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Kurukuru leaves for Turkmenistan Monday

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE national futsal side will leave for Turkmenistan on Monday to attend the Fifth Asian Indoor Games.

This is four days ahead of the Games which officially kicks off in the city of Ashgabat next Saturday.

Kurukuru had named its final squad last week and the line-up includes six new faces and five old ones.

The futsal competition of the Games will run from September 16 to 26.

Solomon Islands Kurukuru have been drawn into Pool A alongside Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, HongKong and the host nation in the futsal component of the games.

Coach Sam Jerry had strongly indicated using the tournament as a preparation toward the 2019 Oceania Futsal Qualifiers for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

And that was the reason why he decided to take onboard all young players so that he can be able to groom them ahead of the qualifiers.

“The young players are the future of futsal in this country and it is important we get them ready in time so that we remain competitive at all time and attempt to qualify to play in the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

“Exposing them at such competition will enhance their mentality toward competing at the top level.

“It’s a privilege working with a team who have a lot of talents and I’m confident we can deliver what is expected from us in the Asian Games,” the Kurukuru coach said.

The team will begin their four days journey to Turkmenistan on Monday via Fiji, Hong Kong and Thailand before reaching their destination on September 15, a day prior to the kick off.

Meanwhile, along with the Kurukuru team, two other sports are also representing Solomon Islands, as confirmed by the national Olympic governing body, the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI).

They are weightlifting and athletics.

Meet the final team.

  1. Anthony Talo (GK), 2. Paul Lake (GK), 3. George Stevenson, 4. Coleman Makau, 5. Samuel Osifelo, 6. Alwin Hou, 7. Albert Witney, 8. Atana Junior Fa’arodo, 9. Marlon Sia, 10. Alwin Ray, 11. Junior Kasute’e

Incidents involving logging contractors and landowners

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
MORE and more I read of incidents and disputes occurring in the Solomon Islands involving Asian logging contractors and indigenous landowners. 
I can cite several cases in which logging equipment and machinery has been torched allegedly by angry landowners when logging contractors encroached on their customary land without consent.
There was even a reported incident at Kazukuru in the Western Province just last week when Gallego Resources, a logging company, tried to land their equipment on Kazukuru customary land but there was strong resistance from disgruntled landowners who resisted attempts to bring logging machinery ashore.
Logging has been the mainstay of the Solomons economy for many years but there has always been a perception that the incapacity of the state to control timber companies has led to patterns of environmental mismanagement and allegations of corrupt practices.
Here it is perhaps fair to say state capacity is undercut by weak state legal powers over forests, attitudes of decision makers, cultural pressures on state members, political instability, bad policies, inadequate bureaucratic resources, and to a lesser extent, ties among state officials and corporate executives.
It is against such a backdrop that allegations of corruption in forest management are always being levelled and it is even whispered that the members of the police force in certain provinces are being bribed by logging harvesters to evade sanctions for rule violations.
The RSIPF must not allow its re-built reputation to be sullied by such allegations of petty corruption and it is imperative that the police service has clearly laid down policy guide lines (if not already in existence) in the form of standing orders for handling logging and landowner disputes, including how to deal effectively, fairly and impartially when there is a breach of the peace or a public order situation arising from logging incidents.
 An act of corruption, or the abuse of trusted power, is a disciplinary offence in the Police Act and Police Regulations and every police officer must remain mindful of his or her duty to uphold the law and not to be in any way influenced to take bribes no matter the circumstances.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Draw rejuvenates hope

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Midfielder Micah Lealafa takes on two All Whites player

It feels like win: Felipe

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE performance by the Solomon Islands national soccer side in yesterday’s 2-all draw against the New Zealand All Whites in Honiara would in some way helped rejuvenated some form of pride in the soccer-mad nation’s football hopes.

Despite going down 6-1 in the away leg last Friday at the Auckland’s QBE Stadium, Solomon Islands clawed their back in the home leg by holding off the mighty and professionally-dominated All Whites to a draw infront of a roaring thousands of fans at the Lawson Tama Stadium – something that was sure to have gone down well with the entire local football community.

The 8-3 aggregate result produced by the All Whites over the two-legged fixtures have guaranteed them a spot in November’s Inter-continental play-off against the fifth-placed South American (CONMEBOL) side with the winner claiming entry into next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

But according to Felipe Vega-Arango Alonso, whose contract as head coach expires today, he described the draw as a win for him.

“For me, it feels like a win. We are losing to nothing in 20 minutes with two mistakes against a professional team while my players being all amateurs. We must never forget about that gap.”

The match started and All Whites found themselves leading after 14 minutes when a persistent Myer Bevan put the visitors infront capitalising on a loose ball in the box following a ricocheted effort from Kosta Barbarouses.

Seven minutes later, they extended lead to 2-0 and Barbarouses, evading a sliding tackle from Henry Fa’arodo in the process, unleashed his cross from the left which deflected off Harddis Aengari’s head to find way past goalkeeper Philip Mango, who had already advanced off his mark.

In the 28th minute, Solomon Islands pulled one back through Micah Lea’alafa’s spot kick and that liven up things for them to get back into the game.

Prior to that, Benjamin Totori almost got his name on the scoresheet with his left footer shot, only for Stefan Marinovic to pull out a well-fashioned save in full stretch.

Solomon Islands dominated possession and mounted pressure against the All Whites deep into the area.

The combination of Lea’alafa, Gagame Feni, Totori and Clifton Aumae proved handful for All Whites every time when surging forward close to the box but opportunities were left squandered.

In one of their well-crafted moves, Fa’arodo picked up a pass outside the area and unleashed a shot which forced Marinovic to the best of his ability and made a fingertip save.

The homeside’s dominance continued into the second half and the introduction of Atkin Kaua and James Naka onto the fray proved effective as the latter was brought down in the box.

Fa’arodo stepped up and made no mistake putting the scores to 2-all from the spot, sending Marinovic the wrong way 13 minutes from the end of regulation time.

Alonso said: “I think we did a wonderful job and it would be really unfair to lose the game. 2-2 is a good score for both teams. We have more chances than they did, actually, a lot more.

“And I think it’s a good stepping stone for the country. They need to be working in the right direction. And if they keep working this way, the future of the Solomon Islands football looks bright to me,” the Spaniard said.

Despite the draw, All Whites coach Anthony Hudson was relieved they made it through to the Inter-continental play-off.

“The objective for us is to get to the final.

“So I don’t care. When you win 8-3 on aggregate, I don’t think anyone will complain.

“I think we still give credit to the home team tonight.

“We made five changes in the team. We already have lots of first team players who are not on this tour. So to get an 8-3 result on aggregate, for us to get to the final is very pleasing and a job well done.

“We have to make sure we prepare proper in October and get all our best players back and we’re ready for November,” the Englishman said.

Janus gets eight search warrants

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

By Alfred Sasako

 

THE Magistrates Court has issued about eight search warrants to JANUS, the crack anti-corruption unit, to help it burrow through mountains of corruption allegations against officials and politicians.

These warrants were sought and received by Police about two months ago, sources told Island Sun.

At least three politicians are included in the search warrants.

Faced with the daunting task of tracing money trails, JANUS has sought and received search warrant approvals to enable it examine bank accounts details, business dealings and other aspects of interest to JANUS investigators.

“The search warrants have been issued. They were issued about two months ago,” those close to the investigations, say.

“These warrants would help JANUS access bank account details for example, something that would not be accessible in normal circumstances” one source familiar with the process, said.

It is not clear how many of the warrants JANUS has executed.

On Monday Island Sun sought confirmation from the Criminal Investigation Unit (major crimes) but no response was received.

One of the difficulties faced by JANUS investigators in establishing money trails is the lack of forensic auditors in the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). Because JANUS’ work concentrates on alleged misuse of public funds, tracing the money trails contribute to delays in gathering evidence to support prosecution in court.

It is not clear whether Police Commissioner, Mathew Varley, has or will be seeking external assistance in the area of forensic auditing. Observers pointed out that the fact that Commissioner Varley’s engagement is a private arrangement between Honiara and Canberra, there is little hope he would go after those who endorsed his appointment.

The European Union wants its aid better targeted to the Pacific

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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ACCORDING to a recent Radio New Zealand International news item, the European Union wants its aid and development to the region to be better targeted to the Pacific.
The RNZI bulletin said:-
“The EU is preparing for the end of the Cotonou Agreement, which was signed by the 78 members of the African Caribbean and Pacific group of nations in 2000.
“The EU’s Post-Cotonou High Level Facilitator, Pascal Lamy, said the EU was eager to sign a new deal, but one that would have more focus on each region.
“And this implies that in terms of priorities of the partnership, issues like environmental resilience, like ocean management, like sustainable agriculture or sustainable energy, all will probably feature, because they are more Pacific specific, higher than they did in the previous partnership,” said Mr Lamy.
“Mr Lamy is touring the Pacific to gauge Pacific island countries views on what should be in the treaty.
“He said the EU was keen to renew it for a number of reasons.
“Which has to do with the global presence of the European Union, with its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals within which we can have a lot of co-operation with these Pacific countries, especially given the prominent issues like climate change, ocean sustainability now have, whereas they hadn’t that importance 20 years ago when the previous agreement, Cotonou, was negotiated,” Mr Lamy said.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

 

Scientific development of a camera to see through the human body

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
THE UK Evening Standard newspaper of 4 September 2017 gave exciting news of a scientific development of a camera capable of seeing through the human body.
Quoting the newspaper article it said:-
“Scientists in Scotland have developed a new camera that can see through the human body.
“The camera will help doctors track medical tools used to investigate a range of internal conditions, known as endoscopes.
“It works by detecting sources of light inside the body – such as the illuminated tip of the endoscope’s tube.
“Until now, it has not been possible to track where the kit is without using X-rays or other expensive methods.
“The prototype device can track light through up to 20 centimetres of body tissue and record the time taken for light to pass through the body – meaning it can determine the exact location of the endoscope.
“Professor Kev Dhaliwal from the University of Edinburgh, which led the project alongside Heriot-Watt University, said the tool has “immense potential” for assisting with treatments that are minimally invasive.
“And it has been designed so it can be used at the patient’s bedside for minimum disruption.
“The project is part of the Proteus Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration, which is developing new technologies for diagnosing and treating lung diseases.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

India vows to help 7 Pacific states combat climate change

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
IN a Radio New Zealand International (RNZI news bulletin today, Tuesday, 5 September 2017, it was reported that the Government of India has vowed to help 7 Pacific States combat the effects of climate change.
Quoting from the RNZI bulletin it said:-
“The newly established India-UN Development Partnership Fund aims to help island countries become more resilient to extreme weather and other climate change impacts.
“The fund said since 1950 extreme weather events in the region had caused more than 9,800 deaths and affected 9.2 million people.
“UNDP Pacific is to implement the project in Tonga, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia.
“The project involves the provision of technical equipment and training of hydrologists and meteorologists.
“India is the world’s fourth largest emitter of carbon dioxide after China, the United States and the European Union.”
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

New Zealand take my hands charitable trust nominated for a sustainable business award

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
IN New Zealand, the charitable trust that has freighted containers of medical supplies and equipment for the NRH for the past 12 months has been named one of 12 finalists in the “Partnering for Good” category of the Sustainable Business Network Awards.
 According to a bulletin broadcast on Radio New Zealand International (RNZI) last week, the charity was nominated for its work sourcing useable medical supplies and equipment in New Zealand for the Solomon Islands’ main hospital in Honiara.
Quoting from the RNZI bulletin it said:-
“Take My Hands’ Janette Searle says their model involves partnering with New Zealand businesses and health boards to try and fill a needs list compiled by the hospital and the Solomons Ministry of Health.
“The first project we sent a 40 foot container of hospital beds that got used in the paediatric wards. And since then we have sent three other 20 foot containers. And all of it has been in response to the needs list that they have sent us. The awesome side of it for us is when we get stories about how it is being used and how it is improving healthcare for people in need over there.”
“Janette Searle says the charity continues to work in Solomon Islands but has also been to Fiji and Tonga to see what needs exist there and find out if they can do anything to help address them.
“The winners of the different categories of the NZI Business Network Awards will be announced at a black tie gala ceremony on Auckland’s waterfront on 30th November.”
 
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

The political dimensions of a corruption cleanup

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
JANUS continues to widen its net and now one reads that a warrant of arrest was issued last Friday for the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening. 
The latest arrest follows closely on the heels of several Permanent Secretaries having been arrested for alleged corruption offences.
As a consequence of these anti-corruption pursuits it came as something of a surprise that the Prime Minister withdrew the anti-corruption bill when it was re-introduced in Parliament again last week.
The withdrawal provoked an outcry against the withdrawal by the Opposition Parliamentary Group, citing the Prime Minister had lied and was even misleading the nation on his avowed intention to introduce the anti-corruption legislation.
There appears to have been a public reaction to the withdrawal of the anti-corruption bill with members of civil society organisations and concerned citizens meeting in public forums to discuss ways to revive the bill.
The PM in response to the criticism has promised a new version of the anti-corrupt bill next Parliament sitting, accusing the Opposition of inciting an anti-government atmosphere.
Prime Minister Sogavare has reiterated that the withdrawn bill was weak and had to be completely withdrawn to make way for a newer version which will carry improvements from recommendations by the Bills and Legislations Committee (BLC).
The new version he says will be fool-proof compared to the withdrawn bill, and will contain huge changes that promote its integrity.
The PM has reassured the nation that the new version of the Anti-Corruption Bill will be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament.
It is understood some the changes the PM has envisaged will include:-
(a)           The qualification of would-be Commissioners and duration of their appointments;
(b)            Members of the Select Committee to scrutinise applicants and recommend appointment of Commissioners;
(c)             Recognition of the role to be played by the Steering Committee overseeing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy implementation;
(d)            Improvements to the way complaints are handled as well as when investigating them;
(e)            Procedure to return proceeds of corruption;
(f)              Reinstating section 374 of the Penal Code – Corrupt Practices and 375 of the Penal Code – Secret Commissions on Government Contracts which were meant to be repealed in the 2016 version of the Anti-Corruption Bill;
(g)             as well as a number of drafting improvements to the Bill.
 The PM has further explained that such changes have already been made to the ACB and because there are numerous and substantive changes to the 2016 version, the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet agreed with the opinion of the Attorney General’s Chambers that it will be better to present an entirely new Anti-Corruption Bill.
After 14 long years of RAMSI with coaching on the codes of governance, I like many in the Solomon Islands want to see the introduction of the anti-corruption legislation on the statute books but I suspect, as last week illustrated, there are political dimensions along the way in implementing a corruption clean-up.
I am far from the local scene and I would need to wait and see what the revised anti-corruption bill will encompass, apart from what the PM has mentioned about the draft changes, but my concerns centre on some core issues and reasons why ‘corrupt’ behaviour takes place and is rarely sanctioned.  These are:-
(1) A lack of “ethics of those with responsibility.”
(2) An unwillingness to denounce or prosecute those who are corrupt, although JANUS has so-far been effective in exposing those alleged to have been involved in corrupt practices.
(3) A lack of truly “independent checking mechanisms” See also No. (8)
(4) The “grey area” between custom and corruption
(5) Abuse of affirmative action policies
 (6) The prevalence of slush funds and of nepotism
(7) Secrecy surrounding campaign financing.
(8) Allegations regarding the use and distribution of funds paid to MPs for rural projects and development
(8) Bribing of voters, and
(9) Allegations regarding tendering and the awarding of contracts.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short

Mass resignation threat

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

Magistrates on stand-by to quit jobs over housing allowance, no response from Gov’t

 

By Alfred Sasako

 

GOVERNMENT lawyers in the Magistrates Court have threatened to resign en masse unless their housing allowance is increased to $7,500 a month immediately, sources told Island Sun.

The threat was contained in a letter sent to Secretary to Cabinet (STC), James Remobatu about a month ago. It is understood the Chief Justice was also copied in on the letter.

But to date there has been no response by the Government.

Mr Remobatu was sent an email yesterday afternoon about the matter but there was no response from him.

It is understood lawyers serving as Magistrates are receiving $5,000 in rentals per month.

However due to price increases in accommodation rentals, the lawyers now feel the current rental allowance is not sufficient.

As a result, they have asked the government to consider raising the rate to $7,500 a month. It is understood this week is the deadline.

Many are understood to have lined up outside jobs with better terms and conditions.

“They have threatened to resign en masse if their request is not approved. Should that happen it would be a huge blow to the courts, which in the 18 months has seen a huge increase in criminal cases,” one observer told Island Sun yesterday.

“Cases of rapes and other criminal activities have increased substantially in the last 18 months and no one seems to place a finger on the reason(s) for this.

“It could well be that policing has been effective or that individuals have become aware of their rights and report these to police,” the observer said.

The observer said should Magistrates resign en masse, there would a huge backlog in cases.

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