I suspect, and it might be more practical if a generous partner donor of the Solomon Islands such as the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) or the Government of Japan could step up to aid the transportation difficulties handicapping the NRH and patients there.
The NRH is a vital institution and it is quite sad that the hospital is reportedly so desperately short of transportation.
I really do hope something good will eventuate to solve the concerns expressed by Mr Ramo.
